My views do not necessarily reflect the views of my employers.
4th of July, 2025
I was IPM (in port manning) while we were in Ketchikan so while I was disappointed that I couldn’t go ashore, I was glad that I had been there before and I could still enjoy the holiday from the ship.
Ketchikan, Alaska
Welcome to Ketchikan – Alaska’s fourth-largest city. It’s also known as Alaska’s First City because it’s the first city travelers encounter when heading north along the Inside Passage. Ketchikan is the Salmon Capital of the World – a place where Indigenous heritage, frontier spirit, and wild natural beauty come together beneath misty rainforest skies.
While Ketchikan itself is not a UNESCO site, it lies within the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in North America and part of a globally significant ecosystem for biodiversity and carbon storage.
History:
Ketchikan began as a Tlingit summer fishing camp and grew into a bustling town during the late 1800s thanks to salmon canneries and gold prospectors. It was officially incorporated in 1900. Native heritage remains strong here, with Ketchikan home to one of the largest collections of standing totem poles in the world. The town’s name is derived from the Tlingit word Kichx̱áan, often interpreted as “thundering wings of an eagle.” Logging, fishing, and tourism shaped its identity, but Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures have always been central to its story.
Itinerary:
Arrival: Friday July 4 7:00am
Departure: Friday July 4 All aboard: 5:30pm or 7:30pm Sail away: 8:30pm
Fireworks: approximately 11:00pm
Weather
- Average Temps: Highs around 64°F (18°C), lows near 52°F (11°C)
- Climate: Expect cool mornings, potential rain, and warmer afternoons
- What to Wear: Waterproof jacket, walking shoes with good grip, and a small umbrella or packable rain layer
Near the Pier:
Cruise Ship Dock: Berth 2 on Front Street
Address: 131 Front St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
Nearby Essentials
- Pharmacy: Island Pharmacy, 352 Front St (5-min walk)
- ATM: Wells Fargo ATM, 306 Dock St
- Grocery/Snacks: Tongass Trading Co. (general store), 201 Dock St
- Walmart: Take the Silver Line North toward Ward Cove, which stops at the Walmart shuttle location for just $2 or take a taxi.
- Nearest Church: Holy Name Catholic Church, 433 Jackson St (10-min walk)
- Nearest Golf: Black Bear Mini Golf & Arcade (indoor, family-friendly fun), 717 Totem Way
Getting Around:
- Walking: Downtown is compact, walkable, and filled with shops, galleries, and totem poles
- Public Transit: Ketchikan’s “The Bus” serves downtown and nearby neighborhoods ($2 fare, exact change)
- Shuttle Bus: A FREE downtown shuttle bus runs from May through September.
- Taxis/Rideshare: Ketchikan has local cab companies- Sourdough Cab (phone 1-907-225-5544) Yellow Taxi (1-907-225-5555) Approximate rates are $3.70 a drop and $3.30 per mile.
- no Uber/Lyft service
- Bike Rentals: Limited—check with local outfitters like Ketchikan Kayak Co. for e-bike options
- Hop-On Bus: The downtown “Totem Trolley” offers narrated loops during peak hours (pick-up at cruise terminal)
- Car Rentals: Alaska Car Rental, Budget Car Rental, Tongass Car Rental
Witnessing:
The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show – Just a few tickets left available
Experience an exhilarating tribute to Alaska’s logging heritage at this lively outdoor amphitheater, just a 5–10 minute walk from the cruise docks. Since its debut in 2000, the show—staged on the former site of the Ketchikan Spruce Mill—features 13 events over a thrilling one-hour performance:
- Axe throwing, wood chopping, logrolling, tree climbing, and high-speed chainsaw demonstrations
- Friendly USA vs. Canada team competition—complete with audience chants, playful banter, and a chance to pick sides
- Real lumberjack athletes with ESPN-caliber skills, plus a fun, interactive, “Dad-joke”–filled emcee atmosphere
🛡️ Covered, cushioned seating ensures rain won’t dampen the fun—perfect for Ketchikan’s wet climate.
🎟️ Admission is usually around $37 adult / $18.50 child, with VIP add-ons like axe-throw challenges or crab feasts available.
Creek Street is Ketchikan’s most famous and photographed thoroughfare—an iconic boardwalk built on pilings along the edge of Ketchikan Creek, just a stone’s throw from the cruise ship pier. Once the town’s red-light district, it is now a vibrant historic area filled with artisan shops, galleries, and scenic overlooks where you can watch salmon swimming upstream during the spawning season.
The bridge at the entrance to Creek Street is a favorite fishing spot, where locals often cast a line into the rushing waters of Ketchikan Creek. While today it’s a thoroughly respectable destination, Creek Street has a colorful past. In the early 20th century, it was home to several brothels, the most famous of which belonged to Big Dolly Arthur, a well-known madam renowned for her lavish parties. Today, visitors can tour Dolly’s House Museum, preserved just as it was in the 1920s, offering a glimpse into the lives of the women who once worked there.
Ketchikan is famous for its salmon runs, and a large portion of those fish return to Ketchikan Creek each year. As the saying goes, “Creek Street is one of the only places where both the salmon and the fishermen go to spawn.” The view from the boardwalk is not only picturesque—it’s steeped in both natural wonder and human history.
Totem Heritage Center (601 Deermount St): located near Deer Mountain, you can view original 19th-century totem poles preserved from abandoned Tlingit and Haida village sites—powerful symbols of family lineage, mythology, and spiritual belief.
- Bus: Take the Green Line from Front Street/Eagle Park to Deermount Street/East Fourth Street. The ride is ~4 minutes and costs $2.
- Walk: A 10–15 minute stroll (~0.6 mi) along Ketchikan Creek and town streets.
- Taxi: About a 2-minute ride for $5–7.
- Shuttle: A free downtown shuttle stops by every 20–25 minutes during summer
Just two miles south of town, Saxman Totem Park (2660 Killer Whale Ave, Saxman) offers an impressive outdoor display of hand-carved poles along with a traditional tribal house, often hosting cultural demonstrations and dance performances.
- Free shuttle/bus: Take the Silver Line South from near Berth 2; it arrives in ~10 minutes ($2 adult, $1 youth/senior).
- Taxi: Quick 4–5 minute ride, around $10–15 one way.
- Walk: A protected waterfront path from town – scenic but 2–3 miles (45–60 min)
Learning:
Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
Just one block from the cruise docks in downtown Ketchikan, this 20,000 sq ft interpretive center is the gateway to the Tongass National Forest—the largest temperate rainforest in North America. Inside, explore four immersive halls on rainforest ecosystems, Indigenous cultures (Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian), regional biodiversity, and the human uses of natural resources. With interactive exhibits, a life-size eagle’s nest, and a 200-seat theater showing award-winning wildlife and cultural films, it’s perfect for both families and lifelong learners.
Details & Tips
• Hours (May–Sep): Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM
• Admission: $5, free for youth under 15 or with federal park passes
• Fun for Kids: Scavenger hunts, Junior Ranger programs, and hands-on challenges
• Access: A short walk or via the free downtown shuttle
Tongass Historical Museum
Located just steps from Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum offers a fascinating look into Ketchikan’s boomtown past and the lives of its early settlers. Through a carefully curated collection of artifacts, historical photographs, and rotating exhibits, the museum brings to life the stories of Indigenous communities, gold prospectors, fishermen, and loggers who shaped the town’s identity. It’s a great stop for anyone interested in the human history of Southeast Alaska and a perfect complement to walking through Ketchikan’s historic streets.
Totem Bight State Historical Park features beautifully restored poles and a recreated clan house, set in a peaceful rainforest clearing by the shoreline.
- Bus: Catch the Silver Line North at Front St/Dock St (Berth 2). Journey: ~25 minutes, $2.
- Taxi: Approx. 15 minutes, $60–75 due to 10-mile distance
Hiking:
- Totem Bight & Ward Lake Trails: Easy, well-marked paths through rainforest and around tranquil lakes
- Rainbird Trail: A moderate 1.5-mile out-and-back trail that begins just above town and offers great city views
- Deer Mountain Trail: Steep and scenic, offering forested switchbacks with stunning views—best for experienced hikers
Hidden Gems:
- Married Man’s Trail: A once-secret path to Creek Street, now a quirky wooded boardwalk
- The Rock Sculpture: Bronze tribute to Ketchikan’s diverse founders—near the Visitor Bureau
- Scanlon Gallery: Local First Nations artwork and fine crafts
- The Whale Park Totem: A quiet, less-visited totem near a peaceful waterfront viewpoint
Tasting:
- 🍬 Ketchicandies – A local favorite for handmade chocolates, caramels, and Alaska-themed confections. Great for gifts or a treat on the go.
- 🍔 Burger Queen – A beloved waterfront shack serving massive burgers and amazing milkshakes. Grab your food to-go and eat outside, or have it delivered next door to the bar for a casual dine-in experience.
- 🍻 Arctic Bar – Classic dive bar with big Alaskan personality, harbor views, and cold beer—right next to Burger Queen.
- 🐟 Annabelle’s Famous Keg & Chowder House – Local seafood, steaks, and chowder served in a cozy, vintage-style saloon setting.
- 🌮 Alaska Fish House – Dine right on the dock with halibut tacos, salmon burgers, and fresh clam chowder. Great spot to watch floatplanes land.
- ☕ Pilothouse Coffee – Locally roasted espresso, baked goods, and scenic harbor views from their elevated seating area.
- 🎣 Salmon Market Samples – Don’t miss the free tastings of smoked salmon, jerky, and spruce-tip jelly at souvenir shops along Dock Street—perfect for edible souvenirs.
🎉 Events: 4th of July in Ketchikan
The Fourth of July is a major celebration in Ketchikan, filled with small-town charm, local pride, and a festive waterfront atmosphere. Expect crowds, music, parades, and patriotic spirit all day long.
- 🇺🇸 4th of July Parade
- Time: 1:00 PM start
- Route: Begins at Berth 4 and proceeds south down Tongass Avenue (also labeled Front Street), right past Berth 2—perfect for parade viewing from the ship or nearby sidewalks.
- Road Closures: Tongass Avenue/Front Street will be closed from approximately 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
- 🎶 Live Music & Food Vendors
- All-day festivities along the waterfront, including food trucks, local musicians, and community booths.
- 🎆 Fireworks Over Tongass Narrows
- Time: Approximately 10:15 or 11:00 PM, weather permitting
- Best viewed from the ship as we will have left the pier.
Please Note:
While curio shops, galleries, and businesses downtown and on Creek Street will be open for holiday visitors, most grocery stores and provision vendors will be closed. If you need essentials, please plan accordingly before the 4th.
Locals begin claiming their parade spots as early as 8:00 AM, so expect lively, crowded streets and limited vehicle traffic downtown. Let’s hope for blue skies and dry weather! 🇺🇸🌤️
I always enjoy the 4th of July parade in Clarksburg when I can make it, so I was excited to see how this parade would measure up.
Travel Tips:
- Bring small bills or coins for public transit and small purchases
- Watch for bald eagles—often perched on light poles or soaring above the harbor
- Wi-Fi can be spotty downtown; consider downloading maps ahead of time
- Shops often close by 6:00 PM—explore early if you’re planning to shop
- Be cautious on wooden walkways—they can be slick when wet
Paul, one of our residents, used to work as a chef on a small ship that spent a lot of time in Alaska. He suggested that I cover some bear advice. Afterall, as we are about to go to Alaska, we are increasing our chances of encountering a bear. Here is some advice from the internet:
🐻 If You Encounter a Bear
1. Stay Calm and Assess
- Most bears want to avoid people. Don’t panic or run.
- Identify the type: Black bears are more common in Southeast Alaska more scared of humans (but still stay away); brown/grizzly bears are larger and more assertive.
- Stay away from CUBS
2. Speak Calmly and Don’t Make Sudden Movements
- Let the bear know you’re human by talking in a low, calm voice.
- Slowly wave your arms – make yourself look bigger. Avoid direct eye contact (which they may perceive as a challenge).
3. Do Not Run
- Running may trigger a chase. Bears can outrun humans, even downhill.
- Back away slowly, keeping your eyes on the bear.
4. If the Bear Approaches
- Stand your ground. Black bears often bluff charge.
5. If Attacked
- Grizzly/Brown Bear: Play dead—lie flat on your stomach, hands over the back of your neck, legs spread. Stay still until the bear leaves.
- Black Bear: Do not play dead—try to escape or fight back using any object to strike the bear’s face.
🦌 If You Encounter a Moose
- Keep your distance: Moose are not predators but can be extremely aggressive, especially with calves.
- If a moose lays its ears back or stomps—it’s agitated.
- Back away slowly and place something (a tree or car) between you and the moose.
- Do not run—moose can outrun you and may charge if provoked.
🧭 General Wildlife Tips
- Make Noise while hiking—talk, clap, or wear a bell to avoid surprising animals.
- Travel in Groups when possible—bears are less likely to approach groups.
- Store Food Properly—never leave snacks in your backpack or pockets. Use bear-proof containers where available. Just don’t bring any food. On an extra long hike well packaged- nothing open
- Keep a Safe Distance—use binoculars or zoom lenses for photography.
To summarize, I’ve written a poem:
If it’s brown, lay down.
If it’s black, fight back.
You’re welcome.