As the “Gateway to Southeast Alaska,” Ketchikan’s rich culture and incredible natural beauty offer countless ways to enjoy the wilderness, wildlife and history. Here’s where bears, humpback whales, rainforests, streams bursting with salmon and totem poles coexist! As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea, I visited this port of call countless times and never tired of it’s idyllic scenery and Alaskan native culture. So, along with its background, here’s Ketchikan’s 10 best things to do.
Welcome to the “Salmon Capital of the World,” “Totem Capital of the World,” & Rainiest City in America…
Although the entire Inside Passage is part of a rainforest, Ketchikan gets the most rain. It receives an astounding average of 150 inches/year. Therefore, always bring your rain gear and dress in layers. However, the people of Ketchikan have a good attitude about being the “Rainiest City in America. ” Next to the Visitor’s Center is a gauge promoting “Liquid Sunshine.” Most importantly, this creates the stunning lush, green forests of this region.
Over the years, Ketchikan earned its title as “The Salmon Capital of the World.” This is largely because of the refreshing Ketchikan Creek and Falls. This waterway flows through their famous “Creek Street.” Its salmon runs are epic here from mid July to mid September.
Ketchikan is in the heart of Tongass National Forest.
This forest of Southeast Alaska is the largest national forest in the United States spreading over 17.6 million acres (68,000 km). It’s part of the Pacific Northwest Rainforest, as the Earth’s largest remaining temperate rainforest. Also, it’s named after the Tongass group of the Tlingit people, who inhabited this area. The forest is primarily made up of conifers, such as, western hemlock, red cedar and sitka spruce, sprinkled with various deciduous trees, colorful mushrooms, ferns, lichens and mosses.
Because Ketchikan is such a busy port in the summer months, it’s important to have a plan before coming. To even scratch the surface, visitors need at least a week here. The organized Ketchikan Visitor’s Bureau (outside the main cruise terminal) helps to plan what’s best for you. Besides unending brochures and guides, there are booths for each excursion where you can shop and choose.
Ketchikan’s 10 Best Things to Do
Creek Street: A short walk from the Visitors Bureau is the famous Creek Street. It’s actually a boardwalk, mounted on stilts along the east side of Ketchikan Creek. Creek Street is infamous as being Ketchikan’s red light district from about 1903 to 1954. This came about in 1903, after the brothels were banished from city center to the “Indian Town.” This rowdy district comprised of numerous brothels and bars where many fishermen lived it up. The well-preserved Creek Street takes you on a wonderful journey to learn history and imagine. You can even learn about Creek Street’s most famous madam at The Dolly’s House Museum.
Ketchikan Creek and Salmon Ladder: Here, you learn why Ketchikan is called “The Salmon Capital of the World.” On the south end of Creek Street is the Ketchikan salmon ladder and statue. This is a must-see attraction, especially mid July to mid September. This is when the creek is black with salmon fighting their way upstream on the fish ladder. There is gorgeous Salmon sculpture here entitled Yeltatzie by Terry Pyles.
What is a Salmon run? The time (usually summer) when salmon migrate from the ocean and return back to their birthplace in rivers. Here, they spawn on gravel beds and die. Then, the salmon cycle starts over again.
Misty Fjords National Monument: The magical Misty Fjords lies 22 miles east of Ketchikan. It’s a natural labyrinth of steep fjords and rock walls 3000 vertical feet high. It’s named after the common, misty rainfall of the area. Lush rainforests and dramatic waterfalls captivate a journey here. The fjords meander through 2.3 million acres across Tongass National Forest.
Misty Fjords is the largest wilderness in Alaska’s national forests and the second largest in the nation. The deep, clear waters reflect back the beautiful colors and scenery surrounding you. (shown in photos) Tourists take Boat and floatplane tours to experience these mysterious fjords. I savored my time here on a boat tour as seen in the video with a very informative Naturalist Guide.
Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show: This fun and rowdy 1-hour show, brings to life southeast Alaska’s rich logging history. The show can be a good excursion for a rainy day, as its grandstand is covered and heated. The world’s best lumberjacks compete in more than a dozen exciting events. For example, expect to watch chopping, axe throwing, sawing, relay races, log rolling and the iconic 50-foot speed climb.
Totem Poles: Ketchikan is also referred to as “Totem Capital of the World.” This is thanks to the traditions of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples. The art of totem pole carving was a luxury that experienced its peak in the mid-1700s to the late 1800s. The fur trade provided the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples time and money to focus on their artistry. These poles were symbols of cultural and economic wealth. Furthermore, they told glorious, comprehensive stories about the people and legends of the land.
Two Locations of Totem Poles – Ketchikan’s Best Things to Do
Saxman Native Village: Just 2 miles from the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, this cultural village is accessible by walking or bus. It has the most standing totems in one location with 25 totems, being authentic replicas of original poles. In the late 1800s, Tlingits from the old villages searched out the Saxman site. Tours in the open-air park on your own are a $5 fee. Also, there are organized guided tours to learn more about this fascinating culture and art. If the salmon are running, there’s a hatchery next door offering a discount admission if you purchase both.
Totem Bight State Park: Just 10 miles from Ketchikan’s Visitors Bureau, this state park is accessible by city bus. It’s a scenic drive along the Tongass Narrow to one of the world’s largest stand of Totems. It’s a peaceful place to observe the totems in the pristine environment along with the trees from which there were carved.
Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour
This tour is also known as “Deadliest Catch Crab Fishermen’s Tour”. The Aleutian Ballad crabbing vessel as seen on the Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch take you on this journey. This 3-hour scenic trip gives you real life perspective on the rigorous work of fishing for king crab, snow crab, octopus, fish, prawns and more. This tour also features some of the best eagle viewing in Alaska. Fishing legends that worked the Bering Sea are your guides. The vessel is retrofitted for guests comfort and fun, with a “live” tank on deck to allow for closer viewing of the creatures brought on board.
Ketchikan Rainforest Sanctuary encompasses Eagle Creek and Herring Cove for Hiking, Bear-Watching, and Ziplining.
Rainforest Sanctuary Raptor Center Trail: Just 8 miles from Ketchikan, is this short but incredibly diverse 1-mile trail located near Ketchikan, Alaska. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching. The flora and fauna is spectacular in this lush forest. For example, we saw western hemlock, red cedar and sitka spruce, sprinkled with various deciduous trees, colorful mushrooms, ferns, lichens and moss. Our Naturalist Guide showed us many unique species of wildflowers, berries and medicinal plants, for example, the Chocolate Lily and Devils club. We even saw a slug and bear scratches on a tree.
Lastly, exiting the rainforest onto the boardwalk in front of a field, we saw a mama bear and 2 cubs at a healthy distance. Then we went to the Alaska Raptor Center nearby, where the highlight for me was seeing my first snowy owl.
Bear Watching at Eagle Creek and Herring Cove:
Here, the fresh water of Eagle Creek flow into Herring Bay. This is a hotspot for bear watching. The boardwalk near Eagle Creek is 25 feet above the forest floor and estuary. Pink salmon swim up the creek to make nests in the gravel for spawning. It’s common for bears to walk directly underneath the boardwalk as they approach the salmon-filled creek. The viewing point is close, Yet you remain at a safe distance. A tip is to go during low tide, when fishing is better for the bears.
Rainforest Canopy Zipline:
Near the Rainforest Sanctuary is the Rainforest Canopy Zipline. It’s the more adventurous of the 2 ziplining sites in Ketchikan. With 8 dual ziplines (100 – 850 feet in length) and 3 skybridges, this activity offers some high-adrenalin fun in the setting of the lush Ketchikan temperate rainforest. The skybridges make for great photo ops. With the highest point being 135 feet, there is incredible views of the lush rainforest and hopefully even a bear.
Whale & Marine Wildlife Watching: All of the Inside Passage waters are spectacular for marine wildlife, such as, humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, dolphins, seals and sea birds. Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest is my favorite tour company for whale watching at the hotspots in Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka. I have experienced their tours in Juneau and Sitka, but not Ketchikan. However, on a boat ride to an island, I experienced my most interesting Orca or “Killer Whale” encounter here.
Related: Seeing the Awesome Humpback Whales of Inside Passage
Our guide stopped our boat to watch the orcas at a healthy distance. Then, suddenly an orca swam straight for our boat with its large dorsal fin slicing the water. Astonished, I half-feared it would attack our boat. However, just when it got close to our boat, the orca dived under us and resurfaced on the other side of the boat. Our guide said this was most likely a female orca, because her fin was smaller. (above photo)
Overall, Ketchikan‘s Best Things to Do
Ketchikan is such a special destination reminding us all how beautiful our planet is. It’s all about nature here and sustaining it. Therefore, whatever your excursions, please keep in mind to tread lightly and give back to sustain Mother Earth. The Native Culture and local people are beacons on how to do this. Everyone is super friendly and more than happy to educate about their incredible unique ecosystem and culture here.
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