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.

This is an amazing tourist destination in Ketchikan. The cute boardwalk allows you to explore the…read morehistory, art, culture, nature of the area. It's extremely photogenic. This area used to be a red light district, but was reborn as a tourist attraction. You can read about its transformation on interpretive panels scattered through the path through. You can also read more about the salmon and other animals that call this place home. The salmon were migrating though when I visited, so the river was full of them, as well as a few seals snagging a large meal! You can spend a lot of time just nature watching here. Don't forget to browse the gift shops and stop by at the museum. There are also small cafes around - while not technically on Creek Street, you should grab a salmon crepe from the Alaska Crepe Co. You won't regret it.

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 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.

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.

Chief Johnson's Totem Pole is 55' tall. The current pole is carved from a single western red cedar…read morelog, this striking pole is a vibrant expression of Tlingit storytelling and artistry. This pole is a replica of the original that stood from 1901 to 1982, and it honors the Kadjuk House of the Raven Clan. At the very top, the legendary Kadjuk bird perches - a powerful symbol for the Raven Clan and the family it represents. The original totem pole is preserved in the Totem Heritage Center.

The chief Johnson Totem pole!…read more Hey friends, if you are in town and don't have time to go to the totem parks or anything you're still in luck this example is really cool. It is not the tallest in the city but it is very impressive and I love reading about Chief Johnson on the plaque near the base.

You step right off the cruise ship right into Ketchikan. The tiny city of Ketchikan is enchanting…read more Ketchikan welcomes visitors to southeastern Alaska's Inside Passage. It is just three miles long and three blocks wide, but here you will find a very busy waterfront with boat planes, fishing boats, pleasure crafts, and fishermen. Ketchikan is a thriving fishing town with colorful houses steeped in Alaskan culture. Some of the best seafood is found here. Ketchikan is the self-proclaimed salmon capital of the world. Catch the free shuttle bus and see the town.

The city of Ketchikan was our first stop on our Alaska trip aboard the NCL Joy. Fun fact: Ketchikan…read moreis Alaska's very first city the oldest incorporated community in the state. And in addition to that, it's also known as the Salmon Capital of the World... and trust me, they definitely have salmon here. There's a lot of history and charm in this town... but unfortunately, our visit didn't quite let that shine. It was raining nonstop, it was very cold, and the road construction situation was wild (combined with there being 6 cruise ships docked at once). Getting anywhere felt like an obstacle course. The town is tiny and it is made mostly of cruise-run souvenir retail and jewelry shops (tourist trap energy was strong), plus the salmon hatcheries. My husband, said he felt like he spent his entire time there chasing salmon. To be fair, seeing that many salmon up close was cool and something we don't see at home. He also mentioned he used to come here often when he worked on cruise ships, and according to him, Ketchikan hasn't changed one bit in 15 years... maybe just got a little more aged. Now, here's where it gets tricky: the port where NCL docks (ward cove) is so very far away from downtown Ketchikan. We were on the Joy, but the Encore passengers were telling us they had to catch their last shuttle back at 11am to get back to their ship from downtown. Meanwhile, the last shuttle from downtown to the ship for us was 3:30pm - yay that this shuttle was free. For anyone coming here on a cruise especially especially NCL, I highly recommend booking a tour to make the most of your visit (before you get off the ship-this port was extremely busy and a lot of the tour operators had booked out) especially if your stop is short and you want to get outside the crowded downtown loop to see totem park and herring cove. Just maybe not the tour we went on. I'll post that review separately so you know exactly which one to avoid. If you're specifically here for wildlife, I honestly think the other Alaska ports have much better offerings. Ketchikan has salmon (endless salmon), but for anything else, the other Alaska towns deliver more variety and better viewing experiences.

The crowds here ebb and flow like the tides, however they're not influenced by the moon, but rather…read moreby the arrival and departure of the cruise ships. This visitor center is sizable, with a row of kiosks seasonally staffed by tour group companies, washrooms, and a general information desk. The workers are quite enthusiastic about helping, even though the queue of people lining up needing to be helped was quite daunting. Pamphlets and information line the walls, free for the taking. Helpfully, there's a whiteboard with the cruise arrival and departure information. I guess it help passengers understand the timing of everything so no one gets stranded! The only downside is that there's no free internet - you have to pay for a limited amount. Oh well, that just encourages you to go out and explore the town.

It's very small, but the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau is definitely worth a quick visit, especially if…read moreyou're coming in on a cruise. It's pretty clear they cater to cruise ship passengers, and they're always very helpful and eager to answer any questions. They've got lots of info on local tours, shops, restaurants, and attractions, so it's a great place to get your bearings when you first arrive. One of the best things to grab is a city map. Ketchikan isn't very big, but they offer some easy self-guided walking tours that make exploring a lot more fun. Plus, there's just something nice about having a paper map in hand. It's practical and makes for a great little souvenir afterward. The staff are always friendly and easy to chat with, and over the years, they've pointed us toward a few things we might've missed otherwise. There's also a wide range of brochures you can flip through if you want to plan on the spot. They have free restrooms and an ATM on site, too. If you're looking to book something last minute, their Tour Center (open May through September) is a really convenient option for same-day tours. They also have visitor centers at Berth 2 (open year-round) and Berth 3 (seasonal), so you'll likely run into one no matter how you arrive. Overall, it's a great and helpful first stop to help you make the most of your time in Ketchikan.

My family and I just completed a fun kayaking tour with Eli & Maddie! We booked the Eagle Island…read moreexcursion through the Royal Princess on our Alaskan cruise. This was the perfect way to spend our time in Ketchikan. We saw sea stars, seals, a bald eagle and more! Eli & Maddie were patient and informative. Highly recommend!

Rose and Bree took us on a fantastic kayak journey. Saw bald eagles and leaned much about the…read moreecosystem.

Right where the cruise ship docks, there is a small 3 sided landmark with some historical…read moreinformation all about Ketchikan and some fun facts too. The location is at the edge of Eagle Park which is also a very small landmark. There is information on the historic walking trail, the Hunt Family and how Ketchikan thrived as a fishing village.

We did a tour of the farm and it was amazing! So informative and fun. Makes you really appreciate…read morehow much goes into the process. I now know starfish are evil oyster killers! :-) The oysters at the bar at the end of the tour were absolutely amazing.

Our family was coming in from our NCL cruise and I knew I wanted to support local with our…read moreexperience. My husband and I are avid oyster lovers and when I saw this as an excursion choice I knew we had to go! Pick-up from the dock was easy and since we were the first tour, it was just us and one other person! Everyone from our driver, the capt, and staff at Hump Island were so welcoming, friendly, and informative about the area. With our group being so small, it felt more intimate and enjoyable. Our boat ride was great to and from Hump Island because our captain made sure to show us around and we were able to catch glimpses of bald eagles and whales! Once we arrived to Hump Island Oyster Co we were greeted and given such detail about the process at the farm. Our kids got to enjoy their touch tank and even spotted some jellyfish! Once upstairs, we enjoyed raw and charbroiled oysters along with some amazing salsas and sauces. The whole experience reminded my husband and I of that of wine tasting, but with oysters. Conversation flowed and the laid back atmosphere was comfortable and enjoyable. It was magical being in this part of Alaska and enjoying fresh oysters shucked right in front of us and grown right there. Thank you, Hump Island Oyster Co! We look forward to making our way back in the future and can't recommend this tour enough to others on cruises or visiting Ketchikan!