Ketchikan
Around Ketchikan
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Alaska · 13k people
Ketchikan
Locals say Southeast Alaska · “Salmon Capital of the World”, “First City”
Where the rainforest meets the sea, and totems tell stories.
salmon redrainforest greenocean blue
Welcome to Ketchikan, the salmon capital at the edge of the Inside Passage! Floatplanes, fishing boats and Misty Fjords on the doorstep: grab a raincoat and say hi.
Clubs for Ketchikan
No clubs for Ketchikan yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Ketchikan. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Ketchikan. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Totem Bight State Historical Park A state park of carved poles on a rainforest trail by the water.
- Misty Fjords National Monument Dramatic granite cliffs, waterfalls, and deep fjords.
- Creek Street Boardwalk street with shops, galleries, and historic charm.
- Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary Boardwalk trails and wildlife viewing.
- Ketchikan Museum Town history: fishing, canneries and Creek Street.
- Outdoors Kayak through Misty Fjords
- Outdoors Hike Deer Mountain Trail
- With kids Visit the Totem Heritage Center
- With kids Ride the funicular up to Cape Fox Hill
- Evenings Catch live music at local bars
- Evenings Join a pub trivia night
- Locals love Seaplane docks
- Locals love Fishing charters
Through the year
- Ketchikan King Salmon Derby May-June Catch the big one in this annual fishing competition.
- Ketchikan Blueberry Festival August A community celebration featuring blueberry treats, arts, and crafts.
- Ketchikan Summer Arts Festival June-July Workshops, performances, and gallery shows across town.
- Ketchikan Fourth of July Parade July A classic small-town parade down the main street.
Southeast Alaska has a temperate rainforest climate—mild, wet, and often foggy. Best: Late spring through early fall (May–September) when rain is less persistent.
Talk like a local
- “The Rock”
- Nickname for Ketchikan.
- “Outside”
- Anywhere outside Southeast Alaska.
- “The Misty”
- Misty Fjords National Monument.
- “Southeast”
- The entire region.
Getaways
- Prince Rupert Ferry ride across the border to a British Columbia port town.
- Juneau Quick flight to the state capital for a different Southeast vibe.
- Terrace Longer trip inland up the Skeena River.
- Anan Creek Bear Observatory Bear viewing platform near Wrangell.
Local flavour
Rooting for Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Kraken (NHL), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), Seattle Storm (WNBA)
Eat and drink
- Fresh salmon (king, sockeye, coho) Often grilled, smoked, or served in chowder
- Halibut Fished locally, often fried or grilled
- Dungeness crab Caught in local waters
- Fish and chips A staple at seaside eateries
- Seafood chowder Creamy and loaded with local seafood
- Smoked salmon Traditional Native preparation
- Alaskan king crab legs Luxury item, often steamed
Where people go
- Totem poles and carving sheds
- Misty fjords and glaciers Dramatic coastal scenery
- Rainforest trails Hiking through old-growth spruce and hemlock
- Fishing canneries and docks Working waterfronts and fish processing
- Seaplane bases Floatplanes as common as cars
- Islands and inlets The Inside Passage's labyrinth of waterways
Heritage and traditions
Southeast Alaska is proud of its deep Native heritage (Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian), its rugged fishing culture, and its lush temperate rainforest. Locals value the close-knit communities and the wild, untamed beauty that surrounds them.
Say it like a local: “The bush” — Remote areas away from towns.
Festivals
- Petersburg Little Norway Festival May Celebrates Norwegian heritage with food, dance, and a marathon.
- Wrangell Bearfest July A community celebration of bears and wildlife with educational events.
- Metlakatla Founders' Day August Tsimshian community celebrates its founding with feasting and dance.
- Ketchikan Winter Arts Faire November/December Local artists showcase crafts and fine art during the holiday season.
Landmarks with a story
- Chief Shakes Tribal House A replica of a Tlingit clan house in Wrangell, used for ceremonies and cultural events.
- Sons of Norway Hall A social hall in Petersburg that preserves Norwegian heritage.
- Metlakatla Indian Community The only Indian reservation in Alaska, home to the Tsimshian people.
- Wrangell Museum Displays local history from Native cultures to the gold rush and fishing era.
Food traditions
- Smoked salmon Salmon is smoked over alder, a method passed down from Native and fishing traditions.
- Herring roe on kelp A Tlingit delicacy harvested in spring when herring spawn on kelp beds.
- Seal oil Used as a condiment or preservative in many Native dishes, adding a rich flavor.
- Dried seaweed Harvested and dried, used in soups, salads, or eaten as a snack.
- Lefse and lutefisk Norwegian foods served during Petersburg’s Little Norway Festival.
Music and arts
- Tlingit and Haida dance and song Traditional dance groups perform at festivals and community events.
- Totem pole carving Carvers create poles that tell stories and honor ancestors.
- Chilkat weaving A complex form of weaving used for ceremonial robes and blankets.
- Local art galleries Galleries showcase contemporary and traditional Native art.
A little history
- Prehistory Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples have lived in the region for thousands of years.
- 1867 Russia claimed Alaska, and the U.S. purchased it in 1867, bringing new settlers.
- Late 1800s Gold rushes in the late 1800s brought prospectors and settlers to the area.
- Early 1900s Salmon canneries boomed, making Ketchikan a major fishing port.
- 1945 Elizabeth Peratrovich’s advocacy led to the first anti-discrimination law in the U.S.
Rivalries
- Ketchikan vs. Petersburg High school basketball and fishing-derby bragging rights.
- Ketchikan vs. Wrangell Fishing derby rivalries.
- Game day High school basketball
- Game day Ketchikan King Salmon Derby
- Outdoors Whale watching
- Outdoors Glacier cruising
- With kids Visiting the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
- With kids Watching fish at the hatchery
Locals speak English with a mix of Tlingit place names and Alaskan slang. They often refer to the rest of the U.S. as 'Outside' and use terms like 'cheechako' for newcomers. The accent is generally neutral but with a maritime feel.
Only here
- Ketchikan has the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles.
- The town is known as the ‘Salmon Capital of the World’.
- It is one of the rainiest places in the United States, with over 100 inches of rain annually.
- No roads connect the towns to the mainland; you must travel by ferry or plane.
New here? A few tips
- Invest in good rain gear; it rains often and can pour for days.
- Learn to use the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system—it’s the only way to travel between towns by road.
- Respect Native culture and traditions; many communities are welcoming if you ask before taking photos.
- Try fresh seafood like salmon and halibut—it’s a local staple and often caught that day.
- Be prepared for limited road connections; plan travel by air or sea, and check schedules.
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Nearby
Every areaPrince RupertBritish ColumbiaWhere the rainforest meets the sea.Southern Southeast AlaskaAlaskaWhere the rainforest meets the seaTerraceBritish ColumbiaWhere rivers run wild and mountains meet the sky.Haida GwaiiBritish ColumbiaWhere the ancient forest meets the wild Pacific.Kitimat-StikineBritish ColumbiaWhere the mountains meet the sea
Ketchikan, AK. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.