Totem Pole Bight Ketchikan Question

[Upper Deck Dad]

is this area walkable from the port or is public transportation available?

 

All the excursions seem to include something else along with this.

 

We're only docked 5 hours arriving very early in the morning. Really just want to go to Creek St and see the Totem Poles at this port.

[GradUT]

Here's a link to the Ketchikan city bus schedule. The Silver Line runs from the port to Totem Bight. The trip takes about 30 minutes and the buses run once each hour.

 

http://www.borough.ketchikan.ak.us/DocumentCenter/View/4339

[Budget Queen]

Further details, the bus stop is at Dock and Front St. near dock 2, cross the street. Pick up is 25 after the hour. I'd head right there first. I've even walked through the park taking the 6:25a bus. Print out and take the guide sheet with you. http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/totembgh.htm

 

Spend the time you want there. A low tide there are some tide pools to look at if of interest.

 

The return bus makes 2 pick up stops. If you are there with crowds it's a benefit to get on the bus, still going north to get a seat. It will be packed standing room.

 

Next to Totem Bight is Potlatch Park. Worthwhile museum to take a look at. Go out back, and if open, take a look inside the carving shed. Even worth a look in the windows, if closed.

 

If you have a mid morning port arrival, this bus can be full with no room left for some to board. IF you see a line on Front, walk back to the museum and get on there. Likely to be a stack of people there too, but at least with going to the stop prior, you are before the Front St stop.

 

Allow 3 hour for the round trip. Yes it can be done in less, but be conservative with your time, you can miss a bus and with the cushion you'll avoid a costly cab.

[Upper Deck Dad]

Thanks for the information. This is very helpful!

[mjcruise101]

Budget Queen & Grad UT

Thank you for posting the information on this tread and the one on Mendenhall glacier. We are going on the 14 day Amsterdam Alaska cruise in July and like to go hiking and independent tours. The information you and other long time cruisers post is very helpful.

Upper Deck Dad have you checked out trip advisor. There is a lot of detailed information on all the ports. Also check out cruise critic roll call for the ship you are on. Sometime there is great tips from people going on your cruise that have been before.:)

[PNW Traveler]

The City of Ketchikan runs a great totem pole museum, the Totem Heritage Center. It's easily walkable from the cruise ship dock. The museum is not large, but has excellent indoor and outdoor displays of totem poles. Admission is nominal. I think we had free admission; it may have been with a veteran's card. We found the outdoor displays good for photos and enjoyed the walk past the creek teeming with spawning salmon (late summer.)

http://www.ktn-ak.us/totem-heritage-center/