Ketchikan, AK

Travel Guide
Alaska showing a bay or harbor, a small town or village and landscape views
See the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles and enjoy some of the best sport fishing in the world in this southeastern Alaskan city.

Ketchikan is an important traditional and cultural center in Alaska. Enjoy theater and dance performances year-round. Shop for authentic Alaskan native art, including masks, hand-painted drums and totem carvings.

Some of the oldest totem poles in existence are still standing in Ketchikan. Visit the nation’s largest national forest, covering most of southeastern Alaska. Tour the Tongass Historical Museum, a center that focuses on the cultural history of Ketchikan and its neighboring national forest.

Enter the Tongass National Forest and see bears, eagles and spawning salmon. Hike boardwalk trails and experience Alaska’s scenic beauty. Take a sled dog ride across a glacier. The Tongass National Forest is a vast natural area with numerous recreational activities, including fishing, camping and wildlife viewing.

See preserved 19th-century totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center. Many of these poles were retrieved from unoccupied Haida and Tlingit village sites near Ketchikan. View a mortuary pole, used to honor the dead and store cremated remains.

Visit the Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness. See snowcapped mountains and towering cliffs from a boat tour. This area is known for its beautiful glacial valleys and magnificent waterfalls. Charter a floatplane for an aerial view.

Catch a king silver salmon on a sports fishing charter. Ketchikan offers some of the best fishing in Alaska, with huge runs of migrating salmon from the open ocean into the protected waters. Book a sport fishing charter or rent a skiff and challenge a prized king salmon.

Reach Ketchikan on Revillagigedo Island by air or sea. Many of the lower states are connected to Ketchikan via ferry services. Alternatively, fly to Ketchikan in about 2 hours from Seattle. Take a short ferry ride into town from the Ketchikan International Airport on Gravina Island. Find plenty of choices for accommodations from the available resorts, hotels, lodges and campgrounds.

Try some of the local seafood in Ketchikan, served straight from the icy Pacific Ocean waters.

The Inn at Creek Street
The Inn at Creek Street
2.5 out of 5
133 Stedman Street, Ketchikan, AK
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥21,475 per night from Mar 30 to Mar 31
¥21,475
per night
Mar 30 - Mar 31
Stay at this hotel in Ketchikan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (212 reviews)
"Overall nice place. Very vintage. Stairs only was hard."

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2024

The Inn at Creek Street
The Landing Hotel & Restaurant
The Landing Hotel & Restaurant
3 out of 5
3434 Tongass Ave, Ketchikan, AK
The price is ¥24,214 per night from Mar 30 to Mar 31
¥24,214
per night
Mar 30 - Mar 31
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ketchikan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (388 reviews)
"A coupon for breakfast the next day was a plus."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

The Landing Hotel & Restaurant
I want to stay by the OCEAN
I want to stay by the OCEAN
Ketchikan
Stay at this vacation home in Ketchikan. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a patio. Popular attractions Totem Bight State Park and Mariah Charters are located ...
I want to stay by the OCEAN
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
New, opened April 2023, water view, eagle view, covered deck.
New, opened April 2023, water view, eagle view, covered deck.
Ketchikan
Stay at this apartment in Ketchikan. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and barbecue grills. Popular attractions Port of Ketchikan and Misty Fiords National Monument ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
Cute 1 bedroom
"We loved the location to the Gateway Aquatic Center. Very nice accommodations & a comfortable stay overall. The only thing I would nit-pick is that the cupboard with the glasses & coffee cups had a layer of something powdery under them."

Reviewed on Feb 22, 2024

New, opened April 2023, water view, eagle view, covered deck.
Salmon Run Vacation Rental!
Salmon Run Vacation Rental!
Ketchikan
Stay at this beach vacation home in Ketchikan. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Port of Ketchikan and Alaska Rainforest ...
10/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
Perfect House In Ketchikan
"We stayed 4 nights at this beautiful home on the water. The hosts were wonderful to work with and so accommodating. The home had everything we needed for our stay. I would highly recommend this home."

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2023

Salmon Run Vacation Rental!
I want to stay by the OCEAN
I want to stay by the OCEAN
Ketchikan
Stay at this vacation home in Ketchikan. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a patio. Popular attractions Totem Bight State Park and Mariah Charters are located ...
I want to stay by the OCEAN
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Ketchikan

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
48
" "5 - Excellent 53.93258426966292%
4 - Good
32
" "4 - Good 35.95505617977528%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 10.112359550561798%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Feb 19, 2020

We were in town for a state swim meet in the tourist off season which made for a pretty quiet visit. Most of the shops are closed this time of year.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Feb 18, 2020

Place is a ghost town in the winter - but overall very beautiful

5/5 - Excellent

K
Feb 13, 2020

It's a nice town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 19, 2019

Such a cool place. So pretty!! An Bald Eagles like pigeons. Lol

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 2, 2019

Ketchikan is a beautiful place with plenty of hiking trails and scenery. It is an amazing place to visit to recharge your mind and cleanse your soul. The people are nice and friendly and the food is delicious. I will be back again very soon.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Nov 12, 2019

WELL, IT IS NOVEMBER, AND RAINY AND STORMY, BUT WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FOR ALASKA IN NOV.