Ketchikan - what to see/do in the town itself

[Harters]

Our ship will be docked between 10.00 and 18.00. We're thinking that we may not do any excursions and, so long as there's enough to keep us occupied, just spend a relaxed time in town. I already have a note of the Totem Heritage Center and Creek Street but what else would you recommend, please?  I'm also looking for somewhere nice for lunch - always a part of our relaxed days on holiday.

 

TIA

 

John

[mapleleaves]

Look at these  two Visitor Information sites for Ketchikan.  Lots of useful info:

https://www.visit-ketchikan.com/

https://www.experienceketchikan.com/

 

Both have a link to the town Visitor Guide which you can download.  

https://www.experienceketchikan.com/support-files/ketchikan-trip-planner-2018.pdf

 

And the 2nd link has Walking Tour maps with popular sights indicated.

 

 

 

 

[Ferry_Watcher]

1 hour ago, mapleleaves said:

Look at these  two Visitor Information sites for Ketchikan.  Lots of useful info:

https://www.visit-ketchikan.com/

https://www.experienceketchikan.com/

 

Both have a link to the town Visitor Guide which you can download.  

https://www.experienceketchikan.com/support-files/ketchikan-trip-planner-2018.pdf

 

And the 2nd link has Walking Tour maps with popular sights indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

Mapleleaves (my fellow Washingtonian) thanks so much for sharing the great Ketchikan websites.  Did you happen to do any of the Native American walks/tours? 

[mapleleaves]

No,  I've only been to Ketchikan once. 

Did Creek St,  Married Mans Trail,  then took a bus out to Totem Park which i thoroughly enjoyed.

 

If you're looking for web sites on Alaska trip planning, I put together this large list last yr:

 

Edited October 14, 2019 by mapleleaves

[kuddles14]

On 10/14/2019 at 4:45 PM, mapleleaves said:

No,  I've only been to Ketchikan once. 

Did Creek St,  Married Mans Trail,  then took a bus out to Totem Park which i thoroughly enjoyed.

 

If you're looking for web sites on Alaska trip planning, I put together this large list last yr:

 

Was it easy to get a bus to Totem Park and back? How long if a ride ? 

[mapleleaves]

very easy, only $2.  It's about a 20 minute ride. Buses leave once an hr. 

It's a beautiful location;  set in the forest but there are paths to the waterfront. 

 

https://www.kgbak.us/DocumentCenter/View/6545/Bus-Schedule-Fall-Winter-Spring-2019-

[Giantfan13]

We have been to Ketchikan several times, did all the 'regular' stuff, so we also wanted a relaxing day in town. We did dome pretty good shopping as were there in September and stores were marking down merchandise. 

We wanted to do the Married Man's trail and we followed the stream/river quite a while past where the trail starts. There were thousands of Salmon all thru the river. If you follow it for maybe 1/4 mile past the waterfall, there is an opening, sort of a small beach area where you can picnic, just hang out for a while. At this spot, the water is very shallow and there were many kids and adults in the water trying to catch the salmon. Nice place to hang out and just relax. 

 

Cheers

Len

[Harters]

Thanks all.

 

The walking tour link is most helpful and I think I see that being our focus for the day. I like Len's picnic idea, although I'm still open to a lunch restaurant recommendation.

 

Best wishes from Northwest England.

 

John

[hawk1972]

We've been to Ketchikan twice and just walked around on our own. I have not been there but I have heard good things about George Inlet Crab Feast -- all you can eat Dungeness Crab.  I think they have a shuttle that will pick you up in town and bring you back.

 

We have found that Ketchikan has the best shopping and best prices of the ports we have been to - Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point.

 

[geoherb]

When I was there this summer, I walked through Creek Street, up to the fish hatchery, then to the Totem Heritage Center. On a previous trip, we walked up the Married Man's Trail and took the funicular down. We also took the public bus to Totem Bight. It's well worth a visit. On our first cruise to Alaska, we snorkeled in Ketchikan. If that's offered, I highly recommend it.

[xlxo]

NCL has a great excursion summary vid, check it out to see if something is of interest...