Is Ketchikan Walkable From Cruise Ship?

Ketchikan is a walkable city with four Panamax-sized cruise ship berths located along the downtown waterfront. The port is located on the city border, making it easy to walk into the city. Visitors can explore the famous Creek Street, which offers unique floatplane tours of Misty Fjords National Monument.

If your cruise ship docks in downtown Ketchikan, you’ll be just a short walk away from getting your Ketchikan map. Four of the ports are within easy walking distance of downtown and Historic Creek Street, making Ketchikan a very walkable city. In downtown Ketchikan, you’ll find restaurants, shops, and restaurants.

When your cruise ship docks, there are 22 things to do once the ship docks, including exploring local boutiques, visiting the Ketchikan Cruise Dock 4, and taking a seaplane tour with a wilderness landing in a national forest. For guests with mobility issues, a complimentary bus is available for those with mobility issues.

Ketchikan is a safe town to walk in, with its own character and attractions. The Visitors Center on the dock has walking tour maps available, and visitors can walk back away from the cruise ship docks to visit Creek Street and watch boats.

For farther attractions, there is a reliable shuttle bus service and limited taxis. Ketchikan is a very walkable port with nice scenery and a few local breweries and distilleries.

In June 2024, Ketchikan will sail on a cruise date, offering walking tours of the town, including Creek Street with Dollys House and the salmon ladder.


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How far is Ketchikan from cruise Port?

Most cruise ships will dock in downtown Ketchikan, where you will be a 1 to 15 minute walk to the heart of downtown. Cruise ships also dock at Ward Cove, where you will be a 20 minute drive away from the heart of downtown.

Free things to do in ketchikan, alaska from cruise ship
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Is Ketchikan walkable from port?

Can you walk around Ketchikan Alaska? Yes, absolutely! From the cruise ship terminal there is easy access to walk around the downtown area, reaching some interesting points of interest including the famous Red Light District of Creek Street. No need to purchase tours with this option.

Home » Blog » Port of Call: Discover 12 things to do in Ketchikan Alaska.

Wendy Nordvik-Carr is a highly regarded travel writer who produces quality, well-researched articles with stunning photography and video.She seeks out authentic experiences showcasing the people, culture and history that make each destination unique. Her focus is on solo, couple and multigenerational travel through cruising, air and road trip adventures.

Wendy is the editor & writer for LifesIncredibleJourney.com, a travel site that encourages exploration of destinations near & far.

How far is it from cruise port to Creek Street in Ketchikan?

0.3 miles How Far is Creek Street from Ketchikan Port? It’s 0.3 miles from the port (Berth 1 – 4). It’s within 10 minutes walking distance from the main cruise ship docks (Berth 1 to 4). But if your cruise ship is docking in historic Ward Cove – it is 7 miles outside downtown Ketchikan.

Best things to do in Ketchikan Alaska from cruise ship
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Can you just walk around Ketchikan?

Experience Ketchikan Alaska on foot for free! The Ketchikan Historic Society produces a Free Ketchikan Walking Tour Map that lists a total of 64 points of interest in the Downtown & West End part of town. This map is free of charge and can be found in the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau and at locations all around town.

The Ketchikan Historic Society produces a Free Ketchikan Walking Tour Map that lists a total of 64 points of interest in the Downtown & West End part of town.

This map is free of charge and can be found in the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau and at locations all around town.If you would like to preview this free walking tour map, I have included links to them below.

Downtown Ketchikan Walking Tour Map. The Ketchikan Walking Tour map is broken up in two sections – the West End and the Downtown area. The Downtown Walking Tour Map includes attractions such as:

Ketchikan cruise port map
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What is the famous street in Ketchikan Alaska?

Creek Street Creek Street is a historic area of Ketchikan, Alaska. The street is actually a boardwalk mounted in stilts on a high slope on the east side of Ketchikan Creek, east of the city’s downtown. Creek Street was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. NRHP reference No.

Creek Street is a historic area of Ketchikan, Alaska. The street is actually a boardwalk mounted in stilts on a high slope on the east side of Ketchikan Creek, east of the city’s downtown. Creek Street was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

Creek Street is infamous as being Ketchikan’s red light district, roughly between 1903 and 1954, and some of its attractions are commemorations of this past. Its origins lie in a 1903 city ordinance banishing brothels from the city center to the “Indian Town” area on the east side of the creek, and it operated until the brothels were outlawed and shut down in 1954. Numerous houses of prostitution sprang up on this difficult terrain, supported by wooden stilts. Famous among them is The Star, which was one of the largest of these businesses, and Dolly’s House, which is now a museum. Winding into the hills above Creek Street is Married Man’s Way, a trail used by patrons of the brothels to escape raids.

National Register of Historic Places listings in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska;

Can you walk to Creek Street Ketchikan from Cruise Port?

Creek Street is in fact an easy walk from the cruise ship. Depending on where you’re docked downtown, it might be a 5 minute walk or a 15 minute walk. So this is something easy you can do if you have an hour to spare before your back-on-board time.

Secret things to do in Ketchikan
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Is there a free shuttle in Ketchikan, Alaska?

By Alaska standards, Ketchikan has a great transportation system. There’s lot of coverage to popular destinations, including Ward Cove, Totem Bight, and Saxman Park. Fares are cheap (just $1) for bus service, and two free shuttles run from May to September between the cruise ship docks and key downtown locations.

The entire bus fleet is wheelchair accessible, and two are mobile works of art, having been painted by Ray Troll and Oliver Martin. Their murals depict the colorful salmon, which are at the heart of Ketchikan’s economy and way of life.

For updated information, check their route info online, or call 907-225-TRAN Monday through Friday.

Port of Ketchikan cruise ship schedule
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Is there Uber in Ketchikan?

Helpful safety features. Uber prioritizes safety for every rider in Ketchikan. In a few taps, you can access customer support and share trip details with loved ones. View driver profiles, too, to see ratings and more to get to know your driver before the trip begins.

Enjoy the flexibility of a taxi cab combined with Uber’s helpful app features by riding with UberX in Ketchikan instead. You can request on demand for last-minute trips, book 24/7 in-app or online, and see affordable upfront prices for every trip. Your ride is a few taps away.

Welcome to the ride option that’s ready when you are. You can request a ride when you need to travel near or far in Ketchikan. You’ll also enjoy 24/7 requesting, helpful in-app safety features, and upfront pricing to budget ahead for your trip. Try this day-or-night ride option to head to your destination.

Experience taxi-like services and more in Ketchikan by requesting a ride with the Uber app. With UberX, you can request a ride on demand at any time and on any day.

Free things to do in Skagway Alaska from cruise ship
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Is Ketchikan worth visiting?

5. Kayak Fjords and Creeks. Ketchikan is a kayaker’s dream. Home to the picturesque Misty Fjords National Monument, the 2.1-million-acre monument leads guests through cascading waterfalls, steep glaciers, and an abundance of opportunities to spot wildlife. A kayaking trip here can range from just a few hours to a multi-day adventure that includes camping in remote locations and exploring hidden treasure.

Ketchikan Creek, located beneath the aptly named Creek Street, also offers a unique experience for visitors to paddle 6 miles to Tongass Narrows for opportunities to see spawning salmon, seals, and other marine wildlife.

6. Tour Misty Fjords National Monument. Escape to the temperate rainforest wilderness of Misty Fjords National Monument just east of Ketchikan in the Tongass National Forest. There are no roads here, so the only ways to explore the area are by sea or by air.

How do you spend a day in Ketchikan, Alaska?
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How do you spend a day in Ketchikan, Alaska?

7 Things To Do In Ketchikan7 Things to Do in Ketchikan. … Experience Alaska Native Culture. … Wander Historical Creek Street. … Take a Day Cruise. … Go Trout and Salmon Fishing. … Attend the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. … Kayak Fjords and Creeks. … Tour Misty Fjords National Monument.

Ketchikan, a popular Inside Passage cruise stop, is known for its vibrant downtown, historical tours, and Alaska Native roots. It’s also a recreation hotspot, where you can fish Tongass National Forest’s shimmering fresh-water lakes one day, then kayak past tumbling waterfalls the next. Here are seven ways to love Ketchikan during your stay.

1. Experience Alaska Native Culture. Kichx̱áan was originally a summer fish camp used by Alaska Native peoples, and Tlingit culture remains a major influence in present-day Ketchikan. Perhaps the most noticeable symbols of traditional heritage are the totem poles, which tell stories of people, places, and events. Ketchikan has more totem poles than anywhere else in Alaska, ranging from 19th-century poles from now-abandoned villages to more recent carvings. As you view the totems, look for symbols of the raven and eagle moieties, which represent matrilineal groups, as well as different clan symbols such as the frog, bear, and orca whale. The poles’ formline designs and black, red, and blue-green pigments blend into the region’s rainforest environment yet stand out as sentinels of community and culture.

Wander amid the totems and view traditional items such as baskets, masks, and ceremonial objects at the Totem Heritage Center, located just outside of downtown Ketchikan. Totem Bight State Historical Park just outside of town includes 13 totems, some of which were restored or replicated from older totems by master carvers hired by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Be sure to visit the Clan House, a replica of a historical Tlingit clan house that would have housed 30 to 50 people.

How to get around Ketchikan without a car?
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How to get around Ketchikan without a car?

It’s not too hard to find your way around Ketchikan. We are a community of less than 14,000, with one main road that stretches 30 miles along the coast. Our downtown area is pretty compact and easily walkable. That said, we have a free shuttle bus service that runs the downtown loop from May through September. In addition, bicycle and electric cart or chair rentals are available to visitors in the downtown area.

Municipal buses run hourly seven days a week and provide service on major streets and to larger residential areas. Adult fares are $2, passes and youth fares are also available. Taxis, which provide 24-hour service, are also on hand to meet airport ferry and state ferry arrivals. Rates are $3.70 drop/$3.50 per mile. And rental cars are readily available as well. Please note: Public parking lots have time restrictions and/or require a parking permit. One-day permits are $5.00, available for purchase at City Hall. If you’re headed off the island, air taxis provide scheduled commuter service, as well as lake trips and charter flights.

Can you see Ketchikan on your own?
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Can you see Ketchikan on your own?

Exploring Ketchikan on foot is not only possible, but is one of the best things you can do given an hour and a half in town. An adventure within the downtown footprint of Ketchikan brings in the perfect mix of history, shopping, local art, and fresh seafood. The layout of the town is 100 years old, evidenced by the many stately buildings of historic Ketchikan.

Immerse yourself in the quaintness of the town, while enjoying an abundance of native and contemporary art (from the bronze “Rock” near the Visitor’s Bureau to the Chief Kyan Totem Pole near Creek Street). Shopping alternatives range from locally made jewelry to fancy pieces from national chains, as well as eclectic garments, high-end crafts and Alaskan books.

You can visit the Downtown Ketchikan Walking Tour here. Or you can just wander and ask the locals, who will be happy to point out their favorite spots.


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Is Ketchikan Walkable From Cruise Ship
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Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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