rditton

I agree with the previous posters - bring a broken in pair of shoes, any good walking or hiking shoe is great. You'll be walking much more than you normally do (it just happens) so be sure there are no 'hot-spots' as there's nothing worse than blisters on vacation! And the tip on ExperienceKetchikan's page - Bring a 2nd pair of shoes just in case the first pair gets wet.

"Wear closed toe shoes (for warmth). Comfortable ones!! A good walking or hiking shoe is perfect. I don’t recommend purchasing rain boots (although they are cute!) as they’ll be too big & clunky for your luggage, but if you water-proof your shoes you’ll be a happier walker if it’s raining! I’ve been hiking and have witnessed folks who are getting their dress shoes filthy as they are hiking on a muddy trail. Save your dress shoes for the Cruise Ship. You don't want to ruin your vacation because of wet, cold feet! I have always preferred Merrell's waterproof hiking shoes, they fit well, keep my feet nice & dry, and are plain comfortable!"

I prefer Totem Bight which also has Potlatch Park right next door. (Here's a good write-up on all of the Totem Parks & poles around town) Totem Bight has a lovely, short walk though the trees and out onto an opening with a gorgeous view! And Potlatch Park next door has amazing old cars, and probably the best gift store in town. Both parks are no-charge (not so for Saxman) You can take the bus or take a taxi.

Do you have the Bus schedule? Here it is... http://www.borough.ketchikan.ak.us/DocumentCenter/View/5073 You would be taking the Silver Line.

Totem Heritage Center is great for it's old photos on the wall (my favorite part) and to see authentic totems and artifacts. But it's very much a museum - a time for quiet reflection! It's easy to get to as it's right in town, just a short walk.

I love both the Duck Tour and the Lumberjack Show and do each of them yearly. They are both fun & entertaining. The Duck tour isn't great when it's POURING outside or when it's super HOT outside. But it's a sit-down tour and sometime that's exactly what you want - to sit down and ride around town! Enjoy!!

I keep a pair of Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Roof Prism Binocular in my glovebox. It's a great all-around binocular for a low price (~$75) on Amazon.

It's an easy walk and it's a busy highway because it's the only main street! haha... The sidewalk is great and the path will walk you by some gorgeous views! I am a runner and run that part of town often. Picking up a taxi at Saxman isn't difficult - walk "down" to the highway and there are nearly always taxi's dropping off and picking up passengers. If you don't want to chance it, you can have the Gift Shop call you one. Or, like another mentioned, take the City Bus! Inexpensive, quick, and clean.

Here's the bus schedule http://www.borough.ketchikan.ak.us/DocumentCenter/View/5073

You would be taking the Silver Line - you can see it comes by every hour.

In Ketchikan, you can rent fishing equipment and get a fishing license on Creek Street - just near Dolly's House. I have seen a second rental location on the opposite side of the creek as well. Depending on when you go will depend on what is available and what type of fishing is allowed. Creek Street Rod Rentals (907) 821-1975 is listed on http://www.experienceketchikan.com/creek-street-ketchikan.html

Also - I love looking at the Fishing Reports when you are in town - it gives a clue on what is available and what has been caught. (You can also look at the archives for the month/day you will be in town to see what happened last year!)

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/FishingReports/index.cfm?ADFG=R1.archive&Area_key=6

I have to say that snorkeling in Ketchikan was amazing. The tour wins nearly every year on Princess as one of the top tours in Ketchikan so I had to find out what the big deal was. Let me tell you, it exceeded all of my expectations. I've also snorkeled and scuba dived in many gorgeous places but this one was one of those 'once in a lifetimes' things. The water is crystal clear, the colors are incredible, and the guides are excellent. It's highly recommended! Here's more info...

I also love the Duck tour and Bering Sea so it's a hard one for me to choose but I loved, loved, loved the snorkel tour! Enjoy...

rditton, thanks for the walking info. I need a recommendation for lunch for my 17 year old daughter and me. The rest of my family will be salmon fishing so we will have some mom and daughter time to walk around town and have a leisurely lunch. We are looking for fish, chowder, and crablegs(even if they are from frozen).

There are many options but my 'favorite' spot is at Annabelle's, located right across the street from the large, brown 'Tongass Trading Company' building near Berth #2. They have amazing fish meals - my favorite is called 'The Way to a Man's Heart' and is a filet of halibut topped with crab & a spicy cheese sauce.....it's ah-mazing! They also have an award winning smoked salmon chowder & of course, clam chowder! And the crab....both King Crab & Dungeness and yummy! They have two sides, one is a bar/pub and the other is a fancy sit-down side. You're making my mouth water, haha! And if you're a carrot cake fan, it's a definite.

Other places include the 'Crab Cracker Seafood Bar' which is located in the Salmon Landing building just beside the Lumberjack Show at Berth #1.

The Fish Pirate's Pub is located on the 2nd floor, right at Berth #2 (by the Ketchikan Visitor's Bureau building) and they have great windows to sit by where you can eat & watch the world go by down below.

The Cape Fox Lodge is located above Creek Street and is fun to take the Funicular up the hill to the restaurant, which also looks out over the city.

So many good places to choose from! :-)

Have a great time in Ketchikan - enjoy!!

Rene

Certainly BYOQ!! :-) The more quackers the merrier!!!

Is the Lumberjack show worth it? Is it easy to get to? Not much said about it. Thanks:)

As with the Duck Tour, this is another of my 'favorite' tours! We go at least a time or two every year. It's a show - a foot stomping, hand clapping, 'Yo-ho' yelling good time. There are several events & competitions between two teams. The action is fun and the lumberjacks are both amazing and hysterical. I think it's definitely 'worth' the admission price. These guys are athletes! The seats are stadium-style but have cushions and the theater is heated from above.

It's incredibly easy to get to. It's located 1 block away from Berth #1. So even if you're parked at Berth #4, it's only about a 3 cruise-ship length walk away. Easy.

The Duck Tour definitely uses humor, laughter, music & jokes in it's tour. However, it's also very informative. If you've ever taken a Duck Tour you know how it works. The guides are experts at providing lots of information about the area in a fun way. I send all of my family & friends on it as it provides a great 'overview' of the area and is a fun way to see both the downtown area & the harbor area.

So - is it worth it? I say yes. It's about the least expensive tour in town ($42/Adults, $25/kids) and they even offer a $2 discount per Adult ticket when you purchase in advance.

Enjoy!

There is a thread of 'Ketchikan on the Cheap' that you might want to read for more suggestions too! :-)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1800431

8x42 all the way (IMO!) 8x is more versatile and brighter, there's less noticeable magnification of shaky hands (or vibration from the ship/boat) which makes up for the increased detail resolution of the 10X. I'll be interested in the other comments though!

The one question I have is how important is it that they be waterproof, assuming no overtly"wet" excursions (i.e. kayaking)?

YES! While you 'may get lucky' and not need the waterproof portion, you are going to visit a rainforest! And it would suck to not use the binocs you bring because it's misting/raining outside. As Putterdude stated, I also keep a pair of Bushnell's in my glovebox and use them for everything. And they're waterproof & fogproof....so I don't worry about using them anytime!

Enjoy,

Rene

Walking around town you'll find plenty of things to do! Of course 'on the cheap' means different prices to everyone but I'll drop some options & suggestions for under $40/person.

Museums around town:

- The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is $5/person - this is a great place to spend time. There are lots of exhibits, a must-see movie, great bookstore, & any info you would want (it's an Alaska Information Center too). It's only a block or so away from Berth #1 & 2.

- Totem Heritage Center also $5/person - has authentic original totem poles rescued from abandoned villages plus exhibits of baskets, masks, etc. The photos on the walls from the villages are what I love! It's located near City Park.

- The Tongass Historical Museum is $2/person and is located just next to Creek Street. Their exhibits change during the year and it is always amazing to see what they are showing.

- The Fish Hatchery & Eagle Rehabilitation Center -$12/person (you can purchase a combo ticket with the Totem Heritage Center for $15). **Please note that this may be closed in 2013 - there has been talk lately. I will update when I hear anything definitive** A great place to go to see eagles up close and to learn about the Salmon life cycle.

Totem Poles & Parks:

- There are several 'free' Totem Poles located around the downtown area (approximately 7 just in the downtown area!). And several people have already mentioned going to Cape Fox Lodge to see the Totem Circle. The only thing I would add to that is to make sure and go inside Cape Fox Lodge as on the ground floor and 2nd floor there are some incredible exhibits of masks, baskets, photos, etc. The funicular is right on Creek Street or as some have mentioned, there is a staircase on both Married Man's Trail or out to the street near the Fish Ladder. Pick up a copy of the Free Walking Tour Map and you'll see all of these spots listed.

- Totem Bight and Potlatch Park are located side by side about 10 miles North of downtown. As everyone has mentioned, the City Bus will take you there for $1/each way. There is no admission charge, however, Totem Bight is a State Park and donations are always accepted if you feel so inclined (especially if you take one of the printed maps!) Or you could always print one yourself before you go. There are also informational signs spread throughout Totem Bight, giving you some history of the poles & Clan House. Potlatch Park has a Totem Carving Shed where you may see a carver working and their tools, an antique car museum & an antique firearm museum that even if you're not a gun enthusiast, is worth checking out the fascinating items inside.

- Saxman Native Village is about 3 miles South of downtown and can also be reached via City Bus (or, if it's a gorgeous sunshiny day you can always walk there, there is a gorgeous path that follows the road - perfect for viewing the surrounding islands!). There is a small fee, last year's price was $5/person. Be sure to print out the totem descriptions as there are no informational plaques here. Saxman also has a Totem Carving Shed where you may be able to see actual carvers working away.

Walking around town:

- Be sure to check out the Staircase Streets....if you dare! :-) I love the view up the staircase over the Tunnel - great for photos of the town & Cruise Ships!

- Walk by the Ketchikan Daily Newspaper building and learn about their old press.

- Dolly's House is on Creek Street and is $5/person (as of 2012). Inside is an actual (not a replica!) 'working woman's' home complete with furnishings, appliances, hidden compartments, and, um.....tools. :-) It's an interesting stop. Or you could always give Dolly's girls a small 'tip' and get a photo with one of them outside.

- Take a look at the 'liquid sunshine gauge' located by the Ketchikan Visitor's Bureau building - yes, we get about 300 days of rain and it adds up!

- Depending on the timing of your visit, cruise down to the Stedman Bridge (just across the street from Creek Street) and watch the fishermen catch Salmon.

- Walk Married Man's Trail to the Fish ladder (again, in season) and watch the crazy kamikaze salmon hurtling their selves up the waterfall. Walk just down the street, just across the street from the American Legion building for the BEST viewing platform of the thousands of salmon waiting to try their luck at the waterfall.

- Look for eagles - they're everywhere, especially in the early part of the season.

- Cruise down to the marina and check out the fishing & pleasure boats. And check out the Ketchikan Yacht Club. If it's low tide, look for some starfish - if you're lucky you'll see some of the 'sunflower starfish' that can have something like 24 legs!

- Go geocaching! There are several geocaches in the downtown area!

- The Library has been moved but is still accessible by City Bus.

Go for a hike! (if you're going to do this, be SURE to pick up a 'spot' from the Visitor's Bureau so that if you get in trouble or lost you can activate the beacon and the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad can find you.

-The Deer Mountain trail is a GREAT hike and if you are willing to walk up the hill to the trailhead, will cost you nothing. Of course you could take a taxi up to the trailhead (my recommendation) or even catch the City Bus to the corner and walk up the hill to the trailhead. It's a tough'ish hike but the 1 mile lookout is absolutely spectacular (as is the summit!)

- The Rainbird trail is also a great hike and is a milder hike than Deer Mountain. It's within walking distance (though up a steep hill) or you could jockey the Bus system to get there.

- The Ward Creek Trail is spectacular as well but is best visited if you rent your own car, no bus service is available.

Go Shopping (or Browsing)...

While there are lots of jewelry stores and an adequate number of 'touristy stuff' - tchotchkes, t-shirts, hats, and the like, there are also several fascinating/local stores with very cool or unusual items! Here are some of my 'favorite' places - spots I take family & friends:

- Are you a quilter? Stop by the Silver Thimble Quilt shop for some amazing "Alaska" fabrics & kits. They're located in the Salmon Landing, just opposite the Lumberjack Show.

- Are you a beader/looking for yarn/craft supplies? Call for a free shuttle to The Point, located about 2 miles from downtown (next to the Safeway). Check out their amazing art from local artists - the pottery, paintings, & crafts are simply gorgeous. They also serve special soups & sandwiches daily.

- The Christmas in Alaska store is very popular for ornaments & all things Christmassy. :-)

- The SoHo Gallery is on Creek Street and has some fascinating art - folks from all around buy Ray Troll's t-shirts for his witty & colorful art.

- Also on Creek Street is the 'Ketchikan Carver on the creek" - a store for Norman Jackson's wood art

- Also on Creek Street is Sam McGee's - great for local jams & jellies (and has a free tasting station) coffees, chocolates, etc.

- Crazy Wolf Studio located just across the street from Whale Park is another great place for authentic, local art, totem poles, baskets, etc.

- Smoked Salmon? Walk up Mission Street to Salmon Etc on the right or the corner of Mission & Main Street for free samples & good prices.

- Chocolate? Be sure to walk to KetchiKandies - they have free samples of their homemade fudge and have spectacular chocolate covered Oreo cookies (my favorite is the mint/dark chocolate ones!) that are a favorite here. If you're already eating too much on the cruise, just walk by....the aroma of the fresh chocolate may just lure you in!

- I personally love the PNW native jewelry at Tom's Treasures, right beside the movie theater on Mission Street, there is tons to choose from (I own probably one of half the store! haha) and the owner is very fair & is open year round!

- I'm sure I've missed some....

- Tongass Trading Company is a large building located on the docks (with two other stores across the street) where you can find just about anything Alaska-related.

I'm sure I will get 'blasted' for this statement but it's my opinion. I feel that taking a tour teaches you more than just walking around a city, reading the info on the map. You won't find many tours that doesn't teach you about the surroundings, history, or information about the area. If you're not interested in that - OK, no problem.

If you are, there are only a few low-cost tours. One that I like a lot is the Ketchikan Duck Tour. It is 90 minutes for $40/Adult, $25/kids (if you pre-book! It $42 on the dock) and you are driven around the downtown historical part of the city where they talk about the history of the area. Then you drive into the water and cruise through the marina & Narrows. I find you get plenty of information but it's not a history lesson, they throw in humor so that it's not boring. You can get a good feel of the place during the tour and walk around afterwards to the spots you want to spend more time in.

I also like the Lumberjack Show! Not only do you get a show but learn a bit about the logging that was so prevalent in the area. I know someone has already commented on the price, but $35/Adult (half price for kids) for an hour show may not be too much for others.

I send family & friends on both of these tours regularly.

That's probably waaayyyy too much information but I hope the OP gets some ideas. :-)

Enjoy...

Rene

Ooh! There's already some very good books on this list!

Gary Paulsen is one of my favorites and since the Ididarot just started this weekend, consider his 'Winterdance'.

I also love Highliners - a book about the commercial fishing industry...

Krakauer's "Into the Wild" - a fascinating story that they turned into a movie.

And The Reader's Companion to Alaska - which introduces you to some of the classics of Alaskan literature

Just to name a few! Enjoy!

As others have said, there's plenty of geocaches here! Specifically in Ketchikan there are at least 10-12 in the downtown walking area that range from micros to travel bug hotels to multis that take you to the totem poles for clues to really, really challenging ones! As Realmccoy suggested, bring your GPS with you and load it up with the coordinates before you leave. I have personally placed about 6 caches in Ketchikan and am constantly amazed how often they are found! Good luck and happy caching!

We were just on an Alaskan cruise and I came across a quilt shop in Ketchikan. It was right by the Lumberjack show in a two-story building with shops and a bar downstairs. Sorry I don't recall the name of it. It looked like it had some nice quilting materials.

That's the Silver Thimble Quilt Shop - an excellent spot!

You'll find a pair of Bushnell 8 x 42 in my glovebox and they are excellent! And for only $70 or so, won't break the bank...

Described as "the best 'pound for pound' wildlife viewing binoculars in the business.

They combine value, craftsmanship, technical performance, and a nearly perfect balance of "magnification (8) x field of view (42). They have these Special Features:

• BaK-4 porro prisms for bright, clear, crisp viewing
  
• Multi-coated optics for superior light transmission and brightness
  
• Waterproof & Fogproof: O-ring sealed and nitrogen-purged for 100% reliable, fog-free performance
  
• Large center focus knob for easy, precise adjustments
  
• Non-slip rubber armor absorbs shock while providing a firm grip
  
• Twist-up eyecups
  
• Large center focus knob for easy, precise adjustments
  
• Longer eye relief
  
• Weight - 27.2 oz / 770 grams
  

Enjoy!