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How To Spend A Day In Ketchikan: “Salmon Capital Of The World”

As the first city of Alaska, Ketchikan is a popular destination for cruise guests and tourists alike. With its rich history, stunning natural beauty, and unique culture, this southeast Alaska destination offers something for everyone to enjoy.

If you only have a day to spend in Ketchikan, don’t worry – you can fit a lot into a port day. From exploring the historic Creek Street to admiring the totem poles at the Saxman Native Village, we share fun activities and adventures.

And, of course, no visit to Ketchikan would be complete without trying some of the fresh seafood that the town is famous for.

Thundering Wings sculpture at the Ketchikan port

Planning Your Visit

When planning a visit to Ketchikan, Alaska, there are a few things to remember to make the most of your time in this beautiful city.

Summer, from June to August, is the preferred time to visit. However, this is also the busiest time, so be prepared for crowds and higher prices.

Ketchikan’s Weather

Ketchikan’s weather is known for being rainy and mild, with an average annual rainfall of 162 inches. Near the visitor center, a liquid sunshine gauge tracks the yearly precipitation. With the right gear, we always enjoy all that Ketchikan offers.

Our packing list includes a waterproof coat, rainproof shoes, and a compact umbrella. Be aware that shore excursions run rain or shine.

Getting Around Ketchikan

This southwest city is a great walkable destination. Many attractions are close to the Ketchikan cruise port by the visitor center. For areas beyond downtown, there are car rentals and public transportation.

Budget Car Rentals and Turo are available, providing freedom to explore further afield. Ketchikan Gateway Borough Transit System operates several bus routes, and I found it reliable and efficient.

Ketchikan Gateway Borough bus
Ketchikan Gateway Borough bus

It costs USD 2 to take a bus to Totem Bight State Park or Saxman Totem Park, and buses are wheelchair accessible. We made sure to know what time the bus would come back for the return run.

Exploring Ketchikan

The charming town of Ketchikan begs for exploration. It’s a great place to wander without a shore excursion. However, those preferring a tour have many options.

If you’re on a budget, walking its streets and trails is one of the best ways to see this charming town. The Thundering Wings Bald Eagle sculpture begs for a selfie along the waterfront.

Nearby, a unique tunnel is famous for being one that can be driven through, over, and around.

Creek Street

Creek Street is a must-visit for its history and picture-postcard persona. This historic boardwalk was once home to a bustling red-light district. Today, it’s a tourist hot spot for shopping, dining, and admiring the views.

We enjoyed strolling along the boardwalk, checking out the colorful buildings, and watching the salmon swim upstream in the creek below. Dolly’s House, a lime-green building that stands out from the rest, has a small brothel museum.

Creek Street, Ketchikan
Creek Street, Ketchikan

Further up the boardwalk, follow the Married Men’s Trail to the salmon fish ladder.

Explore A Museum

For a fun and educational experience, we recommend visiting one or more of Ketchikan’s museums. It’s a great stopping point if it’s raining on your port day. These museums document the area’s history and culture with interactive exhibits:

  • Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. We learned about the salmon industry, Native Alaskan traditions, and the state’s unique ecosystem.
  • Tongass Historical Museum showcases the history of fishing, gold mining, and logging. The displays on quilting fascinated me.
  • Totem Heritage Center documents the cultural history of the Haida, Tsimshian, and Tlingit people.

Totem Poles

Chief Johnson Totem Pole
Chief Johnson Totem Pole

Ketchikan, Alaska, has a rich cultural history and is known for its extensive totem pole collection. Chief Johnson, Chief Kyan, and the Easter Totem Poles are seen downtown.

The Cape Fox Lodge, above Creek Street, has six totem poles as part of the Council of the Clans Totem Pole Circle. Once adorned in bright colors, the poles looked weathered during my last visit.

Nearby, the Totem Heritage Center has a large collection of totem poles and other Native Alaskan artifacts. Beyond the totems downtown, take the bus to Totem Bight State Historical Park or Saxman Totem Park to view some beautiful examples.

See Misty Fjords

A day in Ketchikan provides the opportunity to see the Misty Fjords National Monument. This stunning wilderness area is home to towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and pristine lakes.

We took a scenic all-day boat tour to see the fjords, but those with limited time can take a floatplane excursion instead. The views are spectacular from the skies or on the water.

Visiting Misty Fjords National Monument
Visiting Misty Fjords National Monument

Outdoor Adventures

Ketchikan, Alaska, is a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. There are many activities to choose from, including wilderness exploration, crab feasts, crab boat excursions on the Aleutian Ballad, snorkeling, fishing charters, and kayaking tours.

Fishing Charters

As the “Salmon Capital of the World,” Ketchikan provides one of the best ports to enjoy fishing charters. There are many to choose from, ranging from half-day to full-day trips. Anglers can catch various fish, including salmon, halibut, and rockfish.

This excursion is ideal for anyone who loves to fish or wants to experience the thrill of reeling in a big catch. Some places will even clean, package, and ship the catch home.

Alternatively, when the salmon are running in Ketchikan Creek, purchase a license, rent some gear, and try your luck from Stedman Bridge near the end of Creek Street.

Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour

One of our favorite experiences in Ketchikan is the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Excursion. On this tour, we boarded the Aleutian Ballad, which was featured in the TV show Deadliest Catch, and explored the waters around Annette Island.

With the Bering Sea crew
With the Bering Sea crew

We watched the crew pull up crab pots, and we could hold the crabs. This tour demonstrates life on the water and the daily challenges that Bering Sea fishermen face.

Snorkel Alaska

Snorkeling might seem like an odd activity in Alaska, given its frigid waters. But, for those who want to explore the underwater world, Snorkel Alaska is a must-do activity in Ketchikan.

This tour invites guests on a snorkeling adventure in the waters of Clover Pass. Unlike the typical tropical snorkel experiences, the marine life here is a fascinating array of starfish, sea anemones, rockfish, and sea cucumbers.

Snorkelers wear 7 mm wetsuits, protective gloves, and fitted hoods to combat the cold.

Wilderness Exploration & Crab Feast

Similar to the Bering Sea Crab Tour, this one includes a cruise to learn a bit about crab fishing. However, it’s combined with a delicious all-you-can-eat crab feast. A must for all seafood lovers!

During our Crab Feast Wilderness Tour, we saw a few pods of Orcas and a pair of nesting bald eagles. Of course, the highlight is the crab legs. Arrive hungry and eat lots, but leave room for the blueberry cheesecake, which is fantastic.

Dungeness crab from George Inlet Lodge
George Inlet Lodge’s all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab

Kayaking Tours

Kayaking tours are a great way to explore the beautiful waterways of Ketchikan. There are many options, ranging from short paddles to full-day adventures.

The serene experience may offer wildlife sightings such as bald eagles, sea otters, and harbor seals. Eagle Island and Tatoosh Islands kayaking adventures last two hours. However, since the latter faces open waters, kayakers may experience choppier conditions.

Neets Bay

Wildlife spotting in Neets Bay is an ideal activity in July and August. Board a small vessel at Clover Pass Resort and head to Neets Bay. While the objective of the excursion is to see bears, eagles, sea lions, and whales are often sighted too.

Southeast Alaska is home to a large bear population, and the bears around Neets Bay are attracted by the salmon run. Watching the bears at Neets Bay is possible by boat or plane.

Family Fun

Ketchikan offers lots of family-friendly activities for teenagers and younger children.

Lumberjack Show

Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan
Lumberjack show (photo by Lauren Costelloe)

One of the most popular attractions in Ketchikan for families is the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. This show occurs at 420 Spruce Mill Way, a short walk from the port.

Attendees watch professional loggers combine athleticism, comedy, and history into their events. The thrilling show includes log rolling, chainsaw carving, axe throwing, and lots of cheers from the crowd.

Since the show is held in a covered arena, it’s a great activity to do rain or shine.

Ketchikan Duck Tour

We recommend taking the Ketchikan Duck Tour, which provides a unique way to see the town. These amphibious tour trucks do a tour of the town before hitting the water.

It’s a fun way to learn about the history and culture of Ketchikan. Plus, kids will love the novelty of riding in a vehicle that can drive on land and water.

Ketchikan Duck tour vehicle
Ketchikan Duck tour vehicle

Hiking Trails

Alaska is a hiker’s paradise for families who enjoy spending time outdoors. While Ketchikan offers fewer family-friendly trails than Juneau or Skagway, a few are worth considering.

The Ketchikan Salmon Walk follows Ketchikan Creek and provides an easy 1.5-mile loop through downtown.

[UPDATE – this trail is closed due to a landslide] At 2.1 miles, the Rainbird Trail is longer, more challenging, and only recommended for older children. Other than a few coastal views, the route provides mostly views of the lush moss, slugs, and the rainforest.  

Dining And Cuisine

When it comes to dining in Ketchikan, the unique seafood experiences steal the show. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan offers a culinary adventure with some of the freshest and most delicious seafood we’ve tasted.

While salmon and halibut are top choices, king crab legs should not be missed.

One of the best places to enjoy seafood in Ketchikan is at the Alaska Fish House. This local institution is right on the water and offers stunning views alongside its fresh seafood dishes.

Enjoying the crab legs in Ketchikan
Enjoying the crab legs in Ketchikan

Their specialty is, of course, the bounty of the sea. We highly recommend trying their halibut fish and chips or their famous crab cakes.

Another excellent spot for seafood is Annabelle’s Keg & Chowder House.It is located in the Gilmore Hotel across from the Thundering Wings sculpture and is known for its fantastic chowder. Go for the seafood chowder or order the sampler, which has three variations.

For an unforgettable crab leg feast, make your way to the George Inlet Lodge. Their all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab meal is a seafood lover’s dream.

We savored the extremely fresh and tasty crab, and after devouring eight pounds, we left with full bellies and fond memories of Ketchikan.

Thundering Wings sculpture, Chief Johnson Totem Pole and the welcome sign in Ketchikan, Alaska

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