Ketchikan - Alaska - USA

Ketchikan offers 4 cruise dock which are all located in front of the center of town. From here you simply cross the street and you are in the historical part of town. Read our full Ketchikan cruise port guide for all the information about this cruise destination.

In Alaska you can find all five species of Alaska’s Pacific Salmon. They are King, Sockeye, Coho, Pink and Chum. Every year from August to October you will find the salmon find the very stream they were born to spawn and die. It is a phenomenal event that you cannot miss if your cruise is arriving in August or September.

When shopping in Haines make sure to buy the products with this logo. This indicated the products has actually been made in Alaska.

Ketchikan is the 4th wettest place on earth. Ketchikan lies in the largest temperate rain forest in the world. It receives over 200 inches of rain each year. Be prepared when visiting this town and don’t let rain spoil the fun. Enjoy what the locals call: liquid sunshine. They even honour rain with their liquid sunshine gauge on the pier!

The famous and fun street in the centre of Ketchikan is Creek Street. This area used to be Ketchikan’s red light district. 30 stilt houses lined up the Ketchikan creek that is nowadays filled with lovely souvenir shops and museum. Make sure not to miss this picture perfect street in Ketchikan. Creek street is only a couple of blocks walk from your ship.

Ketchikan is considered the Salmon Capitol because of its canning history. Find this welcome arch right in front of the dock. It has been put here by the Chamber of Commerce in the 1950’s.

Join this fun 1 hour show of the battle of the Lumberjacks. Find the show in town, see map above for its exact location. $37 dollar entree

On Creek street you will find a Dolly’s House. Dolly Arthur was Ketchikan’s most famous Madam of negotiable affection. She would finally retire at the age of 72. Her house is preserved as she left it and is nowadays a museum. Dolly’s house is only a couple of blocks walk from your ship.

Close to Ketchikan you can find the Misty Fjord National Monument. This sight is completely untouched by humans. You will find incredible scenery here. Inlets carved by glaciers thousands of years ago and wildlife in abundance. Visit this fjord by boat of floatplane shore excursion.

The visitors centre of Ketchikan offers a walking tour map so you can guide yourself around the town of Ketchikan, see all the mayor sights and learn about its history. The total walk is about 2 mile.

The candy shop of Ketchikan is the KetchiCandy. Visit the store for the love of chocolate and take some home as a souvenir. Special tip: Oreo cookies covered in chocolate. Visit the shop in town. Find exact location on the map above.

This museum in the heart of town discusses many different aspects of the Tongass like the locals way of life, ecosystems, wildlife and industry. It is a must for anybody wanting to learn more about this part of the world. Find the Discovery centre right in town, see map for its exact location. $5 entree.