10 Best Things to Do When You Visit Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan

Ketchikan, Alaska, welcomes visitors with its colorful waterfront, rich Native culture, and breathtaking natural surroundings. Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” this vibrant port city lies at the southern tip of Alaska’s Inside Passage.

Cruise ships dock right in the heart of downtown, giving passengers immediate access to Ketchikan’s historic streets, totem poles, and lush rainforests. Whether you’re exploring the town’s Gold Rush history or heading into the wilderness for an outdoor adventure, Ketchikan offers something for everyone. Here’s a guide to the top things to see and do when visiting Ketchikan.

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Ketchikan

1. Walk Along Creek Street

Creek Street stands as one of Ketchikan’s most iconic landmarks. Built on wooden stilts over Ketchikan Creek, this historic boardwalk dates back to the early 1900s when it served as the city’s red-light district.

The colorful buildings and rushing creek create a picturesque setting and is perfect for a leisurely stroll. Stop by Dolly’s House Museum, the preserved home of one of Creek Street’s most famous madams. A small fee will grant you admission to see the house and learn about the area’s more rambunctious past. Today, Creek Street houses a mix of art galleries, gift shops, and local eateries.

Ketchikan is a fabulous stop to purchase your Alaska souvenirs! Check out the Tongass Trading Company for all sorts of great stuff. This fabulous store opened in the late 1800s and supplied the mining camps of the region. They evolved to supply fishing fleets, logging camps, and households. Today they are considered one of the best places to shop in Alaska!   

Salmon, and Eagles, and Bears, Oh My!

If you visit during late summer, don’t miss the salmon run at Ketchikan Creek. Thousands of salmon fight their way upstream to spawn, creating a natural spectacle right in the heart of town. Creek Street’s wooden walkways provide the perfect vantage point for watching the action unfold.

Check out the Salmon Walk! This 1.5-mile loop follows Ketchikan Creek upstream along with the salmon. It also passes by the Totem Heritage Center as you walk. This walk is a great way to experience a little bit of nature, art, and culture while staying close to the city center.

Be on alert! Bears and bald eagles often gather along the creek for an easy meal. If you do see a bear, keep your distance but don’t be overly alarmed. He is hungry for salmon and likely won’t bother you if you don’t bother him.

2. Visit the Ketchikan Museums

The Ketchikan Museums consists of two different and distinct museums. Be sure to check out both the Totem Heritage Center and the Tongass Historical Museum. You can elect to visit just one, but for just a little bit more you can purchase a pass that allows you to access both.

Ketchikan

The Totem Heritage Center

Ketchikan holds the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles. The Totem Heritage Center preserves original 19th-century totem poles recovered from abandoned Tlingit and Haida villages. The center is located just a short walk from downtown, along the Salmon Walk.

Inside the center, you’ll find intricately carved poles and exhibits explaining the symbolism and craftsmanship behind them. Local guides share stories about the cultural significance of each pole, providing insight into Tlingit and Haida traditions.

Ketchikan also features several totem pole parks, including Saxman Totem Park and Totem Bight State Historical Park, where you can view standing totem poles surrounded by coastal forest.

The Tongass Historical Museum

The Tongass Historical Museum in Ketchikan offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich history and culture of the region. Located in the heart of downtown, this museum showcases artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that highlight Ketchikan’s past. One of the most compelling aspects of the museum is its focus on the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples, whose artistry and traditions remain an integral part of the community. Visitors can admire intricately carved totems, traditional regalia, and historical documents that tell the story of the Native Alaskan way of life.

The museum also explores Ketchikan’s evolution during the gold rush era, the rise of the fishing industry, and the town’s connection to the timber trade. Exhibits feature vintage photographs of bustling canneries, early pioneers, and the colorful waterfront that defined the town’s character. The museum’s collection also includes artifacts from early settlers, maritime relics, and even personal items from the people who shaped the town’s identity.

This museum offers an engaging way to connect with the stories of Southeast Alaska. Plus, its convenient location makes it easy to combine with a stroll along historic Creek Street.

Ketchikan

3. Take a Flightseeing Tour Over Misty Fjords

For a breathtaking aerial view of Alaska’s untouched wilderness, take a flightseeing tour over Misty Fjords National Monument. Floatplanes lift off from the harbor and glide over deep fjords, snow-capped peaks, and cascading waterfalls.

The granite cliffs of Misty Fjords rise over 3,000 feet from the ocean, with sheer rock faces covered in moss and draped in mist. Most tours include a water landing on a remote fjord, where you can step out onto the floats and take in the serene surroundings. Flightseeing tours offer one of the most memorable ways to experience Alaska’s raw beauty.

Ketchikan

4. Kayak Through the Misty Fjords

For a quieter, more intimate experience of Misty Fjords, book a kayaking tour. Paddle through narrow channels surrounded by towering cliffs and dense forest. Guides provide insight into the area’s geology and wildlife. Lucky kayakers might see a whale breaching in the distance. But if not, seals, porpoises, and bald eagles are common sights you will enjoy along the way.

5. Explore the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

Step into Alaska’s logging history at the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Located near the cruise dock, this high-energy performance showcases the skills of professional lumberjacks as they compete in axe throwing, log rolling, and speed climbing.

The show combines impressive strength and skill with humor and audience participation. Afterward, meet the lumberjacks and snap a few photos with the competitors.

6. Hike in the Tongass National Forest

Ketchikan sits on the edge of the Tongass National Forest. This is the largest temperate rainforest in the world. Lush trails wind through mossy forests, past waterfalls, and alongside rocky coastlines. Top trails include:

  • Rainbird Trail – A 1.3-mile trail that offers panoramic views of Ketchikan and the surrounding islands.
  • Deer Mountain Trail – A more challenging 3-mile climb with rewarding views of the Tongass and the ocean beyond.
  • Ward Lake Trail – A peaceful, 1.5-mile loop around a pristine lake surrounded by towering spruce and hemlock trees.

Wildlife sightings are common on these trails. Keep an eye out for bald eagles, black bears, and otters. Keep a safe distance from bears and other wildlife. Be sure to check out and follow local guidelines for bear encounters.

7. Visit Saxman Native Village

Experience Alaska’s indigenous culture at Saxman Native Village, located just a few miles from downtown Ketchikan. Guided tours provide insight into the traditions of the Tlingit people, including totem carving, traditional dance, and storytelling. The “People of the Southeast Wind” have lived in the southern Alaska rainforest for thousands of years.

The village features a totem pole park with more than 25 poles, including some of the tallest in the world. Watch local carvers at work and learn about the symbolism and stories behind the carvings. The clan house hosts performances of traditional Tlingit songs and dances, offering a glimpse into Alaska’s rich Native heritage.

8. Go Salmon Fishing

As the Salmon Capital of the World, Ketchikan offers some of the best fishing in Alaska. So, when in Ketchikan, go salmon fishing! Local charter operators provide half-day and full-day trips to prime fishing spots. You can catch king salmon, silver salmon, and pink salmon when in season.

Fishing licenses are available for purchase on the dock, and experienced guides handle everything from gear setup to cleaning your catch. Many operators offer catch-and-release options or will ship your fish home for you. Salmon you caught yourself will always be the best salmon you will ever eat!

9. Visit the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center

Located near the cruise port, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center offers a deep dive into the natural and cultural history of the Tongass National Forest. Interactive exhibits cover Native Alaskan traditions, local wildlife, and the logging and fishing industries. Highlights include:

  • A life-sized reproduction of a Native Alaskan longhouse.
  • Exhibits on rainforest ecosystems and conservation efforts.
  • Films and ranger-led talks about the Tongass and its wildlife.

It’s an ideal stop for learning more about the area’s environment and history before heading out to explore. We really enjoyed our time here.

Ketchikan

10. Enjoy Fresh Alaskan Seafood

Ketchikan’s dining scene highlights the bounty of Alaska’s coastal waters. Popular spots include Annabelle’s Famous Keg and Chowder House and Alaska Fish House. Be sure to try:

  • King Crab Legs – Served with melted butter and lemon.
  • Halibut Tacos – Fresh halibut wrapped in warm tortillas with slaw and aioli.
  • Salmon Burgers – Made from wild Alaskan salmon, often topped with house-made sauces.
  • For a casual meal, grab fish and chips from a waterfront food stand.

The Best Way to Enjoy Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a standard first stop on inside passage cruises heading north toward Anchorage. This mix of the historic boardwalk downtown, cultural experiences, breathtaking scenery and salmon runs right in downtown make it a favorite port of call.

But what is you want to come back and stay a while? With so many fabulous things to see and do, you could easily fill a week with adventures. There are many great places to stay in Ketchikan.  So, enjoy your day in port and plan to return to experience the 9 things on this list you didn’t have time for!

You can visit Ketchikan any time, but July and August offer the best weather and peak salmon runs. You can rent a car if you wish. But downtown Ketchikan is walkable, and shuttles and taxis are available for out-of-town excursions.

Bring a waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes. Ketchikan receives over 150 inches of rain annually. That is one good reason to stop into the Tongass Trading Company and getting some Xtratuff boots while you are there. What a great souvenir!

Ketchikan

Experience the Best of Ketchikan

Whether you’re exploring totem poles, paddling through Misty Fjords, or savoring fresh Alaskan seafood, this charming port city offers a true taste of Alaska’s rugged spirit. Its combination of adventure and history makes Ketchikan a highlight of any Alaskan cruise. What are you most looking forward to?

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