what to do in ketchikan, alaska in one day

The forest is home to dozens of freshwater lakes and streams as well as access to saltwater fishing. Either eat an early breakfast on the ship or a late lunch when you board. Expect gorgeous blue lakes, towering waterfalls, icy peaks and sprawling glacial rainforest valleys. I should mention that there is also the possibility of doing neither. Various exhibits feature Alaskas temperate rainforest, native fishing traditions, ecosystems, and natural resources. Take a Boat Trip Through the Misty Fjords, 2 Weeks in Europe 10 Excellent Trip Itineraries, How to Dress Like a European The Ultimate Packing List for Europe, One Day in L.A. How to See the Best of Los Angeles in a Day, 14 Spectacular Stops on the L.A. to San Francisco Drive, How to See Los Angeles in 3 Days the Perfect Itinerary. Annabelles is housed inside the Gilmore Hotel. Its also a recreation hotspot, where you can fish Tongass National Forests shimmering fresh-water lakes one day, then kayak past tumbling waterfalls the next. You need the right water temperature, non-acidic Website: Wearable Art Show. Here are some highly recommended companies to book your fishing trip with: Alaska is home to a population of bald eagles, which is so robust that the bald eagle was never listed as endangered or threatened in this state. If youre planning an Alaska itinerary and have decided to make a trip to Southeast Alaska, Ketchikan is a must-visit spot. Tidepool Snorkeling is one of the most unique opportunities in Ketchikan and gives you the chance to experience some ocean wildlife up close and personal. Another must-see attraction here is the Clan House, which is a replica of a Tlingit clan house made of red cedar. Quite simply, they serve the best burgers and old-school milkshakes in town. #25 of 89 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Ketchikan. But if you flew in, you can always rent a car at the airport or in town. Take the "Deadliest Catch" Crab Fishermen's Tour 4. Misty Fjords National Monument Floatplane Tour 4. Alaska is unique and rugged, and it is hard to pack everything into a short visit. We just paid per ride since it was cheaper.). This area spans over 2.3 million acres and is part of Tongass National Forest. 56 Reviews. This forest spans about 17 million acres and is home to abundant wildlife, such as bears, moose, and beavers. "url": "https://www.tripstodiscover.com", Low-cost and low-energy alternatives are electric cars and bikes. Required fields are marked *. 2023 Ketchikan All In One provided by Seaside Tours - Tripadvisor Which one of these things to do in Ketchikan intrigues you the most? BOOMbals been acraze here since 2010, making great use of a1946-era building that was purchased and renovated by the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council. A major highlight of the park is the totem carving shed, where you can watch up close how Native American totem poles are carved. In this post, Ill share my best advice on how to spend one day in Ketchikan, to help you plan if you want to visit this unique Alaskan town but dont have a ton of time to do so. Join our email crew and get 10% off our PNW hoodies & shirts!We'll also include you in sporadic emails, travel guides, and updates about the area! Things to Do on A Cruise Stop in Ketchikan, Alaska Cost: Free (though donations are suggested) Ketchikan is very easy to get around in. 14 years ago Save Hi, We will be stopping for one day in Ketchikan on our Saphire princess cruise. 13 Top Things to Do in Ketchikan, Alaska - TripSavvy Website: Anchor Text. Popular routes from Ketchikan go to see the fjords and glaciers on the way to Juneau and Sitka. 1. Essential Information Because of the vastness of the landscape, youll want to charter some sort of transportation to show you around. The Main Street Gallery is basically a community arts center and art gallery and features the works of local. If youre trying to see and do as much as possible in Ketchikan, dont waste your time eating both meals in town. A bit over 5 hours ashore means that youll have to be pretty brutal in trimming down your itinerary. Refuge Cove State Recreation Site is asliver of land lining part of an edge of aneighborhood and is apopular beach picnicking destination with the locals. Many cruise companies include Ketchikan on their itineraries because it has so much to offer, even if you only have a short time to visit. If youve only got a single day in Ketchikan youll have to carefully plan your itinerary and stick to activities close to the port. The view of the ocean is excellent from this park as well. Overview Explore Ketchikan and the best of Alaska in this customisable tour for you and up to ten of your friends, family, or colleagues. Even though youve already gotten a bit of history from attending the lumberjack show, exploring along Creek Street, and climbing to Cape Fox Lodge, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center will fill in the gaps with information about the areas natural and cultural history. Today, lets explore all the best things to do in Ketchikan, as well as some tips for traveling to Ketchikan so you can plan your trip here smoothly. Got a day to play? 2. If you have a whole day, you can also access this area through a boat cruise or have a tour boat drop you off so you can explore the area through kayaking. The park also features an antique car museum as well as a firearm museum. Spending a day in the environs of our temperate rainforest can include an array of amazing experiences: ziplining between the tall trees over salmon streams (and bears! What is the best thing to do for a day while there? Seeing bears is pretty seasonal so youll want to check ahead of time what times of year the tours actually have tickets available. Here youll find many totem poles and also learn about the carvings, native art, dances, and songs. Herring Cove, at the right time of year, is awonderful place to view wildlife, and in particular, black bears. The districts false-front commercial buildings and houses, built on wooden pilings, date from the early 1900s. The terrain changes as you go along the hiking trail. 6. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Public transportation options include municipal buses running every hour, seven days a week. Go for it! Order our Official State of Alaska Vacation Planner and plot your course. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. Tip: If you can, opt to join a smaller group versus a large group. If youre averse to walking there are also electric bike or cart rentals for visitors in the downtown area. Essential Information Yes, black bears like salmon, too. Address: 9883 N Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK | 907-247-8574 Cost: May to September: $5 per head for adults, children 15 and below have free admission; October to April: Free This is one of the best displays of totem poles in Alaska, and well worth the extra effort to visit, especially on a nice day. Well, it depends on your cruise and what you like (also on Ketchikans weather which can be touch and go). The trips typically arent long but youll be able to see P.O.W. Youll want to have your tickets in hand and your every step planned out to avoid wasting your precious time. Here are just a few places where you can visit to appreciate Ketchikan art, whether its contemporary, Native, or folk art. 12 Incredible Things to Do in Ketchikan, Alaska | The Best Ketchikan 9 Things You Need To Do In Ketchikan, Alaska - Thrillist With a landscape as vast as Alaska, one of the best ways to experience the area if you dont have much time is to go for a seaplane tour. When: Every first weekend of August The best time to visit Ketchikan is during the summer months; June through August are the warmest and driest months of the year. } Theres a downtown core, and then more residential areas spread out along the coastline north and south of town. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The idea was to replace the ferry connecting Ketchikan with Gravina Island, where the Ketchikan Airportis. Deer Mountain Trail is an extremely difficult trail in Ketchikan that is great for seasoned adventurers who have experience with hiking in similar conditions. 18 Top Things to Do in Alaska - U.S. News Travel There are local guide companies here that will take you out on tours and set you up with all the gear youll need. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Top 10 Things to Do in Ketchikan, Alaska - Trips To Discover It rains an average of 140-160 inches and 300 days per year in Ketchikan its literally the opposite of Denver, which gets 300 days of sun per year! Secondly, dont be an obnoxious tourist. If youre looking to see some wildlife while getting a workout this is a fun option. "dateModified": "2023-04-05", If you want to get your heart pumping, make the climb up Married Mans Trail to the Lodge, then enjoy the view on your funicular ride down. In 1912, the Hoonah Packing Company, a prosperous salmon canning company, opened for business on Icy Strait Point, providing the locals with factory jobs. "logo": "https://www.tripstodiscover.com/wp-content/themes/sage/public/images/logo.svg" But its always easier to get around if youre driving your own car. 1 reply rainbirdreader Ketchikan Destination Expert for Ketchikan Level Contributor 2,838 posts 70 reviews 40 helpful votes 1. Aside from salmon, theres a whole smorgasbord of seafood that you have to try. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. Take note, though, that their space is small and usually standing room only, so dont expect to lounge here for hours. Dont forget to catch an educational movie at their Discovery Centre theatre and shop at their bookstore before you go. Re: What to do May 14, 2022, 6:31 PM Save The Tongass National Forest might be the most picturesque location around Ketchikan and there are tons of ways to experience it. Here are some of the totem pole parks where you can see totem poles. Ketchikan, Alaska Day Tours, Shore Excursions & Attractions What to do for one day? - Ketchikan Forum - Tripadvisor The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show is an Alaskan institution; its been around for decades and draws crowds all day long they do 5-6 shows per day during the summer months! Popular year-round (but especially in the summer), this is a great way to socialize like the pioneers did 100 years ago. Three are over 700 miles of trails in the forest, and popular hiking trails include the Perseverance Lake Trail and the Lunch Creek area. In addition to the host of typical tide-pool life, its not uncommon to see whales and other large sea creatures during these expeditions. Start here. It houses two separate sections: an upscale, laid-back bar area and a fancier sit-down area for more formal dinners. The views are spectacular, though. Your email address will not be published. Website: Creek Street Historic District. The best thing to do is pack for any type of weather: sunny, cool, or overcast. { Attire: Business Casual To see the amazing wilderness, you can either take a flight on a float plane and see the area from above or take a cruise and explore from the water. Look for bears, wolves, and mountain goats amid the old growth forest of Sitka spruce, cedar, and hemlock, and listen to the roar of rain-fed waterfalls coursing down the fjords walls into the 100-mile-long Behm Canal. Reservation Required: No View Totem Poles Admire beautiful works of art and Alaskan Native culture like this at Totem Bight State Park. It used to be the red light district, where fishermen and bootleggers cavort with prostitutes. The most spectacular and accessible waterfalls around Alaska you can see from the road, from ahike, or from aday cruise. Rain Capital of Alaska. There is a lot to see and do in downtown Ketchikan, which is why self-guided walking tours are highly recommended. Most of the festivities are held along Main Street, but a few events are held in other venues. Best Tidepools On The Oregon Coast Your Complete Guide, Alaska & The Inside Passage 7 Things You Should Know, Humpy Salmon A Complete Guide To Alaskas Smallest Salmon, Guide To The Devils Punchbowl Hike (Get Inside At Low Tide), How Much Is Milk In Alaska? Juneau & Ketchikan | Alaska.org Recommended Itinerary Cost: $$ [{"slug":"ketchikan","title":"4 Days in Ketchikan"}], Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. "datePublished": "2019-09-10", This temperate rain forest stretches from the southern border with British Columbia to the northern border with Glacier. Day cruises let passengers glide through Ketchikans scenic waters with views of nearby glaciers, 3,000-foot vertical cliffs, and abundant wildlife. As my parting advice, Ill tell you two things: Firstly, have your trip planned out before you step on shore. Get in on the axe-tion with a group of friends and try your own hand at the axe-throwing competition. Fishing guides arent a requirement, but theyre definitely an advantage when youre out in an unfamiliar, temperamental sea. Ketchikan, AK | Things to Do, Recreation, & Travel Information All rights reserved, 6 Incredibly Fun Things to Do in Ketchikan, Alaska in One Day, Interview with Paula and Gordon, from Contented Traveller. A kayaking trip here can range from just a few hours to a multi-day adventure that includes camping in remote locations and exploring hidden treasure. Art Galleries. If you are new to Alaska and want to learn more about it, this downtown museum/visitors center is a great way to get your bearings and learn a bit more about what to expect. The colorful homes here are so picturesque, so bringing your camera along is essential. Mariculture research &training center, Millions of oysters get their start in Ketchikan each year, right at the OceansAlaska Mariculture Research and Training Facility, amodern new aquaculture endeavor located on George Inlet near Ketchikan.

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