Ketchikan, Alaska is the town you probably imagined when you booked an Alaska cruise, and there's so much to see and do here.
The scenery in this town does not disappoint, and the combination of native culture and it's gold rush history are the reasons why Royal Caribbean ships visit Ketchikan each year.
There's a good chance your Alaska cruise will include a visit here. The port's deep harbor means you are likely to dock downtown and walk off easily to explore.
There are so many cruise excursions to consider, so we asked locals for their recommendations of what someone on a one-day visit should do while in Ketchikan, and what are the must-sees.
Here are the 13 best things to do in Ketchikan based on our team and friends suggestions.
Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour
Fishing in Alaska is incredible, and the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour is one of the most highly recommended tours to try once.
You’ll board the Aleutian Ballad, hear amazing stories from real Bering Sea fishermen and see the best eagle show in town.
It's an unforgettable experience that combines food, history, and adventure into one!
Walk along Creek Street
Right off of Main Street is one of the most photographed spots in all of Ketchikan, Creek Street.
This formerly the red light district, but today it's a great free tour you can take walking along the street that follows the water way (hence the name).
You'll find colorful homes, historic totem poles, local art and tourism shops, cafes, restaurants, and the Dolly’s House Museum. This is also the best spot in town to do any souvenir shopping you'd like.
If you’re looking for a gift for those back home, check out the Fish Creek Company for quirky Alaskan souvenirs and quality products.
Most shops stay open while ships are in port, especially with afternoon dockings, so you should still have plenty open while you’re there.
Starting in May, Creek Street is also one of the best places to view the salmon run, with various salmon species surging upstream in the crystal clear water as they head to their spawning zones. This run draws an array of eagles, otters, and seals. Visitors can look over the boardwalk railings to see a real-life display of wild Alaska.
Flightseeing tour out to the Misty Fjords
If the weather cooperates, getting up in the air to see Alaska's natural beauty is another must-do.
You'll fly over waterfalls, cliffs and untouched wilderness that you'd never be able to see otherwise. It's remote and absolutely breathtaking.
Locals rave about how different this sort of a tour is, and it's definitely one to consider if you want to do one excursion that is truly special and feels like Alaska!
Tongass Historical Museum
The Tongass Historical Museum is one of the best displays of native Alaskan history in Southeast Alaska. Located off of Creek Street, this stop can be combined with the boardwalk to fill up an entire morning.
The Tongass Historical Museum is partnered with the Totem Heritage Center. Both museums offer an engaging educational experience. However, the Tongass Historical Museum is more centrally located in the downtown area, making it easier to visit when on a time restraint. While a fast visit can last about 20 minutes, if you take your time to appreciate each exhibit, then visitors can easily spend an hour learning here.
Exhibits cover the long and fascinating history of the inhabitants of Revillagigedo Island (where Ketichand is located). Visitors can learn about Tlingit history and culture, as well as the evolution of the town from a fishing port to the sixth-largest town in Alaska. Be sure to check out their homepage for current exhibits and any special events!
Rainforest hike
When you visit Ketchikan, you're just steps from the Tongass National Forest. This is a temperate rainforest and the largest national forest in the United States.
There are free tours you can take without booking an excursion.
Just off of 3rd Avenue is the Rainbird Hiking Trail. This 2-mile trail is a popular hiking trail for visitors and offers amazing views of the inlet and town. The trail is rated as moderate on AllTrails, with a 541-foot elevation gain.
While rocks and roots can make the trail difficult to navigate, the views and scenery make hikers feel like they are deep in the Tongass Forest.
Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
A fun and lively experience most people that visit Alaska seem to love is the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show.
Alaskan lumberjacks put on a display for you as they chop, saw, climb, and roll tree logs.
Our recommendation is to combine the show with a visit to Harbor House Crab Feast for a truly classic Alaska experience.
The show isn't long enough to be your one activity, so enjoy some great local eats right after the show.
Ketchikan Duck Tour
This is a fun one, especially if you’re looking for something light and easy!
The Duck Tour gives you a quick overview of Ketchikan by land and water, and the splash into the harbor is always a highlight. It’s entertaining, family friendly and very relaxed, more about fun than wildlife.
Try a small group tour that includes a little of everything
One of my favorite tips for any Alaska excursion is to book a small group tour instead of a large one.
The Ketchikan All in One Tour is especially fun because it combines so many local highlights in one easy day.
The Rainforest Walk and Totem Park tour is another great combo
You’ll walk through a beautiful forest, visit totem poles, and learn from a local guide. It doesn’t take up your whole day, which makes it perfect.
It’s easy, relaxing and feels truly authentic.
It’s a peaceful, small group experience into the rainforest where you have a chance to see wildlife like bears, eagles and deer in their natural setting.
A trolley tour offers a great way to see a little of everything
Ketchikan is one of those ports where people often step off the ship and wonder where to start. The Totem Pole, Wildlife and City Trolley Tour is for anyone that wants to see it all while feeling relaxed, not not rushed or chaotic.
You settle into a classic trolley and take in the sights of a town shaped by fishing and logging, then visit the Saxman Native Village where authentic hand carved totem poles tell powerful stories and master carvers are still at work. I
From there, you head to Herring Cove, a place locals watch closely during salmon season. Bears fishing the creek, bald eagles overhead, seals along the water. When it happens, it is unforgettable!
Ketchikan is one of the best ports to see a bear
For bears, Ketchikan is probably your best chance out of those three ports, especially in the early cruise season.
Most tours will take you out to Herring Cove, and the surrounding areas, where people do sometimes spot bears.
Try whale watching with Captain Jesse
Another recommended tour is Wildlife Viewing and Whale Watching Quest with Captain Jesse.
You'll go on a small boat, which means fewer people to contend with on your tour and much better views.
Captain Jesse knows these waters well and consistently finds incredible wildlife.
Best places to eat in Ketchikan
Located near the Tongass Historical Museum, head west down Dock Street to the 55North Bakery, one of the best places to grab a coffee and a delicious sweet bakery treat!
The Alaska Fish House is sure to be a busy lunch spot while in Ketchikan, offering some of the freshest seafood in town. From fish tacos to salmon chowder and Alaskan king crab, this is the place to eat in Ketchikan if you want to try Alaska’s seafood.
If you’re not interested in seafood, Ketchikan offers other types of cuisines. There’s Chico’s Mexican restaurant which, despite its name, is said to have the best pizza in town.
If you’re in the mood for a burger, don’t hesitate to try Burger Queen, a no-frills restaurant serving up fish and chips, big burgers, and milkshakes.
