Ketchikan is a small idyllic city in southeast Alaska. It’s the entryway to the famed Inside Passage. This area holds a series of jaw-dropping and wildlife-abundant waterways that have been shaped by glaciers millions of years ago. Situated in the Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan is most known for being the salmon capital of the world and for its rich Native heritage.

Working seasonally onboard Princess Cruises, I’ve spent a total of 4 summers sailing Alaska since 2017. I’m also a travel agent and always recommend Alaskan cruises to anyone looking for a more adventurous experience! There’s no one that knows the hidden gems of these ports quite like the locals — and the cruise crew!

What To Do Here

Outdoor Adventures

Ziplining, off-roading, hiking, kayaking, flightseeing, fishing, and SO much more! Alaska is an outdoor adventure mecca. Your options are endless!

My personal recommendations : Salmon or Halibut Fishing. This is the salmon capital of the world, after all. And who doesn’t want the classic Alaskan photo on the back of a boat holding a halibut the size of a large child?! Bonus : Most tour companies can process your fish and ship it right to your home address for an additional fee (U.S. addresses only). If you’re visiting Ketchikan via Princess Cruises, the cruise line allows you to bring the fish onboard and they’ll cook it up for you!

A more unique experience is to go snorkeling here. Yes, snorkeling in Alaska. The Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure takes you to the calm clear waters of the Inside Passage to snorkel in shallow tide pools. Snorkelers are outfitted in warm 7mm wetsuits and can view or handle sea stars, urchins, sea cucumbers, fish, and other invertebrates! Surprisingly, the water temperature averages around 65° Fahrenheit in mid-summer, so it’s actually not too cold!

Wildlife Viewing

Because of the cannery and all the fishing in the area, Bald Eagle sightings are extremely common. You won’t have to go very far to see one. Coastal wildlife cruises are popular here, too. A small boat takes you out in search of seals, whales, porpoises, and sea lions that are hunting for salmon and herring.

But the species everyone is hoping to see here is the black bear. Bear viewing tours are offered throughout town, and take you by foot, by boat, or by plane. One of the best locations for bear viewing is the Anan Wildlife Observatory. An observation deck with a photo blind above the waterfalls allows visitors to safely and respectfully view the bears feeding on spawning salmon. It’s best to go between July and mid-August.

Another great wildlife viewing area is at the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. This 40-acre rainforest reserve is located 8 miles from Ketchikan. You can walk along a half-mile trail through the Tongass, visit the Raptor Center, and go on wildlife expeditions.

Totem Bight State Historical Park

This state park is 10 miles north of Ketchikan and holds 14 totem poles, each telling their own unique story. A replica of a clan house is also on-site. Learn all about the Tlingit and Haida natives and the legends behind the poles by taking a guided walk. Certain tours will bring you to the park, but you can also rent a car, take a taxi, or ride the Blue Line public bus northbound to get here. 

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

This show is great for all ages and reflects the logging history of Alaska. Lumberjacks battle it out in things like log rolling and 50-foot tree climbing, while the host shares stories and cheesy comedy. Even if you have no interest in logging history, who doesn’t want to watch a bunch of flannel-wearing bearded men throw axes around?! I can’t be the only one to appreciate this.

UPDATE! It turns out that someone I went to college with is the Lumberjack Manager and appears in many of the shows! His name is Ray and if when you go, you should totally wave a sign around while screaming his name like a maniac from the grandstands cheer him on!

Creek Street and Dolly’s House

Creek Street was the red-light district of Ketchikan many years ago, and was said to be “where both men and salmon went upstream to spawn”. It is now a historic boardwalk on pilings above Ketchikan Creek, and is filled with shops, galleries, totem poles, and the Dolly’s House Museum. This museum was the residence of Dolly Arthur, a woman who delighted the company of fishermen, miners, and other characters. You’ll know you’re near the museum when you hear ladies cat calling and whistling at the tourists walking by.

Where To Eat Here

Lunch 

Head to Burger Queen, the popular burger and shake joint. I can’t recommend this place enough. The milkshakes are so yummy and there are over 50 flavors! Huckleberry is my favorite. And you can’t miss the crunchy well-done fries or their greasy delicious burgers. This place keeps both locals and cruise ship employees coming back. It’s open later in the day (11am) and there’s often a bit of a wait time. But biting into a Lahina Burger filled with chicken teriyaki, grilled pineapple, cheddar, and 1000 islands sauce is SO worth the wait.

As part of a tour, you can sign up for an excursion along with a crab feast at the George Inlet Lodge. Many of these tours allow you to pull crab pots and learn about Dungeness Crabs. If you’re not on a tour at the George Inlet Lodge, try heading to the Bar Harbor Restaurant. Many consider this the finest dining experience in town, so expect the prices to be steep. Call ahead for reservations and take note that it’s only open from 5-8pm Mondays through Saturdays. 

Alava’s Fish n Chowder is claimed to have the best chowder in town! They also do fish-n-chips really well, and everything is super duper fresh!

The Alaska Fish House is a great option, too. Smoked salmon chowder with their smoked salmon cornbread is a necessity of mine whenever visiting this port. Plus, the restaurant sits right on the harbor and has a cozy cabin feel to its decor.

Coffee

You can’t wander this usually-rainy town without a hot cup of coffee in hand. My favorite cafe is Sweet Mermaids. I always get The Honeybee, a special of theirs that’s a vanilla macchiato with honey drizzled on top. They offer lunch and a ton of baked goods as well. The Market Cafe is another good coffee spot. This small space brews up the locally roasted Raven’s Brew coffee, which you can sip from their outdoor seating area.

Sweet Tooth

The best place to get your sweet on is definitely Ketchi Candies. Try some of the scores of fudge flavors or pick up a few truffles and caramels. Also, find any dessert menu in town and be on the lookout for sweet wild blueberries dumped onto anything from ice cream to cheesecake!

Are you planning a cruise to Alaska?! Consider checking out my travel agent Facebook page and using me as your travel professional! I’m a certified Alaskan Cruising Specialist and it’s low-key my favorite type of trip to plan and book for clients. And no, there’s no extra charge for using me as your travel agent PLUS you get a gift from me delivered to your cruise cabin!
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Have you been to Ketchikan? 
Tell me in the comments what you did there, or what looks like the most fun!

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