Simply north of the Canadian border, Ketchikan is the southernmost metropolis in Alaska. Based in August of 1900, Ketchikan is located on Revillagigedo Island close to the Tongass Narrows, the doorway to the Pacific Ocean and the famed Inside Passage.
A historic fishing village with a long-standing Tlingit Native presence, Ketchikan represents each of those worlds whereas additionally catering to vacationers. For instance, Ketchikan has loads of alternatives for vacationers to strive their hand at native fishing, and it boasts the world’s largest assortment of totem poles unfold throughout 4 main websites (essentially the most recognizable being Totem Bight State Historic Park).
For the reason that metropolis is perched on stilts, a lot of Ketchikan’s downtown sits excessive above the water. That is notably distinguished within the historic Creek Avenue district that runs parallel to Ketchikan Creek. As soon as the city’s Crimson Gentle district, Creek Avenue now hosts vacationer retailers and, within the fall months, it is the prime spot to view salmon as they arrive upstream to spawn.
Ketchikan can also be noteworthy for its proximity to Misty Fjords Nationwide Monument, providing quite a few flightseeing excursions and wildlife boat excursions to this pristine part of the Tongass Nationwide Forest.
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Referred to as one of many “huge three” Alaska ports of name (along with Juneau and Skagway), Ketchikan is a featured cease on most cruises to the state. Simply bear in mind to deliver your umbrella if you go to — town is within the coronary heart of a rainforest and will get about 232 days of rain per 12 months. There’s even a “rain gauge” close to the primary cruise pier that exhibits how a lot rain Ketchikan has had to this point this 12 months.
Issues TPG loves about Ketchikan
- The historic Creek Avenue district gives loads of actions and views.
- There are many alternatives to discover close by sights, equivalent to Misty Fjords and the Tongass Nationwide Forest.
- You may discover an abundance of native Tlingit tradition.
What we might do with out
- It may be a hike to stroll from Berth 4 to the center of city.
- Some ships dock on the extra far-flung Ward Cove — a 20-minute drive to and from Ketchikan correct.
- If you are going to see rain throughout your Alaska journey, it will be right here.
Ketchikan quick information
- Language: English is the official language in Ketchikan.
- Foreign money: The U.S. greenback is used for all purchases in Ketchikan.
- Time zone: Ketchikan is within the Alaska Time Zone (GMT-8), one hour behind Pacific Normal Time and 4 hours behind Jap Normal Time.
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Arrival particulars
Ships calling on Ketchikan tie up within the coronary heart of downtown, immediately throughout from many of the metropolis’s bars, eating places and retailers, and only a few minutes’ stroll from historic Creek Avenue. Ketchikan has 4 berths. Berths 1 and a pair of are simply steps away from the retailers at Salmon Touchdown and sights like The Nice Alaskan Lumberjack Present, whereas Berth 3 is located close to the long-standing Tongass Buying and selling Firm store proper on the harbor. Berth 4, essentially the most distant, is a few 10- to 15-minute stroll from the center of downtown.
Nonetheless, passengers arriving in Ketchikan on board Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania or Regent Seven Seas ships will dock at Ward Cove, a brand new cruise terminal space located roughly 20 minutes’ drive west of Ketchikan. Free shuttle buses transport passengers to downtown Ketchikan, with a drop-off level adjoining to Berth 4. Whereas Ward Cove is nearer to a number of the out of doors shore tour actions and does include a number of retailers on the terminal — itself housed in an outdated cannery — it does require extra persistence to get into the center of Ketchikan.
Prime issues to do in Ketchikan cruise port
Ketchikan gives a plethora of the way to spend your day. Guests can stroll the quaint streets, go window purchasing or pattern the very good seafood on supply. They will additionally get acquainted with town’s in depth Tlingit historical past or enterprise farther afield to locations like Misty Fjords for scenic wildlife cruises or flightseeing.
Households would do properly to take a look at The Nice Alaskan Lumberjack Present. This moderately priced leisure venue gives enjoyable for the entire household with loads of showmanship as performers race up tall logs, have interaction in carving and axe-throwing competitions, and check out their greatest to remain upright within the log rolling competitors. Whereas the occasion is outside, sheltered and heated seating retains company snug.
No go to to Ketchikan is full with out a go to to Totem Bight State Park, certainly one of 4 areas in Ketchikan the place these magnificent artworks are on show. The Totem Heritage Heart gives an amazing assortment of Tlingit and Haida totems, and it is a manageable stroll from city for these trying to go to independently. Totem Bight and Saxman Totem Park are greatest explored as a part of a shore tour on account of their comparatively far distance from city.
Creek Avenue, only a 10-minute stroll from nearly all of the cruise piers, attracts throngs of vacationers, even within the rain. This former red-light district is now a purchasing mecca that additionally gives wonderful views of spawning salmon (and the odd harbor seal). Make sure to cease in at Dolly’s Home, a former brothel was a museum.
Exterior of city, Misty Fjords Nationwide Monument is a superb selection for wildlife and nature cruises that depart from Ketchikan. Flightseeing can also be a preferred choice from Ketchikan, although quite a few high-profile crashes in recent times make it troublesome for us to completely suggest it.
Climbing can also be a preferred choice in Ketchikan. The trailheads for each Perseverance Lake and Frog Pond are close to the Ward Cove docks, handy for adventurers whose ships dock there.
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Standard Ketchikan excursions
Whereas Alaska shore excursions may be jaw-droppingly costly, Ketchikan is without doubt one of the few ports that appears to have a superb stability between comparatively cheap excursions that final only some hours and longer, costlier bucket-list journeys like crab feasts, wildlife cruises and flightseeing adventures.
Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour
In the event you’re a fan of the long-running Discovery Channel present, “The Deadliest Catch,” you may be joyful to know you possibly can really set out on one of many ships featured within the present. The Aleutian Ballad, featured within the present’s second season, has been transformed right into a vacationer attraction that sails into the Inside Passage, giving company a glimpse at what it takes to deal with the huge king crab pots and endure life on the Bering Sea.
Nice Alaskan Lumberjack Present
Numerous excursions embrace the Nice Alaskan Lumberjack Present, together with excursions that pair it with a crab feast, axe-throwing expertise or a go to to Totem Bight State Park. Both approach, it is without doubt one of the most reasonably priced and surprisingly satisfying family-friendly experiences in Alaska.
Wilderness exploration cruise and crab feast
This four-hour tour takes a wilderness cruise to close by George Inlet, the place wildlife is ample (the perfect eagle sightings we have ever seen have been right here), and pairs it with an all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab feast on the George Inlet Lodge. How a lot crab can one particular person eat? Discover out on this totally indulgent tour.
City and harbor by duck boat
It is kitschy and infrequently groan-inducing, however exploring Ketchikan by amphibious duck boat has been a staple of excursions right here for many years. Cheap, informative and good for the entire household, it makes for an interesting tour of Ketchikan by land and sea.
Find out how to get round Ketchikan by yourself
- On foot: That is one of the best ways to see Ketchikan, as a lot of the city is accessible inside strolling distance for most individuals. These with mobility points would possibly need to go for panoramic excursions with a number of stops, notably if docking at Ward Cove.
- Taxi: As with most Alaskan cities and cities, taxis can be found right here however may be troublesome to come back by, notably when ships are in port. Companies like Uber and Lyft can be found, however they will also be costly and laborious to search out.
- Bike or scooter: It’s doable to lease bicycles or e-bikes from a number of suppliers in Ketchikan that may be helpful for getting round city.
- Automotive: Automotive leases are usually not broadly accessible in Ketchikan.
Ketchikan eating places close to the cruise pier
Ketchikan has quite a few nice eating places for cruise passengers to bask in, and they need to. The seafood served right here is improbable, and eating places run the gamut from small grab-and-go retailers to venues with harbor views. Search for eateries serving down-home consolation meals should you want a refreshing change from the fare in your ship.
Our go-to spot is the Alaska Fish Home, which is simply steps from Berth 1 and adjoining to the Nice Alaskan Lumberjack Present. The salmon chowder right here is to die for, and the venue has indoor and out of doors seating — to not point out a wide range of native Alaskan beers on faucet.
If that is full, contemplate Ketchikan Crab & Go, conveniently positioned subsequent door, contained in the retailers at Salmon Touchdown. It additionally gives loads of indoor and out of doors seating.
Different standouts in Ketchikan embrace The Krabby Krab Shack on Important Avenue (a welcome addition to the Ketchikan eating scene); The Pioneer Cafe on Mission Avenue for diner-style, uncomplicated however scrumptious eats; Timber & Tide, one of many few institutions proper at Berth 4; and the always-popular New York Cafe on Stedman Avenue, just a few blocks previous the primary entrance to Creek Avenue.
Ketchikan dishes to strive
Salmon is our prime suggestion right here, from chowder to rolls to burgers. You can also’t go mistaken with Alaskan crab and different seafood.
For many who aren’t seafood professionals, worry not: Ketchikan has a stunning number of culinary choices, from customary American fare to Mexican, Asian and European-inspired dishes.
Ketchikan cruise port purchasing
You do not have to look far to search out purchasing choices, irrespective of the place you are docked in Ketchikan. Retailers line the size of Entrance Avenue alongside Ketchikan’s berths, and even Ward Cove has its personal devoted purchasing space inside the previous cannery that now serves as a cruise terminal and welcome middle.
Tongass Buying and selling Co., close to Berth 3, is a Ketchikan staple that caters to vacationers and locals alike. The Retailers at Salmon Touchdown, positioned throughout from Berth 1, have been providing vacationers loads of alternatives to spend cash since their debut within the Nineties.
However should you stroll just a few blocks into the city of Ketchikan, away from Entrance Avenue, you may discover extra genuine, native retailers full of arts, crafts and extra.
Creek Avenue, too, is full of retailers — some touristic, some native, some chintzy, some costly. Literary followers will need to cease into Parnassus Books, whereas these searching for genuine Native artwork will need to name on Loopy Wolf Studio, simply up the road on Mission.
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Free issues to do within the Ketchikan cruise port
It prices nothing to go to Ketchikan’s historic Creek Avenue neighborhood. There are entrances to its boardwalk from each Dock Avenue (close to Parnassus Books) and Stedman Avenue (close to the New York Cafe). Take a stroll from Creek Avenue alongside Married Man’s Path up into the center of Ketchikan’s higher city, notably when the salmon are working, for some nice nature views. A salmon ladder commentary platform is on the prime of Married Man’s Path and is definitely worth the go to.
Whereas not totally free, you possibly can take the Cape Fox Lodge Funicular from the bottom of Creek Avenue as much as the Cape Fox Lodge for a small payment. (These eating on the Lodge’s restaurant have the funicular payment waived.) Closed for six years, the funicular simply reopened in the summertime of 2025 and gives spectacular views.
Vacationers with children would possibly need to take a straightforward 15-minute stroll from Ketchikan’s Berth 1, close to Salmon Touchdown, to the superb Totem Heritage Playground, simply steps from the equally worthwhile Totem Heritage Heart (a small entry payment applies for the latter).
Backside line
Included on practically each cruise itinerary to Alaska, Ketchikan is a superb port the place guests can wander round city or discover the colourful nature that surrounds town. Simply remember your umbrella.
