Ketchikan, Alaska- A Place for Family Fun and Unexpected Adventures
Is your cruise ship docking in Ketchikan, Alaska? Excursions through the cruise line can be so expensive, instead take my self-guided (AND inexpensive!) tour of the port! Read along to see my recommendations for how to spend an afternoon in the rain capital of the United States!
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King Crab in Ketchikan
National Parks System in Ketchikan
Getting to Ketchikan by Cruise Ship
The port of Ketchikan has 5 cruise ship berths. They are named, Berths 1-4 and the fifth is named Ward Cove. Berths 1-4 run in a row along the shore, with Berth 2 being near the Ketchikan Liquid Sunshine Gauge. Ward Cove is used almost exclusively by the NCL cruise line and is quite a distance away from the downtown area.
Read all about the NCL Bliss:
Cruising with Kids on the NCL Bliss
Ship tour of the NCL Bliss
Complimentary Restaurants on the Bliss
Specialty Restaurants on the Bliss
If you are going to dock in Ward Cove you will be let off the ship into a huge indoor marketplace. Walking all the way through the space will get you to the line for the FREE shuttle bus. The shuttles are actually large buses that will take you on the 30 minute journey to downtown Ketchikan. The current year’s info for the shuttles can be found here. To return to your cruise ship, you will queue at the drop-off point. Remember to give yourself plenty of time to wait in line when planning your return to your ship!
Downtown Ketchikan
Once downtown, you will find yourself amongst more souvenir shops. There are plenty of shops throughout the town. I would recommend waiting until you are returning to the ship to buy that t-shirt so you don’t have to drag it everywhere with you!
Continuing past the shops, you will probably want to head to the famous Creek Street. We used Google Maps, but you can also find a map once in the city.
Creek Street, Ketchikan, Alaska
Attractions on Creek Street
The Salmon Ladder
The walk to Creek Street from the shuttle point or the berths is about 15 minutes. If you are in Ketchikan during the months of July or August then crowds will be forming to watch the salmon spawning near the famous salmon ladder. If you cruise during the offseason like I did, then you will just have views of the lovely creek.
The Cape Fox Funicular
Newly reopened during the 2025 season, the Cape Fox Funicular takes you 130 feet up to Cape Fox and the Cape Fox Lodge. At my last search, it cost a low $2.50 per person.
Dolly’s House
Not familiar with Dolly’s House in Ketchikan? I’ll allow you to do your own research (hint, the tour might not be for the kiddos!) You can get a synopsis from Alaska.Org. Tours run $10 per person, daily during cruise season.
Finding Lunch in Ketchikan
If you truly want to stick to a low-cost day during your time in port, then eating back on the cruise ship is your best plan. If you are docked in the Berths near downtown, take a nice early afternoon break once the shops start to get more crowded and grab a meal on the near empty ship.
However, if you are arriving via NCL and docked further away in Ward Cove, I suggest eating a large breakfast, touring Ketchikan and returning to the ship for an early dinner.
If neither of those options sound like a plan and you would rather test out the local cuisine, then I suggest a stop at The Krabby Crab Shack on Main Street.
This small restaurant is just off the beaten path of t-shirt shops. We happened upon it right at opening (as of publishing, hours are unposted online) and were able to be seated right away. We ordered a crab leg to share and waited maybe 20 minutes for fresh food!
Alaskan King Crab is never going to be a part of a low-spend day, but if you are a seafood fan it is a must try while in the state! The current menu is posted in the window of the restaurant, so if the splurge is too much you can decide to leave before you are seated. Current market prices are around $90 for a leg.
Hungry on a budget? Click the link below for Trip Advisor’s top choices:
Best Budget Restaurants in Ketchikan
Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
Going back to our low-spend theme, next check out the National Parks’ Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. This museum is FREE for kids 15 and under with the admission of an adult- and adult admission is only $5!!! Plus, if you have an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass, admission is completely free.
This was the highlight of my 6 year old’s day in Ketchikan. (Plus, they have great bathrooms, a must when traveling with the kids!) Upon entry, the Ranger gave my little one the Junior Ranger booklet and off he went to explore the museum and answer the questions. The Visitor Center/museum is also an Agents of Discovery location. Agents of Discovery is a mobile game that gets kids learning and involved when exploring the world. No affiliation.
The museum has displays about the Native people of Ketchikan as well as the rainforest. Documentary films about the region are also shown throughout the day.
In total, we probably spent about 30 minutes exploring the museum and finishing the Junior Ranger badge. If you’ve never participated in this program before, it ends with your child taking a pledge to uphold nature and receiving a badge and certificate. It is *FREE* and a great activity.
The Visitor Center/Museum is open daily, May 1-September 30 from 9-5. It is closed on all federal holidays.
The Rock
At some point during your day in Ketchikan, you will stumble upon this statue:
The statue represents the different people who founded ‘Alaska’s First City’ of Ketchikan. For more information, you can continue to the Ketchikan Story Project.
Weather in Ketchikan
They don’t have a Liquid Sunshine Gauge downtown for nothing-Ketchikan is known for its precipitation and my day in port was no different. Plan ahead and wear water proof shoes, pants and a jacket to fully enjoy your Alaskan experience. I’ve highlighted some of my favorite items in my Sitka post.
There you have it- how my family of 5 spent less than $100 enjoying the port of Ketchikan! (Note: We had the America the Beautiful Pass)
Looking to splurge instead? Check out this fun tour available on Expedia! Spend 2.5 hours touring Ketchikan in a 1967 VW Bus! (I have not been on this tour, nor can vouge for the quality. However it does have great reviews….and its a ’67 VW in Alaska….so I’m intrigued! Comment if you’ve ever done a tour like this!
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