Ketchikan On Your Own: One Day at Ketchikan Cruise Port

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One of the most popular cruise ports in Alaska is the town of Ketchikan.  If you’ve decided to explore the city on your own, you’re in luck because the town is extremely walkable and most ships dock a few steps from all the major attractions.

If you’re planning an Alaska cruise, check out our full guide to Cruise Ports in Alaska.




Things To Do in Ketchikan:

Walk Creek Street

The most famous street in Ketchikan is Creek Street.  Formerly a row of brothels and bars for wayward sailors Creek Street is now a grouping of wooden shanties with Alaska souvenirs and other items catering to the ship-riding tourist population.

Dolly's House Creek Street Ketchikan Alaska

For a few dollars, you can visit Dolly’s House a museum celebrating the boardwalk’s sorted past.


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Don’t forget to pack a good pair of travel binoculars to spot wildlife from the ship!

Check out our What to Pack Guide for more suggestions.


Totem Heritage Center Ketchikan Alaska

Visit the Totem Heritage Center

A fifteen-minute walk (aided by numerous helpful signs) will take you to the Totem Heritage Center.  The center contains exhibits meant to preserve 19th-century totem poles and to educate visitors about Native Alaskan crafts and art forms.

The USD$6 admission ticket also grants access to the Tongass Historical Museum which is located closer to the port.


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Try to See Bears and Running Salmon

The jumping fish put Ketchikan on the map. If you time your trip correctly you will get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the salmon swimming upstream to spawn.   The best place to see this wonder of nature is from the Salmon Ladder Observation Platform.  Here, the fish jump to the higher elevations of the stream.

Creek Street salmon viewing point Ketchikan Alaska

If there are salmon, there are likely bears close by too.


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Eat at the Alaska Fish House

Half of NowGoSeeIt is allergic to seafood, but a visit to the Alaska Fish House is a must-do before heading back to your unlimited buffet on board.

Alaska Fish House restaurant Ketchikan Alaska

They’re famous for their Dungeness crab, but the fish tacos and chowder are worthy of mention.


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Walking Tour of Ketchikan Alaska

Things To Do in Ketchikan Alaska

  1. Walk Creek Street

  2. Visit the Totem Heritage Center

  3. Visit Tongass Historical Museum

  4. Eat at the Alaska Fish House

  5. Salmon Ladder Observation Platform

  6. Eat crab at the Alaska Fish House



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