Ketchikan welcomes you with rain in the air and stories in the trees. Tucked between the Tongass National Forest and the Inside Passage, this small Alaskan city feels like it was built to slow you down. Waterfalls spill from misty cliffs, totem poles stand watchful in the forest, and the air is thick with salt, cedar, and history. I remember thinking, "Everything here is alive with meaning—it just asks you to listen." Whether it was a hike into the hills or a quiet moment watching salmon run, Ketchikan moved at its own rhythm, and somehow, I found myself moving with it.
Best Things to Do in Ketchikan, AK
Kayak, Cruise, and Marvel at Towering Cliffs in Misty Fjords National Monument
The flight into Misty Fjords felt like slipping into a dream. Towering granite cliffs rose out of deep green waters, waterfalls ribboned down their sides, and clouds draped the mountains like soft veils. I remember thinking, “This isn’t just remote—it’s sacred.” The quiet was complete, and for a while, the floatplane was the only sound in the world.
What I Loved Most: The sense of scale. Everything felt massive, untouched, humbling.
My highlight? Back on land, I had fresh halibut tacos at Annabelle’s Famous Keg & Chowder House—perfectly crisp, with creamy slaw and a dash of local spice.
- How to Get There: Floatplane or boat tour from downtown Ketchikan
- Vibe: Majestic, remote, surreal
- Best Time to Visit: Late May to early September
- Cost: Tours start around $250 per person
- Duration: Half-day to full-day
Walk Through Lush Forests and Spot Wildlife at Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary
Walking through the rainforest sanctuary, I was struck by how alive everything felt. Moss blanketed trees like velvet. Salmon darted through crystal-clear streams. Eagles circled overhead. I remember thinking, “This is what wild looks like when it’s left to be itself.” The air smelled of cedar and saltwater.
What I Loved Most: Watching a black bear fish just yards away, from the safety of a raised boardwalk.
My highlight? A warm cup of coffee and salmon spread crackers afterward, eaten slowly at the visitor lodge as rain softly tapped the roof.
- Location: 8 miles south of Ketchikan
- Vibe: Lush, wild, immersive
- Best Time to Visit: July to September for peak salmon runs
- Cost: ~$89–139 per guided tour
- Duration: ~2.5 hours
Learn About Alaska’s Wild Lands and Cultures at the Discovery Center
Inside the Discovery Center, I felt like I was stepping into the soul of Southeast Alaska—its forests, cultures, wildlife, and stories. Interactive displays brought the Tongass alive. I remember thinking, “Every raindrop here carries a history.” It deepened my appreciation for what I was seeing outside.
What I Loved Most: The life-size Native longhouse and the recreated forest path—beautiful and educational.
My highlight? Lunch at Sweet Mermaids Café across the street—grilled cheese with smoked salmon and dill, plus a hot chai latte.
- Location: 50 Main St, Ketchikan, AK
- Vibe: Educational, thoughtful, inspiring
- Best Time to Visit: Open year-round, but summer hours longer
- Cost: ~$5 adults, kids under 16 free
- Hours: Tues–Sat, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (seasonal)
Explore Stunning Totem Poles and Native Art at Totem Bight State Park
Totem Bight felt timeless. The totems, with their quiet faces and bold carvings, told stories older than memory. I walked the soft forest trail in a hushed awe. I remember thinking, “These poles are more than art—they're ancestors speaking.” The setting by the water only added to the serenity.
What I Loved Most: Standing inside the clan house replica, imagining the generations who gathered there.
My highlight? A midmorning stop at Raven’s Brew Coffee after—an espresso so strong and dark it matched the totems.
- Location: 10 miles north of downtown Ketchikan
- Vibe: Historic, cultural, reflective
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through fall
- Cost: Free (self-guided), donations welcome
- Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk
Hike, Fish, and Roam the Largest Temperate Rainforest at Tongass National Forest
The Tongass is the kind of place that rewrites your definition of “forest.” Everything here is oversized—ferns, trees, silence. I wandered slowly, not even trying to rush. I remember thinking, “This place asks nothing but attention.” Every step was a meditation in green.
What I Loved Most: The smell of cedar and the feeling that I was completely, blissfully alone.
My highlight? A thermos of hot soup and crusty bread I brought with me, eaten at a mossy overlook as mist drifted between trees.
- Access: Multiple entry points near Ketchikan
- Vibe: Ancient, quiet, verdant
- Best Time to Visit: June–September
- Cost: Free (unless booking a guided excursion)
- Tips: Dress for sudden rain, and bring bug spray
Challenge Yourself with Sweeping Summit Views on the Deer Mountain Trail
Deer Mountain is a climb that earns every view. The trail starts right near town, but quickly becomes a misty stairway into the clouds. I remember thinking, “Each step is lifting me away from the noise.” The summit, when I reached it, gave me all of Ketchikan and more.
What I Loved Most: The dramatic change in terrain—from rainforest to alpine views in just a few hours.
My highlight? A bagel and cream cheese from Pilothouse Coffee, eaten on the descent as fog curled around the trees.
- Trailhead: Ketchikan Lakes Rd, near town
- Vibe: Challenging, rewarding, panoramic
- Distance: 6.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: ~3,000 feet
- Best Time to Visit: July–early September
Why Ketchikan Stays With You
Ketchikan is more than a cruise port or a postcard—it’s a feeling. The way the fog clings to the water. The way a raven sounds different here. It’s in the quiet strength of the forest, the deep traditions behind every carved pole, and the way locals share their home with warmth and pride. I left with a camera full of photos and a heart full of stillness. And I knew I’d carry that quiet with me, long after the plane took off.
More to Explore in Alaska
Jump to a Spot...
- • Kayak, Cruise, and Marvel at Towering Cliffs in Misty Fjords National Monument
- • Walk Through Lush Forests and Spot Wildlife at Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary
- • Learn About Alaska’s Wild Lands and Cultures at the Discovery Center
- • Explore Stunning Totem Poles and Native Art at Totem Bight State Park
- • Hike, Fish, and Roam the Largest Temperate Rainforest at Tongass National Forest
- • Challenge Yourself with Sweeping Summit Views on the Deer Mountain Trail