Getting to & Exploring Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan is the gateway to Misty Fjords — the town where every floatplane and boat into the monument departs — but it’s a worthwhile destination in its own right. Known as Alaska’s “First City” because it’s the first port ships reach heading north, it clings to a steep, rainforest-draped shoreline packed with totem poles, salmon streams, and boardwalk history. This guide covers how to get there and what to do with the rest of your day. To see the monument itself, start with the featured Misty Fjords floatplane tour.

Getting to Ketchikan

Ketchikan sits on Revillagigedo Island in Southeast Alaska, with no road connection to the outside world — you arrive by sea or air, just like Misty Fjords:

By cruise ship. The most common way. Ketchikan is a standard stop on Inside Passage itineraries, and most ships dock right downtown; some (notably Norwegian) use Ward Cove, about 20 minutes out, with a shuttle into town.
By air. Ketchikan International Airport sits on Gravina Island, across the narrows from downtown, connected by a short ferry ride.
By Alaska Marine Highway ferry. The state ferry system links Ketchikan with other Southeast towns and Bellingham, Washington.

The Tongass Rainforest Setting

Ketchikan is wrapped in the Tongass National Forest, a 17-million-acre temperate rainforest — the largest in the country. That’s why it rains so much, and it’s also why the area is a hub for eco-tours: rainforest hikes, salmon streams, and waterfalls are all minutes from town. A guided walk in the old-growth forest is one of the best weatherproof options if a flight is delayed; you can browse rainforest and nature options on our Ketchikan tours page.

Totem Poles: The Cultural Heart

Ketchikan holds one of the world’s great concentrations of totem poles, carved by the Tlingit and Haida peoples. The main places to see them:

Site	Distance from town	Highlight
Totem Heritage Center	In town	Around 16 original 19th-century poles — one of the largest collections anywhere
Saxman Native Village	≈2.5 miles	About 25 poles; home of the Tlingit Saanya Kwaan community
Totem Bight State Historical Park	≈10 miles	10 poles and a re-created clan house in a forest setting

A totem-and-city tour is an easy, weatherproof way to take these in — see the totem, wildlife, and city options on our Ketchikan tours page.

Creek Street

Creek Street is Ketchikan’s most photographed spot — a boardwalk of colorful houses built on stilts over Ketchikan Creek, a short walk from the cruise berths. It’s free to wander, historically it was the town’s red-light district, and in season you can watch salmon run up the creek below the boardwalk. It’s the perfect low-effort thing to do before or after a flight.

More Ketchikan Adventures

Beyond the fjords and the totems, Ketchikan rewards a full day. Popular options include:

Alaska Native culture and scenic shore excursions — carved totems and Tlingit heritage close to the dock.
Tongass rainforest experiences — guided old-growth walks and nature viewing.
A Dungeness crab feast — a boat ride out to a historic waterfront lodge for an all-you-can-eat seafood lunch.
The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show — a family-friendly nod to the town’s timber past.

You can compare and book several of these on our Ketchikan tours page, which pairs well with a morning Misty Fjords flight.

Planning Your Day Around the Flight

Because a Misty Fjords floatplane tour is short (about two hours) and weather-dependent, a smart plan is to fly in the morning and keep the afternoon for town — Creek Street, a totem park, or a rainforest walk. If the flight is delayed or scrubbed by weather, you’ve got a full, weatherproof afternoon as a natural backup. Our cruise-passenger guide and weather guide go deeper on timing.

Ready to Book?

The featured Misty Fjords floatplane tour is the top-rated way to see the monument from Ketchikan — a one-hour flight with a guaranteed window seat, live pilot commentary, and free cancellation. Check availability on the homepage, then build the rest of your Ketchikan day around it.