Ketchikan is a scenic seaside town located on Revillagigedo Island and the Tongass Narrows in southeast Alaska. Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” and the “Rain Capital of Alaska” thanks to its incredible fishing opportunities and high annual rainfall, Ketchikan also boasts stunning natural scenery and a rich Native Alaskan culture.
| No. | Attraction | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tongass Historical Museum | Showcases Ketchikan’s history, including Native artifacts. |
| 2 | Southeast Alaska Discovery Center | Features interactive exhibits on Alaska’s ecosystems. |
| 3 | Totem Bight State Park | Displays Native Alaskan totem poles and a clan house. |
| 4 | Potlatch Park | Offers historical totems and scenic views. |
| 5 | Tongass National Forest | A vast wilderness area with diverse outdoor activities. |
| 6 | Saxman Native Village & Totems | Home to a large collection of totem poles and Native art. |
| 7 | Herring Cove | A scenic spot known for wildlife viewing. |
| 8 | Ketchikan Creek Falls | Features a picturesque waterfall in the town. |
| 9 | Dolly’s House Museum | Recreates an early 20th-century brothel and bar. |
| 10 | Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show | Showcases lumberjack competitions in a forest setting. |
| 11 | Misty Fjords National Monument | A pristine wilderness area accessible by tours. |
| 12 | Ward Lake Recreation Area | A popular spot for picnicking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. |
Visitors to Ketchikan will find no shortage of things to see and do. From exploring its scenic wilderness areas like Misty Fjords National Monument to learning about Alaska’s Native heritage at places like Totem Bight State Park, Ketchikan offers numerous attractions and activities.
This article highlights 12 of the top attractions in Ketchikan that shouldn’t be missed on any trip here. It provides an overview of each attraction as well as details on its key highlights and features.
Tongass Historical Museum
Name and Location: Tongass Historical Museum is located in Ketchikan, Alaska, and is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history and culture of the Tongass region.
History and Significance: The museum was established in 1967 and is housed in a historic building that was once the Ketchikan Public Library. It features exhibits on the indigenous Tlingit and Haida cultures, the history of fishing and logging in the region, and the impact of World War II on Ketchikan.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore a variety of exhibits, including a replica of a traditional Tlingit clan house, a display on the history of salmon canning in Ketchikan, and a collection of rare books and photographs. The museum also offers guided tours and educational programs.
Visitor Information: The museum is open year-round, with varying hours depending on the season. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children, and free for members. The museum is located in downtown Ketchikan and is easily accessible by foot or by car.
The Tongass Historical Museum is a top attraction that offers insightful glimpses into Ketchikan’s storied past. Located near the downtown waterfront area in the historic City Hall building, the museum houses intriguing exhibits, artifacts, photos and documents chronicling Ketchikan’s rich history as one of Alaska’s oldest communities.
Highlights of the Tongass Historical Museum include native Alaskan artifacts like carved totem poles and a simulated traditional Native home. Visitors can also view an impressive collection of Alaska Native baskets and carvings, along with historical relics from Ketchikan’s early mining, fishing and maritime industries. The museum also houses historic photos chronicling the early 20th century town life through to modern-day Ketchikan.
Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
Name and Location: The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is a visitor center located in Ketchikan, Alaska, that provides information and exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the Tongass National Forest and Southeast Alaska.
History and Significance: The center was established in 1995 as a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Geographic Association. It is housed in a beautiful building that features large windows overlooking the Tongass Narrows and the surrounding forest.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore exhibits on the ecology and wildlife of the Tongass National Forest, including a walk-through rainforest and a simulated underwater environment. The center also features displays on the history and culture of the indigenous Tlingit and Haida people, as well as the region’s fishing and logging industries.
Visitor Information: The center is open year-round, with varying hours depending on the season. Admission is free, and guided tours are available. The center is located just outside of downtown Ketchikan and is easily accessible by car or by shuttle bus from the cruise ship docks.
The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center operates as the visitor information center in Ketchikan. But it goes beyond just providing tourist information—the center also serves as an excellent attraction that delves into southeast Alaska’s ecosystems, cultures, tribal groups and rich natural resources through interactive exhibits and displays.
Visitors can explore recreated southeast Alaskan settings like the rainforest exhibit filled with preserved trees and wildlife. The tribal house exhibit offers glimpses into the indigenous cultures of Alaska Natives like the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples. You can also view daily totem pole carving demonstrations from Native artists here as well as observe living rainforest and ocean specimens in the science and nature discovery room.
Totem Bight State Park
Name and Location: Totem Bight State Park is a 33-acre state park located about 10 miles north of Ketchikan, Alaska. The park is situated on a scenic coastal area and features a collection of restored and replica totem poles.
History and Significance: The park was established in the late 1930s as part of a Civilian Conservation Corps project to restore and preserve traditional Tlingit and Haida totem poles. Many of the original poles had been left to decay in abandoned villages, and the CCC worked with Native carvers to restore and replicate them.
What to Expect: Visitors can walk along a half-mile trail through the forest to view the totem poles, which are arranged in a traditional village setting. The park also features a replica of a traditional Tlingit clan house, where visitors can learn about the history and culture of the indigenous people of the region.
Visitor Information: The park is open year-round, with varying hours depending on the season. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children, and free for Alaska residents. Guided tours are available during the summer months. The park is located about 10 miles north of Ketchikan and is accessible by car or by bus from the cruise ship docks.
Totem Bight State Park is a renowned attraction located just north of Ketchikan showcasing a collection of some of the region’s most iconic Native Alaskan totem poles. The unguided walking park features native coastal forest along with 14 replica 19th century poles and a colorful community clan house, providing visitors with glimpses into Tlingit and Haida Alaska Native history and culture.
Totem Bight’s ceremonial clan house is impressive, with a striking red and black color scheme decorated with symbolic tribal art like the iconic Raven, Eagle and Killer Whale clan crests of the two native groups. The real highlight though is seeing the towering, intricately-carved 19th century replica poles that signify tribal legends, clan lineages and important stories. Expert Native carvers and craftspeople also offer cultural demonstrations here during summer.
Potlatch Park
Name and Location: Potlatch Park is a small park located in downtown Ketchikan, Alaska, near the cruise ship docks. The park features a collection of totem poles and Native art.
History and Significance: The park was established in the 1960s as a way to showcase the traditional art and culture of the Tlingit and Haida people. The totem poles in the park were carved by local Native artists and depict important stories and legends from their culture.
What to Expect: Visitors can stroll through the park and view the totem poles and other Native art on display. The park also features a small gift shop where visitors can purchase authentic Native crafts and souvenirs.
Visitor Information: The park is open year-round and admission is free. It is located in downtown Ketchikan, just a short walk from the cruise ship docks and other popular attractions.
Potlatch Park is a top Ketchikan attraction located in the Herring Cove area just minutes from downtown. The unguided scenic park sits on the shoreline overlooking scenic Tongass Narrows, with easy walking trails leading through the pretty coastal forest to secluded rock beaches. It contains three traditional 19th century Native wood-carved totems along with a colorful gathering house.
Visitors can take easy forest nature walks and enjoy beachfront picnic areas at Potlatch Park. The traditional-style tribal house with its ornate carvings and paintings also makes a great photo backdrop. And being able to view the impressive recreations of 19th century Haida and Tlingit totem poles in a scenic forested setting is also a highlight here for many visitors.
Tongass National Forest
Name and Location: Tongass National Forest is a vast wilderness area that covers most of Southeast Alaska, including the areas around Ketchikan. It is the largest national forest in the United States.
History and Significance: The forest was established in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt and has been managed by the U.S. Forest Service since then. It is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including bears, wolves, and bald eagles, as well as numerous species of fish and plants.
What to Expect: Visitors to the Tongass National Forest can explore a variety of landscapes, from dense temperate rainforests to rugged coastlines and glaciers. The forest offers numerous recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing.
Visitor Information: The forest is open year-round, although some areas may be inaccessible during the winter months. Visitors can obtain maps and information at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center in Ketchikan or at other Forest Service offices throughout the region. Some areas of the forest require permits for camping or other activities.
Covering most of southeast Alaska, Tongass National Forest offers visitors ample opportunities for enjoying spectacular scenery and pristine wilderness areas around Ketchikan. Visitors can go on countless hiking trails, walk along secluded beaches, view waterfalls, go fishing in wild streams or take boat tours to admire scenic fjords with snow-capped peaks and calving tidewater glaciers.
Popular Tongass hiking trails near Ketchikan include Deer Mountain Trail’s scenic high-elevation trek, the coastal views along Ward Lake Recreation Area’s trails and the pretty Perseverance Lake Trail passing cascading creeks. Many outfitters also offer Tongass boat tours, taking visitors into scenic island-dotted waterways like Misty Fjords National Monument to observe wildlife like bears, mountain goats, whales and seals.
Saxman Native Village & Totems
Name and Location: Saxman Native Village & Totems is a small Native village located just south of Ketchikan, Alaska. The village is home to the Saxman Totem Park, which features one of the largest collections of standing totem poles in the world.
History and Significance: The village was established in the late 1800s by Tlingit people who were displaced from their traditional lands. The totem poles in the park were collected from abandoned villages in the early 1900s and brought to Saxman for preservation. Many of the poles are over 100 years old and represent important stories and legends from Tlingit culture.
What to Expect: Visitors to Saxman Native Village can take a guided tour of the totem park and learn about the history and significance of each pole. The village also features a carving shed where visitors can watch Native carvers at work, as well as a cultural center with exhibits on Tlingit history and culture.
Visitor Information: The village is open year-round, with guided tours available from May to September. Admission to the park is $5 for adults, $3 for children, and free for Alaska residents. The village is located just a short drive from downtown Ketchikan and is accessible by car or by bus from the cruise ship docks.
Located just 2 miles south of Ketchikan accessed by road or ferry, the small Saxman Native Village offers an immersive look into the living indigenous culture of southeast Alaska’s Native communities. The village contains the largest collection of standing totem poles in Alaska, with an impressive row of poles lining the waterfront, each telling unique tribal stories.
Visitors can see talented Native carvers working on new poles at the Saxman Totem Park and enter the nearby Clan House to see an incredible collection of Alaska Native masks, carvings and tools providing glimpses into traditional tribal life. Guided tours share stories behind the towering poles and buildings while also explaining the practices and customs of Alaska’s Native peoples. The village’s annual Allen & Patty Potlatch ceremony held here in early May also makes a memorable cultural event to attend.
Herring Cove
Name and Location: Herring Cove is a scenic area located about 10 miles south of Ketchikan, Alaska. The cove is a popular spot for wildlife viewing, particularly during the annual salmon run.
History and Significance: The cove has long been an important fishing and gathering site for the Tlingit people, who have lived in the area for thousands of years. Today, it is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike who come to view the wildlife and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
What to Expect: Visitors to Herring Cove can take a guided tour or explore the area on their own. During the summer months, it is common to see bears fishing for salmon in the creek that flows into the cove. The area is also home to numerous species of birds, including bald eagles and herons.
Visitor Information: The cove is accessible by car or by bus from Ketchikan. Visitors should be prepared for rain and cool temperatures, even during the summer months. Guided tours are available from several local companies, and there are also hiking trails in the area for those who want to explore on their own.
Herring Cove is a tranquil protected cove area fringed by lush temperate rainforest just minutes north of downtown Ketchikan. The cove offers excellent sheltered water access for kayakers and boats along with easy short hiking loops passing serene beaches, coastal woods and scenic overlooks of Tongass Narrows.
Visitors to Herring Cove can spot seals and shorebirds along its pebbled beaches and admire old-growth Sitka spruce and Western hemlock lining the shores. Easy forest trails lead to covered picnic areas framed by the mountains with tables overlooking scenic water vistas. Herring Cove makes a top spot for enjoying beaches, getting spectacular Tongass Narrows views and glimpsing magnificent coastal wilderness while still being conveniently close to Ketchikan town.
Ketchikan Creek Falls
Name and Location: Ketchikan Creek Falls is a series of waterfalls located in downtown Ketchikan, Alaska. The falls are formed by Ketchikan Creek, which flows through the heart of the city.
History and Significance: The creek and falls have played an important role in the history of Ketchikan, providing a source of fresh water and power for the city’s early industries, including fishing and logging. Today, the falls are a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the city’s natural beauty.
What to Expect: Visitors can view the falls from several vantage points along the creek, including a viewing platform near the base of the falls. The falls are particularly impressive during the rainy season, when the creek is swollen with runoff from the surrounding mountains.
Visitor Information: The falls are located in downtown Ketchikan and are easily accessible by foot from the cruise ship docks and other downtown attractions. Visitors should be prepared for wet and slippery conditions, particularly during the rainy season.
Ketchikan Creek cascades through downtown Ketchikan, with a short paved trail leading along its banks through scenic rainforest to the pretty Ketchikan Creek Falls. The impressive 50-foot waterfall is considered one of Alaska’s most photographed falls thanks to its easy road access.
Visitors can take a short forest hike along wooden boardwalks and platforms overlooking the rushing creek lined with vibrant green ferns, lichen-draped alders and Western hemlocks. Good salmon viewing opportunities exist at the creek and along its forested banks during late summer spawning season. The half-mile creek trail culminates at the falls, where you can admire the thundering waters cascading over eroded cliff faces blanketed in emerald mosses and dottings of bright wildflowers.
Dolly’s House Museum
Name and Location: Dolly’s House Museum is a historic brothel museum located in downtown Ketchikan, Alaska. The museum is housed in the former home and workplace of Dolly Arthur, who ran a brothel in Ketchikan during the early 1900s.
History and Significance: The museum provides a glimpse into the history of prostitution in Ketchikan and the lives of the women who worked in the brothels. Dolly Arthur herself is a fascinating figure, known for her flamboyant personality and her role in the city’s early history.
What to Expect: Visitors to the museum can tour the restored brothel and see the rooms where Dolly and her girls lived and worked. The museum also features exhibits on the history of prostitution in Ketchikan and the social and economic factors that contributed to its prevalence.
Visitor Information: The museum is open daily during the summer months, with reduced hours during the rest of the year. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. The museum is located in downtown Ketchikan, just a short walk from the cruise ship docks and other popular attractions.
Dolly’s House Museum makes for an intriguing attraction offering a glimpse into pioneering Alaskan life during Ketchikan’s early 20th century boom era. Located downtown in a historic waterfront building, the museum recreates the former combined brothel and bar that once operated here for over 60 years owned by Dolly Arthur.
Visitors can take an audio tour through seven different rooms occupied by Dolly, her employees and their patrons. Mannequins dressed in period clothing, preserved artifacts and furnishings recreate the era while the narration shares the intriguing history of this business and the red-light district’s role in early Ketchikan. From lively bar scenes to private rooms, museum goers can vividly envision pioneer-era life in Alaska from decades past.
Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
Name and Location: The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show is a live entertainment show located in Ketchikan, Alaska. The show features demonstrations of traditional lumberjack skills, such as log rolling, chainsaw carving, and axe throwing.
History and Significance: The show was founded in 1999 and has become a popular tourist attraction in Ketchikan. It celebrates the history and culture of the logging industry, which has played a significant role in the development of Southeast Alaska.
What to Expect: Visitors to the show can watch as professional lumberjacks compete in a variety of events, showcasing their strength, skill, and agility. The show is fast-paced and entertaining, with plenty of humor and audience participation.
Visitor Information: The show operates from May to September, with several performances daily. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office. The show is located just outside of downtown Ketchikan and is accessible by car or by shuttle bus from the cruise ship docks.
In a unique Alaska forest setting, audiences can watch lumberjack competitors go at various ax throwing, chopping, sawing and log rolling contests with high-energy excitement during Ketchikan’s Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. The entertaining 45-minute show takes place three times daily during summer at a timbered venue on waterfront Gilmore Way.
The skilled lumberjacks put on an impressive show of strength, speed and precision ax work, competing against the clock in events like axe throwing, log rolling, speed climbing and chainsaw contests. You can also see female lumberjacks sparring off showcasing top-notch skills. The show is very family-friendly with opportunities for kids to participate as well and plenty of audience-participation fun led by entertaining hosts.
Misty Fjords National Monument
Name and Location: Misty Fjords National Monument is a vast wilderness area located about 22 miles east of Ketchikan, Alaska. The monument covers over 2 million acres of pristine forests, mountains, and waterways.
History and Significance: The area was designated as a national monument in 1978 to protect its unique natural and cultural resources. The monument is home to a variety of wildlife, including bears, wolves, and bald eagles, as well as numerous species of plants and fish. It is also an important cultural site for the Tlingit people, who have lived in the area for thousands of years.
What to Expect: Visitors to Misty Fjords can explore the monument by boat or by floatplane, taking in the stunning scenery of the fjords, waterfalls, and glaciers. There are also several hiking trails in the area, ranging from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks.
Visitor Information: The monument is open year-round, although some areas may be inaccessible during the winter months. Visitors can take guided tours from Ketchikan or explore the area on their own by renting a boat or a floatplane. Permits are required for some activities, such as camping and fishing.
Steep glacier-carved cliffs plummeting into azure inlet waters, snow-capped mountain vistas and pristine rainforest wilderness undisturbed by roads define Misty Fjords National Monument. The spectacular 2.3 million acre area clothed in emerald temperate rainforest makes for a top wilderness attraction to be explored on flightseeing or boat tours from Ketchikan.
Visitors can fly over or cruise past sheer 3,000-foot cliffs draped in countless waterfalls around lakes, bays and waterways teeming with wildlife below. Floatplanes provide the best aerial perspectives of the park’s soaring cliffs, U-shaped valleys, razor-thin fjords and glacial legacy in places like Rudyerd Bay and Punchbowl Cove. Motor and sailing vessels can thread narrow fjords to experience the monument’s grandeur from sea level. Kayaking, hiking and camping opportunities also exist for extended exploration.
Ward Lake Recreation Area
Name and Location: Ward Lake Recreation Area is a popular outdoor recreation site located about 7 miles north of Ketchikan, Alaska. The area features a scenic lake surrounded by forests and mountains.
History and Significance: The recreation area was established in the 1920s as a Civilian Conservation Corps project. Today, it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is a popular spot for fishing, picnicking, and hiking.
What to Expect: Visitors to Ward Lake can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing for trout and salmon, hiking on the nearby trails, and picnicking on the lakeshore. The area also features a campground with tent and RV sites, as well as a day-use area with picnic tables and grills.
Visitor Information: The recreation area is open year-round, although some facilities may be closed during the winter months. Visitors can purchase a day-use pass or a camping permit at the entrance station or at the Ketchikan Ranger District office. The area is located just a short drive from downtown Ketchikan and is accessible by car or by bus.
Ward Lake Recreation Area appeals as a top easily accessible wilderness attraction close to Ketchikan. It sits just minutes north of downtown Ketchikan, with a scenic paved road winding through lush temperate rainforest out to the expansive Ward Lake area fringed by peaks.
Visitors will find a large developed recreation area here focused around family-friendly amenities. Trout fishing, lakeside picnic areas, playgrounds, bike paths and a delightful winding boardwalk trace Ward Creek out to a scenic wooden dam outlook. More challenging hiking trails also branch off through the forests and along lakeshores. The area has an abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities as well, especially for encountering bears fishing for spawning salmon in late summer and early fall.
Eagle Park
Name and Location: Eagle Park is a small park located in downtown Ketchikan, Alaska. The park features a large sculpture of an eagle, which is a symbol of the city and the surrounding region.
History and Significance: The park was established in the 1990s as part of a downtown revitalization project. The eagle sculpture was commissioned by the city and created by a local artist, Dave Rubin. It stands over 20 feet tall and weighs over 2,000 pounds.
What to Expect: Visitors to Eagle Park can admire the impressive eagle sculpture and take in the views of the surrounding downtown area. The park also features a small seating area and a plaque with information about the sculpture and its significance to the city.
Visitor Information: The park is open year-round and is free to visit. It is located in the heart of downtown Ketchikan, just a short walk from the cruise ship docks and other popular attractions. Visitors can easily incorporate a stop at the park into their exploration of the city.
Eagle Park is a quick attraction to visit on downtown’s Mission Street, offering a peaceful urban oasis frequented by its namesake raptor. Centered around a salmon stream, the small nature park has an elevated viewing platform and interpretive signs detailing facts on bald eagles which flock here to feed on spawning salmon especially in late summer.
Even if no eagles are currently present, visitors can admire the lush rainforest environs along Ketchikan Creek’s rapids. The elevated viewing platform grants photograph opportunities over the creek and surrounding Sitka spruce forest which bursts with vibrant greens. Interpretive signs share natural history on Ketchikan Creek’s riparian habitat and the species of wild Pacific salmon running its waters.
Conclusion
Ketchikan serves up no shortage of top attractions and activities for visitors to Alaska’s famed Inside Passage region. From exploring rich indigenous cultural heritage and attending Native festivals to adventures in surrounding pristine rainforests and marine wilderness, memorable experiences abound. Visitors can also opt for more learning-focused historic and nature-based attractions right in Ketchikan town.
No matter your interests, Ketchikan and its many museums, tribal sites, recreation areas and tour operators offer an abundance of unique attractions. So be sure to take time exploring several of these 12 top Ketchikan visitor highlights featured here to make the most of a trip to this fascinating southeast Alaska community acclaimed as the salmon capital of the world.