15 Best Things to Do in Ketchikan Alaska from Cruise Ships
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There are between 1 and 6 shows daily, so if you plan to participate in this excursion, check on tickets and showtimes as you walk into town. You can also purchase tickets for Native dancing exhibitions and watch Native carvers use traditional techniques to work on commissioned totem poles. This village has 25 standing replica totems (the most in any location). For a $5 fee, you can tour the village on your own or take an organized guided tour that will give more of the history behind each totem pole. If you are interested in firearms, archery, or knife and axe throwing, the port of Ketchikan offers a unique opportunity to try them out.
Creek Street
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They also offer comprehensive tours averaging 3 hours in length for $75/hr. We believe the best way to enjoy the show is with a tour combining it with cultural and culinary experience at the Saxman Native Village (lunch included). Reserve your lumberjack show and cultural experience with lunch here. Here’s your chance to steer or ride in a 4WD Jeep off-road in Tongass National Forest and then afterwards to paddle in a Native American–style canoe on Lake Harriet Hunt. Known by many nicknames, these will give you a feel for what to expect at the Ketchikan cruise port. We tend to book our tours independently rather than through the ship.
Things To Do in Ketchikan – Alaska
And if you’re here during the king crab season, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. These tours delve deep into Ketchikan’s natural bounty and are perfect for those wanting to explore beyond the typical tourist trails. Take a walk down this forest trail in Ketchikan and you’ll see totem poles towering above. Each of these majestic tall wooden sculptures is like a storybook, showing off the area’s deep indigenous roots. It feels more like an open-air gallery than just a park, with every pole giving you a glimpse into the local history and culture.
What Is Ketchikan Alaska Known For?
As you pass through City Park and Creek Street, learn about Ketchikan’s rich culture, including its legends and stories of bootleggers, dance halls, and brothels. While your arms will feel the workout on this excursion, you’ll escape the crowds of Creek Street and won’t feel rushed. Kayaking is an excellent way to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the scenery. Kayaking the Ketchikan waters allows you to explore at a slower pace and in an intimate group. With a maximum of six guests, you’ll spend 2-1/2 hours paddling the coastal area and exploring a few sheltered coves. A knowledgeable guide will keep you entertained with captivating stories on the history, geology, and wildlife along the way.
Experience a different perspective of Ketchikan on a unique duck tour! Aboard this humorous and educational journey, be prepared for entertainment, trivia, and live narration. While the trails can be muddy or dusty (dependent on the weather), the tour operator provides head-to-toe coveralls to keep your clothing clean. The average water temperature is 55F in summer, but with those Gumby wetsuits, you’re guaranteed to stay warm. A lengthier excursion includes visiting the 1,500-foot Mahoney Falls in the Tongass National Forest. With something for everyone, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is an unforgettable experience for the whole family, whether it’s sunny or rainy.
Sea Kayaking
Their Totem Park has several totem poles just in front of the hotel. Another location is just past Whale Park (a very small public park) at the end of Mission Street, where you can see the Chief Johnson Totem Pole. Did you know that Ketchikan is home to the world's largest collection of totem poles? There are great places to see totem poles in Ketchikan, free of charge. Be that as it may, whatever time you can get in Ketchikan is worth it. We highly recommend visiting, whether it's a port of call during a longer Alaskan cruise or your destination for an extended few days.
We signed up for one of their wilderness tours and dressed in layers to stay warm on the water. With our favorite binoculars in hand, we walked along the elevated boardwalk to see mama bears with their cubs lounging, finding food, and playing. Afterward, we saw the bald eagle being rehabilitated at the sanctuary, the old mill inside, and some beautiful totem poles.
Plenty of other people from the cruise ship also go to Totem Bight State Park on their own, so it’s something that’s not difficult. Nestled within a lush Alaskan rainforest, this captivating park offers you a chance to travel back in time and embrace the rich heritage of the native people of Alaska. Don’t forget to explore Creek Street, another great hub for unique shopping. Discover stunning local arts and crafts like hand-carved totem poles that make perfect souvenirs or gifts for loved ones back home.
👆 This is around a 10 minute walk from the college campus trailhead. On this day, I turned around about a minute after this and returned the same way I came. If you want more out of your Alaska rainforest experience, then be sure to consider a rainforest tour in Ketchikan. The Rainbird Trail can be a relatively easy way to see a rainforest during your Alaska cruise. Whether you're looking for a small token or a larger gift, Ketchikan has plenty of options to choose from.
Nestled within the famous red light district, this attraction transports you back in time, offering a glimpse into the life of Dolly Arthur, Ketchikan’s most well-known madam. With astonishing views and captivating wildlife encounters, it’s bound to leave you speechless. As you stroll through the village, be enchanted by the 24 magnificent totem poles, each narrating a captivating story of its own.
I took a guided kayak tour to Clover Pass with Ketchikan Kayak, and the serenity was unmatched. You’re surrounded by lush greenery and distant peaks, making for a truly immersive experience with nature. The orcas start showing up in April, chasing the king salmon and seals. May and June are especially amazing – the orcas are everywhere, and after a big feed, you might even see them breaching in pure joy. It’s one of those things that makes you realize how incredible and fascinating nature is truly. When you’re near Creek Street, make sure to stop by the Chief Johnson Totem Pole, right across from Whale Park.
Along the way, you’ll see a sign directing you to the Rainbird Trail. This also means that if you don’t mind walking extra, you can totally do the trail without transportation too. Or, you can keep going further to do the Rainbird Trail as a one-way hike, and then you will end up in another area from which you can walk back to the cruise port.
We made our first port city, Ketchikan, the day we did not have an excursion. There were plenty of things to fill our time in Ketchikan and it was fun to spend the day exploring at our own pace. Joe Williams, Jr. is the perfect guide to show you around Ketchikan.
For me, every visit to Ketchikan feels like reconnecting with nature’s soul, where every moment tells its own unique story. It is a short walk from the cruise port to downtown, where you will find activities and attractions. In downtown Ketchikan, you’ll find restaurants, shops, and several museums within walking distance of the cruise ports. As in all Alaska ports, you’ll find kiosks set up along the dock with vendors selling last minute shore excursions. We were both getting hungry, so we knew it was time to find some breakfast.
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