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 attempt their hand at native fishing, and it boasts the world’s largest assortment of totem poles unfold throughout 4 main websites (probably the most recognizable being Totem Bight State Historic Park).
Because the metropolis is perched on stilts, a lot of Ketchikan’s downtown sits excessive above the water. That is significantly distinguished within the historic Creek Avenue district that runs parallel to Ketchikan Creek. As soon as the city’s Pink Mild district, Creek Avenue now hosts vacationer outlets 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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Often called one of many “large 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 convey your umbrella whenever you go to — the 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 principle cruise pier that reveals how a lot rain Ketchikan has had thus far this 12 months.
Issues TPG loves about Ketchikan
- The historic Creek Avenue district provides loads of actions and views.
- There are many alternatives to discover close by sights, reminiscent of 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 Customary Time and 4 hours behind Jap Customary Time.
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Arrival particulars
Ships calling on Ketchikan tie up within the coronary heart of downtown, straight throughout from a lot of the metropolis’s bars, eating places and outlets, and just some minutes’ stroll from historic Creek Avenue. Ketchikan has 4 berths. Berths 1 and a couple of are simply steps away from the outlets 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, probably the most distant, is a couple of 10- to 15-minute stroll from the center of downtown.
Nevertheless, 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 among the outside shore tour actions and does include a number of outlets 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 provides a plethora of the way to spend your day. Guests can stroll the quaint streets, go window procuring or pattern the very good seafood on supply. They will additionally get acquainted with the 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 effectively to take a look at The Nice Alaskan Lumberjack Present. This moderately priced leisure venue provides 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 open air, sheltered and heated seating retains visitors comfy.
No go to to Ketchikan is full and not using a go to to Totem Bight State Park, one in all 4 areas in Ketchikan the place these magnificent artworks are on show. The Totem Heritage Heart provides a fantastic 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 attributable to 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 procuring mecca that additionally provides glorious views of spawning salmon (and the odd harbor seal). Remember to cease in at Dolly’s Home, a former brothel was a museum.
Exterior of city, Misty Fjords Nationwide Monument is a superb alternative 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 lately make it tough for us to thoroughly 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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Common Ketchikan excursions
Whereas Alaska shore excursions may be jaw-droppingly costly, Ketchikan is among the few ports that appears to have a wonderful stability between comparatively cheap excursions that final just a few hours and longer, dearer bucket-list journeys like crab feasts, wildlife cruises and flightseeing adventures.
Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour
In case you’re a fan of the long-running Discovery Channel present, “The Deadliest Catch,” you may be completely happy to know you’ll be able to truly 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 visitors a glimpse at what it takes to deal with the large king crab pots and endure life on the Bering Sea.
Nice Alaskan Lumberjack Present
A lot of excursions embody 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 method, it is among the most reasonably priced and surprisingly pleasing 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 (one of the best 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 individual eat? Discover out on this totally indulgent tour.
City and harbor by duck boat
It is kitschy and sometimes 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 enchanting tour of Ketchikan by land and sea.
How you can get round Ketchikan by yourself
- On foot: That is one of the simplest 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, significantly if docking at Ward Cove.
- Taxi: As with most Alaskan cities and cities, taxis can be found right here however may be tough to come back by, significantly when ships are in port. Companies like Uber and Lyft can be found, however they may also be costly and arduous to seek out.
- Bike or scooter: It’s potential to hire bicycles or e-bikes from a number of suppliers in Ketchikan that may be helpful for getting round city.
- Automotive: Automotive leases should not extensively obtainable in Ketchikan.
Ketchikan eating places close to the cruise pier
Ketchikan has quite a few nice eating places for cruise passengers to take pleasure in, and they need to. The seafood served right here is implausible, and eating places run the gamut from small grab-and-go outlets to venues with harbor views. Search for eateries serving down-home consolation meals in case 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 outside seating — to not point out quite a lot of native Alaskan beers on faucet.
If that is full, contemplate Ketchikan Crab & Go, conveniently positioned subsequent door, contained in the outlets at Salmon Touchdown. It additionally provides loads of indoor and outside seating.
Different standouts in Ketchikan embody The Krabby Krab Shack on Principal 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, a couple of blocks previous the principle entrance to Creek Avenue.
Ketchikan dishes to attempt
Salmon is our prime advice right here, from chowder to rolls to burgers. You can also’t go improper with Alaskan crab and different seafood.
For many who aren’t seafood experts, concern not: Ketchikan has a stunning number of culinary choices, from normal American fare to Mexican, Asian and European-inspired dishes.
Ketchikan cruise port procuring
You do not have to look far to seek out procuring choices, irrespective of the place you are docked in Ketchikan. Outlets line the size of Entrance Avenue alongside Ketchikan’s berths, and even Ward Cove has its personal devoted procuring 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 Outlets 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 in case you stroll a couple of blocks into the city of Ketchikan, away from Entrance Avenue, you may discover extra genuine, native outlets full of arts, crafts and extra.
Creek Avenue, too, is full of outlets — some touristic, some native, some chintzy, some costly. Literary followers will need to cease into Parnassus Books, whereas these in search of 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, significantly when the salmon are working, for some nice nature views. A salmon ladder remark platform is on the prime of Married Man’s Path and is well worth the go to.
Whereas not completely free, you’ll be able to take the Cape Fox Lodge Funicular from the bottom of Creek Avenue as much as the Cape Fox Lodge for a small price. (These eating on the Lodge’s restaurant have the funicular price waived.) Closed for six years, the funicular simply reopened in the summertime of 2025 and provides spectacular views.
Vacationers with children would possibly need to take a simple 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 price applies for the latter).
Backside line
Included on almost each cruise itinerary to Alaska, Ketchikan is an excellent port the place guests can wander round city or discover the colourful nature that surrounds the town. Simply do not forget your umbrella.
