Ketchikan, Alaska
(Read the LogBlog entries from Ketchikan)
Ketchikan, once a rough town full of canneries, sawmills, miners and loggers, used to boast that its Creek Street had the largest red light district west of the Mississippi. The city and Creek District now thrive on tourism, fishing and government. During the summer, the harbor buzzes with cruise ships, ferries, fishing boats, groups of kayakers, and float planes taking off.
Native art and culture flourishes in Ketchikan due to the large population of native Alaskans. The three indigenous Pacific Northwest Indian tribes are the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian who considered the areas throughout Northern British Columbia and Southeast Alaska their territory. Ketchikan is home to the world's largest collection of totem poles, timeless monuments in cedar from the first Alaskans.
Things to See & Do
Misty Fiords National Monument
Magnificent Misty Fiords National Monument is a pristine masterpiece, and was a top highlight of the Grand Tour. The fjords were created by massive glacier action in the ice-rimmed wilderness. Here is one of the country's greatest treasures and some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery. Its 2.3 million acres include soaring cliffs, sawtooth ridges shrouded in mists, sky-blue lakes, hanging valleys, countless waterfalls, bottomless saltwater fjords, and miles of glaciers. And the monument is home to a multitude of wildlife.
Misty Fjords' roadless location is accessed only by floatplane or boat from Ketchikan. During the Grand Tour, we were graciously hosted on a five-hour tour by Goldbelt Tours. Cruise passengers can see old pictographs (native rock art) painted along the walls within the monument, drink from fjord waterfalls, enjoy relaxed cruising while watching for shoreside wildlife, and see famous New Eddystone Rock, a picturesque volcanic core. Absorb the serenity and astonishing beauty.
Fishing
Huge runs of salmon migrate from the open ocean, around Prince of Wales Island, and into the protected waters of the Inside Passage near Ketchikan. The abundance of fish and the eventual construction of salmon canneries is why Ketchikan is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World."
This region of Alaska is particularly noted for its strong runs of trophy-size fish, including king (Chinook), silver (Coho), red (sockeye), pink (humpy), and chum (dog) salmon. The finest salt-water fishing for giant halibut, red snapper, ling cod and rock cod is also available. Numerous wilderness lakes and streams provide incredible fishing for steelhead, Dolly Varden, grayling, rainbow and cutthroat trout.
Ketchikan and neighboring Prince of Wales Island offer an outstanding variety of fishing experiences, and there are many charter companies who can take you fishing. During the Grand Tour, participants enjoyed the services of Ketchikan Charter Boats, a total service company that can assist you in every aspect of your fishing or sightseeing charter. For more information, call 800-272-7291, or visit their web site, www.ketchikancharterboats.com.
Ketchikan Walking Tour
Pick up a map at the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau's, located at 131 Front Street, visitor information center and follow the numbered signs posted along the route to learn about the history and culture of our community. Several popular attractions are located along the route, which starts downtown, including local museums, Creek Street, native cultural attractions, as well as plenty of shopping and restaurants. The route can be walked in as little as 60 minutes, but plan extra time to appreciate the sights and for entering attractions along the way.
Totem Poles
Throughout Ketchikan, totems are on display at public parks and even local residences. Several local art galleries specialize in authentic Alaska native art, from miniature totems and hand woven basketry, to carved silver, fabric art and original drawings and paintings. In a beautiful cove eight miles north of Ketchikan is Totem Bight State Park, where an historic collection of totems and a native community house can be visited. Ketchikan's Totem Heritage Center displays a large collection of original poles retrieved from abandoned village sites and hosts classes teaching traditional art forms like weaving and regalia making. The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center houses contemporary poles, examples of native basketry and other crafts and a traditional Native fish camp exhibit.
Around Town
The heart of downtown is Ketchikan Creek, where the earliest visitors, Tlingit natives, set up summer fish camps along its shores. Ketchikan Creek's shoreline bends and curves past Creek Street, a pedestrian thoroughfare consisting of wooden boardwalks. During prohibition and in later years, buildings on the street housed several bordellos. Today, restaurants, galleries and gift shops are popular stops for visitors. A funicular tram glides up the hillside offering a birds-eye view of the downtown area and arrives in the lobby of the Cape Fox Lodge Hotel and its impressive display of Alaskan Native artifacts.
Dolly's House Museum
Located on Creek Street, the museum provides a glimpse at the life of a working girl back when the Creek's "red light district" was in full swing. Furnishings, clothing and special features in the house capture the spirit of the Creek.
Marina Info
Marina Supervisor: Chris Brewton
Phone number: 907.228.5637
Harbor Channel: VHF 16 or 73
Facilities:
There are three possible moorages in Ketchikan, Thomas Basin, Casey Moran (formerly City Float) and Bar Harbor.
Bar Harbor
Power: available
Water: available
Laundry/Shower: available
Thomas Basin and Casey Moran
Gas: three fuel docks south of town, north of Coast Guard offices. Propane at White Pass Alaska, one mile south of town.
Power: available
Water: available
Waste Disposal: waste oil tanks, garbage dumpster
Groceries: two markets on the south end of town. Alaskan & Proud to Be will deliver you and groceries to the harbor.
Other facilities: espresso at Coffee Connection 521 Water Street - just above Casey Moran
|
 |
> GRAND TOUR HOME
> ROUTE MAP
> LOG BLOG
> DESTINATIONS
- Poets Cove
- Nanaimo
- Pender Harbour
- Prideaux Haven
- Shoal Bay
- Lagoon Cove
- Sullivan Bay
- Duncanby Landing
- Shearwater
- Khutze Inlet
- Klewnuggit Inlet
- Prince Rupert
- Foggy Bay
- Ketchikan
- Meyers Chuck
- Santa Anna Inlet
- Wrangell
> SPONSORS
Special Thanks to
our Top Sponsor 
|
