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Creek Street has several galleries where you can pick up an original piece, whether it’s a small, hand-carved totem pole, a beautiful painting or photograph, or a hand-woven cedar bark basket. There are multiple jewelry shops, many of them selling pretty silver earrings and necklaces made with blue mother-of-pearl or items made from locally sourced jade. During the summer months (May to September), free shuttles run between the port terminals and various key locations in downtown Ketchikan. The local bus service through town runs year-round, stopping at popular destinations including Saxman Park, Totem Bight, and Ward Cove.
Pro Tips for Ward Cove
Ketchikan City Council increases cruise ship head tax, adds pot stores - Must Read Alaska
Ketchikan City Council increases cruise ship head tax, adds pot stores.
Posted: Tue, 11 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Four of the ports are within easy walking distance of downtown and Historic Creek Street, making Ketchikan a very walkable city. Ward Cove project's "Phase 1" is expected to cost ~USD 50 million, with scheduled completion in 2020. The project's "Phase 2" includes the building of a passenger terminal and tourist center.
Your NCL Cruise to Alaska: 5 Pro Tips for Ward Cove (Ketchikan)
Passengers can visit Totem Bight State Historical Park or Saxman Native Village, where they can see these impressive carvings up close and learn about the stories and traditions behind them. Princess Cruise often offers guided tours led by knowledgeable local guides who provide fascinating insights into the rich Native American history of the region. There’s lot of coverage to popular destinations, including Ward Cove, Totem Bight, and Saxman Park.
Ketchikan – Alaska
That designation allows the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up contaminants and manage the area in the long term. Binkley joked he mostly just wanted to get the bathrooms of the welcome center finished in time. One popular choice is Celebrity Cruises, which offers fantastic itineraries that include stops in Ketchikan.
Driving through a rainforest will likely involve precipitation, so these tours provide raincoats and helmets. An adult must accompany children under 18, and drivers must show a valid driver’s license. Once you arrive at Lake Harriet Hunt, you’ll climb aboard a Native American-style 20-person canoe.
Best Things to Do in Sitka, Alaska on a Cruise
If you opt for the extended excursion, you’ll land either a remote mountain lake or saltwater inlet and get a more intimate view of the unique landscape. Should you want to try your luck at catching one, sell fishing licenses, and rent gear for the day. At the end of Creek Street, the Stedman Bridge provides a good spot to cast your line. The tour is wheelchair accessible and provides comfortable stadium seating with overhead heaters. On the popular Bering Sea Excursion, you’ll hold Dungeness Crab and listen to the treacherous stories of making a living in the Bering Sea. Here, you can immerse yourself in the culture of the native ways and learn how they preserve their heritage through their carvings.
The downtown shuttle is free and with 15 minutes intervals will pass by all cruise berths. You could encounter sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles, whales, and porpoises. The tour guides are very knowledgeable, and you’ll learn much about Ketchikan’s marine life. You’ll learn about its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, vibrant native cultures, and history. For just USD 5, you can explore 20,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and participate in ranger talks on salmon, bears, and geology.
Totem Bight State Park
Fares are cheap (just $1) for bus service, and two free shuttles run from May to September between the cruise ship docks and key downtown locations. In this post, I share the best things to do in Ketchikan, Alaska on a cruise, including shore excursions as well as inexpensive or free activities. I’ve also included the information you’ll need to know about visiting the Ketchikan cruise port for the day and answered some common questions. Ketchikan offers 4 cruise dock which are all located in front of the center of town. From here you simply cross the street and you are in the historical part of town.
Skagway Bald Eagle Preserve and Rafting Tour
For passengers who prefer to explore the city independently, the dock’s central location makes it easy to venture out and discover Ketchikan’s unique offerings. The surrounding area is home to numerous art galleries, museums, and historical landmarks, allowing visitors to delve into the rich culture and history of the region. For those seeking adventure and wildlife encounters, Princess Cruise offers numerous excursions in Ketchikan. Passengers can embark on a thrilling wildlife-watching expedition, where they may spot eagles soaring overhead, bears fishing for salmon, or whales breaching in the nearby waters. Fishing enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to try their hand at salmon fishing, guided by knowledgeable experts who will share their tips and tricks for a successful catch. One of the highlights of a Princess Cruise in Ketchikan is the chance to explore the city’s renowned totem poles.
It’s also on Front Street, next to the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, so be sure to stop by and learn more about the local history through art! Then, drop-by the Visitors Bureau to grab a map and some tourist brochures. Right off the boat, take a short walk to The Rock, welcoming seafaring visitors to Ketchikan. Whenever your ship docks, stop by the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau on the pier at Berth 2 to get maps, brochures, and other tourist information. 👉 The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ketchikan, Alaska. Dolly’s House Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in historic things to do in Ketchikan from a cruise ship.
All told, this wild area covers 2.2 million acres; it was proclaimed a national monument by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Once you’ve visited Creek Street, you’ll realize how frequently its image is used to symbolize traditional Alaska. Read on to check out a list of fourteen fun things to do in this northern destination.
Then, on August 12, the first round of paying passengers stepped off the Norwegian Encore. Take the chance to immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage by visiting the Totem Heritage Center or witnessing the breathtaking beauty of Misty Fjords National Monument. This ensures a smooth experience when managing their finances while docked at the Ketchikan Alaska Cruise Port. If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, head to Pioneer Cafe, where you can indulge in mouthwatering omelets, scrambles, and pancakes. If water-based activities are more your style, take advantage of options like kayaking or paddleboarding. With your beach pass, you can enjoy sunbathing, picnicking, or strolling along the shoreline while taking in the scenic surroundings.
If you choose not to purchase a tour in Ketchikan, you can do a self-guided walking tour and enjoy some retail shopping. The town of Ketchikan is relatively compact and easy to navigate on foot. If you enjoy gin and vodka, stop by the Uncharted Alaska Distillery a block away from the downtown cruise docks. They offer free tasting and create tasty custom drinks for purchase (try the “Bees Knees”). Alaska Firearms Adventures is only a few minutes from the cruise ship docks. Certain packages require firearms experience and proof of hunter’s safety course completion.
Wildlife is abundant here, so keep your eye out for moose, deer, bears, and lots of eagles. Downtown Ketchikan can be tricky for biking when there are a lot of tourists, but locations like the Saxman Totem Park are a short 3-mile bike ride, mostly on a dedicated bike path. Packing a quality raincoat or poncho is an excellent idea for most Alaskan port towns, including Juneau, Skagway and especially Ketchikan. However, you might hear some funny word usage from locals, including “outside” (anywhere but Alaska) and “the bush” (interior of Alaska accessible only by plane). If you tried to imagine an ideal Alaskan town, it would look just like Ketchikan.
👉 On the Ketchikan Duck Tour, you’ll cruise through Tongass Narrows on a state-of-the-art amphibian vehicle that can go on land and water. Hop aboard the Aleutian Ballad, the same vessel featured on the Discovery Channel’s hit show ‘Deadliest Catch,’ and explore its tranquil waterways with a seasoned crew. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state and has been featured on television shows and in magazines around the world. Nathan Jackson, the world’s most renowned Tlingit carver (the world’s most famous totem pole carver), does his carvings in Saxman. The forest is home to a variety of plant and animal life, as well as a variety of scenic landscapes.
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