(c) Matt Hage. All rights reserved.
Step off your cruise ship in Ketchikan and choose your itinerary highlights! Select the attractions of most interest to you and our Travel Designers will create the ideal Ketchikan day trip, customized just for you! Alaska’s ‘first city’ is also the salmon capital of the world. Located on the western coast of Revillagigedo Island, Ketchikan is famous for its strong native heritage, timber industry, and robust fishing history.
Meet your private professional naturalist driver/guide and set off on your tailor-made Ketchikan adventures.
Stroll through a Rainforest Sanctuary in Alaska
A delightful eight mile coastal drive from downtown Ketchikan brings you to the exclusive Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, a private reserve located in the forested mountains at rustic Herring Cove. This pristine natural environment is home to bald eagles, black bear, seals, a variety of birds, and other species attracted by the major salmon runs in the abundant marine estuary. In addition to wildlife viewing opportunities, you may have the opportunity to see and photograph live eagles up close and observe a master native totem pole carver at work.
Don’t Miss the Great Alaska Lumberjack Show
Hardy lumberjacks bring to life Alaska’s colorful timber history with an action packed competition in a covered and heated arena. Cheer on your team of World Champion lumberjacks in events such as chopping, sawing, log rolling, speed climbing, and more.
Visit Totem Bight State Historical Park
Established in 1938, this park was created to recover and restore native villages and totem poles overgrown by forests and eroded by weather. The U.S. Forest Service hired skilled carvers among elder Tlingit and Haida Indians who have passed their art forms on to younger generations. A model Native Village, and 15 totem poles were erected and stand today.
Visit Potlatch Totem Park
Potlatch Totem Park is located on historic Tlingit Native fishing grounds along the shores of the Tongass Narrows. View multiple houses, totem poles, and panels while appreciating the beauty of smoothly carved wood and hearing the legends behind the designs. Much of the carving at Potlatch Totem Park was completed by Brita Alander, one of the world’s most gifted female carvers.
Explore the Totem Heritage Center
The Totem Heritage Center houses the largest collection of unrestored 19th century totem poles. Many of which were rescued from uninhabited nearby Tlingit and Haida villages. The center also displays baskets, masks, regalia, carvings, and old photographs of the villages where the poles were recovered.
Stroll Through Saxman Native Village
This Tlingit village, located just a few miles from downtown Ketchikan, is home to the largest collection of standing totem poles. Established in 1894 the village is still home to an active Tlingit community and features a Clan House, Carving Shed, and several totem poles, each hand-carved and telling its own unique story.
Dine at George Inlet Lodge
Set in a remote location in the middle of the Tongass National Rainforest, George Inlet Lodge offers a delicious dining experience in a rustic, yet elegant setting. Start your meal with homemade Asian salad, then fill up on steaming hot Dungeness Crab. After you’ve gone back for seconds, round out your meal with a slice of delicious, smooth cheesecake, smothered in Alaskan blueberries.
Take a Stroll Through Dolly’s House Museum
Take a step back into Ketchikan’s colorful past at Dolly’s House Museum. Dolly’s House is filled with antiques, old photographs, secret caches, and a video history of Creek Street’s most famous madam, Dolly Arthur.
(c) Matt Hage. All rights reserved.
Tell us what interests you most about this itinerary and any changes you might like to see, including change in duration, activities, etc. We will personalize your activities, accommodations and destinations to your specifications, research availability, and get back to you with options for a fully-customized itinerary and associated costs.
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Booked a transfer from Seward to Anchorage for 25 guests at the end of their cruise. They were very pleased with the service and especially Rose their driver. I worked with Rhiannon to plan this and her service was exceptional. I will recommend them and use them again.
Steve Hayes