Ketchikan, Alaska
Details
Ketchikan — first city, salmon capital, totem country
Revillagigedo Island · "Alaska's First City"
Ketchikan clings to the edge of a rainforest island, its downtown built right up against the water on pilings and steep hillsides. It's the Salmon Capital of the World, the southernmost major port on the route, and home to the largest collection of standing totem poles anywhere — the living art of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. It also happens to be one of the rainiest towns in America, which is exactly why the forest around it is so absurdly green. A little drizzle here is part of the deal, not a disappointment.
Why stop here
This is your culture-and-character port. The ship docks steps from downtown, so you can be on the historic boardwalk within minutes, and the surrounding Tongass rainforest and Misty Fjords put real wilderness within a short floatplane or boat ride. It's the most walkable stop on the itinerary — easy to do well on your own two feet.
Potential activities
- Creek Street — the famous boardwalk on stilts over Ketchikan Creek, a former red-light district now lined with galleries and shops. Watch for salmon running upstream below you in season.
- Totem poles — Totem Bight State Park, Saxman Native Village with carving demonstrations, or the Totem Heritage Center's collection of original, unrestored poles.
- Misty Fjords National Monument — a floatplane flightseeing trip over sheer granite cliffs and waterfalls; the scenic splurge, and worth it.
- The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show — axe-throwing, log-rolling, and speed-climbing; corny, fun, and blessedly indoors if it's pouring. Book ahead.
- Wildlife and water — bear viewing by floatplane, sportfishing, or a paddle through the Tongass.
Port Info
Schedule
Start Time
Jun 15 10:00AM AKDT
to
End Time
Jun 15 5:00PM AKDT