Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan is known as Alaska’s “First City” because it’s the first major community travelers encounter as they journey north through the Inside Passage. Located on Revillagigedo Island, Ketchikan began as a Native fishing camp. Its name comes from a Tlingit phrase meaning “eagle with spread-out wings,” a reference to a nearby waterfall.

In the early 1900s, while gold drew headlines, Ketchikan’s fishing and timber industries took root and helped make it Alaska’s fourth-largest city. Today, visitors are drawn to its rich Native heritage—home to one of the world’s largest collections of totem poles—and to its easy access to salmon-rich waters, temperate rainforest, and the dramatic landscapes of Misty Fjords National Monument.

View cruises that visit Ketchikan

Top points of interest

• Outdoor Adventures
  Explore an outdoors-lover’s paradise with off-road tours, kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing, flightseeing, ziplining, and more.

• Totem Bight State Park
  Set in a peaceful forest, this park features 14 totem poles—each telling its own story—and a replica 19th-century clan house that offers insight into Tlingit and Haida cultures.

• Saxman Native Village
  Experience living Tlingit culture. Watch master carvers at work, learn totem traditions, visit a clan house, and enjoy a Native dance performance.

• Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary
  A 40-acre reserve home to bald eagles, black bears, seals, and diverse birdlife. See a live raptor presentation and a collection of totem poles.

• Misty Fjords National Monument
  More than two million acres of wilderness featuring sheer granite cliffs, thousand-foot waterfalls, and mirror-like lakes—best seen by boat or seaplane.

• Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
  A lively showcase of logging skills with world champions competing in axe throwing, log rolling, springboard chopping, and a thrilling 50-foot tree climb.

• George Inlet Lodge
  A historic 1940s cannery bunkhouse towed over 70 miles to its current site. Known for scenic waterfront views and legendary crab feasts.

• Creek Street
  A historic boardwalk that was once a Gold Rush–era red-light district. Today it’s a charming area to tour Dolly’s House museum, view totems, and shop local galleries.

Shore excursions in Ketchikan

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Special child pricing available on select tours for ages 12 and under (savings up to 50%).

• Totem Bight State Park & Ketchikan Highlights — 2.5 hours, Easy. Avg 4.5/5 (258). From $69.95. View details
• Totem Bight State Park & Lumberjack Show — 4 hours, Easy. Avg 4.4/5 (448). From $109.95. View details
• Totem Bight State Park & Fireside Feast — 4 hours, Easy. From $179.95. View details
• Saxman Native Village, Dance Performance & Totem Park — 2 hours, Easy. Avg 4.2/5 (301). From $89.95. View details
• Saxman Native Village, Dance Performance & Totem Park (Wheelchair Accessible) — 2 hours, Easy. Avg 4.0/5 (4). From $89.95. View details
• Ultimate Saxman Experience: Cultural Showcase, Native Crafts & Culinary Tasting — 3.75 hours, Easy. Avg 4.2/5 (40). From $169.95. View details
• Ultimate Saxman Experience: Cultural Showcase, Native Crafts & Culinary Tasting (Wheelchair Accessible) — 3.75 hours, Easy. Avg 5.0/5 (1). From $169.95. View details
• Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show — 1.25 hours, Easy, Wheelchair Accessible. Avg 4.6/5 (1898). From $43.00. View details
• Local Connections: Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show & Axe Throwing Challenge — 2 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.7/5 (195). From $84.95. View details
• Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show & Crab Feast — 3 hours, Easy, Wheelchair Accessible. Avg 4.6/5 (360). From $149.95. View details
• Exclusive Coastal Cruise & Oyster Farm with Ocean-to-Table Tasting — 3.25 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.7/5 (53). From $199.95. View details
• Crab Feast at George Inlet Lodge — 2.5 hours, Easy. Avg 4.2/5 (51). From $129.95. View details
• Local Connections: Ketchikan Photo Safari with Nature Photographer — 3 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.3/5 (61). From $144.95. View details
• Local Table Cooking & Dining Experience — 2.5 hours, Easy. From $229.95. View details
• Distillery Tour & Signature Bottle Infusion — 2.25 hours, Easy. From $179.95. View details
• Historical Ketchikan & Creek Street Walking Tour — 1.5 hours, Easy, Wheelchair Accessible. Avg 4.2/5 (213). From $49.95. View details
• Local Connections: Ketchikan Pub Crawl — 1.5 hours, Easy. Avg 4.6/5 (69). From $89.95. View details
• Zipline Adventure Park — 3.5 hours, Strenuous. Avg 4.7/5 (126). From $179.95. View details
• Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Adventure — 3.5 hours, Strenuous. Avg 4.9/5 (48). From $249.95. View details
• Rainforest Sanctuary Nature Walk & Totem Park — 2.75 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.5/5 (260). From $129.95. View details
• Rainforest Island Nature Walk & Seahawk Adventure — 4 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.3/5 (66). From $199.95. View details
• Rainforest Canoe & Nature Trail — 3.5 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.4/5 (73). From $129.95. View details
• Rainforest Trail E-Bike & Nature Walk — 3 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.7/5 (53). From $179.95. View details
• Tongass Rainforest Safari by Jeep & Canoe — 4 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.3/5 (56). From $229.95. View details
• Adventure Kart Expedition — 3.25 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.3/5 (44). From $299.95. View details
• Off-Road UTV Safari, Cruise, Crab & Craft Beer — 4.5 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.7/5 (37). From $389.95. View details
• Wilderness UTV Family Adventure — 3.75 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.5/5 (51). From $299.95. View details
• Deluxe Salmon Sportfishing Expedition — 5 hours, Easy. Avg 4.5/5 (67). From $469.95. View details
• Ketchikan Salmon Fishing — 4.5 hours, Easy. Avg 3.9/5 (218). From $299.95. View details
• Alaska Fishing & Wilderness Dining — 5 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.9/5 (71). From $479.95. View details
• Captain’s Choice Fishing Adventure — 5 hours, Moderate. From $499.95. View details
• Authentic Alaska Fishing Experience — 5 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.4/5 (84). From $559.95. View details
• Salmon Sportfishing by Private Boat — 4.25 hours, Moderate. From $1599.95. View details
• Lighthouse, Totems & Eagles Excursion — 3 hours, Easy. Avg 4.6/5 (345). From $139.95. View details
• Local Connections: Deadliest Catch Crab Fishermen’s Tour — 3.25 hours, Easy, Wheelchair Accessible. Avg 4.9/5 (406). From $259.95. View details
• Alaska Crab Expedition: Wildlife Cruise & King Crab Snack — 3.25 hours, Easy, Wheelchair Accessible. Avg 4.8/5 (19). From $319.95. View details
• Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer Cruise — 5.25 hours, Easy. Avg 4.1/5 (92). From $259.95. View details
• Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer Cruise (Wheelchair Accessible) — 5.25 hours, Easy. Avg 4.0/5 (2). From $259.95. View details
• Coastal Wildlife Cruise — 3.25 hours, Easy. Avg 4.6/5 (86). From $229.95. View details
• Waterfront & Wildlife Cruise — 2 hours, Easy. Avg 4.0/5 (145). From $129.95. View details
• Crab Feast at George Inlet Lodge & Wilderness Cruise — 4 hours, Easy. Avg 4.5/5 (297). From $209.95. View details
• Silverking Lodge Seafood Feast & Wilderness Cruise — 3.75 hours, Easy. Avg 4.5/5 (122). From $209.95. View details
• Town & Harbor Duck Tour — 1.5 hours, Easy. Avg 4.4/5 (495). From $89.95. View details
• Alaska Bear Encounter by Land & Sea — 4.5 hours, Moderate. Avg 3.8/5 (49). From $419.95. View details
• Exclusive Wilderness Zodiac Quest — 3.5 hours, Strenuous. Avg 4.6/5 (57). From $299.95. View details
• Eagle Islands Sea Kayaking — 3.5 hours, Strenuous. Avg 4.6/5 (140). From $139.95. View details
• Misty Fjords National Monument by Seaplane — 2 hours, Easy. Avg 4.8/5 (16). From $459.95. View details
• Exclusive Flightseeing & Taste of Alaska — 3 hours, Easy. From $399.95. View details
• Alaska Bear Adventure & Flight — 3.25 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.6/5 (10). From $669.95. View details
• Black Bear, Wildlife & Nature Walk — 3 hours, Moderate. Avg 4.3/5 (134). From $319.95. View details
• Private Hummer Adventure with Driver — 4 hours, Easy. Avg 4.6/5 (12). From $799.95. View details
• City Highlights, Totems & Creek Street by Trolley — 1.5 hours, Easy. Avg 4.0/5 (420). From $54.95. View details

Good to know for planning

• Activity levels range from Easy to Strenuous; check details and accessibility notes before you book.
• Wildlife sightings (bears, eagles, whales) are common but never guaranteed.
• Ketchikan’s climate is mild and rainy—bring waterproof layers and comfortable, non-slip footwear.
• Child pricing is available on select tours; ages and discounts vary by excursion.
• Durations and prices are subject to change and may vary by sailing date and availability.

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