Are you cruising to Ketchikan, Alaska? Ketchikan is one of my favorite cruise ports and a cruise port that many cruise lines and ships dock at. This blog post is going to share information about ways to plan your day in Ketchikan, Alaska, give some information about attractions that you can visit or things you can do, and some general tips for this port of call.
Pre-Cruise: Things to Do Before Your Cruise To Plan Your Day in Ketchikan, Alaska
1. Pack For Alaska - In many of my previous posts about Alaska I emphasized that the weather can be warm in Alaska and also cold. Check the weather forecast every few days before you leave for your cruise to
see what the temperature is expected to be for the day. Use different weather websites because some websites are probably more accurate than others. If the temperature is going to be cold you will probably want clothes that will keep you warm. However, you will also want to have some clothes you would wear in warm weather in case the temperature changes in the opposite direction. Having the wrong type of clothes could result in
discomfort or you may have to buy a t-shirt or a jacket from one of the local shops.
2. Order A Visitor's Guide From the Ketchikan Visitor's Bureau - Before my Carnival Miracle 2013 cruise I ordered brochures from each Alaskan port of call that offers to mail brochures for free. I ordered the Ketchikan Visitor's Guide and it was very informational. This is the Ketchikan, Alaska, Visitor's Bureau's website:
Click Here To Visit The Website - opens in a new window
3. Be Mindful of the Weather - Check the weather multiple times before you cruise and have a plan for rain. Make sure you know if your excursions are rain or shine, and refundable if it rains. Hopefully the weather remains nice and remember that the weather forecasts are subject to change.
1. Pack For Alaska - In many of my previous posts about Alaska I emphasized that the weather can be warm in Alaska and also cold. Check the weather forecast every few days before you leave for your cruise to
see what the temperature is expected to be for the day. Use different weather websites because some websites are probably more accurate than others. If the temperature is going to be cold you will probably want clothes that will keep you warm. However, you will also want to have some clothes you would wear in warm weather in case the temperature changes in the opposite direction. Having the wrong type of clothes could result in
discomfort or you may have to buy a t-shirt or a jacket from one of the local shops.
2. Order A Visitor's Guide From the Ketchikan Visitor's Bureau - Before my Carnival Miracle 2013 cruise I ordered brochures from each Alaskan port of call that offers to mail brochures for free. I ordered the Ketchikan Visitor's Guide and it was very informational. This is the Ketchikan, Alaska, Visitor's Bureau's website:
Click Here To Visit The Website - opens in a new window
3. Be Mindful of the Weather - Check the weather multiple times before you cruise and have a plan for rain. Make sure you know if your excursions are rain or shine, and refundable if it rains. Hopefully the weather remains nice and remember that the weather forecasts are subject to change.
Attractions: Things For You To Consider Doing While Docked in Ketchikan, Alaska
Creek Street
Creek Street is a free tourist attraction that you can walk to. Creek Street is sort of like a boardwalk that you can walk along and there are shops that you can browse. Depending on the time of year that you visit Alaska will determine what you see. During some times of the year you may see salmon moving in the water. There are many great photo opportunities at Creek Street so make sure you bring your camera and some extra batteries.
Creek Street is a free tourist attraction that you can walk to. Creek Street is sort of like a boardwalk that you can walk along and there are shops that you can browse. Depending on the time of year that you visit Alaska will determine what you see. During some times of the year you may see salmon moving in the water. There are many great photo opportunities at Creek Street so make sure you bring your camera and some extra batteries.
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Married Man's Trail
Married Man's Trail is a walkway that is located close to Creek Street. Basically Married Man's Trail is a walkway that goes up a slope through trees. During my visit to Ketchikan I learned some history of the trail, but I am not going to get into the history on my website. This trail is not for people who have difficulty walking because of the slope and an occasional tree root in the ground.
Married Man's Trail is a walkway that is located close to Creek Street. Basically Married Man's Trail is a walkway that goes up a slope through trees. During my visit to Ketchikan I learned some history of the trail, but I am not going to get into the history on my website. This trail is not for people who have difficulty walking because of the slope and an occasional tree root in the ground.
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Totem Poles in Ketchikan
You will see many totem poles in different places in Ketchikan. Many of the totem poles are on street corners and they make a thing to take a picture with! There is also a Totem Heritage Museum, which charges an admission to enter. Ketchikan has many totem poles for you to enjoy!
Enjoy two more pictures of some totem poles below:
You will see many totem poles in different places in Ketchikan. Many of the totem poles are on street corners and they make a thing to take a picture with! There is also a Totem Heritage Museum, which charges an admission to enter. Ketchikan has many totem poles for you to enjoy!
Enjoy two more pictures of some totem poles below:
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Tips:
1. Stop at one of the Visitor's Centers when you get off the cruise ship. There are some brochures and the staff is very helpful in giving suggestions on things to do.
2. Just like I mentioned in the Skagway tips section don't walk in the middle of a street. There are sidewalks in most places for people to use.
3. Use common sense while in port.
4. Keep track of the time and know when you have to be back onboard the cruise ship. Make sure you stay on ship's time!
2. Just like I mentioned in the Skagway tips section don't walk in the middle of a street. There are sidewalks in most places for people to use.
3. Use common sense while in port.
4. Keep track of the time and know when you have to be back onboard the cruise ship. Make sure you stay on ship's time!
The attractions on this page are not advertisements and are included because my family members or I have experienced these attractions. This information is subject to change any time. Please check out and do research yourself before making any decisions regarding excursions or attractions.