Ketchikan sits 500-miles north of Seattle, and is the first port of call for many cruise ships. The city is named after Ketchikan Creek, which flows through the town. Ketchikan comes from the Tlingit name for the creek, Kitschk-hin.
Ketchikan’s economy is supported by tourism and fishing. Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” Ketchikan began as a simple fishing town when the first salmon saltery opened in 1883. Two years later the fishing trade flourished and by 1900 the town was officially incorporated.
Ketchikan is wedged between water and forested mountains, offering a wide variety of activities for visitors. The Misty Fjords National Monument is one of the area’s major attractions. Ketchikan also has the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles, located at three major locations: Saxman Village, Totem Bight, and the Totem Heritage Center.
Ketchikan is located in the Tongass National Forest, which is America’s rainforest; this means lots of rainfall, on average the city receives 1520inches a year. Locals shrug and call it ‘liquid sunshine,’ and most travelers don’t seem to mind. Just remember to pack layers.
The summers are mild in Ketchikan, average high temperatures range from high 50’s °F to low 60’s °F in the ‘shoulder season’ of May and September; June, July and August bring slightly warmer temperatures in the mid-60’s °F.
Cruise ships dock right in the heart of Ketchikan, at the waterfront. If there are multiple ships in town, some ships might be required to tender passengers downtown.
Ketchikan’s downtown and shopping district is just a block from the docked ships with many galleries and souvenir shops in this popular tourist area. So Ketchikan is easy to see on foot, but don’t forget your umbrella!
There is a taxi stand available for visitors in downtown Ketchikan. A complimentary downtown bus shuttle runs May through September, and the buses run a 20- to 30-minute circuit beginning at cruise ship berth 4. Or if your ship is docked long enough for you to rent a car, you have two options: There are a couple of car rental options in Ketchikan: Alaska Car Rental (2828 Tongass Ave.) or a little further out is Budget Rent-a-Car (4950 North Tongass Highway).
A popular shopping is Creek Street, the infamous former red-light district of Ketchikan. The district was not shut down until 1953, bordellos used to line the street, and the museum at Dolly’s House provides a history and glimpse ways of the frontier life. This former red-light district today hosts boutiques, galleries, eateries and strolling tourists along the boardwalk built on wooden pilings over the Ketchikan Creek.
The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show was featured as one of the “Top 10 Things to See in Alaska” by the Travel Channel. In a sport pulled from American History, highly skilled timber athletes compete in events such as the speed climb, axe throwing, chopping and sawing. The show can be corny at times, but it is filled with music, excitement and lots of laughs. The show is about an hour long and held rain or shine in the covered, heated and cushioned arena.
Ketchikan boasts three museums, each with a varied and colorful representation of Alaska’s history. The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center (50 Main Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901) is just $5 and located within a block of the cruise ship dock. The museum offers unique exhibits with a glimpse into the Native culture, Southeast Alaska’s ecosystems, fishing, mining, timber and tourism. The Tongass Historical Museum (629 Dock Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901) is located at the north end of Creek Street and is only $2 for adults, with children 12 and under free of admission. Discover and learn about the ‘first city’ Ketchikan as a Native fish camp, gold and copper mining center, fishing port, timber town, salmon capital, transportation hub, and lively community. The Totem Heritage Center (601 Deermont Street) is within walking distance of downtown and $5 for adults, with children 12 and under free of admission. A very Alaskan experience, visitors will be awed by world-renowned collection of original, unrestored 19th century totem poles, retrieved from abandoned Native villages near Ketchikan.
Sea kayak, deep-sea fish or hike in the Misty Fjords Rainforest. Only accessible by floatplane or boat from Ketchikan; cruise (2-3 hours one way), fly (35 minutes one way) or choose a cruise/fly combination. Misty Fjords is a National Monument with breathtaking scenery including mountain cliffs, sky-blue lakes, waterfalls and the seemingly endless evergreen forest. Look for the native wildlife that are often spotted such as sea lions, killer whales and porpoises, brown and black bear and mountain goats.
Other activities to do in Ketchikan include bear viewing tours, serious hiking on Deer Mountain, salmon sport river fishing, watch craftsman make the native totem poles and get a rush of adrenaline on a zip-line tour.
Ketchikan, Alaska is included on most Alaska cruise itineraries.
