Ketchikan, Alaska
Description
Ketchikan is known as Alaska's "First City" because it's the first major community travelers come to as they journey north. Located on an island, Ketchikan began life as an Indian fishing camp. The name Ketchikan comes from a Tlingit phrase that means "eagle with spread-out wings," a reference to a waterfall near town.
In the early 1900s, when gold was Alaska's claim to fame, fishing and timber industries were established in Ketchikan. The growth of these industries helped make this Inside Passage port Alaska's fourth-largest city.
Visitors to Ketchikan will be intrigued by its rich Native heritage, which includes the world's oldest collection of totem poles at Totem Heritage Center. The Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian are all a part of the city's colorful history. Ketchikan, with its abundance of salmon, is also a sportfishing paradise. Sightseers will be impressed with both the scenic town and its surroundings, especially Misty Fjords National Monument.
Points of Interest
- Outdoor Adventures
- Totem Bight State Park
- Saxman Native Village
- Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary
- Misty Fjords National Monument
- Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
- George Inlet Lodge
- Creek Street
More about Ketchikan, Alaska Points of Interest
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Outdoor Adventures -
Enjoy what is truly an outdoorsman's paradise, with activities you won't find anywhere else. Go for a ride in an off-road vehicle, kayaking, hiking, nature watching, flightseeing, ziplining and more.
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Totem Bight State Park -
Set amidst the peaceful forest, the park is home to 14 totem poles, each telling their own story, and a replica of a 19th-century clan house, offering a look into the Tlingit and Haida Native Alaskan cultures.
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Saxman Native Village -
Experience the rich living culture of the Tlingits as they welcome you to their village. Unravel totem pole mysteries, see carvers in action, shop for fine art and enter a clan house to watch Native dancers.
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Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary -
This 40-acre rainforest reserve is home to bald eagles, black bear, seals and a variety of birds, a live eagle display and a collection of totem poles.
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Misty Fjords National Monument -
Take in the dramatic beauty of a land slowly crafted by the hands of nature. It encompasses more than two million acres of sheer granite cliffs, 1,000-foot waterfalls, and crystalline lakes.
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Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show -
This celebration of a bygone era is a rip-roaring good time. World champion athletes compete in springboard chopping, buck sawing, axe throwing, log rolling and the thrilling 50-foot tree climb.
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George Inlet Lodge -
A former cannery bunkhouse built in the 1940s, this historic lodge was towed on a log raft over 70 miles to its current site on the shores of the spectacular George Inlet waterway 15 miles south of Ketchikan.
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Creek Street -
This historic boardwalk was a Red Light District during the Gold Rush. Now, it's a quaint place to tour Dolly's House museum, view totem poles, and shop at locally owned stores and galleries.
Totem Bight State Park & Ketchikan Highlights
Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity, Includes snack
From $59.95
Totem Bight State Park & Lumberjack Show
Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity, Includes snack
From $94.95
Saxman Native Village, Dance Performance & Totem Park
Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity
From $84.95
Saxman Native Village, Dance Performance & Totem Park (Wheelchair Accessible)
From $84.95
Ultimate Saxman Experience: Cultural Showcase, Native Crafts & Culinary Tasting
Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity, Includes meal
From $159.95
Ultimate Saxman Experience: Cultural Showcase, Native Crafts & Culinary Tasting (Wheelchair Accessible
From $159.95
Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
From $43.00
Local Connections; Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show & Axe Throwing Challenge Created by Champion Ironjack
Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity
From $74.95
Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show & Crab Feast
From $139.95
Exclusive Coastal Cruise & Oyster Farm with Ocean-to-Table Tasting
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
From $189.95
Crab Feast at George Inlet Lodge
Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity, Includes meal
From $139.95
Local Connections: Ketchikan Photo Safari with Nature Photographer
Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity, Includes snack
From $139.95
Historical Ketchikan & Creek Street Walking Tour
From $49.95
Local Connections: Ketchikan Pub Walk Created by Bar Historian
Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity
From $99.95
Zipline Adventure Park
Strenuous Activity
From $159.95
Rainforest Zip, Skybridge & Rappel Adventure
Shopping Opportunities, Strenuous Activity
From $244.95
Rainforest Sanctuary Nature Walk & Totem Park
Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity
From $134.95
Rainforest Island Nature Walk & Seahawk Adventure
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
From $189.95
Rainforest Canoe & Nature Trail
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
From $124.95
Rainforest Trail E-Bike & Nature Walk
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
From $169.95
Backcountry Jeep & Canoe Safari
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
From $234.95
Adventure Kart Expedition
Moderate Activity
From $299.95
Off-Road UTV Safari, Cruise, Crab & Craft Beer
Moderate Activity, Includes meal
From $349.95
Wilderness UTV Family Adventure
Moderate Activity, Includes meal
From $259.95
Deluxe Salmon Sportfishing Expedition
Easy Activity, Includes snack
From $359.95
Ketchikan Salmon Fishing
Easy Activity, Includes snack
From $269.95
Alaska Fishing & Wilderness Dining - a Discovery Exclusive
Moderate Activity, Includes meal
From $419.95
Authenic Alaska Fishing
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
From $489.95
Lighthouse, Totems & Eagles Excursion
Easy Activity, Includes snack
From $129.95
Local Connections: Deadliest Catch Crab Fishermen's Tour Created by Captain David Lethin
From $219.95
Alaska Crab Expedition: Wildlife Cruise & King Crab Snack
From $249.95
Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer Cruise
Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity, Includes snack
From $229.95
Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer Cruise (Wheelchair Accessible)
From $229.95
Coastal Wildlife Cruise - an Animal Planet Exclusive
Easy Activity, Includes snack
From $199.95
Waterfront & Wildlife Cruise
Easy Activity
From $119.95
Wildlife Safari Cruise & Beach Bonfire
Easy Activity, Includes snack
From $219.95
Best of Ketchikan: Totems, Wildlife Cruise & Alaska Appetizers
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
From $209.95
Wilderness Exploration Cruise & Crab Feast
Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity, Includes meal
From $209.95
Wilderness Cruise & Silverking Lodge Seafood Feast
Easy Activity, Includes meal
From $189.95
Town & Harbor Duck Tour
Easy Activity
From $84.95
Alaska Bear Encounter by Land & Sea
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
From $399.95
Exclusive Wilderness Zodiac Quest
Strenuous Activity, Includes snack
From $259.95
Eagle Islands Sea Kayaking
Strenuous Activity
From $129.95
Misty Fjords National Monument by Seaplane
Easy Activity
From $479.95
Exclusive Flightseeing & Taste of Alaska
Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity, Includes meal
From $399.95
Alaska Bear Adventure & Flight
Moderate Activity
From $599.95
Black Bear, Wildlife & Nature Walk - an Animal Planet Exclusive
Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity
From $309.95
Private Hummer Adventure with Driver
Easy Activity
From $759.95
City Highlights, Totems & Creek Street by Trolley
Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity
From $39.95