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You’ll find restaurants all along Front Street, an easy walk from where most ships dock, and Main Street, one block inland. Join a local guide to learn about Ketchikan through the history of its many pubs on an adults-only tour. You’ll hear scandalous stories of days gone by, when the town was packed with fishermen, loggers, and miners.
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Ketchikan has good transportation facilities to get you out of town and to the attractions further afield. However, if you want to go for adventure like zip lining, whale watching, kayaking of fishing we recommend you to arrange a shore excursion. The public transport system in Ketchikan can bring you anywhere you need to go. There are 2 bus lines in Ketchikan of which the Silver Line might be the most interesting for you.
A Little Ketchikan History
If you wish to explore Ketchikan and surrounding area on your own, Alaska Car Rental will pick you up at the pier and drive you to their rental center (takes only 15 minutes). At the end of the day, you can leave the car near the ship and they will mail you your receipt, so there’s no need to waste your precious vacation time waiting in a rental facility. First City Car rental will meet you at the pier with your car and keys, so there’s no need to even go to their facilities. This museum in town displays all kinds of ancient tools or the native people.
Creek Street
It’s an opportunity to see coastal wildlife and immerse yourself in Alaska’s natural beauty. 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.
This attraction is maintained and promoted by the City of Ketchikan and works to educate the public about the living artistic traditions of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. In 1938, long before Alaska was a state, the US Forest Service started a program to restore totem poles that were abandoned when native people relocated to cities for work. They also hired skilled carvers to pass the totem pole tradition on to artisans of the next generation. Today, you’ll find a number of Alaskan-themed souvenir shops, galleries, restaurants, and more housed in these attractive and colorful buildings.
Video: Alaska Cruise Review with Cruise Ports
Ketchikan prepares to welcome record 1.4 million cruise passengers - Alaska's News Source
Ketchikan prepares to welcome record 1.4 million cruise passengers.
Posted: Thu, 23 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The mill closed in the late 1990s when the US forest service began to protect the local spruce trees and the wilderness surrounding Ketchikan. Here are the best things to do in Ketchikan, especially if you have only one day in port. Where to eat, adventure activities and other uniquely Alaskan attractions are all listed here. Lastly, enjoy a stroll through Totem Park at Saxman Native Village to learn about the historical carvings and stories behind the native culture. On the 90-minute tour, you’ll learn about Ketchikan’s history, see the Behm Canal, and enjoy a majestic waterfall. If the salmon are running in the Ketchikan Creek below, it’s a great place to spot otters and harbor seals enjoying an easy meal.
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Each totem pole tells a story and represents anything from a significant event to a person, an animal, or a spirit. While the Berth 4 dock is the main docking area for Princess Cruise ships, it’s worth noting that some larger ships may also dock at Berth 2, which is adjacent to Berth 4. Regardless of the specific berthing location, Princess Cruise ensures that passengers can easily access the city’s main attractions and activities. Aside from its rich Native American heritage, Ketchikan offers a multitude of outdoor adventures. The surrounding area boasts pristine rivers and streams teeming with salmon, which makes it a haven for fishing enthusiasts.
Video: Cruise ship crashes into Ketchikan dock - Anchorage Daily News
Video: Cruise ship crashes into Ketchikan dock.
Posted: Fri, 03 Jun 2016 07:00:00 GMT [source]
From outdoor adventures to cultural discoveries, there’s something for everyone in this gateway to Southeast Alaska. Being centrally situated, it opens a direct gateway for passengers into downtown’s vibrant streets packed with attractions and amenities. Ketchikan is most active (and slightly less rainy) during the months of July and August.
When she’s not out exploring, you’ll find her writing about travel, finances and parenting as well as gift ideas on her website, That said, May tends to be drier and although weather is cooler, the still snowy landscape is just beautiful! If you have time, you won’t regret grabbing a quick bite from Alaska Fish House. It often has a long line, but there are a large number of indoor tables that allow for plenty of seating. This exciting one-hour show features a competition between athletes wearing spiked boots and hard hats and wielding sharp saws, axes, and chainsaws.
Depending on the month of your Alaskan cruise, you’ll have the opportunity to catch king salmon, silver salmon, halibut, lingcod, and rockfish. The downtown shuttle is free and with 15 minutes intervals will pass by all cruise berths. They are numbered sequentially from south to north along the downtown waterfront. In early-November 2019, NCLH (parent company of NCL-Norwegian, RSSC-Regent, Oceania) announced signing a deal for 30-year preferential berthing at Ward Cove.
You’ll cruise past Totem Bight State Park, where you can admire the totem poles hand-carved by members of the Alaskan Native clan. So, you’ll want to prepare for a visit with a raincoat, waterproof footwear, and a compact umbrella. Since 140+ inches of precipitation fall over 235 days, you could experience sunshine of the liquid variety. To help you navigate the town during your visit, Ketchikan offers a free shuttle service with routes throughout the area. A shuttle route map is available, giving you an overview of each route so you can hop on and off. You can check out the Port of Ketchikan’s cruise ship schedule to plan your activities.
Electric bikes are easy to ride and take the grunt work out of peddling. On this ecotour, the highlight is the incredible temperature rainforest hike. The tour sells out and is rated one of the best, so book your tour online to prevent disappointment. 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.
