Ketchikan is never boring. You may choose to come for the fishing, but you will not be disappointed in the abundance of opportunities our little town has to offer. Though we are a relatively small community, Ketchikan has a lot of visitor infrastructure on the island for as remote of an area as we live. Some of the non-fishing experiences Ketchikan has to offer are:
Hiking Trails: Ketchikan has some fantastic trails throughout the region that meander around creeks and through the Tongass. Traversing just a few short miles up the Perseverance Trail leads to a spectacular, unpopulated mountain lake.
Sea Kayaking: The channels and smaller islands around our island provide the perfect playground to paddle around. There are several local outfitters equipped to rent or book you on a sea kayak tour where you can see sea lions and seals and maybe the occasional whale.
Misty Fiords National Monument & Flight Seeing: The Misty Fiords National Monument is truly a spectacular sight. One of the finest ways to see the Mistys is by chartering a float plane. Most operators will tour you through and over the steep cliffs and even land you on a pristine and epically remote mountain lake. The Mistys are awe-inspiring and worth seeing at least once.
Arts: Ketchikan has a thriving arts & culture scene, which is honed during our winter months. Artists show off their wares in stores and galleries throughout town and at a few of the festivals in the summer–like the Blueberry Arts Fair.
Shopping: Ketchikan has a wealth of locally-owned boutiques all within walking distance of each other. Many of these stores sell Alaskan-made goods, many of which are made right here in town.
Alaska Native Culture: Ketchikan sits on the historic lands of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. We are honored to display historic and cultural totems throughout town and in the Village of Saxman and Totem Bight State Park. Interpretive history about these totems can be found at the Totem Heritage Center with poles dating back hundreds of years.
Museums and More: Ketchikan is home to the Ketchikan Historic Museum and the National Forest Service Discover Center. Both offer fun, interpretive information regarding Ketchikan as a place and as a people.
Ketchikan truly does have a lot to offer every type of traveler. While remote, we do have the amenities needed to make your stay comfortable. In fact, you are almost guaranteed to have cell service in most places in town.
It’s clear why we have decided to stay and operate in Ketchikan. The fishing, the scenery, the people and the culture are all what makes this place great, what keeps us here, and what makes us want to share this magical place with travelers like you.
