Beautiful forest with 4 unique ecosystems. We did a guided tour and it was great. There are pit…read moretoilets available throughout the forest. Such fresh air here. The trails were well maintained.

The Tongass Historical museum is amazing it have the history of Alaska like the gold rush and the…read moreAlaska Purchase and many wonderful displays and real native items. We enjoy it but we also went the gift shop they very nice items..

This was interesting. And the views were pretty. But if you have limited time, this could be…read moreskipped. We rode public transit about ($2/person) but it took us about 30 minutes each way. Spent less than an hour, which is more than enough time. The bus only runs through every hour on the '7' - so don't miss it. Overall, I was underwhelmed given the hype. $5/person entry fee. I would have been really annoyed if I had purchased an excursion package for this for $79 per person.

Date of visit: July 19, 2025…read more This was a stop on an excursion from our cruise and it was very interesting, with a great setting right on the water, making for a great picture backdrop. The park does have a $5 entry fee per person May through September, so you may want to weigh that fact if you don't have a great interest in totem poles! If you do go, make sure you check out the Clan House and notice the storage underneath your feet as literally dozens of people would sleep in this facility at the same time. Coming with a guide may be your best bet as parking is limited and someone who knows the stories adds much more color to the experience.

When the salmon are running, you have to stop by for even a few minutes to oogle the salmon jumping…read moreup the rapids or taking the easier fish ladder parallel to the stream. This is a quintessential Ketchikan bucket list item. It's inspiring to see the salmon, filled with determination, rushing the rapids to achieve their life's goal: finding a perfect spot to spawn. The viewing platform is decently sized, however the crowds will swell as the cruise ships dock and schools of tourists descend to the area, spilling out into the road. Hopefully there are no casualties! There are informational panels explaining the salmon lifecycle and their importance to the ecosystem, as their decaying bodies provide important nutrition to the plants and animals.

If you are visiting Ketchikan during the salmon run (late July is prime time) visiting this salmon…read moreladder is a must. Observing the salmon climbing the ladder on their journey upstream is a unique experience. There are informational signs here that describe the life cycle of salmon. Their journey is truly incredible. The Salmon Ladder Vista can be accessed from the boardwalk (many stairs) or from the street side with no steps.

GREAT LITTLE STROLL! 4.8…read more This has got to be one of the cutest port stops we've visited in recent times! Ketchikan, known as Alaska's "First City," is proud to be home to Creek Street, a charming boardwalk steeped in colorful history. Built over the water and perched along the rocky shores of Ketchikan Creek, Creek Street is lined with historic buildings painted in vibrant colors. The soothing sounds of the flowing water make for a peaceful and picturesque stroll. Creek Street began as a hub for miners seeking gold before evolving into a center for fishing and logging. Perhaps the most "interesting" chapter in its history was its reputation as Ketchikan's red-light district. You can learn all about this fascinating past at Dolly's House Museum. Just steps away from the cruise ship docks, Creek Street is a wonderful place to explore. It is quite touristy, with prices to match, but nonetheless, the area is filled with restaurants, art galleries, gift shops, and museums. Depending on the day, Ketchikan can welcome anywhere from one to six cruise ships (four walk-off berths in downtown and two docks located eight miles north of downtown). Luckily, we had only two ships in port, which meant fewer crowds. Many visitors book excursions, so not everyone is exploring Creek Street at the same time. Earlier in the day, we took a private tour of Ketchikan's sights before returning to Creek Street when the weather was sunny and absolutely gorgeous. I would recommend booking an excursion while in Ketchikan, then exploring Creek Street afterward. A leisurely walk along the boardwalk takes only about 15-20 minutes without stopping. However, if you plan to browse the shops and tour Dolly's House, allow at least an hour to fully enjoy the experience.

Creek Street is where all the tourists go to look for bears fishing for salmon. Creek Street is a…read morehistoric elevated wooden walkway with shops on one side and the creek viewing on the other side. Looking down at the creek was pretty eventhough we did not see any bears the afternoon that we were in port. I did a little shopping along Creek Street where every shop has some nice souvenirs. Creek Street is considered a historical place because long ago, Ketchikan's risqué red-light district attracted smugglers who were selling bootlegged whiskey from Canada.

The website for Southeast Alaska Discovery Center states that "...this USDA Forest Service managed…read morecenter serves as a gateway to the Tongass National Forest, the largest National Forest in the United States." The museum is located just a street away from where the Ruby Princess was docked. Inside were informative exhibits and artifacts. And, with our America The Beautiful Annual Park Pass, we bypassed the entrance fee. Plus, we got a stamp for our National Parks Passport even though it's not a National Park. Pretty neat visit, especially getting to see totem poles not worn out by the weather.

The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is the hub for cruise excursions and getting local…read moreinformation on the town of Ketchikan. From the outside, there are three carved totem poles you will see. They represent Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian Indian cultures. Inside, there is a museum that has a minimal charge to get a great Alaskan education. The Discovery Center is a short walk from the cruise ship docks, but you can also get there on the free Downtown Shuttle that goes around the waterfront area with a few stops at different landmarks for sightseeing.

The Whale Park is located right in the heart of the tourist area between a bunch of small local…read morerestaurants and shops. The area is only one block from the main street but it feels much more local. The park, which is a small passive area with great tree cover and a wooden bench for sitting or eating a snack from a local café. There is an antique clock at one end and a little plaque with historic Ketchikan walking tour of the town information at the other end.

Cute little small park close to Creek Street. You can have a little park named after you with a…read moresmall donation. The park is located in the center of the tourist spot of Ketchikan, AK. The park has a small bench and not much to it. It is a cute little park.

This was a stupendous experience. The group was small enough to get the attention one might need to…read moreactually learn some nifty tricks using their camera. Jacob's sense of humor and local knowledge made the experience top-notch. We thoroughly enjoyed our time and would do it all over again, hoping for part 2. The cookie and coffee break was also tasty! I highly recommend this activity!

Arriving by ship to Ketchikan, I wanted a tour that would physically get me to places off the…read morebeaten path. This is the one, do not settle for a cheap substitute. Met Capt.Rob at the Dock and off we went, creek Street, the most awesome library ever & a totem pole park and carving center. This tour packed a full day into 3 hour tour and we didn't get stranded on devils island.... Captain Rob's local knowledge of the area and photography skil made for a great experience, good for all skill levels.

This is a great, quiet park to beach comb at…read more It's not prominently marked on maps, and is mainly used by locals. We got here by utilizing the excellent bus system in Ketchikan. We saw curious seals not far off the shore, and families playing with the land-seals/dogs on the shore. If you're feeling sporty, you can walk a couple more miles down the road and visit Totem Bight, then use the bus stop there to get back into town.