Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer Cruise from Ketchikan
A boat trip from Ketchikan into Misty Fjords National Monument, with granite cliffs, waterfalls and rainforest seen at sea level. A summer-season day on the water.
Alaska
Ketchikan
Ketchikan is Alaska's First City: a compact, rain-washed port on Revillagigedo Island where totem poles stand in the forest, salmon fill the creeks beneath a boardwalk of painted houses and floatplanes lift off the harbor for Misty Fjords National Monument.
This guide pairs 20 tours and sights with 9 places to stay and six planning guides, from a trolley or duck tour and a Creek Street audio walk to black bear viewing, whale watching, sea kayaking, a lumberjack show and an open-fire salmon dinner. Most tours run from late spring to early autumn, so each entry notes the season, and the guides cover cruise port days, family trips, wildlife and where to stay, including a fishing lodge north of town and two hotels across the border in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
Don't miss
Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer Cruise from Ketchikan
A boat trip from Ketchikan into Misty Fjords National Monument, with granite cliffs, waterfalls and rainforest seen at sea level. A summer-season day on the water.
Creek Street Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour
A self-guided audio walk along Ketchikan historic Creek Street boardwalk, built over the creek on pilings. An easy, low-cost start to any visit.
Totem Bight State Park and Rainforest Walking Tour
A guided walk through Totem Bight State Historical Park, a seaside forest of carved totem poles and a clan house north of Ketchikan.
Ketchikan Black Bear Express Wildlife Tour
A small-group wildlife outing near Ketchikan aimed at black bears feeding along salmon streams. A summer and early autumn tour.
Things to do in Ketchikan
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Misty Fjords Flightseeing with a Lake Water Landing
A floatplane flight over Misty Fjords National Monument with a water landing on a remote lake. A summer-season flight that depends on the weather.
Creek Street Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour
A self-guided audio walk along Ketchikan historic Creek Street boardwalk, built over the creek on pilings. An easy, low-cost start to any visit.
Totem Bight State Park and Rainforest Walking Tour
A guided walk through Totem Bight State Historical Park, a seaside forest of carved totem poles and a clan house north of Ketchikan.
Saxman Native Village and Ketchikan City Tour
A small-group tour of Saxman Native Village and Ketchikan, with totem poles, Tlingit culture and local wildlife stops.
Lumberjack Show and Axe Throw Challenge in Ketchikan
A live lumberjack sports show in Ketchikan with log rolling, tree climbing and sawing, plus a chance to throw an axe yourself.
Alaska Crab Feast in Ketchikan
A seafood meal built around Alaska crab, served in Ketchikan harbor setting. A summer-season food outing.
Ketchikan Black Bear Express Wildlife Tour
A small-group wildlife outing near Ketchikan aimed at black bears feeding along salmon streams. A summer and early autumn tour.
Alaskan Bear Encounter by Land and Sea from Ketchikan
A longer outing combining a boat ride and a land-based bear viewing stop near Ketchikan. A summer-season wildlife day.
Tongass Trolley Tour of Ketchikan
A narrated trolley tour of Ketchikan, with the harbor, Creek Street area and totem poles. An easy first orientation.
Totems, City and Wildlife by Cable Car Trolley in Ketchikan
A trolley tour of Ketchikan that mixes totem poles, city sights and wildlife stops, in an open cable car style vehicle.
Ketchikan Duck Tour
An amphibious tour that drives through Ketchikan and then splashes into the water. A fun summer outing for families.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Cape Fox Lodge
Hilltop above Creek Street, Ketchikan
A hilltop lodge above Creek Street with Alaska Native art, views over the harbor and a quick link down to the boardwalk.
Check rates →Gilmore Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Downtown Ketchikan, near Front Street
A historic downtown hotel from the 1920s, a short walk from Creek Street, the waterfront and the cruise docks.
Check rates →The Inn at Creek Street
Creek Street area, Ketchikan
A small inn close to Creek Street and the waterfront, suited to travelers who want a quiet, walkable stay.
Check rates →The Landing Hotel and Restaurant
Tongass Avenue, north of downtown Ketchikan
A long-established hotel on Tongass Avenue north of downtown, near the ferry terminal, with a restaurant on site.
Check rates →Super 8 by Wyndham Ketchikan
Road system, outside the downtown core of Ketchikan
A budget-friendly chain hotel in Ketchikan for travelers who want a simple, predictable room and a lower price.
Check rates →My Place Hotel Ketchikan
Road system, outside the downtown core of Ketchikan
An extended-stay style hotel in Ketchikan suited to longer visits, with practical rooms and a kitchen-friendly setup.
Check rates →Salmon Falls Resort
Waterfront, north of Ketchikan along the highway
A waterfront fishing resort north of Ketchikan, built for anglers and travelers who want a lodge experience outside town.
Check rates →Pacific Inn Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert, British Columbia, across the border from Ketchikan
A hotel in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, the nearest Canadian port to Ketchikan, useful for ferry and cruise connections.
Check rates →Prestige Oceanview Hotel Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert, British Columbia, across the border from Ketchikan
A harbor-view hotel in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, for travelers connecting between Ketchikan and Canada.
Check rates →Ketchikan guides
Ketchikan for First-Timers: What to Do, What to Book and How Long to Stay
How to plan a first visit to Ketchikan, Alaska: what the town is like, which tours to book, how to get around and how many days you need.
A Cruise Port Day in Ketchikan: Plans for Four, Six and Eight Hours
How to spend a day in port in Ketchikan: sample plans for short and long port calls, what to book ahead and how to get back to your ship on time.
Where to Stay in Ketchikan: Downtown, Creek Street, the Road System and Beyond
Where to stay in Ketchikan: downtown and Creek Street hotels, road-system options, a fishing lodge and nearby Prince Rupert, with tips on seasons and booking.
The Best Time to Visit Ketchikan: Seasons, Rain, Salmon and Winter
When to visit Ketchikan: how the seasons change tours, weather, salmon runs, wildlife and prices, with notes for shoulder months and winter.
Ketchikan with Kids: Family-Friendly Tours, Rainy-Day Plans and Practical Tips
Plan a family trip to Ketchikan: tours children enjoy, rainy-day backups, what to pack and how to keep a day in port relaxed.
Wildlife in Ketchikan: Bears, Whales, Eagles and How to See Them
A guide to seeing wildlife near Ketchikan: black bears, whales, eagles and sea life, with the best seasons, tour types and viewing etiquette.
