Ketchikan is in Alaska and is a place that you go to if you go on an Alaskan cruise. What must you see in Ketchikan? What is there to see and do?
There are many tours to do in Ketchikan from watching a Lumberjack show, fishing, going on a float plane into the misty fjords, looking for bears, going to the Tongass National Forest to see the Totem Poles, all you can eat crab and more!
The city of Ketchikan itself is beautiful to walk around and venture to Creek Street the oldest street in town.
Ketchikan claims to be Alaska’s first city and the salmon capital of the world. It dates back to 1883 and in 1900 had a population of 800, now it has a population of over 8000.
People went there originally, because of the salmon and the gold rush. Now it is for tourism and fishing.
In Ketchikan, it rains a lot and it has the highest rainfall in the USA. Ketchikan is surrounded by big fir trees with the colourful houses popping out. Most of the time the mist is so low you cannot see the tops of the trees.
If you are lucky to get a good sunny day, it is very beautiful with the sun shining over the ocean making it sparkle with the mountains in the distance.
I saw heavy rain, grey days and beautiful sunny days. The weather in Alaska is very unpredictable!
Whilst I was in Ketchikan I went to the Totem Bight State Park and enjoyed visiting Creek Street.
Totem Bight State Park Tour
Totem Bight State Park is in the Tongass National Forest. It is around thirty minutes away from where the cruise ships dock.
Totem Poles are the part of the native Alaskan culture and they are all hand carved from cedar wood. Each pole has a story, that is why each one is very different.
It is the largest totem pole park in the world and the poles were brought from all the deserted Alaskan towns.
At the park, there is a replica native clan house, that would be the summer camp for the natives. The clan was of around 50 people and they are lived in the house in the summer months.
The park is set in the beautiful Tongass National Forest on the water. With stunning views of the surrounding area.
Creek Street
Creek Street in the city centre and is within walking distance of where the cruise ships are docked. Creek Street was the red-light district of Ketchikan and had thirty brothels in it.
The brothels were open until 1954. The colourful houses of Creek Street are now gift shops, gallery’s, bars and brothel museums.
What to Wear in Ketchikan
The weather varies a lot in Ketchikan, but most of the time it does rain! I would recommend wearing layers, so if it is nice you can take a layer off.
Bring a jacket, jeans/trousers, tee, sweater, boots, hat, gloves, a scarf and an umbrella.
Essential Info
- Weather in summer months: 8*C – 20*C
- Currency: US Dollar
- Language: American English
- Recommendations: Bring a camera or smartphone, waterproof phone cover or camera lens cloth and binoculars for wildlife spotting.
Have you been to Ketchikan? What would you recommend doing?
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY READING:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK AN ALASKAN CRUISE
TOP 23 PACKING TIPS FOR A COLDER CRUISE
TOP 10 PACKING TIPS FOR AN ALASKAN CRUISE
WHY GO ON A WHALE WATCHING TOUR IN JUNEAU ALASKA
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Happy Cruising!
Love Lucy x
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Alaska seems so cool! I love the Totem Poles!
Author
Great place to visit 💙
I would love to go on an Alaskan cruise trip. This sounds like a wonderful place 🙂
Author
It really is a fun place to visit 🛳
Loved our stop in Ketchikan on our Alaskan cruise! You definitely had sunnier weather than we did though 🙂
Author
We were lucky!
I have only been to Ketchikan on a Norwegian cruise and I think we took a tour of the lake to explore the Bald Eagles flying about. Next time I go I am sure to check out the Totem Pole Park and Creek Street looks amazing. what a truly unique little town on the southern coast of Alaska
Author
Ketchikan is a gorgeous little town and the totem pole park is a beautiful setting.
Great post in a part of the world I know little about! I love the ‘what to wear in Ketchikan’ piece … big boots and woolly hats! Great advice 🙂
Author
Thank you and I’m glad you enjoyed he what to wear section! Ketchikan is a lovely place visit.
Oh, I want to go to Alaska. I live in Northern Europe and I would love to see how North America is different.
Author
It’s beautiful, similar scenery but a different culture.
Thats a perfect guide and well detailed. Alaska is beautiful indeed !
Author
Thank you very much!
Great tips! I have been dying to visit Alaska but the flights are always expensive. But the natural beauty and totem poles here are very inspiring!
Author
Thank you! I hope the flights lower in price for you as Alaska is an amazing experience.
I always thought Alaska was always covered in snow…The greenery is enchanting. Alaska seems a wonderful place. Beautiful pictures too.
Author
Thank you! In the summer Alaska is beautiful, especially on a sunny day.
Great tips! Alaska looks like a beautiful place for nature lovers, and I’m one of them! I love visiting national parks and Alaska has a lot to offer! Thanks for sharing.
Author
I highly recommend Alaska if you love nature and the scenery is amazing.