City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Ketchikan, Alaska
Known for its rugged coastline, timber forests, salmon, glaciers and snow-peaked wilderness, Ketchikan sits along Alaska’s southeast coast by the Gulf of Alaska and the North Pacific Ocean. The thin and jagged slip of land sits west of Canada’s British Columbia. It faces the Inside Passage, which stretches about 500 miles along the Pacific Ocean from Seattle, Washington to the southeast Alaskan coast near Juneau. This network of waterways, similar to the ICW of the East Coast, is a popular cruising route due to the smooth and protected boating conditions.
Photo: Alaska's Inside Passage (Wikimedia)
Once known as the Canned Salmon Capital of the World, Ketchikan is a varied landscape of breathtaking glacial scenes, native wildlife, 1930s restored canneries and the world’s largest collection of totem poles. Add in the uniqueness of logging and axe-throwing events, and you’ve got an excellent destination to visit from private boat docks for rent.
Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
Photo: Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show (Facebook)
Get into the true Alaskan spirit of adventure by experiencing live logging and axe-throwing demonstrations. Watch as world-class champion lumberjacks use axes, tree climbing gaffs, saws and chainsaws. The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show holds three to five shows a day that last about an hour. There’s a gift shop and concession stand. It’s located about a block from the cruise ship docks.
Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness
Photo: Wikimedia
Located within the two million-acre Tongass National Forest (the largest wilderness in Alaska), Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness is a stunning landscape of glaciers, snow-peaked mountains and evergreen forest habitats with waterfalls, glacial lakes, rugged rock walls, fjords and salmon, wolves, black bears, mountain goats and wolves. Take an aerial tour, hit the hiking trails or kayak along the coves and inlets in search of orcas, Dall porpoises and puffins.
Tongass Historical Museum
Photo: Tongass Historical Museum (Facebook)
The Tongass Historical Museum presents a look into Ketchikan’s historic past through photographs, artifacts, signs and more. It’s a terrific spot to visit from private boat lift rentals if you have history buffs in your travel crew.
Totem Heritage Center
Photo: Totem Heritage Center (Facebook)
The Totem Heritage Center preserves the history and intricate artistry of the Tlingit, Tsimshian and Haida cultures. It’s one of our top picks to visit from private boat slips for rent in Ketchikan. Located near the cruise ship docks, and built in 1976, the traditional building is home to 19th-century totem poles. These beautiful carvings feature animals, natural features and mythological creatures. There’s also a collection of baskets, photographs and other carvings.
Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
Photo: Wikimedia
Learn about the natural, geographical and cultural history of the region at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. The interactive museum provides an overview of area industries of fishing, mining, timber, tourism and recreation. Explore exhibits on Alaska’s rainforest, native traditions, interactive ecosystem exhibits and natural resources. You can also find maps and information on exploring the city.
Totem Bight State Historical Park
Photo: Wikimedia
The 11-acre Totem Bight State Historical Park makes a great day trip from private boat lift rentals. The historic site features an array of restored and re-carved totem poles. There’s a colorful clan house (a traditional community house with intricate carvings built in early 19th-century native villages) that offers a look at native Alaskan heritage and culture. The site is in a temperate rainforest where you can explore the grounds and admire totem poles that were created to pass down stories from generation to generation.
We hope you’ve discovered a few things to explore if you’re ever moored at a marina, camped at a hotel or anchored at a private boat dock for rent in the Last Frontier. Let us know all about your adventures!
