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.
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
