Ketichikan, Alaska
Known as the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan is known for their fishing culture and showing our tourists the best seafood on the planet. Ketchikan is the entrance to the last frontier, commonly called the entrance to the famed inside passage. The southern entrance to Alaska, Ketchikan is located on a network of water ways that deliver some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, a popular location for cruise ships, and a city with an incredibly abundant Alaska Native culture.
Ketchikan is home to a centuries old commercial fishery, the Misty Fjords National Monument, and near the Tongass National Forest which has rainforests, waterfalls and wildlife.
The Alaskan Native culture is thriving here and there are a lot of museums and totem parks that highlight the history and more contemporary pieces. You can only get to Ketchikan by air or sea.
Where to stay
There are tons of places to stay in Ketchikan as it is a popular tourist town. A lot of cruise ships come through here and there are land excursions as well as over night options. If I was to write out every place, this would be a very exhaustive list, you are welcome to search online for an exhaustive list for more choices, but here are some I found for you.
Lodges & Hotels
Waterfall Resort Alaska
320 Dock St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(800) 544-5125
A seculeded fishing resort that hosts a bar, store and restaurant and is located 31 miles from the airport. The staff is friendly and they have lots of fishing options as well as photography opportunities as the view is unbeatable.
Cape Fox Lodge
800 Venetia Ave, Ketchikan, AK 99901•
(907) 225-8001
Simple rooms, woodsy, water views and beautiful Alaska Native artwork. This place has a nice restaurant. This resort also offers adventure packages for fishing!
Chinook Shores Lodge
125 Potter Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-6700
An Alaskan Fishing Lodge! Rooms with microwaves, fridges, air conditioning, a boutique store, near the beach and a 6 minute walk to Alaska Discovery Tours
The Landing Hotel
3434 Tongass Ave, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-5166
This hotel hosts two restaurants and two bars with a free shuttle and Wi-Fi. Customers report clean rooms and great staff.
New York Hotel & Cafe
207 Stedman St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-0246
A building originally built in 1924, the hotel aims to keep the original charm. They offer rooms with antique furnishings and character to match. They have rooms with a view of the harbor and state that staying here is like going back in time.
My Place Hotel
3612 Tongass Ave, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 220-9201
Easy peasey with this hotel. Has all the basics, near the airport and a minutes’ walk from the ferry terminal, 2 miles from creek street boardwalk and 3 miles from the totem heritage museum.
Gilmore Hotel
326 Front St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-9423
A historic Boutique hotel located in downtown, 3 miles from the airport. Enjoy WIFI and a shuttle to the ferry terminal. They also have a restaurant, bar and complimentary coffee
Other places to stay – Inns, B&B, Hostels
Black Bear Inn
5528 N Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-4343
A luxury Inn that has water views, self-serve breakfast, and a hot tub. 28 minutes from the airport, great location and terrific hosts.
Anchor Inn By The Sea
4672 S Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 247-7117
Offers private vacation rentals by the water, conveniently located 4 miles from downtown. Whale watching and fishing off the shoreline is welcome, wildlife viewing is guaranteed, and close to hiking spots, Mountain point and Herring Cove.
Thomas Street Vacation Rental
158 Thomas St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 247-6997
Great location, one block away from historic downtown Ketchikan. Minimum stay is one month.
Hostel-Eagle view
2303 5th Ave, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-5461
No website with this one but it looks likes its in the making but this is a hostel for short accommodations from April – October. A rustic home setting and a pleasant bargain to stay.
What to See and Do
Because this is such a travel town, most of these things happen during alaskas biggest travel season from May 15- September 15th. However, some of the things are open year round. Check into it before you come!
Check out the Ketchikan visitors Bureau – find places to go, stay, eat – everything and anything
Totem Bight State Historical Park
9883 N Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 247-8574
Chalk full of history and beautiful Alaskan Native totem poles. Trails to walk and things to see!
Check out Creek Street – Touted as a top attraction in Ketchikan, creek street is the main wooden boardwalk best known for the brightly colored houses resting on the pilings built over Ketchikan creek. The creek was developed almost 15,000 years ago when glaciers melted from the area and became a great breeding ground for salmon. With the salmon come seals and seagulls adding to the biodiversity of the creek. The first people in the area were the Tlingit Alaskan natives until the 1800s’s when the area became known as the first us Port to northern Alaska. By the time the 1900’s came around all sorts of people were living in Ketchikan and more indecent acts were happening. To contain these acts, the famous “red light district was formed housing brothels, alcohol during the prohibition and other sketchy enterprises. The creek street historic district is a national historic place and one of the most widely visited attractions
Take a historic walking tour – you can follow the map or download the app which will take you to all the places of downtown Ketchikan with information on the history and lots of stores and places to visit.
Visit one of the many Art Galleries in town – this thriving community makes great art! It is integrated into their culture. Check out some of their places, maybe buy a unique Alaskan piece or two
Take a Misty Fjords Charter
– Located 40 miles south is the misty Fjord monument. You’ll have to take a cruise or a plane to get there but the view is spectacular, and you’ll see wildlife along the way.
Go Fishing! – this is just one of so many options to take a fishing tour. I would check with your hotel for other options or check out the visiting center.
Go on a photography tour
Flight seeing Tours
Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
420 Spruce Mill Way, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-9050
3- 5 shows, 1 hour long of world champion athletes highlighting Alaska’s logging history.
Check out a rainforest tour
Or a rainforest tour on an electric bike
Check out some tidepools
What to Eat
Seafood & Burgers
Annabelle’s Famous Keg and Chowder House
Gilmore Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
326 Front St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-6009
Seafood, steaks and burgers served in the Gilmore Hotel
Burger Queen
518 Water St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
Fish ‘n’ chips, big burgers & old-school milkshakes served up in no-frills spot with just 4 tables.
The Alaska Fish House
3 Salmon Landing, Ketchikan, AK 99901
Casual waterfront eatery serving Dungeness crab & simple seafood plates like tacos & chowder.
5 Salmon Landing STE 114, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 247-2866
Seafood Restaurant
American Food
211 Stedman St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
An array of American comfort food & drinks in a rustic setting with warm interiors & bar seating.
Bar Harbor Ale House
Shops at the Cannery
55 Schoenbar Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-2813
American Restaurant highlighting seafood along with coffee, craft beer & a full bar.
108 Tap House & Burger Bar
108 Main St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-1080
Burgers and beer!
Others
Alaska Crêpe Co
625 Mission St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
Big, Alaskan style crepes. Sweet or savory
Ketchikan’s Gold Pan Pizza
2200 Tongass Ave, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 220-9380
Pizza, good atmosphere, garlic bread
435 Dock St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-2833
Authentic Mexican Food
4 Creek St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-1818
Chinese food, good portions
Ocean View Restaurante
1831 Tongass Ave, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-7566
Mexican and Italian food
Sushi Harbor
320 Bawde Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-1333
Best Sushi in town!
521 Water St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 247-8646
Filipino restaurant
Where to Camp
Totem Bight State Historical Park – 33 Acres of a state historical park with toilets, trails and a visitors center
Settlers Cove state Recreation Area – 275 Acres of state land with 13 campsites, trails, toilets and water.
Signal Creek Campground
– 24 camp sites, surrounded by huge trees! Adjacent to ward lake, fishing areas and lots of trails.
There are also many cabins to rent in this area. Check out the city of Ketchikan’s website that details these cabins
here
Where to Hike
There are many places to hike in beautiful Ketichikan. You can see an exhaustive list here
however, I picked a couple of good ones some of the locals like below.
Rainbird Trail
– a short 2.1 mile out and back moderately challenging.
Dude Mountain
– another short 2.4 mile out and back trial. Great for bird watching, camping and seems to be unfrequented if you’re looking for some solitude
Reflection Lake Trailhead – 5 miles round trip and parallels reflection creek.
Deer Mountain Trail – a harder 6.7 mile out and back trail that is popular for bird watching. You span different ecosystems but there are wooden bridges, boardwalks and natural rocks.
Perseverance Lake Trail – a 6 mile in and out trail that takes you to a lake. The trail is well maintained and also butts into the Minerva Mountain Trail
For other trails, You can check out all trails which have more up to date information on the trail and the status of the trails here.