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Ketchikan - Alaska

A rainy spot with some great history

Alaska Hotels

Ketchikan is Alaska's southernmost city, and its wettest! The locals receive 162 inches (411 cm) of rain a year. Nothing in Ketchikan stops for the rain. The city hugs the steep hillside of the Tongass Narrows on Revillagigedo Island, just 60 miles north of Prince Rupert.

Two canneries, two fish cold-storage plants, and a pulp mill provide employment for the 15,000 people who live here. Creek Street, the best-known boardwalk in Alaska, has wooden houses built on pilings over Ketchikan Creek. The street once was the town's red light district. Now it's a center for tourist shops. Dolly Arthur's House is a "museum of ill repute."

Ketchikan has Alaska's best collection of totem poles and they are everywhere. Visit the Totem Heritage Center, up the hill on Deermont St., and Totem Bight State Park (8 miles, 13 km northwest of the ferry terminal), with 15 Tlingit and Haida totem poles and a replica of a Haida clan house. Saxman Totem Park is 2 1/2 miles (4 km) south of Ketchikan with a cultural center, carving shed, and performances by the Cape Fox Dancers.

The town is a favorite stop for ceruisew ship passengers who flock to Creek Street and other scenic areas to sample life in Southeastern Alaska.

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Getting Around

Tourists obtain information on current happenings at the Ketchikan Visitor's Bureau, 131 Front Street, across from the cruise ship dock, downtown. For advance information, call (907) 225-6166.

The U.S. Forest Service is found in the Federal Building, at Steadman & Mill streets. For advance information on national forest cabins and hiking trails, call (907) 747-6671.

The Alaska Marine Highway terminal is on North Tongass Highway, call (907) 225-6181.

Air Service to Ketchikan is provided by Alaska Airlines, (907) 225-2141. The airport is across the narrows via a small ferry from the ferry terminal.

Promech Air serves all of Prince of Wales Island, Metlakatla, and Ketchikan, with a variety of tours available: Misty Fjords flightseeing, and cruise/fly excursions during the summer. For information, call (907) 225-3845 or 800-860-3845.

Where to Stay

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The Narrows Inn
Located directly on the Tongass Narrows waterway, 3 minutes north of the airport ferry terminal and 15 minutes from downtown. 47 modern rooms have views of the very scenic Tongass Narrows. Fishing and floatplane charters leave from the on-site marina. Hiking is available on nearby trails at Ward Lake and up Deer Mountain. The hotel has a restaurant -- steaks and seafood, etc. -- and bar, with limited room service. There's a picnic area, dry cleaning service and free WiFi in public areas.

Cape Fox Lodge
800 Venetia Way - Ketchikan, AK 99901
The Cape Fox Lodge is a modern hotel located in the Tongass National Forest, two miles from Ketchikan International Airport. Situated on a hill, overlooking the city, the hotel ski lodge styling with a river rock fireplace, pine-beamed ceilings and overstuffed furniture. A popular method of reaching this hotel is via a scenic tram ride that the lodge with the downtown area, 130 feet below. The hotel has 72 guestrooms, with scenic views of the mountain or the Ketchikan waterfront.that are spacious and possess the feel of a north woods cabin. All offer scenic views of a nearby mountain or the waterfront city of Ketchikan. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, and is minutes from downtown shopping, dining and the area's recreation attractions.

Inn at Creek Street
5 Creek Street- Ketchikan, AK, 99901
This historic hotel was built in 1924 and remodeled in 1991. It sits on piles on the Ketchikan waterfront, and also offers suites and vacation rentals located on the famous Creek Street Boardwalk. Loft suites overlook Ketchikan Creek. the inn has a coffee shop, jacuzzi tubs, business services and free Wifi at an Internet kiosk.

Other local hotels are listed on our reservation service.

Where to Eat

Annabelle's Famous Keg and Chowder House
# 326 Front St., Ketchikan, AK 99901-6418 -- 907-225-9423
Annabelle's has been in Ketchican for a long time and is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. It's in the Gilmore Hotel. Seafood is the staple and sometimes (not on a schedule) the restaurant throws an excellent seafood buffet. Think salmon and chowder.

Ocean View Restaurante
1831 Tongass Ave, Ketchikan -- (907) 225-7566
Reviewers call this place upbeat and lively, and the food is very good. It serves a mix of Mexican and Italian dishes including their "everything" fajitas. The restaurant serves a variety if pizzas.

Pioneer Cafe
619 Mission St, Ketchikan, AK 99901 -- 907 225-3337
This is a popular place for breakfast and lunch. the servings are large. Pancakes are a breakfast favorite, and the lunch crowd goes for things like their huge Alaska Burgers. It's an understated cafe, unpretentious and the meals are economical.