Beautiful forest with 4 unique ecosystems. We did a guided tour and it was great. There are pit…read moretoilets available throughout the forest. Such fresh air here. The trails were well maintained.

The Tongass Historical museum is amazing it have the history of Alaska like the gold rush and the…read moreAlaska Purchase and many wonderful displays and real native items. We enjoy it but we also went the gift shop they very nice items..

It's very small, but the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau is definitely worth a quick visit, especially if…read moreyou're coming in on a cruise. It's pretty clear they cater to cruise ship passengers, and they're always very helpful and eager to answer any questions. They've got lots of info on local tours, shops, restaurants, and attractions, so it's a great place to get your bearings when you first arrive. One of the best things to grab is a city map. Ketchikan isn't very big, but they offer some easy self-guided walking tours that make exploring a lot more fun. Plus, there's just something nice about having a paper map in hand. It's practical and makes for a great little souvenir afterward. The staff are always friendly and easy to chat with, and over the years, they've pointed us toward a few things we might've missed otherwise. There's also a wide range of brochures you can flip through if you want to plan on the spot. They have free restrooms and an ATM on site, too. If you're looking to book something last minute, their Tour Center (open May through September) is a really convenient option for same-day tours. They also have visitor centers at Berth 2 (open year-round) and Berth 3 (seasonal), so you'll likely run into one no matter how you arrive. Overall, it's a great and helpful first stop to help you make the most of your time in Ketchikan.

Ketchikan port area is a nice area with many local shops and restaurants. The local bus picks up…read moreright in the center of town and very close to where the cruise ships dock.

June, 2025. My husband and I loved our visit to Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, a collaboration…read morebetween the US Forest Service and Alaska parks on the Tongass National Forest. We spent about two hours in the center, but easily could have spent more. There are interesting cultural and ecological displays spread over two floors -- in well laid out and open display areas. There is also extensive programming, both with Ranger Programs and regular films in the comfortable theater. We particularly enjoyed watching two Native artists -- one putting finishing touches on an oil painting and the other painting a symbolic paddle. Youngsters can participate in the Junior Rangers Program. I was able to get a stamp in my National Parks Passport though technically this isn't a national park, and to buy a refrigerator magnet souvenir. Summer admission is $5 for those aged 16 and above; free for those 15 and younger. Tip: if you have a National Parks pass, it's accepted at the Discovery Center so don't leave it at home in Virginia! The Discovery Center is an easy walk from the cruise terminal, as well as the Creek Street area, but doesn't have the crowds of either.

The website for Southeast Alaska Discovery Center states that "...this USDA Forest Service managed…read morecenter serves as a gateway to the Tongass National Forest, the largest National Forest in the United States." The museum is located just a street away from where the Ruby Princess was docked. Inside were informative exhibits and artifacts. And, with our America The Beautiful Annual Park Pass, we bypassed the entrance fee. Plus, we got a stamp for our National Parks Passport even though it's not a National Park. Pretty neat visit, especially getting to see totem poles not worn out by the weather.

This was a stupendous experience. The group was small enough to get the attention one might need to…read moreactually learn some nifty tricks using their camera. Jacob's sense of humor and local knowledge made the experience top-notch. We thoroughly enjoyed our time and would do it all over again, hoping for part 2. The cookie and coffee break was also tasty! I highly recommend this activity!

Arriving by ship to Ketchikan, I wanted a tour that would physically get me to places off the…read morebeaten path. This is the one, do not settle for a cheap substitute. Met Capt.Rob at the Dock and off we went, creek Street, the most awesome library ever & a totem pole park and carving center. This tour packed a full day into 3 hour tour and we didn't get stranded on devils island.... Captain Rob's local knowledge of the area and photography skil made for a great experience, good for all skill levels.

Upon hearing about the history of this short trail, I definitely wanted to visit it during our stop…read morein Ketchikan. Married Man's Trail is a wooden boardwalk with steps. It isn't long, and it connects Creek Street with Park Avenue. Back in the day, this trail provided married men with a way to sneak away from Creek Street's brothels without being seen. Well, today it is just a nice little trail and we enjoyed our walk on it after viewing the nearby salmon ladder. It only was a few minutes out of our way and I'd recommend it as a quick detour while you are in Ketchikan.

Married Man's Trail is a nice little path in Ketchikan right off of the main Creek Street that is…read morefun to go up and check out for some nature vibes. It gets very muddy or icy so if it is rainy or snowy, tread with caution and wear proper shoes! This trail was a secret pathway into town right to the prostitution houses so they could discreetly be serviced without being caught (and escape afterwards!). Grab some sunglasses because they be shadddddy! Knowing the history makes this a funny little pit stop thinking of all the scandal that transpired in Ketchikan's old timey Red Light District. I love it! It isn't out of the way at all to stop here, plus you can see a different vantage point of the Salmon Ladder from a more aerial point. Now if you hike all the way up, it's 20 minutes one way. The entire walk is shaded but mind my cautions mentioned above about the weather. At the top of the hike, you can grab a bite to eat before heading back down. This isn't a difficult hike but is indeed uphill so keep that in mind if you are not in shape, you'll be breathing heavy. Photo ops all over including with the Married Man street style sign!

It is a cute touristy area in Ketchikan. Here you will find signs/plaques that tells you about the…read morehistory and people behind it. We walked to Creek Street and was fascinated by the colored building and the totem poles in the area. You might even catch the salmon run. It is a walking distance from the cruise ship port (depending which ship you are taking). All ships dock at Ketchikan downtown with the exception of NCL.

We absolutely loved Creek Street! It was an easy, convenient walk from the cruise ship port, and…read moreeven though it rained all day, we still had a blast exploring the shops and taking in the beautiful creekside views. The whole area has such a fun, vintage feel, with so many unique little stores and photo spots. We highly recommend checking out Dolly's House, which also gives some great history about the area and how it helped preserve its character. There is also a free town trolley that can take you around, with pickup near the museum. We found some of the most unique gifts and souvenirs here. Definitely worth visiting for an afternoon walk, shopping, and great photos!

Tongass Teague was great. Our tour guide, Teague, was a FANTASTIC guide. We did the SUV tour…read morethrough some of the lesser traveled roads in the Tongass National Forest in Ketchikan, Alaska. Teague was knowledgable, fun, and easy-going. 10/10 would recommend to anyone looking for a good few hours to spend in Ketchikan!

Tai Chi at your own pace! Stunning view, great atmosphere, nice hike. Highly recomended!read more

Rainbird Trail is a 1.3 mile pathway "taking you into the lush undergrowth of the Tongass National…read moreForest. The top of the trail overlooks the city of Ketchikan, the Tongass Narrows and Beyond" according to a signpost at the start of the hike. In my opinion, it's along this Rainbird Trail that offers the only suitable panoramic perspective peering down on the city of Ketchikan. Venturing among a dense forest landscape, I began pondering if such a lookout could even exist!? Although there was nothing mentioning where exactly the viewpoint was, eventually walking up an incline to the top of a ridge, the tall surroundings suddenly subsided and next glance all of Ketchikan was sitting below the horizon. This observation spot is located roughly 2/3rd's of the way into the hike, though depending upon which section of the trail you begin from... I started at the University of Southeast Alaska Parking Lot. You can leave your car at the college free of charge. Alternative starting points are the South Access and North Access according to a sign I stumbled upon, but I'm unaware where exactly those initiated from. I relied on Google Maps which took me straight to the UAS Campus Lot. One other note...the trailhead mentions that "the hike is steep and rocky in spots requiring sure footing and may not be suitable for all fitness levels". I disagree with this. I believe the path is relatively easy for everyone. It's casual without much elevation. For hiking in the morning time, the quiet setting transports you away from hectic downtown cruise ship arrivals. Ultimately, you're rewarded by a pleasant hike through nature without having to leave far from the port if you're just visiting for the day.

Came to this port on a cruise ship, got off the ship early in the morning and walked the couple…read moremiles through town to this trail - there are 3 places to enter this trail - one at the University, the other at the far end of town, and the other in the middle of the trail - the part of the trail starting at the University is the not maintained portioned, making it a little tougher and less easy to follow the part (I did get a tiny bit lost ~ 3 times but very quickly found my way back - my advice = stick to the rocks, if you see rocks below you, you're likely still on the path, if not, you've probably gone off it). The part of the trail starting at the far end of town to the middle part is the maintained part, easy/moderate, very pretty views. If you're fit and want to step up the adventure, definitely do the whole trail! You're near the highway most of the way, so hard to get all that lost, but it's not a busy road so you can't hear the highway most of the way. And I didn't feel unsafe, and saw a few hikers sparsely on the trail throughout. And I did hear some rainbird sounds!