Ketchikan Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Ketchikan tours and things to do in Alaska’s Inside Passage: see the world’s largest collection of totem poles, fly over the dramatic granite cliffs of Misty Fjords, watch bears, eagles and whales, stroll the historic boardwalk of Creek Street, and cheer at the lumberjack show. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Ketchikan by interest
Whatever brings you to Ketchikan — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Ketchikan
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Totem Poles
Native heritage.
Misty Fjords
Granite cliffs.
Bears & Salmon
Wildlife safari.
Creek Street
Historic boardwalk.
Floatplane
Flightseeing.
Lumberjack Show
Frontier contests.
Waterfront
Harbour town.
Fjord Cliffs
Sheer granite walls.
By air/boat awayMisty Fjords
Granite cliffs.
Town awayTotem Poles
Native heritage.
Region awayWildlife Safari
Bears & whales.
Town awayCreek Street
Historic boardwalk.
By air awayFlightseeing
Floatplane flight.
Town awayLumberjack Show
Frontier fun.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Ketchikan visitor asks before booking.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Peak season — long days, wildlife and cruises.
Spring (Apr–May)
Quieter and green, with fewer crowds.
Autumn (Sep)
Cooler and calmer at the end of the season.
Winter (Oct–Mar)
Very quiet, with limited tours.
For bears
July and August, when salmon run.
Best overall
June to August for the fullest experience.
One day
Totems, Creek Street and wildlife.
Two days
Add a Misty Fjords flightseeing tour.
Three days
Add fishing and more wildlife trips.
For scenery
A Misty Fjords cruise or flight.
For wildlife
A bear and whale safari.
For culture
The totem parks and heritage centre.
On foot
The waterfront and Creek Street are walkable.
By boat
Tours reach Misty Fjords and wildlife spots.
By floatplane
Flightseeing tours soar over the fjords.
Tours & transfers
Tours reach the totem parks and beyond.
Where to stay
Stay near the waterfront and Creek Street.
US dollar
The US uses the dollar; cards widely accepted.
Totem parks
Learn the stories behind each totem.
Misty Fjords
Book a clear-weather day if you can.
Wildlife
Bring a zoom lens and binoculars.
Creek Street
Watch for salmon running in season.
Rain gear
Ketchikan is very rainy — pack waterproofs.
Lumberjack show
Great fun for families in the afternoon.
Flightseeing
Floatplane tours fill up — book ahead.
Misty Fjords cruises
Fjord tours fill up — reserve early.
Wildlife safaris
Wildlife tours fill up — book ahead.
Totem tours
Totem tours fill up — reserve early.
Lumberjack show
Show tickets fill up — book ahead.
Cruise days
When ships are in, tours sell out — book well ahead.
Totem tour
Around $75–120 for a totem tour.
Misty Fjords cruise
About $75–150 for a fjord cruise.
Wildlife safari
Roughly $88–140 for a wildlife tour.
Flightseeing
Around $119–250 for a floatplane flight.
Lumberjack show
About $45–90 for a lumberjack show.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
Ketchikan through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Wildlife & cruises.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak.
- Best for
- Fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Green.
- Best for
- Calm end.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cooler.
- Best for
- Quiet town.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Limited.