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Ketchikan, AK

Ketchikan is a scenic town of approximately 14,000 people, located along the Tongass Narrows, at the foot of Deer Mountain, on Revillagigedo Island in Southeast Alaska. It is the southernmost and fourth largest city in Alaska.

Over 800,000 visitors come through Ketchikan each year by cruise ship. Most spend only a few hours in town, limiting their tourism and recreation choices. Visitors who arrive by air, via the Alaska Marine Highway System, or by private vessel and who have more time to spend can choose from a wider array of activities.
The Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, near the cruise ship berth 2, publishes a comprehensive area guide that provides maps, contact information for tour operators and local attractions, sample itineraries and community information.

A walking tour map is published by Pioneer Printing and the Ketchikan... Read more

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Ketchikan, AK

Destination:
Alaska

Ketchikan is a scenic town of approximately 14,000 people, located along the Tongass Narrows, at the foot of Deer Mountain, on Revillagigedo Island in Southeast Alaska. It is the southernmost and fourth largest city in Alaska.

Over 800,000 visitors come through Ketchikan each year by cruise ship. Most spend only a few hours in town, limiting their tourism and recreation choices. Visitors who arrive by air, via the Alaska Marine Highway System, or by private vessel and who have more time to spend can choose from a wider array of activities.
The Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, near the cruise ship berth 2, publishes a comprehensive area guide that provides maps, contact information for tour operators and local attractions, sample itineraries and community information.

A walking tour map is published by Pioneer Printing and the Ketchikan Daily News and is available in many locations throughout the downtown area.

Probably the most scenic downtown stretch is historic Creek Street, which is only a short distance (three to four blocks) away from the cruise ship docks. Once a raucous red-light district, and during prohibition a row of speakeasies, these days Creek Street is home to a quieter class of establishment but still retains its delightful historic charm. Visitors walking downtown should be sure to include it in their walking tour to see the picturesque wooden buildings that stand on stilts above Ketchikan Creek.

Summer visitors can look down from the bridges that cross the creek and expect to spot salmon gathering in the brackish waters near the creek mouth, preparing to make their final ascent upstream, where they will spawn and die. Depending on time, tide, and other conditions you might also see a hungry harbor seal or two cruising the creek mouth for easy prey.

Climate

Located in the vast coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska, Ketchikan is one of the rainiest cities in North America with just over 160 inches of average annual precipitation. Visitors should, therefore, come prepared for rain, especially if they plan activities on the water or in the forest or otherwise away from town and easy access to shelter. During the summertime, precipitation is generally light and sporadic and daytime temperatures average in the high sixties (F). Wintertime is marked by heavy, cold, wind-driven rain and temperatures in the high thirties.
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Ketchikan, AK: Port Information


Most visitors see Ketchikan as a port of call, arriving and leaving on the same day via the cruise ships that ply Alaska's famous Inside Passage from early May through late September. The large cruise ships call at one of the four cruise ship berths; berths 1-3 are located in downtown Ketchikan, while berth 4 is further north at Newtown. If there are more than four ships visiting Ketchikan at the same time, the additional ships will anchor in the Ketchikan Creek and passengers will take a short tender trip to the downtown pier. A free Salmon Run Shuttle operates a 20-minute downtown loop 7 AM-7 PM serving all cruise ship berths. When a ship is docked in berth 4, an additional free Bear Shuttle operates a 10-minute waterfront loop serving all cruise ship berths. Several smaller harbors offer transient moorage to private vessels cruising the Inside Passage.


 
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Get around Ketchikan, AK


By foot

Ketchikan's historic downtown is small and easily accessible by foot from the most common tourist access point, the massive downtown dock where summer cruise ships moor. To anticipate how busy the downtown area might be, visitors can check the cruise ship schedules to see how many cruise ships are in port. However, the rest of the town stretches along the waterfront for miles to the north and south of downtown and is not crowded.

By taxi

Taxi services can provide visitors with access to outlying areas and to tourist destinations outside of town.

By bus

The town's bus service operates three bus lines (Red, Green, and Blue) for locals and visitors. They provide visitors access to Totem Bight State Park (Blue Line) approximately 10 miles north of town to Fawn Mtn School (Red Line), approximately 4.5 miles south of town. Buses run 60 minutes apart. A free Downtown Shuttle runs May through September, making 20-minute loops from the four cruise ship berths to Totem Heritage Center and back.
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What to see in Ketchikan, AK


  • Totem Heritage Center, 601 Deermount St, ☎ +1 907 225-5900, fax: +1 907 225-5901. May - Sep: open every day, 8 AM-5 PM; Oct - Apr: Mon - Fri 1 – 5 PM, Sat and Sun closed. 
  • Tongass Historical Museum, 629 Dock St, ☎ +1 907 225-5600. May-Sep: Open every day, 8 AM-5 PM; Oct-Apr: Wed, Thu, Fri 1 PM– 5 PM, Sat 10 AM-4 PM, Sun 1 – 4 PM, Mon & Tue closed. Visit the historical exhibits. 
  • Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, 50 Main St, ☎ +1 907 228-6220, fax: +1 907 228-6234, e-mail: r10_ketchikan_Alaska_Info@fs.fed.us. See the rainforest interpretive exhibits.
  • Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Location varies, ☎ +1 907 225-9050, fax: +1 907 247-9049, e-mail: info@lumberjacksports.com. Watch an exhibition of lumberjack skills. 
  • Totem-pole collections. Ketchikan is situated at the meeting place of three Alaska Native cultures, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. Evidence of the rich artistic and dance traditions of the native cultures is apparent throughout the town, most visibly in the totem poles scattered through the historic district and found in larger groupings in totem parks near town:
Saxman Totem Park (approximately 2.5 miles south of downtown).
Totem Bight State Historical Park (approximately ten miles north of downtown Ketchikan).
Totem Heritage Center.
Tribal Fish Hatchery (located within Ketchikan, approximately 0.75 miles from the cruise ship docks).

 
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What to do in Ketchikan, AK


Set on the hillsides above the waterfront on a heavily forested, mostly wilderness island, the town of Ketchikan is worth visiting on its own merits. However, visitors with time for an extended stay should make an effort to explore the steep rainy forests, deep-water channels, secluded bays, and hundreds of small islands in the surrounding area. Travelers with access to a boat of some sort, whether single-person kayak or gargantuan luxury yacht, should devote some time to exploring the scenic passages and inlets of the nearby waterways where fish are bountiful, it's not uncommon to see whales and porpoises, and bears and eagles can frequently be seen on the shore.

  • Taquan Air (Venture Travel LLC), 4085 Tongass Ave (Call for Courtesy Van), toll-free: +1-800-770-8800. Locally owned, operated, and staffed. Scheduled flights to Prince of Wales, Metlakatla, and Hyder. Tour flights to the Misty Fjords, Bear Viewing, or other customized options.
  • Alaska Seaplane Tours, 420 Front St (3/4 of a mile north of downtown), toll-free: +1-866-858-BEAR (2327). 1:30. A great way to see bears or misty fjords.
  • Alaska Canopy Adventures, Herring Cove (Call for Courtesty Van), ☎ +1 907 225-5503. Fly through the trees on the original Alaska Zipline Course! Locally owned, operated and staffed.
  • Baranof Fishing Excursions, #3 Salmon Landing (Offices located upstairs in the Alaska Fish House), ☎ +1 907 225-4055. Cast a line in exclusive wilderness fishing locations and experience breathtaking Alaska in a guided, open-air skiff. Variety of options for a day on the water: salmon, halibut, and bottom fishing excursions May through September.
  • Ketchkan Tours, 6379 Fabry Drive, 99902, ☎ +1 907 220 1225, e-mail: cruin@ketchikantours.biz. 7 am-10 pm. 
  • Ketchikan Outdoors, 131 Front St (Booth in the Visitors Bureau on the dock), ☎ +1 907 220-9959. Amazing inflatable boat eco-tours, Romantic Island getaways and family fun at the beach. 
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What to eat and drink in Ketchikan, AK


Eat

Fish is the local specialty. The fishing industry in Southeast Alaska is not what it once was but vast amounts of salmon are still landed every year and processed and shipped to all over the world. Wild Alaskan salmon is world famous, and rightly so. Ask a local fisherman, however, and many will express a preference for the lighter-flavored halibut. Either is a fine choice, as are several other species caught in local waters, including rockfish, ling cod, and dungeness crab. Don't be afraid to ask your server what's fresh.
Crab A word on crab: many visitors, excited to be in Alaska, are eager to dine on the famous Alaskan king crab. What most don't realize is that king crab aren't commonly found anywhere close to Ketchikan and there is no commercial king crab fishery here -- the chief ports of the king crab fishery are Kodiak and Dutch Harbor far to the north and west of Ketchikan. In other words, if you order king crab, you're going to be served crab that has been frozen and flown in -- it won't be any fresher than if you'd ordered it at a restaurant back home. If you crave a crustacean sensation order local dungeness crab instead. Dungies aren't as large or as exotic as king crab and it takes a bit more work to eat them but their meat is pleasantly mild and sweet-tasting and you'll get a fresher meal at a cheaper price. Save the king crab order for when you've traveled much further north.
Filipino cuisine Ketchikan has a substantial Filipino minority population and there are a number of local restaurants that serve Filipino cuisine, either on its own or in conjunction with a more traditional American menu as well.

  • Alaska Fish House, #3 Salmon Landing (Located right next to The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show), ☎ +1 907 247-4055. 9:00-4:30. Fresh Alaskan seafood. Located just three minutes from the cruise ship docks.
  • Ocean View Restaurant. Serves from a wide menu of mostly Mexican and Italian dishes, is probably the most popular restaurant in town. The food is flavorful and the atmosphere is welcoming and family-friendly. Vegetarian options abound, something that cannot often be said in Ketchikan.
  • The Galley, Located across from The Plaza shopping mall in the. An old local favorite. The Galley offers Asian food and diner fare, from pancit (a traditional Filipino noodle dish) to burgers. The addictive lumpia (a Filipino version of a spring roll), fried rice, and noodle dishes are the local favorites.
  • Cape Fox Lodge, accessible from Creek Street via a bright red funicular lift. On the higher end of the price scale, overlooking downtown, is probably the best choice in town: they serve a good meal in a nice atmosphere. There is a respectable beer and wine list, and the views of the waterfront are very nice. Prices are a little on the high side for the quality of food and service received but are not out of line with Ketchikan norms.
  • Chico's, downtown. Small family-run Mexican restaurant. Free chips and pretty good salsa. Food is pretty authentic, especially for up here. Very friendly service and good food.
  • Burger Queen. A popular local take-out opposite the water just past the downtown tunnel. Fast food with a local flavor. It doesn't look like much from the road, but any trip to Ketchikan without a BQ halibut sandwich is a wasted trip.
  • The Pioneer Cafe, 610 Main St. Formerly named "Pioneer Pantry", and still called that by many locals, the Pioneer Cafe has moved from its former location on Front Street and reinvented itself in a new Mission Street location as a 1950s-style diner. Mainly a three-egg breakfast place, you'll be inclined to order the blueberry pancakes or reindeer sausage. Both are great, but if you're in the mood for lunch, they make a mean Alaska Burger, 10 oz. of pure meaty bliss. Plus, if you're staying on the waterfront downtown, Billy Bob (that's his real name) will even deliver your breakfast right to your door!
  • Anabelle's (on Front Street, directly across from the docks). This is a sweet little restaurant, lavishly furnished, that takes you back to the days when the nearby Red Light District was in full swing. Linen napkins and goblets for your water, along with servers in white shirts and black vests give this moderately-priced eatery an heir of sophistication. They are known for their chowder and the reputation is deserved. They also make a great Southwestern Halibut Wrap, but make sure to peruse the entire menu - you might get a kick out of its late nineteenth-century newspaper feel.
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Shopping in Ketchikan, AK


Many kinds of shops exist in the downtown area, including museums, galleries, souvenir & jewelry stores and many fine restaurants.
Several galleries specialize in native-design art. Consider some of the strikingly executed carvings or baskets, or if you're on a more modest budget, a print.
​Ketchikan's art scene isn't limited to native art, however. The town's scenic location and active participation-friendly art community have attracted artists working in a number of media. Local photographers offer some remarkable photos of the area's scenic wonders -- be sure to save some time to actually see the wonders, though and not just their photos. Other artists work in a variety of media; many are influenced by local scenery and/or wildlife. Excellent work can be found throughout a price range which can accommodate almost any budget.

  • Crazy Wolf Studio. This shop has a fine collection of hand-carved masks and other art by Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian carvers.
  • Carver at the Creek, harbor end of Creek St. Fine carvings at premium prices.
  • Eagle Spirit Gallery. Less focused on Southeast Alaska - sells artifacts from throughout the state
  • Marvin Oliver. Sells native design prints and sculptures featuring bold colors and unusual materials.
  • Soho Coho (in the historic Star Building at the upper end of Creek Street). A popular local gallery that sells modestly priced artwork by several local artists and does a brisk trade in whimsical fish-themed T-shirts designed by gallery owner Ray Troll.
  • Parnassus Books, upstairs in the historic Star Building at the upper end of Creek St. Locally owned and well stocked with the works of Alaska authors and books on the history, flora, and fauna of Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska.
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Safety in Ketchikan, AK


Alaska enjoys a comparatively low crime rate and is generally a safe place to travel though women need to be especially careful on their own, as Alaska does have a disproportionately high rate of rape and sexual assaults compared with the rest of the United States. While it is mainly Alaska Natives who are affected proportionally nonetheless it is recommended to exercise some caution although most areas visited heavily by tourists are pretty safe.

Also keep in mind that while Alaska is wild and beautiful, it does not tolerate fools easily. It is quite possible to get lost, cold, wet, and even die. The state's populace varies between extremely friendly to tourists to openly hostile. A common bumper sticker says: "If it's tourist season, why can't we shoot 'em?" Many Alaskans are understandably tired of those people from the "lower 48" who head North to live out ill-conceived — and sometimes fatal — fantasies of living off the land.

The remote parts of the state are its jewels, but be prepared for the trip you plan. Do your homework, and plan on being self-sufficient. Consider using a guide, or checking out local conditions with locals before jumping in the kayak, and heading for yonder point that looked so nice on the map. The water in Alaska is so cold, falling overboard can be fatal within minutes. More importantly, self-rescue becomes impossible often within seconds, especially around glacier-fed rivers. Treatment for hypothermia is required reading before doing any water sports, even during warm weather.

Bears live in many areas of the state and are best avoided. Moose are equally common and just as dangerous and attack humans more frequently than bears. See wilderness backpacking for more information about staying safe in areas of known bear activity.
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Language spoken in Ketchikan, AK


English is the official language. 

LOCAL TIME

7:47 pm
July 11, 2020
America/Anchorage

CURRENT WEATHER

13.61 °C / 56.498 °F
light rain
Sun

15.34 °C/60 °F
light rain 		Mon

15.82 °C/60 °F
light rain 		Tue

12.71 °C/55 °F
heavy intensity rain 		Wed

13.73 °C/57 °F
heavy intensity rain

LOCAL CURRENCY

USD

Travelers recommend visiting the following places of interests



Totem Heritage Center, Ketchikan, AK
Average: 10 (10 votes)

The Totem Heritage Center is a museum operated by the City of Ketchikan in the U.S. state of Alaska. The Heritage Center houses one of the world's largest collections of unrestored 19th century totem poles. The poles were recovered from uninhabited Tlingit settlements on Village Island and Tongass Island, south of Ketchikan, as well as from the...
Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, Ketchikan, AK
Average: 9.5 (10 votes)

The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is a visitor center in Ketchikan, Alaska, operated by the United States Forest Service as part of the Tongass National Forest. The center provides interpretive exhibits and activities about the ecology, economy and culture of Southeast Alaska and its temperate rainforest ecosystems.
Totem Bight State Historical Park, Ketchikan, AK
Average: 9.9 (10 votes)

Totem Bight State Historical Park is a 33-acre (13 ha) state park in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is located north of Ketchikan.​ Description and history The park is located on the former site of a traditional Native campground. It contains a collection of totem poles and a replica of a traditional chieftain's house. This wood-frame...
Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan, AK
Average: 9.4 (10 votes)

The Tongass National Forest /ˈtɒŋɡəs/ in Southeast Alaska is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres (69,000 km2). Most of its area is part of the temperate rain forest WWF ecoregion, itself part of the larger Pacific temperate rain forest WWF ecoregion, and is remote enough to be home to many species of endangered and...
Saxman Totem Park, Ketchikan, AK
Average: 9.8 (10 votes)

Saxman Totem Park is a public park in the city of Saxman, Alaska, just south of Ketchikan in southeastern Alaska. The park is home to a collection of totem poles, some of which are old poles relocated to this place from abandoned Tlingit villages in the region, or were reconstructed by skilled Tlingit carvers under the auspices of the Civilian...
First Lutheran Church, Ketchikan, AK
Average: 9.2 (10 votes)

The First Lutheran Church in Ketchikan, Alaska is a historic church at 1200 Tongass Avenue. It was designed by architect W.G. Brust of Seattle and was built in 1930 by Ketchikan local builder Carl Foss. It is a two-story wood frame structure, with a three-story tower at its southwest corner. The windows along the sides are rectangular sash windows...
Creek Street, Ketchikan, AK
Average: 9.7 (12 votes)

Creek Street is a historic area of Ketchikan, Alaska. The street is actually a boardwalk mounted in stilts on a high slope on the east side of Ketchikan Creek, east of the city's downtown. Description and History Creek Street is infamous as being Ketchikan's red light district, roughly between 1903 and 1954, and some of its attractions are...
Pennock Island, Ketchikan, AK
Average: 9.1 (10 votes)

Pennock Island is located in the U.S. state of Alaska near the city of Ketchikan. The island is situated within the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and is part of the Alexander Archipelago. Most of the island is public land managed by the Tongass National Forest. Geography Pennock Island lies between Gravina Island and Revillagigedo Island at the...
Deer Mountain, Ketchikan, AK
Average: 9.6 (12 votes)

Deer (singular and plural) are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. The two main groups are the Cervinae, including the muntjac, the fallow deer and the chital, and the Capreolinae, including the reindeer (caribou), the Western roe deer, and the Eurasian elk (moose). Female reindeer, and male deer of all species (except the Chinese...
Tongass Narrows, Ketchikan, AK
Average: 8.9 (12 votes)

Tongass Narrows is a Y-shaped channel, part of Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage. The waterway forms part of the Alaska Marine Highway and as such, is used by charter, commercial fishing, and recreational vessels, as well as commercial freight barges and tanks, kayaks and passenger ferries. A proposal to build the Gravina Island Bridge across...
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