Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Ketchikan Alaska Cruise Port Guide Shore Excursions & Things to Do

cruise ship dock ketchikan

Also popular among tourists are the fishing charter excursions (salmon, halibut, cod, herring, rockfish) as well as guided eco-tours for wildlife viewing. Ketchikan's most popular restaurants are Alaska Fish House (seafood), Chico’s Mexican (also best for pizzas), Burger Queen, Bawden Street Brewery. Ketchikan is a port city on Revillagigedo Island (part of Alexander Archipelago, Southeast Alaska) with population around 8,000.

cruise ship dock ketchikan

Local Currency

You’ll explore the lush green Tongass National Forest in a two-person off-road vehicle. The tours take several stops as you climb through the forest to glorious views. You’ll also have the chance to see wildlife from above, including bald eagles, mountain goats, bears, and possibly marine animals like sea lions, humpback whales, and orcas.

Ketchikan Cruise Port

Ketchikan is considered the Salmon Capitol because of its canning history.

Ketchikan City Council increases cruise ship head tax, adds pot stores - Must Read Alaska

Ketchikan City Council increases cruise ship head tax, adds pot stores.

Posted: Tue, 11 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Browse The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center

Wildlife is abundant here, so keep your eye out for moose, deer, bears, and lots of eagles. If you need to go farther than the loop covers, adult bus fares are $2, children ages are $1, and kids 11 and under are free with an adult rider. However, June and July are the driest months of the year (with around 7 inches of rain), making these months a good time to cruise to Alaska. The entire bus fleet is wheelchair accessible, and two are mobile works of art, having been painted by Ray Troll and Oliver Martin. Their murals depict the colorful salmon, which are at the heart of Ketchikan’s economy and way of life.

From immersing themselves in Native American culture to experiencing the breathtaking beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Princess Cruise also offers options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the stunning natural landscapes surrounding Ketchikan. Ketchikan also offers the chance for some exciting wildlife encounters, not least of all at its Wildlife Sanctuary and Eagle Center, where black bears, eagles and seals all reside.

New Alaska Dock Breaks Apart, Port Suffers Unexpected Setback - Cruise Hive

New Alaska Dock Breaks Apart, Port Suffers Unexpected Setback.

Posted: Wed, 21 Feb 2024 19:56:19 GMT [source]

Get a peek into Ketchikan’s “red-light district” at this historical home belonging to Ketchikan Madam Dolly Arthur. Dolly lived and worked at this house on Creek Street from 1919 to the 1940s. Hop on the free downtown shuttle to get to Saxman, which is about two miles south of downtown Ketchikan. Driving through a rainforest will likely involve precipitation, so these tours provide raincoats and helmets. An adult must accompany children under 18, and drivers must show a valid driver’s license. Downtown Ketchikan can be tricky for biking when there are a lot of tourists, but locations like the Saxman Totem Park are a short 3-mile bike ride, mostly on a dedicated bike path.

Select from 4 to 6 hours tours, and most operators will clean and package your catch and ship it home to you. Because the lines run over a salmon creek, guests often see bears and bald eagles from the tree platforms if the salmon are running. Ketchikan’s rainforest provides the ideal environment to enjoy a zip-lining adventure.

This is also where you can pick up the hiking map of all the trails mentioned above. All major credit cards are widely accepted, even for small transactions. Tipping is in line with what you’d expect elsewhere in the U.S.; up to 20% in restaurants, 10% in taxis, and 10% of the tour cost for a good guide. Look out for alder-grilled salmon, king crab legs drenched in garlic butter, battered halibut and chips, and creamy smoked salmon chowder. You’ll also find Mexican, pizza, burgers, and Asian cuisine if you reach a point of seafood saturation. For a more interactive experience, seek out Saxman Native Village and Totem Row Park or Kasaan Totems Historic District.

Things to do in Ketchikan Alaska from a Cruise Ship: 15 Fun Excursions

On September 25, 2017, Port Ketchikan welcomed its 1 millionth cruise ship tourist in a single Alaskan season (a Fort Lauderdale family with two children on the NCL ship Norwegian Jewel. Westerners first arrived at Ketchikan in the 1880s to establish a saltery (in which fish are salted for market) and cannery. By the 1890s, Ketchikan was serving as a supply center for gold miners hoping to strike it rich. However, fish canning, logging and tourism have historically been the town’s most valuable economic ventures. Ketchikan Alaska is the state of Alaska's southern most city, with an island population of over 14,000. Named after the creek that runs through town, it was originally a fishing camp for the Tlingit natives before being founded as a town in the late 1800's.

As you can see, there are many things to do in Ketchikan, Alaska – far more than you might expect in a town this small. After a day in port in this amazing little place, you’ll have a good understanding of the history, culture, and ecology of this northern state. One building on Creek Street that catches the eye of many is Dolly’s House Museum. This educational attraction is located in Saxman, about ten minutes south of Ketchikan. Here, guides will tell you about the history of and life in the Saxman tribe while you view more than twenty beautiful totem poles. If you’d rather stay in town, you might consider visiting the Totem Heritage Center.

Visit the Saxman Native Village by shore excursion or take the public Silver Line bus to it (see description above). Ketchikan was established thousands of years ago by Tlingit natives who would fish the creek during summer, drying their catch to keep them sustained through the bitter winter. Today, some 19 percent of the community is of Tlingit, Haida, or Tsimshian descent, and the town is famed for its impressive collection of totem poles, many of them more than 150 years old.

” In Ketchikan, you can hop aboard the “Aleutian Ballad” ship featured in Season 2 and have your own, more tame, crabbing adventure. If you’ve never experienced an amphibious vehicle (Duck) tour, Ketchikan is a great place to try it out. Once you arrive at Lake Harriet Hunt, you’ll climb aboard a Native American-style 20-person canoe.

No comments:

Post a Comment

75 Beautiful Living Room Ideas for Decorating Inspiration

Table Of Content Choose a Sculptural Light Fixture Beautiful Living Room Ideas You'll Want to Copy ASAP Aim for Timelessness Aim for cle...