Ketchikan, Alaska’s southernmost cruise port, welcomes visitors with its rich Native heritage, historic Creek Street, and world-class salmon fishing. Located in the Tongass National Forest, this gateway offers totem pole parks, wildlife viewing, and outdoor adventures. The compact downtown provides easy walking access to shops, galleries, and cultural attractions from the cruise dock.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cruise Dock Location | Downtown waterfront, walking distance to attractions |
| Average Port Time | 7-9 hours |
| Weather | Rainy year-round (average 150+ inches annually) |
| Currency | US Dollar |
| Best for | Native culture, wildlife, fishing, totem poles |
| Town Nickname | “Salmon Capital of the World” |
Want to know more about Alaska cruise ports throughout the Inside Passage?
Getting Your Bearings at the Dock
Ketchikan has multiple berths that can accommodate up to four cruise ships simultaneously. You might dock at Berth 1, 2, 3, or 4, but don’t stress about it. Even the farthest berth is only a ten-minute walk to downtown. The cruise terminal building offers free wifi, restrooms, and visitor information desks staffed by people who actually live there and know their stuff.
Here’s something most guides don’t tell you: the free shuttle buses that cruise lines advertise mostly just take you about three blocks into town. Unless mobility is an issue, you can easily walk it and save time waiting in the shuttle line. The walk along the waterfront is pleasant when it’s not pouring rain, and you’ll pass several shops and the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center right away.
Weather Reality
Ketchikan is legitimately one of the rainiest places in North America. Locals joke that they have two seasons: August and rain. If you arrive on a rare sunny day, consider yourself blessed by the cruise gods and adjust your plans accordingly. Outdoor excursions become exponentially more enjoyable without constant drizzle.
Pack these essentials regardless of the forecast:
- Waterproof jacket with hood (not just water-resistant)
- Layers that dry quickly
- Waterproof bag for your phone and camera
- Shoes with good traction for wet boardwalks
The upside? Rain keeps Ketchikan lush and green, feeds those spectacular waterfalls, and gives you legitimate excuses to duck into cozy coffee shops and museums. Check out our guide to rainy day activities in Ketchikan for backup plans that don’t involve standing miserably in a downpour.
Top Shore Excursions Worth Your Money
The best shore excursions in Ketchikan range from adrenaline-pumping to culturally enriching. Here’s what actually delivers value:
Misty Fjords Flightseeing
This is the splurge excursion that people rave about months later. Misty Fjords National Monument covers 2.3 million acres of dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and pristine wilderness. The float plane or helicopter tours give you perspectives impossible to achieve any other way. Book early because these sell out, and try to snag a morning flight when visibility is typically better. Some tours include a water landing, which adds an extra wow factor.
Pro tip: sit on the right side of the plane going out and left side coming back for optimal views. The pilots usually rotate seating anyway, but it doesn’t hurt to ask nicely.
Totem Pole Parks
Ketchikan has the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles, and visiting them offers genuine cultural insight. Saxman Native Village (2.5 miles south) and Totem Bight State Historical Park (10 miles north) both showcase authentic poles with knowledgeable guides who explain the stories carved into each one. Our comprehensive guide to Ketchikan’s totem poles breaks down which park suits different interests and time constraints.
Saxman includes carving demonstrations where you can watch artists create new poles using traditional methods. It’s not a show for tourists – these are working artists preserving their craft. The $5 entry fee for independent visitors is laughably cheap compared to organized tour prices.
Fishing Charters
Ketchikan didn’t earn its salmon capital nickname for nothing. The fishing here is legitimately world-class. Half-day charters for salmon or halibut run about four hours and include all equipment, bait, and usually fish processing. Many shops will vacuum-seal your catch and ship it home, though that service costs extra.
Book directly with local charter companies rather than through your cruise line and you’ll often save 30-40%. Most reputable operators are licensed and insured, and they know exactly when your ship departs.
For more aerial adventures throughout Alaska, explore flightseeing tours available at various ports.
Creek Street: The Boardwalk Everyone Mentions
This historic boardwalk built on stilts over Ketchikan Creek was once the red-light district. Now it’s filled with galleries, jewelry stores, and souvenir shops in those same colorful historic buildings. Creek Street is charming and photogenic, but here’s the insider perspective: you can see the whole thing in 30 minutes including photo stops.
What makes it worth visiting:
- Dolly’s House Museum – a preserved brothel with surprisingly frank historical interpretation
- The salmon spawning views from the creek-side walkway during spawning season
- Parnassus Books, a legitimate independent bookstore with Alaska titles
- Less crowded early morning or late afternoon when day-trippers thin out
The Cape Fox Creek Street Funicular (basically a steep outdoor elevator) connects Creek Street to the cruise docks. Riding it once is fun, but walking up the stairs gives you better photo angles and costs nothing.
Budget-Friendly Activities That Don’t Feel Cheap
Not every memorable experience requires dropping hundreds on excursions. Our guide to budget activities in Ketchikan covers free and low-cost options, but here are highlights:
- Take a self-guided walking tour using the free map from the visitor center
- Watch floatplanes take off and land at the harbor (seriously entertaining)
- Visit the Tongass Historical Museum ($6 admission, takes about 45 minutes)
- Walk to Married Man’s Trail, a wooded path with creek views and interpretive signs
- Browse the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center ($5 admission, excellent Native exhibits)
- Spot bald eagles around the harbor and along Ketchikan Creek
The salmon ladder at Ketchikan Creek (visible from Creek Street) is completely free and mesmerizing during spawning season when thousands of fish fight upstream.
Family-Friendly Options
Traveling with kids changes your port strategy entirely. Check our detailed family activities guide for Ketchikan, but these consistently work well:
- Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary – paved paths, eagles, and manageable distances for short legs
- Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show – hokey but genuinely entertaining, and kids love the competition aspect
- Herring Cove bear viewing (seasonal) – see bears catching salmon in a controlled setting
- City Park playground right in downtown if kids need to burn energy
Skip the zipline tours with young children despite marketing claims. Age and weight minimums eliminate most kids under 10, and the experience works better for teens who can appreciate the thrill without parental hovering.
Where to Eat Without Getting Gouged
Cruise port restaurants know they have a captive audience, but Ketchikan has enough local spots to avoid total tourist traps. Our best restaurants in Ketchikan guide goes deeper, but here’s the quick version:
Sit-Down Options
- Annabelle’s Keg and Chowder House – tourists and locals both eat here, which is always a good sign
- Bar Harbor Restaurant – upstairs location keeps crowds thinner, excellent fish
- Ocean View Restaurant – despite the name it’s in a basement, but the Mexican food is surprisingly authentic
Quick Bites
- Burger Queen – cash only, local institution, actually good burgers
- Pioneer Cafe – breakfast all day, massive portions, reasonable prices
- Salmon Etc. – grab smoked salmon spread, crackers, and have a waterfront picnic
Most restaurants near the dock fill up between 11:30am-1:30pm when cruise passengers descend en masse. Eat early or late to avoid waits.
Shopping Strategy
Ketchikan has the usual cruise port jewelry stores with “going out of business” sales that somehow last for decades. If you want authentic Alaska purchases:
- Soho Coho – locally designed Alaska apparel without the typical tourist schlock
- Scanlon Gallery – high-end Native art if you’re serious about investing in quality pieces
- Hide-A-Way Gifts – locally made items, knowledgeable owners
- Salmon Etc. or Alaska Wild Salmon Company – vacuum-sealed smoked salmon that actually tastes good
Don’t buy “Native” art from random gift shops without verification. Authentic pieces will have artist signatures and often certification. Learn more about genuine Alaska Native culture and artistic traditions.
Best Photo Opportunities
Instagram-worthy spots abound if you know where to point your camera. Our complete guide to Ketchikan’s best photo spots covers angles and timing, but don’t miss:
- Creek Street boardwalk from the bridge at salmon spawning time
- Colorful float planes against mountain backdrops at the harbor
- Totem poles at either Saxman or Totem Bight with proper lighting
- Your ship from the viewpoint near Cape Fox Lodge (short uphill walk)
- Married Man’s Trail for forest and creek compositions
The lighting changes dramatically with weather conditions. Overcast days create even, soft light that actually works well for totem poles and forest scenes. Bright sun creates harsh shadows that ruin photos, so embrace the clouds.
Transportation Beyond Walking
Downtown Ketchikan is compact enough that most people never need transportation. However, if you want to venture to Saxman Village, Totem Bight, or Herring Cove independently:
- Local bus – runs limited routes, infrequent schedule, costs about $2
- Taxi – available at the dock, flat rates to common destinations
- Rental car – overkill for most visits since there’s only about 20 miles of road total
Most independent travelers take taxis to Saxman ($10-15 each way) and arrange a pickup time. It’s far cheaper than organized tours and gives you flexibility.
Insider Secrets
These tidbits separate experienced cruisers from first-timers:
- The public library has free wifi and restrooms without lines
- Ketchikan runs on Alaska time, one hour behind Pacific time
- Cell service is excellent throughout town (works on major US carriers)
- The “All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feast” excursions serve previously frozen crab, not fresh catch
- Tipping culture exists here just like the rest of the US
- Black bears occasionally wander through town, especially near the creek
- The tunnel under downtown sometimes floods during heavy rain
What to Skip
Not everything deserves your limited port time. These commonly skip-able activities won’t leave you with regrets:
- Duck tour – you’ll see the same sights walking for free
- Most jewelry store “free gifts” with required sales presentations
- Cruise line logo shops unless you collect that stuff
- Taxi tours that just drive past viewpoints without stops
Bonus Tips
- The visitor information center inside the cruise terminal has knowledgeable volunteers who give honest recommendations
- Download offline maps before arriving since data roaming can be expensive for international visitors
- Bring small bills for cash-only businesses
- The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry terminal is walking distance if you’re curious about local transportation
- Several shops offer free umbrella loans if you forget rain gear
- Your cruise card won’t work at local businesses, so bring actual payment methods
- Ketchikan has bears, but they’re typically more interested in salmon than tourists
- The local paper (Ketchikan Daily News) posts online and gives insight into actual town issues
- Coffee shops like Alaska Coffee Roasting Company serve better coffee than ship cafes
- Most attractions close or reduce hours when no ships are in port, so verify operating days
Connecting Your Alaska Adventure
Ketchikan typically appears early in Inside Passage cruises sailing north. Understanding how different Alaska shore excursions compare across ports helps you allocate your budget where it matters most. Some experiences work better in certain ports than others.
Common Questions and FAQ
Can I walk to Misty Fjords?
No. Misty Fjords National Monument is only accessible by boat or plane. The monument is vast wilderness about 22 miles east of Ketchikan with no roads. That’s precisely what makes flightseeing or boat tours worth considering despite the cost.
Is Ketchikan walkable for people with mobility issues?
Downtown is relatively flat and accessible, though sidewalks can be uneven in historic areas. Creek Street has stairs but also an elevator (the funicular). Most major attractions have accessible paths. However, many nature-based excursions involve uneven terrain, boardwalks, or boat transfers that challenge mobility.
Do I need to book excursions in advance?
Popular excursions like Misty Fjords flightseeing and fishing charters sell out weeks ahead during peak season. Less popular tours often have same-day availability. Walking around town independently requires zero advance booking. The sweet spot is booking your must-do experience early and leaving flexibility for weather-dependent decisions.
Will I see bears in Ketchikan?
Possibly but not guaranteed. Bears visit the creeks during salmon runs, but sightings in town are unpredictable. Dedicated bear-viewing excursions to places like Herring Cove offer much higher success rates. Never approach bears you encounter, keep your distance, and report sightings to authorities.
How much time do I need in Ketchikan?
Most cruise stops allow 7-9 hours, which is sufficient for 2-3 major activities. You could easily spend multiple days exploring deeper, but typical port calls give enough time to experience highlights without feeling rushed. Prioritize quality over quantity.
Is drinking water safe in Ketchikan?
Absolutely. Ketchikan’s water comes from mountain streams and lakes, and it’s some of the purest water you’ll drink. Most locals drink straight from the tap. Fill your water bottle rather than buying bottled water.
Do stores accept Canadian dollars?
Rarely, and if they do the exchange rate will be terrible. Use US dollars, credit cards, or debit cards. ATMs are available downtown if you need cash.
Personal Experience
We only had eight hours in Ketchikan, but what a day it turned out to be. Right after getting off the ship, we grabbed smoked salmon spread and crackers from a little shop near Creek Street – honestly, some of the best salmon I’ve ever tasted. The totem poles at Saxman Native Village were absolutely worth the short trip out of downtown. Our guide explained the stories behind each carving, and it felt so much more authentic than just wandering around on our own. We spent about an hour there before heading back to walk along Creek Street, where the colorful buildings on stilts make for perfect photos.
For lunch, we skipped the crowded tourist spots and found a tiny place called Annabelle’s that locals recommended. Their fish and chips were incredible, and the prices were surprisingly reasonable for a cruise port. We finished the day at the Tongass Historical Museum, which only took about 45 minutes but gave us real context about the town’s fishing and logging history. The key thing we learned: don’t try to do everything. Pick two or three things that actually interest you, leave some time to just wander the town, and definitely save room to bring back some smoked salmon. The shops near the pier will vacuum-seal it for your trip home.