Tucked along the rugged shores of Alaska’s Inside Passage, Ketchikan is known as the Salmon Capital of the World and a vibrant gateway to Native Alaskan culture. With its colorful buildings perched on stilts above the water, rich fishing heritage, and famously rainy skies, Ketchikan offers visitors a memorable mix of history, art, and coastal charm.

This southeastern city is home to one of the largest collections of standing totem poles in the world, many of which can be seen throughout town and in nearby parks. Visitors can explore Misty Fjords National Monument by boat or plane, walk the iconic boardwalk of Creek Street, or immerse themselves in Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultural experiences.

Ketchikan is a popular port for cruise travelers, but the town’s true magic lies just beyond the docks—in its rain-soaked forests, salmon-filled streams, and welcoming community.

Did You Know?

• Ketchikan receives more than 13 feet of rain annually—locals call it “liquid sunshine.”
• The town’s famous Creek Street was built over the water to bypass laws restricting brothels on land.
• Ketchikan is home to the world’s largest collection of totem poles, visible in Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village.
• You can only reach Ketchikan by plane or ferry—there’s no road connecting it to mainland Alaska.
• The nearby Misty Fjords National Monument features sheer cliffs, waterfalls, and glacial-carved wilderness accessible only by boat or air