One of the excursion options we chose on our Alaska cruise. Glad we did because the show itself was fun and well done and yes...a bit cheesy at times. They divide the audience in half with one side being USA and other Canada. Once that's done, the competition of the lumberjacks proceeds with lots of history and facts about the field of lumberjacking is included. We loved it as did everyone who was with us. Highly recommend this show. The gift shop is great and full of all kinds of Alaska related items read more

A fun way to spend a couple of hours with the family. We came a few weeks ago as a port excursion. It was super fun for the kids and even the adults really got into the competition. I could do without all the talking before the actual show started but I was impressed with all the enthusiasm. There was a lot of audience participation, including getting the kids up and moving. Was it cheesy? Yes. Was it campy? Yes. But my LO had a blast and so did I. Pro tip: find a seat in the shade because one side was in direct sunlight from start to finish. Enjoy! read more

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show - The set up - Performing Arts Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

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If one's looking for an experience involving guys throwing axes, chopping through logs, and some friendly nationalistic competition between the United States and Canada, then this is one spot in Ketchikan. My partner, his family, our friends, and I ended our excursion with the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Their location is built at the former site of the Ward Cove Pulp Mill. The mill was the largest pulp mill in the USA prior to closing in 1997. It was an action-packed event where the audience had to choose sides. The athletes are real lumberjacks and possess the strength and skills required by that trade. They demonstrate a half-dozen skills that for most people would be difficult and dangerous. Unlike an actual ESPN lumberjack competition, there's no trophy for the winners; instead national pride is the prize! This is a fun and enjoyable show for all ages. read more

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The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show is a Ketchikan Staple. The show is a blast and mixes humor with brute force. What could be better? The show happens rain or shine. Be sure to get there early to secure good, shaded seats. read more

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Long overdue but now's a great time since they're in the heart of cruising season to AK! If you are debating whether you should buy tickets, please don't think any further and do it! This is so fun and pretty sure I blushed...A LOT lol. If you're cruising, this is about a 10 minute walk from port. We purchased tickets directly from the site and not through the cruise ship as it was lower cost going direct. Since we had tickets we just had to go line up as there was a show already going on. Didn't mean to, but 1st in line! This was great though as we had our pick of seats. Just think of a Sea World or Universal Studios show where you all walk in and try to find a great seat. I believe there are splash zones so be aware. They do serve drinks, beer, sell souvenirs before the show starts! We were able to snag seats right up front! I wasn't sure what to expect but it was fun! These guys are not just eye candy, but they are also not bad to look at. BUT, they are truly athletes! It's amazing the hard work they do during the show and they are pretty competitive so they did not disappoint. The best part, they take photos with you after, so make sure to line up right after! And as you leave, there's a gift shop as you walk out, some cool stuff! This is a great experience for the family. Check them out!!! read more

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Absolutely! Positively! Book...it!! Visited while on a cruise. There were a lot of options to choose from. Let me help you make the most of this visit. First, book this with your cruise line. Just the lumberjack show. I was almost dissuaded from booking because of negative reviews when combo packages were purchased (lumberjack show and crab feed for example). That is not the shows fault. The show is spectacular, it's the unorganized excursion crews. When we booked and got to port, the excursion crew asked us to meet in the show lobby at 9:15am for a 10:45am show. We get there and they told us to head out. No directions or tickets. We had to take a tender in as there were multiple cruise lines. When we got there, there was one lady in a jacket with no sign. Keep in mind now it's about 9:35am. We asked about our excursion she said to meet back at the dock at 10:15 and we can walk over together or we could just go ourselves. We just walked over, stopping in shops along the way. Luckily I had already did some research on Ketchikan and had places already picked out. The Lumberjack show is in a large building, can't miss it. Easy to find on Google Maps. We got there about 10:15 and got in line. Still no one from Carnival. Turns out they just scan your sail & sign card. So in reality, we didn't need them. But several visitors in line were confused and clearly frustrated we lacked info and organization. Now, let's talk Lumberjack show. It was so well done. The performers were amazing, great with crowd work. They certainly have a passion for the work they do. We loved every minute of it. We had a large party of 6, ages 4-60. So it's certainly an all age affair. During the show you sit on standard risers. First 2-3 rows are for ADA, I recommend going early to get a great seat but all seats are good. The host was entertaining, the lumberjacks were competitive. It reminds me of Medieval Times. They offer free popcorn as snacks and you can buy concessions there. Now my son is 4, with autism. He was enthralled with the show but the sounds were loud and overwhelming. He asked me to cover his ears, I wish I had brought headphones. But he wanted to stay and watch. It you are sentive to noise, bring earplugs or noise cancelling headphones. There is a short cover of the risers, but if it's a hard day of rain, make sure to wear rain gear. Bring cash to tip the performers at the end. They deserve it. After the show was over we were free to explore the town on our own. We had a great time doing so. Plus if you want crab or anything else you can do it on your own time. Just be mindful if you have a cruise to get back in time. Loved this show! I would see it again! read more

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Visited Ketchikan on May 8, 2026, via the Norwegian Encore that docks at Ward Cove. The show has 2 performance areas one on Spruce Mill Way Downton, and in Ward Cove that is accessed via transports across rocky rough roads, you can see the Norwegian ships docked but it's not a friendly path for those with mobility issues without aided transportation. As for the show, for Alaska it is bargain priced, entertaining, with good family friendly humor. Saw numerous eagles above us during the show, and it was another dry day, though a bit chilly so I was happy to be wearing my insulated coat and gloves in the covered seats. I did think of the performers who after taking a dunk in cold water where interacting with the guests and taking pictures with them at the end of the show. Overall a great experience. read more

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show - Fairly busy port day May 8 - Performing Arts Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

The axe throwing and lumberjack show are 10 star services and are absolutely worth viewing for yourself, I cannot say enough good things about them. However the organization getting to this show is -7. The events are great and I don't want to spoil anything, the organization I want to discuss. I have never see anything so bad ever! There is 3 lines going at once axe throwing, the show, and crab eating. The women making these lines absolutely have no idea what they are doing and can't keep track of what line goes where. I don't know if they know what they're doing or just don't care, but this HAS to change! read more

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show - Performing Arts Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

We attended the Disney exclusive show. Was it touristy? Yes, of course. Cheesy? You bet. It was also one of my six year olds favorite memories of our Alaskan cruise. She said "I loved working out with coach goofy". It was also genuinely interesting and entertaining watching the lumberjacks compete. If you're looking for a good, cheesy, family friendly activity... look no further. read more

Came here straight off the Disney Wonder since it was our first stop in Ketchikan. Ship got in around 11:15 and it's only about a 5 min walk from port so very easy if you're doing this through Disney. What threw me off was Disney told us to be there by 12:15, but that really just meant line up outside with the Disney group and wait. They didn't start letting people in right away and the show itself didn't start until 12:45. Not the end of the world, but if you have little kids and are trying to work around nap time it matters. My 2 year old ended up falling asleep during the show because of that. Show itself was good and entertaining. Good first stop if you want something easy and close to the ship without having to plan too much. We bought a beer for $9 and a bag of chips for $4 while waiting so just expect tourist pricing. Originally I was gonna do Ketchikan Crab after and skip food here, but they did have a $35 Dungeness crab box special you can eat during the show. Honestly not a bad move if you want to knock out lunch and the excursion at the same time. Overall I'd still recommend it if you're on the Disney Wonder and want something simple walkable from port. Just know Disney saying arrive by 12:15 doesn't mean the show starts then. It means line up outside and wait first. read more

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show - Performing Arts Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

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Great shows, tremendously talented, entertaining, educational and truly fun for all ages. read more

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show - Men at Work - Performing Arts Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

Lumberjack Show & Crab Feast!! We booked it in person, we watched the 9:30 am and ate at 12:30 pm because the Crab feast was fully booked. This is the second time we've watched this show, the first time for the Crab Fest. My biggest regret on our last cruise was not booking a crab feast at one of the ports. The first time I booked the show, I booked it with the cruise, and it ended up cheaper. I didn't see this available for the cruise we were on, the Princess Cruise. The first time I booked it was with Carnival. The port from Carnival is close, and the port distance to the area from Princess is about a 10-minute stroll. PRICES: Prices: Lumber Jack Show Only $43 Adults Ages 13+ $23 Children (Ages 3-12) $36 Military/Veterans Must present ID at check-in | Limit to 2 tickets per ID Infants Free Prices: Crab Feast Only Adult $109.00 Child $79.00 Ages 4-12 years Infant Free Ages 3 and under Prices: Lumberjack and Crab feast Rates * Adult $149.00 * Child $119.00 Ages 3-12 years * Infant Free Ages 2 and under SHOW: This time I watched it with my husband and three children. The crowd had a mix of ages. Two teams (USA and Canada) compete in 12 athletic events, including tree climbing, chainsaw competitions, and log rolling. This time around, the crowd was much more engaged and a bit rowdier, which made it more enjoyable to watch. It's like watching an event at home versus watching it in person. The crowd drives your adrenaline and engagement. Seating is available in a heated and covered grandstand. They offer paid snacks during the event, which lasts about an hour. You can take pictures with the lumberjacks after the show. They also have buckets available if you'd like to tip. There is a gift shop with a wide variety of items, including shirts, magnets, books, and a calendar with the Lumberjacks. CRAB FEAST: I asked one of the employees where the AYCE Crab is, and she replied, "We don't have AYCE, we have a Crab Feast," and she pointed to another employee who guided us to where we needed to go. I guess since it's just mainly crab for the entree it can't be called a AYCE. The price came with an Asian salad, potatoes, and carrot cake. If you don't like crab, you can choose pasta or chicken. It also comes with an alcoholic beverage or a fountain drink (refillable). A women at our table had a difficult time peeling the crab or didn't like the mess, and she opted for the chicken. **Exceptional service** One of our servers lived in Hawaii and somehow recognized that we were from there as well. He was wearing puka shells and brought the Aloha Spirit with him. There were technical difficulties with the video shown before the feast, but he did well explaining the areas to visit in the area. The other server had only worked there for a few days; he did well tending to everyone. My group of five shut the place down. A stranger ended up sitting with us and matched our energy, indulging in the crab as if it were our last feast on Earth. Our bowls overflowed with crab legs. Everyone in our party ate more than the price tag of the feast. They both kept the crab coming. The crab was worth every single penny. The crab legs were full of meat, easy to remove, seasoned well, and warm. We had booked a specialized dinner that night on the cruise, and I was still so full at 7 pm. There is a bucket to leave a cash tip. I highly recommend the show and the crab feast! read more

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Date of visit: July 19, 2025 I had heard very mixed reviews about this experience when deciding how to spend our precious time in Ketchikan, but when I could not recall any other time that I've been made aware of a lumberjack show anywhere else I have traveled, we decided to bit the bullet. And while I wouldn't necessarily say I regretted it, I also didn't love it. Note that this showing was exclusive to passengers of the Disney Wonder so if you're attending a different show, you may get a different experience and may enjoy it more (or less) given that. If you're planning to attend on a non-cruise show, you may want to peruse some other reviews before making your decision. Like anything in America, the show starts and ends in the gift shop. Then after you get through the gift shop to the ampitheatre, there are--wait for it--more opportunities to purchase items such as snacks and beverages in case you can't go an entire hour without satisfying your oral fixations. That being said, all of the staff here were very friendly and pleasant, which makes me feel slightly better about the constant attempts to separate me from my wallet. While only an hour, the first 15 minutes of the show featured Goofy leading all of the kids in the audience in an exercise routine. We're talking push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, the whole nine yards. Guessing this is designed to tire out the kids a little bit so they enjoy the show, but when a full quarter of the show is this... After that, the emcee came out and really got things started. Despite my gripes, these gentlemen are truly athletes. Climbing these poles, chopping that wood, it is all hard work and they make it look easy. I just wish the competition was a little less contrived with the whole US vs. Canada competition and that we somehow magically were tied coming into the last event. All that being said, if these types of things are your jam, bring a whole loaf of bread. And if these things seem a bit silly to you, check out the rest of Ketchikan instead. read more

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Review #7 for 2026 We went here while exploring Ketchikan on our Alaskan cruise. For $50, it is a very fun show!! Book your tickets online in advanced because I heard this show sells out because all the cruise passengers are coming to see the show. There's team America and Team Canada and depending on which side you sit on, you're either America or Canada and you cheer for your person. Seating is first come, first serve. The only exception is some "reserved" sections for people with meal packages booked. But they don't seem to check because I saw people sitting wherever they wanted. Just line up early and most seats are pretty decent. Your lumberjack does some competitions and score points. It's a super silly and fun show and I'm pretty sure the "winner" is already pre-determined but it's a very enjoyable show. We went with our 14 month old and while an older kid may enjoy it more, he did seem to enjoy it for a bit... until he decided he did not want to sit anymore. Anyways, the guys do run around and give out signed postcards to some people who are the best cheerers. I will say, I have no shame in using my child to get a signed postcard of some shirtless lumberjacks! haha. There are some more adult jokes, so keep that in mind if you are bringing impressionable kids. At the end of the show, the guys all come to the front and you can take free pictures with them!! Would I come back? I would say no because it's one of those shows you watch pretty much once for fun. Next time I would like to spend that time exploring more of the city that we did not have time for. I will say that if you have never seen the show before and you are in Ketchikan, then go see it!! It's a cheap way to be entertained and it is a very fun show! The gift shop can get busy after the show, but that is because everyone exits through the gift shop. Go have fun and see the show while in town, just don't expect some Broadway production. read more

The show was absolutely fantastic! The MC was funny and charming. The lumberjacks were not only talented but also hilarious. DO: buy tickets in advance. We were able to get walk up tickets but they sold out shortly after us. There are refreshments for sale including alcohol. The only reason I'm giving 4 instead of 5 stars is because of the inside staff. They were not very friendly. read more

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Great show! The host, sweetie pie Sue, was very good at getting the crowd involved and setting up cheering sections which made this a lot of fun. Extremely talented lumberjack, athletes, and an overall entertaining mix of comedy and action. To anyone who might be thinking, "oh I've seen something like this before", keep in mind that there is a fresh take given on this particular show that I found to be very entertaining. read more

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My friend and I enjoyed the show and especially the activities. We were impressed with their abilities to do all that is required of their skills. Unfortunately the visit to town was not very pleasant. There were to many ships docked and it was elbow to elbow people which was not fun for us. I don't blame the locals from saying stay away. read more

This was an excursion. Once you walk in , you will be under a covered pavilion. Two sides to sit on that you are assigned. Canada or USA side. The stage is set up as a tournament field obstacle course. Two lumberjack men do challenges to come out the winner at the end of the games for bragging rights. This show is 2 hrs and it was very entertaining, the host lady was very funny and interacted with the crowd well. Concession was open with reasonable prices for hot beverages , pretzels, Popcorn , etc. gift shop seemed a bit cluttered and overwhelming. Show consisted of crawling the pole , walking the log, breaking the wood and axe throwing ! Show permits you from recording but you can take pictures. This was a very fun engaging show. I will give it 8/ 10 read more

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This was an amazing experience! The Lumberjack's are incredible athletes! And the announcer was very funny! You learn some of the history behind logging and you are amazed by the strength and skill the lumberjack's possess. The show is entertaining for all ages and lasts about an hour. It is also handicapped accessible. Two teams, of two men, compete against each other and the crowd roots for their favorite team. Great skill and showmanship! I highly recommend this show if you are in the Ketchikan area. We also stayed for the all you can eat crab fest and it was delicious! Plenty of delicious Dungeness crab, a delicious Asian salad and red potatoes. Overall, a great experience! read more

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This was silly but also really fun. The 'lumberjacks' really knew how to work a crowd and a lot of their tricks were quite impressive. My husband found it very nostalgic. It was quite sunny so I appreciated that the seats had shade. read more

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The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show is pure high‑energy entertainment from start to finish. The performers are incredibly skilled, blending real lumberjack competition with humor, crowd interaction, and impressive athleticism. The axe‑throwing, log‑rolling, and speed‑sawing events keep the pace fast, and the whole experience feels authentically Alaskan in the best way. It's a fun, family‑friendly stop that's absolutely worth the visit. read more

We hit this up earlier this month during our cruise stop in Ketchikan, and it ended up being one of the highlights for my wife and I and our kids. Honestly, it starts out kind of cheesy (lots of USA vs. Canada banter and loud emceeing), but once they started chopping, sawing, and scaling giant poles like it was no big deal, we were all hooked. These guys are ridiculously skilled, and the whole show moves fast and keeps you entertained. The kids were wide-eyed the entire time. Super fun, very family-friendly, and just a totally different kind of experience. Definitely worth checking out if you're in town. Even if you're not into lumberjack stuff, it'll win you over. read more

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We LOVED this show! Hilarious, fun competition, and such a great atmosphere. Lasagna Joe from Nashville was hilarious and a great host! Enjoyed the concession stand and the 49th state sodas. read more

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show - Performing Arts Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

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This is more about the restaurant than the show. The show was fine and worth it as a one-time experience. However, once the show ended, we were ready to dive into the crab, but they wasted so much time between the end of the show and getting us seated and fed. We waited about 15-20 minutes in the stands where the lumberjack show was held. Then, they moved us into a line to enter the restaurant, only to make us wait another 10-15 minutes after we were seated. At this point, about 30 minutes had passed; the host asked us how we were doing, and a guest at another table even replied, 'hungry.' The thing is, they wouldn't serve us until a certain time so that we would get exactly an hour of 'unlimited' crab. It felt like they were holding us hostage, and they even explained to all of us how to crack the crab, which was totally unnecessary. The major issue is that by the time the hour was up, we had to rush back in about 10 minutes to get to the ship. If they hadn't wasted our time keeping us there and had served us right away, we could have gone into the store and bought some merchandise, but because we were in such a rush, there was no time. It's a fail on their end. As for the food, it was great--I would go back for the food--but I hope they adjust their time management. I understand they're trying to limit guests to one hour, but since it is unlimited crab and we paid for it, they should let us eat and stop wasting our time. This is especially difficult for older guests who can't walk as fast or who are worried about rushing back to the ship and getting left behind. read more

this is a great show i highly recommend getting tickets very entertaining and fun i did read more

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show - Performing Arts Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

What an absolute thrill and wonderful performance by everyone. They got the crowd engaged and cheering or booing for their team. Highly recommend this experience. read more

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This was good. We were on an Alaskan cruise, and it was a shore excursion. I liked it very much because I thought it would be super touristy and cheesy. It is a bit touristy, but that is why it is there. The whole town supports tourism. The show was very entertaining. Bench seating is throughout, and there is a bit of a lineup beforehand. I recommend you line up early to get a better seat. Snacks and merch were available. Check this out if you can. read more

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show - Performing Arts Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

This is a great family show.... We go every time we are in Ketchikan and it's always a highlight!!

Great fun and perfect activity when visiting Ketchikan. The strength of the lumberjacks as they go through their competitions is unbelievable. read more

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What a fun show! We paid through the cruise line. It is cheaper booking directly but we didn't want the risk not making the port. There wasn't much to do in Kitchean except this show and a walkthrough the rain forest. We had a lot of fun. read more

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So much fun! We prebooked our tickets ahead of time, so we didn't need to chance it, to see if there were seats available last moment. The crew members were very interactive with the crowd and gave out multiple signed cards and a special souvenir too, to one child. They had a competition amongst their group and had the crowd cheering for the two groups. We definitely found every minute very entertaining, and there was always laughter amongst the audience. They did sell drinks and snacks inside and provided well maintained restrooms as well. read more

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Had heard this is a must to do in Ketchikan so of course had to get tickets. I did see when we arrived that you can grab them on site but we pre-booked since I didn't want to miss out. I did not know what to expect, but it was much more fun and entertaining than I anticipated. Be prepared to squeeze in with everybody else and get ready to scream and yell and cheer on the lumberjacks. They divided half of the space into two countries which you would you then became part of. Nothing like friendly competition. This made it even more exciting as you were rooting for your own side to beat the other lumberjacks. There were multiple different rounds of different type of activities and the hour and a bit flew by. You could really see that both kids and adults alike had a wonderful time. There is a cute little gift shop on site and you can grab snacks and drinks during the show, before and after. read more

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Very fun show, of course it's campy and probably only worth watching once but still a good time. Also got the crab feast which originally was supposed to be via a bus ride to George inlet lodge. It got relocated to the dining room next to the show so we did get refunded by princess $25/ea. I enjoyed myself at the crab feast, crab was cooked perfectly and my plate was never empty. I ate my money's worth in my opinion but my kids probably did not (though they do love crab and at at least two clusters each). read more

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First port stop snd this was the first excursion for the day. It was very entertaining. You walk through the store in order to get seated for the show. It was great as there was a lot to look at. Once you get into the outdoor arena, there was even more to look at. I don't want to spoil what happens during the show, but I did want to share that it was very entertaining. Audience participation is a must. It was fun and I recommend checking it out. read more

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It was a great show. With real lumberjack athletes that compete in national and international competitions. The premise is USA vs Canada . The hour plus long show was entertaining, showed feats of true strength and athleticism. The MC was humorous and the "rivalry" was great, and you could tell they all seemed to get Along very well. T Hanks for hosting is in your beautiful town with and great show hospitality! read more

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Wow! I've never experienced anything like this show before. Initially, the process of purchasing tickets for the show was frustrating because it was so hectic, it's unclear where you need to buy the tickets/which line you need to wait at. It didn't help that the ticket sellers weren't very friendly. However, the show itself was a blast and there were lots of exciting competitions like tree climbing and log sawing. There wasn't a dull moment at all. There's also opportunities for photos and merchandise for the super fans. Fun experience! read more

This was a very fun show. We had a good time. It can get loud so if you have someone with sensitive ears, bring ear protection or prepare to buy some at the venue. read more

An absolute must-do in Alaska! We attended the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show with family during our cruise, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. The show was packed with action, from log rolling to axe throwing, and the skill and athleticism of the lumberjacks were impressive. They kept the energy high with a perfect mix of humor and competition, making it fun and engaging for all ages. The performers did a great job involving the audience and made us feel like part of the show. This is a unique and entertaining way to experience Alaskan culture--definitely recommend adding it to your itinerary! read more

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Let me tell you we had a great time at the Lumberjack show! The entire staff & crew were amazing and Lasagna Joe was definitely a great Host with lots of fun energy! We would highly recommend seeing this show 1000% if you're in Ketchikan! read more

The show started an hour later than the time listed on our tickets. The manager was rude and acted like it was somehow our fault. The staff wasn't any better. Terrible experience overall -- would not recommend. read more