The name “Ketchikan” is believed to come from the Tlingit word “Kitschk-Hin” meaning “thundering wings of an eagle” and is reminiscent of the outline of the Ketchikan Creek seen from above.

An exciting flightseeing adventure is a thrilling opportunity to see this unique feature yourself.

An estimated 19% of Ketchikan residents are of Tlingit, Haida and /or Tsimshian Native Alaskan descent. The correct pronunciation for Tlingit is “kling-it,” Haida is “hide-a” and Tsimshian is “sim-she-an.”

THE BEST OF KETCHIKAN

1. Outdoor Adventures

Enjoy what is truly an outdoorsman’s paradise, with activities you won’t find anywhere else. Go for a ride in an off-road vehicle, kayaking, hiking, nature watching, flightseeing, ziplining and more.

2. Totem Bight State Park

Set amidst the peaceful forest, the park is home to 14 totem poles, each telling their own story, and a replica of a 19th-century clan house, offering a look into the Tlingit and Haida Native Alaskan cultures.

3. Saxman Native Village

Experience the rich living culture of the Tlingits as they welcome you to their village.

Unravel totem pole mysteries, see carvers in action, shop for fine art and enter a clan house to watch Native dancers.

4. Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary

This 40-acre rainforest reserve is home to bald eagles, black bear, seals and a variety of birds, a live eagle display and a master Native totem pole carver at work.

5. Misty Fjords National Monument

Take in the dramatic beauty of a land slowly crafted by the hands of nature.

This wilderness area encompasses more than two million acres of sheer granite cliffs, 1,000-foot waterfalls, and crystalline lakes.

6. Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

World champion athletes compete in springboard-chopping, buck-sawing, axe-throwing, log-rolling and the thrilling 50-foot tree climb.

7. George Inlet Lodge

A former cannery bunkhouse built in the 1940s, this historic lodge was towed on a log raft over 70 miles to its current site on the shores of the spectacular George Inlet waterway 15 miles south of Ketchikan.

8. Creek Street

This historic boardwalk was a Red Light District during the Gold Rush. Now, it’s a quaint place to tour Dolly’s House museum, view totem poles, and shop at locally owned stores and galleries.

Ketchikan, Alaska, offers many points of interest for a historian, an architect, a photographer, a sailor, a hiker, and a wildlife enthusiast:

Ketchikan is home to the largest collection of totem poles in the world. The more than 80 varieties displayed throughout the city stand as a stately reminder of the traditions and values of tribal culture and a powerful representation of Alaskan Native art.

• For the historian, Ketchikan provides rich cultural heritage, especially related to Native Alaskan tribes like the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. The Totem Heritage Center holds large collections of Native artifacts including ancient totem poles, cedar bark baskets, beaded regalia, and button robes. The Tongass Historical Museum also offers insight into the community’s past and heritage. Cultural sites such as Potlatch Totem Park and the Native Village of Saxman feature historic totem poles and carved tribal houses giving tribute to tribal ancestry.visit-ketchikan+1

• An architect would be interested in the authentic tribal houses with deeply carved wooden walls, historic buildings downtown, and the variety of totem pole styles that showcase traditional craftsmanship. Ketchikan has the largest collection of totem poles in Alaska, some over 100 years old, demonstrating artistic and tribal architectural traditions.visit-ketchikan

• Photographers can capture dramatic natural landscapes of the Tongass National Forest, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and bustling waterfront scenes of float planes and boats. Cultural subjects like totem poles and historic Creek Street boardwalks on stilts offer classic photo opportunities. There are guided photo safaris to learn techniques while exploring Ketchikan’s historical and natural beauty.americancruiselines+1

• For sailors, Ketchikan is located on the Inside Passage, with a vibrant and scenic harbor that includes float planes, cruise ships, and fishing boats. The coastal community is surrounded by Alaska’s vast rainforests and waterways, offering sheltered and picturesque anchorage points as well as access to wilderness.americancruiselines

• Hikers can explore trails within the dense Tongass National Forest, offering wildlife viewing and forest immersion. Nearby parks like Potlatch Totem Park provide a cultural hiking experience with totem poles and native village replicas.visit-ketchikan

• Wildlife enthusiasts can expect to see abundant local wildlife including black bears, mountain goats, Sitka black-tailed deer, and especially a notable population of bald eagles. The area supports a rich natural ecosystem from ocean habitats to dense forests, creating excellent birdwatching opportunities in early September.americancruiselines

• Bird species that might be spotted in early September include bald eagles, migratory birds, and various seabirds native to the Pacific Northwest coastal region.americancruiselines

Founded: Ketchikan’s history dates back to 1883, when a man named Snow built a salmon saltery.

By 1900, with a population of 800, the town was officially incorporated.

Region: Ketchikan is located on the western coast of Revillagigedo Island, near the southernmost boundary of Alaska. It is 679 miles north of Seattle and 235 miles south of Juneau. The 2.2 million acre Misty Fiords National Monument lies 22 air miles east of Ketchikan. It is the first Alaska port of call for northbound cruise ships and State ferries.

Population: 8,142 within city limits with a total population including surrounding outlying areas of 13,686. It’s the seventh most populated city in Alaska.

Climate: Expect temperatures in the low 60s during peak summer months. The relatively high amount of rainfall, on average 152 inches per year, occurs more heavily in autumn and winter.

Language: English

Currency: U.S. Dollar

KETCHIKAN

Gateway to the spectacular southeast

Ketchikan is known as Alaska’s “First City” because it’s the first major community travelers come to as they journey north. This charming waterfront town showcases its maritime history and offers picturesque scenery, quaint architecture and an abundance of cultural delights.

Frontier spirit

An abundance of salmon in the crystalline waters drew the Tlingit people to this idyllic area, which they settled as a summer fishing camp. In 1883, an enterprising man by the name of “Snow,” opened the area’s first salmon saltery and a fishing town was born.

By the late 19th century, gold and copper were discovered in the surrounding mountains creating the need for a supply center, and Ketchikan flourished. Soon after, fishing and timber industries were established in Ketchikan. The growth of these industries helped make this Inside Passage port Alaska’s seventh-largest city. Fun-filled attractions such as the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show showcase Ketchikan’s pioneer beginnings, while a leisurely stroll downtown reveals a multitude of heritage sites.

Downtown’s centerpiece is Creek Street, said to be the most photographed street in Alaska. Now populated with shops and art galleries, Creek Street was once the Red Light District with more than 30 brothels. Look for a tiny sign at the end of the street, which humorously points out the direction that both salmon and the fishermen went to spawn!

Welcoming waterways

It’s hard to believe that 17,000 years ago the entire area was covered in ice. Massive glacier action carved out the present landscape – long saltwater fjords hemmed in by cliffs that soar as high as 3,000 feet into the air.

Nowhere is this feat of nature more beautifully realized than just east of Ketchikan at the magnificent Misty Fjords National Monument. Named for the weather conditions you are most likely to encounter, the area’s profound beauty has earned it the moniker of the “Yosemite of the North.” Accessible only by floatplane or boat, excursions to the area afford unparalleled views of the dramatic waterfalls, lush forests and magnificent fjords.

You can also explore the glassine bays and crystalline inlets of Tongass National Forest by catamaran or floatplane.

Tongass is the Earth’s largest remaining temperate rainforest, with over 17 million acres of breathtaking forest and protected wildlife preserve.

Majestic totem poles

Commemorative totem poles are usually the largest in size, memorial poles celebrate important tribe members and family lineage poles celebrate one family’s unique history.

A visit to Totem Bight State Park takes you on a scenic walk along winding rainforest trails to an old Native campsite filled with colorful poles, each telling a fascinating tale. At Saxman Native Village, you’ll find a totem park as well as the Saxman’s Beaver Clan tribal house, reported to be the largest in the world.

The Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary hosts a totem pole collection made in the on-site carving facility. Visitors can watch the resident master carver as he creates works of art featuring wildlife and legends of the area. This 40-acre rainforest reserve is home to towering trees, a series of nature paths, wildlife and a host of activities to experience the area’s bountiful resources.

The Salmon Capital of the World

The only thing more ubiquitous than totem poles in Ketchikan is salmon! Five different species of wild Pacific salmon are found in the Alaska waters surrounding the area. Ketchikan beckons anglers of all skill level and offers a plethora of sportfishing adventures to enjoy.

Even a walk through town provides an opportunity to see these fish in action. The salmon ladder on Park Avenue has a viewing platform where you can watch these determined creatures complete their exhausting journey to the spawning grounds.

Full of adventure and history, vibrant Ketchikan leaves a lasting impression on all who grace its iconic shores, partaking in all the treasures of this lively town.

Indigenous artifacts available in Ketchikan include original and replica totem poles, cedar bark baskets, drums, beadwork, jewelry, button robes, and other Native arts and crafts. The Totem Heritage Center and shops in Saxman Totem Park, like The Village Store, offer authentic native art and souvenirs such as totems, drums, beadwork, necklaces, and decorated apparel. Keychains, t-shirts, and dreamcatchers proudly stamped “Made in Alaska” can also be purchased as souvenirs.facesofketchikan+2

Local cuisine

Ketchikan is the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Start your day with a smoked salmon omelet; enjoy a salmon burger with all the fixings for lunch and salmon tacos for dinner. For a snack, try the salmon jerky – a deliciously different taste than the beef versions.

Raise your hand if you like salmon!

When visiting the “Salmon Capital of the World,” it’s easy to remember the five different types if you simply hold up your hand.

Your thumb rhymes with Chum – Chum Salmon

Your pointer finger can “sock” someone in the “eye” – Sockeye Salmon

Your middle finger is the tallest – King Salmon

Slip a silver ring on your ring finger – Silver Salmon

And your pinky….. well, that’s easy —

Pink Salmon

Totem poles

Don’t feel bad if someone tells you you’re the “low man on the totem pole.” Often, the most important figure can be found at the base, not on top, as many believe.

It’s all in the details

Ever wonder why only some sections of a totem pole were painted? It’s because the process to create paint was so labor intensive.

Females would chew and then spit out salmon eggs, which served as a base, not unlike oil-based paint. When mixed with colored powders, paint was created. The four main colors you will see are black from charcoal, red from iron, turquoise from copper oxide and white from shells.

Discover some of the best places to shop, as well as terrific deals in the Princess Port Shopping Guide delivered to your stateroom.

Complete with a map and handy tips, it’s a great way to make the most of your time in port.

Regarding the R2AK (Race to Alaska), it is a challenging annual sail and human-powered boat race that starts in Port Townsend, Washington, and finishes in Ketchikan, Alaska. The race covers roughly 750 nautical miles along the Inside Passage without assistance or support boats. The history of the race began in 2015 and it has grown in popularity as a test of endurance, sailing skill, and self-sufficiency. The finish line is indeed in Ketchikan. Winners and notable participants are celebrated for their navigation prowess and resourcefulness, but detailed yearly winner lists and race histories can be found on the official Race to Alaska website and race archives [I will confirm this detail with a quick targeted search].americancruiselines

Shore Excursions: Passengers will meet at a specific location for each shore excursion departure. Please refer to your tour ticket and the Princess Patter for the correct place and time. Your Shore Excursion staff will be at that location to assist you.

Docking/Anchorage: Your Princess ship docks or anchors within walking distance of downtown Ketchikan.

Proper Attire: During the spring, summer, and fall, dressing in layers is the key to being comfortable. A light shirt, short or long sleeved, makes an excellent first layer. Over that, a sweatshirt, sweater, or fleece pullover will provide warmth. The ideal outer layer is a light waterproof jacket. Layers should be easy to remove depending on weather changes and your activity.

Transportation: Taxis are located pierside and throughout the city. Confirm your fare with driver before leaving. A free shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes from the pier.

Shopping: Ketchikan is home to an impressive array of art galleries, specialty stores and general merchandise purveyors.

Authentic Alaska Native and contemporary art produced by artists who live in Ketchikan and the surrounding area is readily available.

Look for miniature totem carvings, masks, hand-painted drums, rare cedar-bark baskets, paintings, prints, sculptures, jewelry and glass work.

Souvenir shoppers can stock up on prized wild Alaska salmon and seafood offerings, locally roasted coffees, a diverse selection of apparel, accessories and curio items, Alaska themed toys, cameras and other great finds.

Tipping: 15% to 18% is customary. 20% if you had a great meal and outstanding service.

Banks: First Bank is located at 331 Dock Street. Generally open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:30pm.

Wells Fargo Bank is located at 409 Dock Street. Generally open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

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