# What To Do In Ketchikan Alaska on a Cruise Ship Visit *By James Hills — Updated July 2023* Unlike some cruise destinations in Alaska, Ketchikan is a destination that is thriving beyond simply cruise tourism. Luckily for cruise visitors, this means that there is a diverse selection of awesome cruise excursion options ranging from exploring Native American culture to hiking and outdoor adventures, as well as obviously fishing for salmon! Ketchikan after all is the "Salmon Capital of the World"! We visited Ketchikan in June with the Norwegian Cruise Line Jewel. One of the great things about visiting Ketchikan as a cruise ship guest is that it has a fairly deep harbor and that allows these huge ships to dock right downtown. This means that while you can absolutely chose a tour taking you out for an adventure somewhere else ... you could also have an incredible day exploring the town and its sites on foot.  There are also some awesome tours that leave from the docks, but we'll get to that at the end! ### Ways To Learn About Indigenous Cultures And Traditions On An Alaska Cruise Learn about Alaska Native cultures through village tours, traditional performances, art workshops, authentic cuisine, and local festivals. CruiseWestCoast [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/ahQn0MUgYZCgv7Znh0ZV5Q.620) ### Book A Virgin Voyages Cruise Discover the ultimate cruise experience with Virgin Voyages, where every detail is designed for your enjoyment. Enjoy unique itineraries, luxurious accommodations, and exceptional dining options. Virgin Voyages (affiliate) [View Sailing Details](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/ahQn0MUgYZCgv7Znh0ZV5Q.606) ### How to Get Kicked Off a Cruise Ship in 2026: Behaviors That End Your Vacation Early Cruise lines removed dozens of passengers in 2024 and 2025 for fights, drugs, and dangerous stunts. Learn what triggers immediate removal, lifetime bans, and how to protect your vacation investment be CruiseWestCoast [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/ahQn0MUgYZCgv7Znh0ZV5Q.438) Promoted by FlowAds ## Where The Eagle Walks - Walking Tour of Ketchikan Alaska Led by Tlingit elder, Joe Williams (who was also the former Mayor and probably the most well known person in Ketchikan), this tour was incredible. I love getting tours led by locals who are excited to share their passion for a town and that's exactly what this tour was. He was able to share history, personal stories, and cultural perspectives as a tribal as well as civic leader. Various tour options are available including Alaskan Native Arts, Tlingit Culture Show, Ketchikan Historic Walking Tour, and Personalized Individual Tours. 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While there's some culture and history to be learned here ... it's more about exciting competitions and pure entertainment here. Located a quick 10 minute walk from the cruise ships, this is a must visit activity to do while visiting Ketchikan if you've ever enjoyed watching the lumberjack shows on ESPN and History Channel. Read more of our [Great American Lumberjack Show review](index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1987:the-great-alaskan-lumberjack-show-in-ketchikan-alaska&catid=9) or visit their [website for ticket information](https://alaskanlumberjackshow.com/). ## Explore Creek Street in Ketchikan [Creek Street Ketchikan](https://creekstreetketchikan.com/) is one of the most unique historic areas that I've ever experienced and it is a must-see for anyone who loves fishing, history, shopping, or unique architecture. Like other parts of Ketchikan, the settlers here decided to build their city out over the water rather than blast the rock away. Here, they built a thriving red-light district complete with bootleggers and prostitution. Today though, while names like "Married Man's Trail" (formerly a secret path so that men could discretely visit the working girls) still exist and there is even a brothel museum, it's mostly art galleries and tourist shops. Depending on the tide, you'll also be able to view the salmon swimming here as well. In the words printed on the side of Dolly's House ... this is, "Where both men and salmon came upstream to spawn!" ## Explore Ketchikan's Salmon Cuisine! There are tons of places to sample smoked salmon, salmon dip, salmon chowder, fresh grilled salmon, salmon jerky, and pretty much any other sort of way that you can prepare this delicious fish. We had an awesome lunch at Annabelle's Keg and Chowder House and are still trying to bribe them to send over their Salmon Dip recipe to share with you guys! One of the many totem poles displayed in Ketchikan, Alaska ## Totem Heritage Center There are totem poles throughout Ketchikan but the [Totem Heritage Center](https://www.experienceketchikan.com/totem-heritage-center.html) is the place to go if you want to see some of the best displays of this tradition. While many totem poles that you see downtown are modern, the heritage center contains the largest collection of unrestored 19th century totem poles as well as other Native American items including baskets, masks, regalia, wood carvings, and photographs of the old villages.   ## More Photos of Ketchikan Alaska: While there are many options for excursions beginning in Skagway, Alaska here are some photos of what we did in the town itself. 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