What to do in Ketchikan, Alaska, from your cruise ship

At a glance:

• Ketchikan is a small and safe place that’s easy to navigate
• Ships dock right by the city centre and stay for seven to eight hours – plenty of time to mix independent sightseeing and organised excursions
• Creek Street, the Married Man’s Trail and Saxman Totem Park are in or near the city centre
• More expensive excursions include wilderness boat tours, fishing trips and floatplane flights to the Misty Fjords National Monument

Welcome to Ketchikan. Your ship has just sailed up the Tongass Narrows and docked at the Salmon Capital of the World. You now have a few hours to spend ashore and visit this regular stop on an Alaska Inside Passage cruise.

So, what’s the best way to fill your time? Should you head out to Creek Street and Saxman Totem Park on your own? Or book a wildlife boat tour or an excursion to Misty Fjords National Monument through the cruise line? Our one-day guide to Ketchikan will answer your questions.

Ketchikan cruise port and town

Ketchikan is a place of re-invention. Fishing, mining, timber - all boom industries at some points in the history of the city – are no longer the money makers they once were. Instead, tourism has now filled the gap left by these declining industries.

Originally a fishing camp for the Tlingit, an Alaskan Native group, Ketchikan’s history as a city began in the late 19th century with the construction of a salmon cannery. At the southern end of the Alaskan section of the Inside Passage, Ketchikan is the entry point into the state for most ships, giving it the nickname “First City”.

Although small (fewer than 10,000 people live in Ketchikan), there’s a lot to see and do, even if your ship only docks for a few hours. Many of the sights have links to the history of the place, from the totem poles of the Tlingit natives to the Yukon Gold Rush and the days when Ketchikan was the Salmon Capital of the World.

But beyond the history of the city, people come here for the natural beauty and the wildlife (including bears, whales, bald eagles, seals and more). Ketchikan is within the Tongass National Forest, the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world.

[H3] Where do ships dock in Ketchikan

This article focuses on what people can do and see from the Port of Ketchikan, which is on the city’s waterfront. But if you sail with Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, Viking or Regent Seven Seas, you’re likely to dock at Ward Cove, seven miles from Ketchikan.

Other operators, including Disney Cruise Line, list Ward Cove as the Ketchikan stop on some of their sailings, so make sure to check where you’ll dock before planning your day.

For a city this small, Ketchikan has an impressive docking capacity, with enough berths for four Panamax-sized ships and more at tender. For tenders, ships usually anchor around 300m from the port, allowing passengers to get to shore relatively quickly (around 10-15 minutes once aboard the tender boats).

For passengers docking at the port, or once you’ve disembarked the tender boat, getting into town is easy. Berth 4, the furthest away from the city centre, is only a 10-minute walk away.

Port of Ketchikan essentials

Need some paracetamol or a Ketchikan magnet for your fridge back home? While you should be able to find most of what you need on your ship (apart from, maybe, that magnet), you might not want to pay inflated onboard prices for a simple pack of painkillers. This section is here to help.

What shops and services are at the port

After you disembark from your ship, you’ll be greeted by the usual third-party excursion stalls. Prices are certainly lower than the cruise lines’ – but by booking on the spot with an unknown company, you lose all ability to check reviews.

We’re not saying these companies won’t provide a good experience (many will). But some don’t. In fact, the US’s Better Business Bureau has issued a warning against some Alaskan tour companies following a host of complaints. We always recommend checking reviews first, whether you book through the cruise line or a third-party.

Immediately around the berths are your usual souvenir shops, alongside a few restaurants, bars and cafés. The Ketchikan Visitors Bureau is by Berth 2.

What shops and services in town

A recurrent issue with Alaska, if you’re looking for a chemist or a supermarket, is that you’ll rarely find them in the tourist areas where you’re likely to spend most of your time. These parts of town are usually filled with souvenir and local craft shops, jewellers (a lot of them), bars and restaurants.

If you need a grocery shop in Ketchikan, the nearest option to the port is RainCity Drugstore (305 Dock Street, Ketchikan), about a five to ten-minute walk from the port. The shop has a small selection of grocery items and over-the-counter medications.

If you need a larger shop, the nearest option is the Safeway at The Plaza (2417 Tongass Avenue, Ketchikan), which is about a 20 to 25-minute walk from the port.

How to pay for things in Ketchikan

Most shops, bars and restaurants will take cards, even for small transactions. As usual, consider using a multi-currency card from one of the many neo-banks, like Wise or Revolut, to minimise fees and get better exchange rates.

If you need to withdraw cash, there are several ATMs on Front Street and more in the town. Check whether individual ATMs charge additional fees before using them.

How safe is Ketchikan

Ketchikan is generally safe for tourists. Risks of muggings, pick-pocketing and scams are rated low by Travel Safe – Abroad.

But as with any place with a large concentration of tourists, it’s always worth being cautious and keeping your wits about you.

As mentioned previously, if you’re not booking an excursion through your cruise line, make sure to check reviews for the provider first.

What to do in Ketchikan

Typically, cruise ships stay in Ketchikan for seven to nine hours, giving you plenty of time to experience the town and beyond.

Our ideal day in Ketchikan

I visited Ketchikan on a recent Alaska sailing. My ship docked at 7am and departed at 3:30pm. Here’s what I did:

• 7am: Disembarked and walked to Creek Street and up the Married Man’s Trail
• 8am: Took a taxi to Saxman Totem Park, arriving shortly after the opening time
• 9:30am: Took a taxi back to Ketchikan and grabbed a coffee and a pastry at Island Brew Café
• 10:30am: Headed out on a four-hour wilderness boat tour
• 2:30pm: Returned from the wilderness boat tour and spent 30 minutes browsing souvenirs at the port’s shops
• 3pm: back on board with a cocktail in hand, ready to watch the ship leave port

Want to build your own perfect day in Ketchikan? You’ll find more information about what I visited and other things I considered seeing below:

For everyone

These crowd-pleasers are perfect for everybody – try to tick off as many as you can.

Creek Street

• What is it? Ketchikan’s historic neighbourhood, with timber houses built on stilts and linked by wooden boardwalks over Ketchikan Creek
• Distance to port: Five to 10 minutes on foot
• How to get there: Disembark and follow the signs to Creek Street – you won’t miss it
• Price: Free (if you can resist the temptation of all the souvenir shops)
• DIY or with a tour: Extremely easy to do independently
• Worth doing? You’ll want to see the neighbourhood and read about its history. But the concentration of tourists and souvenir shops means you might not want to spend too much time there.

Married Man’s Walk

• What is it? A short trail through the trees along Ketchikan Creek, once used as a discreet back route to the city’s red-light district
• Distance to port: About 10 minutes on foot
• How to get there: Start from Creek Street and follow the wooden path uphill past Dolly’s House
• Price: Free
• DIY or with a tour: Best done independently as part of a walk around town
• Worth doing? A quick and quirky detour with good creek views and an amusing bit of Gold Rush history. It only takes a few minutes and connects easily to other sights nearby

Saxman Totem Park

• What is it? A small Tlingit village just outside Ketchikan with a large collection of standing totem poles
• Distance to port: 10 to 15 minutes by car
• How to get there: Book a shore excursion or take a taxi or shuttle from the port
• Price: Around $5 to enter the park independently
• DIY or with a tour: Easy to visit on your own, but a guided tour adds cultural context and background
• Worth doing? The park gives a sense of the Indigenous heritage in Southeast Alaska. If you're interested in Native culture and art, this is a worthwhile stop.

For families

Alaska is a wild place, and many excursions are not necessarily designed with children in mind. But you shouldn't let that stop you. There are many activities, such as wildlife spotting, that your kids will love. But be aware that some excursions have minimum age requirements.

Ocean wilderness expedition

• What is it? A Zodiac or small boat tour to discover the local ocean ecosystem, and a chance to see seals, whales, sea stars, urchins and more. Tours are around three hours and are weather-dependent. Small boat tours are usually open to all ages, while zodiac tours are usually only for adults and children over the age of five.
• Distance to port: Tours either begin from the cruise terminal or include transfers
• How to get there: Most excursion companies will pick you up from the cruise terminal
• Price: Expect to pay around $200 per person for small boat tours and $400 per person for Zodiac tours
• DIY or with a tour: One to pre-book with your cruise line or a tour company
• Worth doing? Most children’s fascination with animal life makes this one a no-brainer for families. Favour small boats over Zodiac if you have young children or feel less adventurous

Great Alaskan Lumberjack show

• What is it? A fast-paced, high-energy performance featuring real-life lumberjacks competing in axe-throwing, logrolling and tree-climbing events. Shows last about an hour and are hosted in a covered arena right near the waterfront. It’s lively, loud and full of crowd participation – ideal for kids who like a bit of spectacle.
• Distance to port: Five minutes or less on foot
• How to get there: An easy walk from the cruise terminal – follow the signs or ask any local
• Price: Around $43 for adults, $23 for children
• DIY or with a tour: Available as part of various shore excursions or book tickets independently online
• Worth doing? It’s a hit with children thanks to the action, humour and cheering sections – and it’s short enough to hold the attention of younger kids. A fun and easy option for families looking to stay close to the port

For active and adventurous travellers

Alaska is perfect for those looking for adventure – there are so many incredible experiences to be had in the state. These are some of the highlights available from Ketckikan.

Deer Mountain Trail (lower section)

Note: We only recommend the lower section of the walk to the first overlook (about one mile from the start of the trail). After that, the trail becomes steeper and more challenging and might not be suitable for all. Even then, make sure you have both the physical condition and equipment for the walk. More information about the trail can be found here.

• What is it? A popular hiking trail offering forest views, with the lower stretch suitable for a short walk.
• Distance to port: About 15 minutes on foot to the trailhead (or five minutes in a taxi)
• How to get there: Walk or take a short taxi ride from downtown to the trailhead at the end of Ketchikan Lakes Road
• Price: Free
• DIY or with a tour: Best for independent visitors with suitable footwear and fitness level
• Worth doing? Even if you only tackle the lower section, it’s a peaceful way to step into Alaska’s rainforest and stretch your legs

Ketchikan fishing tour

• What is it? Head out on a small boat to catch salmon, halibut, cod and other local fish. These tours usually last around five hours and are weather-dependent.
• Distance to port: Excursions tend to depart from the nearby marina, which is 10 to 15 minutes from the cruise terminal
• How to get there: Most excursion companies will pick you up from the cruise terminal
• Price: Expect to pay around $400 per person
• DIY or with a tour: Unless you can beg a boat owner to take you out to sea, you’ll need to go through your cruise line or a tour company
• Worth doing? If the idea of five hours on a small boat catching fish excites you, perfect. Be aware that the Alaskan weather is unpredictable – this one is better suited to fishing enthusiasts with good sea legs

Misty Fjords National Monument by floatplane

• What is it? Board a floatplane and fly over the Misty Fjords National Monument, one of the largest wilderness regions in the US. Most tours last around two hours, including an hour in the air
• Distance to port: The floatplane dock is about a 15-minute drive from the cruise terminal
• How to get there: Most excursion companies will pick you up from the cruise terminal
• Price: Expect to pay around $400 per person
• DIY or with a tour: This one is also best pre-booked with your cruise line or a tour company
• Worth doing? Don’t get us wrong, this is not a cheap excursion for a one-hour flight. But if you can afford it and enjoy stunning scenery, this is a chance to take in fabulous views of the Alaskan wilderness from the air

Frequently asked questions

Where is the nearest medical facility in Ketchikan?

While there are a few doctors in Ketchikan, you might be better served using your ship’s medical facilities if you need attention. With most cruise ships only staying in this Alaskan city for a few hours, using onboard medical staff will facilitate any follow-up appointments and continued care. 

What happens if I miss my tender in Ketchikan?

It all depends. If you miss a tender, just wait for the next one. However, make sure not to miss the last one. If the ship leaves without you, re-joining the cruise at the next stop or heading home will be at your own expense.

Is eight hours enough to see Ketchikan?

Eight hours will give you enough time for a main excursion (like a boat or floatplane trip) and to tick off a few places near the port (Creek Street, Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show). Plan your day carefully, don’t overstretch yourself, and you’ll have plenty of memories by the time your ship leaves.