17 of the Best Things to Do in Ketchikan Cruise Port: Complete Guide
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Find out the most ideal things to do in Ketchikan, Alaska get the best tours and attractions to have a great fun time during your visit. It highlights the history of the red light district in Ketchikan, Alaska. The museum is located in a historic building that was once home to one of the most famous madams in the city. The Married Man’s Trail and the Salmon Ladder are two of the most popular attractions on Creek Street. The trail is a short hike that takes you to some of the best views in Ketchikan. Downtown Ketchikan is the perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring for someone seeking casual things to do in Ketchikan from a cruise ship.
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Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
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When you visit Clan House Tours, a locally-owned and operated guide service by Haida Alaskan Natives, you’ll be immersed in the vibrant Haida and Tlingit cultures. With this Photo Safari in Ketchikan, you’ll get the perfect combination of culture and history with stunning photos of the area. You’ll be able to take in the breathtaking views of Alaska with your friendly and knowledgeable tour guide, who will share all the history and geology of this incredible region.
Bawden Street Brewing Company
The lumberjack show is in downtown Ketchikan, so if you’re on a cruise line not named NCL, then it’s reasonable to walk there on your own. It will be a 5-15 minute walk from the cruise ship, depending on where exactly you are docked. By going to Totem Bight State Historical Park, it’s like you’re walking through a living museum of Native Alaskan culture to the coast to see more than 10 totem poles.
Top Things to Do in Ketchikan, Alaska on a Cruise
The families are the children of Betty and Bob Allen, who started Allen Marine Tours in the 1970s. We were lucky to explore Misty Fjords National Monument during our Alaskan Dream Cruises trip. However, if you can't do so on a small cruise, you must explore it another way while in Ketchikan. Now, the boat's purpose is to safely give guests an incredible, educational experience. Fred, one of the owners who runs the tours, was even kind enough to talk me down from my claustrophobia fears wearing all that gear.
Totem Bight State Park
This is an exhilarating and educational experience that will have you singing to Alaska’s captivating marine life. They’ll lead you through the charming, rustic streets of Ketchikan before making a splash into the harbor for breathtaking views of Alaska’s First City. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this delightful gem during your cruise stop in Ketchikan. From exploring the local boutiques to getting up close and personal with some Alaskan wildlife, we’ve got you covered. In the nearby carving shed, you can watch artists perform their craft using traditional tools, paints, and techniques used in totem pole carving.
If you opt for the extended excursion, you’ll land either a remote mountain lake or saltwater inlet and get a more intimate view of the unique landscape. Should you want to try your luck at catching one, sell fishing licenses, and rent gear for the day. At the end of Creek Street, the Stedman Bridge provides a good spot to cast your line. Although the boat has been renovated, much of the equipment used by a fishing boat still remains.
At the end of Married Man’s Trail, you’ll see the Salmon Ladder built by the town of Ketchikan to help the salmon migrate up the rapids. I was surprised to find that Creek Street wasn’t actually a street but a wooden boardwalk However, this boardwalk is an actual city street with no vehicles allowed. Those are carefully preserved at the Totem Heritage Center which is about a minute walk from the docks. Making our way towards downtown Ketchikan, we noticed the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, where you can get a city map and use the restrooms before heading out.
Visit the Tongass Historical Museum and Totem Heritage Center
The Forest Service manages it, with offices in Ketchikan and ranger stations in several other towns. For those looking to enhance their experience, some show packages include personal axe-throwing training with a lumberjack. Alternatively, pair the show with an all-you-can-eat crab feast, complete with delicious sides and desserts, for a truly Alaskan experience. Stephanie Yrungaray grew up in gorgeous Eagle River, Alaska and now calls Utah her beUtahful home. She enjoys traveling and exploring with her husband and five kids any way she can, from cruising to RV camping and everything in-between!
Set your sights on Misty Fjords National Monument
This includes fun and memorable excursions, along with free and cheap things on my own! I’ve done things walking from the cruise ship, as well as by taking the cheap city bus and the free downtown shuttle too. Mountain Point is five miles from downtown Ketchikan and the location of this unique excursion.
Whether you seek sweaters, salmon, jewelry, Alaskan art, candy, or any other item, you can find whatever you seek in Ketchikan. Creek Street is a historic boardwalk and collection of shops not far from the cruise ship docks. The Holland America cruise line docks at the Ketchikan Cruise Terminal, located just outside downtown Ketchikan. The terminal is home to many of the world’s most renowned cruise lines, making it one of the busiest ports in Alaska. It’s also conveniently situated near popular tourist attractions such as Creek Street and Tongass Historical Museum. Totem Bight State Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ketchikan, Alaska.
As you are enjoying Creek Street, you can take the opportunity to take a tour through Dollys. During the gold rush, Ketchikan was inhabited by many miners and prospectors. Strolling along Front Street is the perfect way to get a taste of Ketchikan’s history and culture. There are lots of restaurants downtown that serve up delicious dishes featuring fresh local salmon.
The untouched wilderness of the Misty Fjords boasts snowfields, cascading waterfalls, and wildflowers above the tree line. You can choose from a one-hour flight-seeing tour or a longer trip that includes a landing. The family-friendly event will have you on the edge of your seat as you watch axe throwing, lumberjacks climbing trees with gaffs, and log-sawing with razor-sharp saws.
Make sure to bring a waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and warm layers. Additionally, if you plan on going on a hike or nature walk, don’t forget to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. Feel the gentle sea breeze and marvel at the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you. Keep your eyes peeled for eagles soaring above and sea lions splashing nearby.
As the tour progresses, you’ll skirt several islands, including Annette Island, a protected Bald Eagle preserve. The crew throws fish bits into the air and the eagles dive-bomb to catch the morsels. Ketchikan is about 3 miles long and the downtown area is only about four blocks deep.
Instead, you’ll find ‘staircase streets’ by which you access many of the houses. The Chief Johnson Totem Pole is a bit unusual due to the large undecorated space between the lower totems and the topmost totem. This uncarved section was left blank to emphasize the importance of the mythological kadjuk atop the totem pole. The totem pole you see today is a replica carved by Israel Shotridge of the Teikweidi clan. It was the first totem pole to be carved and raised in the traditional Ketchikan ways in over 50 years.
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