Top Ketchikan Culture

You will be with an experienced driver. Learn about some Alaska and Ketchikan history and current events. We help with recommendations for local native art, places you can visit comfortably if you have children or someone with limited mobility and restaurants. If you have a wheelchair or scooter, vehicles have a big enough compartment for that. If it is a scooter, that will limit passengers to only up to four.

On this tour you'll enjoy a rich history briefing of the historic fire station, the process of distilling our local spirits, tastings of our house spirits, followed by a hands-on class of how to blend your own custom infusion. All botanicals, herbs, and spices are included in this experience. Once your signature creation is complete, create a custom label and enjoy your bottle back home with friends and family!

Explore Ketchikan with ultimate convenience and comfort on this private, fully-customizable tour, in which you design the route. Gain a comprehensive overview of the city with four main stops, including the early 20th century Creek Street where the buildings are mounted on stilts, and Herring Cove where you can spot salmon, bears and eagles. This engaging and insightful tour is suitable for all ages, and can accommodate cruise passengers.

Spend several hours exploring the highlights of one of Alaska’s southernmost cities on this immersive, multi-stop tour of Ketchikan. Meet your guide at your cruise ship dock. See city highlights, including historical Creek Street and a local salmon hatchery, before continuing out of town: you’ll visit totem parks, pretty tide pools and beaches, nature preserves, and more. As you go, learn all about the region’s indigenous heritage.

Discover the beauty of southeast Alaska when you book this lighthouses, totems, and eagles tour from Ketchikan. Ideal for lighthouse enthusiasts, history buffs, and wildlife lovers, this tour explores Ward Cove's industrial history, Totem Bight State Historical Park, local lifestyles, and the iconic Guard Island Lighthouse. You also gain insights into Alaska's native cultures and the Tongass National Forest.

Lighthouse Excursions is a locally owned & operated Ketchikan tour company based out of Ward Cove. We pride yourselves on providing guests with an experience of Southeast Alaska through local eyes. Your Lighthouse, Totems & Eagles Excursion is a grab-bag of some of Ketchikan's top attractions, with a little something for everyone. Whether you're a lighthouse enthusiast, a history and culture buff, or love seeing wildlife in their natural environment, this tour is for you! We're passionate about where we live, and we love showing it off to guests from all over the world.

A historic boardwalk perched on pilings and a former red-light district, culture on Creek Street is a wild ride—especially with a guide. On this Fish Tales & Ales tour, you’ll be taken to several favorite watering holes of local fishermen, along Creek Street and through town to the docks, hearing stories of Ketchikan’s colorful past. You’ll wrap up at Potlatch Bar, a historic delight: It's Ketchikan's oldest.

Learn about the native cultures of Alaska during your time in Ketchikan on this private shore excursion. This tour is completely flexible and can be tailored to your group's interests. Some options include visiting totem parks, a salmon hatchery, beaches, waterfalls, or going on a hike. While you explore, your guide teaches you about Native American culture and traditions.

Walk from Ketchikan’s downtown docks to historic Creek Street on a self-guided audio tour that plays automatically through a GPS app as you explore. Follow Ketchikan Creek to discover how this waterfront town was shaped by fishing, timber, and Tlingit culture. Along the way, you will pass salmon viewing areas, traditional totem poles, forested paths, and harbor views. Uncover the town's history as a Native fish camp, a multicultural working port, and the Salmon Capital of the World, alongside tales of the historic red-light district. Explore at your own pace—pause to watch the salmon runs or take in the harbor views. The audio resumes whenever you’re ready, so you can move freely without keeping up with a group. This is a self-guided experience (no in-person guide). Download the tour in advance and use it anytime. It works offline and follows your location along the route.

Immerse yourself in Alaska’s rich cultural heritage and learn more about the region’s Native American culture and logging trade. This half-day tour from Ketchikan starts with a visit to Saxman Native Village, where you will watch a traditional performance from the Cape Fox Dancers before seeing a totem pole carving. Next, it’s time for the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show for a thrilling 60-minute demonstration of this 150-year-old sport.

Avoid the crowds easily during this Ketchikan Pub Crawl Experience as it changes its route nightly. Visit the area’s pubs and bars to grab drinks and hear stories of the city’s drinking past, including tales of prohibition. Plus, with a guide to lead the way and drinks included, prebooking this pub crawl makes things simple.

Explore Ketchikan's rich history and vibrant Native culture on this immersive tour. Board a luxury coach for a scenic journey that includes a visit to Eagle Point for local heritage insights and smoked salmon tastings. Discover the world's largest collection of standing totem poles at Saxman Native Village, and drive through Ketchikan’s historic downtown, including the famous Creek Street. This tour offers a blend of storytelling, cultural understanding, and beautiful Alaskan landscapes, ensuring a memorable experience for couples, solo travelers, and families alike. - Luxury coach transport for a comfortable journey - Engaging guide providing cultural insights and stories - Visit to Saxman Native Village and carving center - Suitable for groups of all sizes, accommodating up to 44 passengers

Step aboard a comfortable, climate-controlled van and explore the charm, history, and natural beauty of Ketchikan—Alaska’s “First City.” This guided tour offers a relaxed, small-group experience with a knowledgeable Driver-guide. Photo opportunities abound as you travel along the scenic waterfront and through historic downtown, learning about Ketchikan’s rich fishing heritage. Visit the Totem Heritage Center to view historic totem poles and discover Alaska Native culture. Continue to the upper reaches of Ketchikan Creek, where spawning salmon and the iconic Bald Eagle are often seen. Then step into the lush Tongass National Forest and breathe in the rainforest wilderness fresh air as you enjoy this peaceful, unforgettable landscape.

Experience a delightful combination of private transportation and dining at the Eagles Nest Restaurant, where you can soak in stunning views of Downtown Ketchikan. Guests will have the chance to explore the fascinating history of sourdough and will receive a sourdough starter kit to take home. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to create your own personal-sized pizza using a variety of traditional and Alaskan-themed ingredients. Enjoy one alcoholic drink from the menu, which features locally crafted beer and wine, or opt for non-alcoholic beverages such as soda or water. To round off your meal, treat yourself to a delectable Cape Fox Cannoli for dessert.

Experience a unique Ketchikan wildlife cruise that combines breathtaking scenery, Alaska wildlife, and authentic local storytelling. Departing from Clover Pass Resort aboard our comfortable enclosed vessel, you'll cruise the protected waterways of the Inside Passage in search of whales, bald eagles, harbor seals, sea lions, porpoises, and other wildlife. As you travel through Southeast Alaska's stunning coastal landscapes, enjoy captivating stories from local Alaskans sharing tales of wildlife encounters, commercial fishing adventures, local legends, and life in the Last Frontier. Unlike traditional wildlife tours, Tales & Tides offers a deeper connection to Alaska's culture and people while providing excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, and sightseeing. This unforgettable Ketchikan shore excursion combines wildlife, scenery, and authentic Alaska stories into one memorable experience.

Explore the sights of Ketchikan aboard a San Francisco–style cable car trolley. Traveling on this open-air vehicle, you'll see attractions such as the Fish Ladder and the Native American totem poles of Saxman Native Village, plus look for wildlife such as bears, seals, salmon, and bald eagles at the Herring Cove viewing area. This is a fully narrated and guided tour.

Explore Ketchikan and the best of Alaska in this customisable tour for you and up to ten of your friends, family, or colleagues. Your guide will make sure all the sites are covered, and you can just relax and enjoy it all. Options to see are the Salmon Hatchery, Herring Cove, Local Waterfalls, Local Totem Parks, seasonal bear viewing, and exploring the Indigenous Cultures of Southeast Asia.

Trade in a mellow shore excursion for a thrilling alternative in Ketchikan. Steer or ride in a 4WD Jeep Wrangler® deep in Tongass National Forest. Then, at Lake Harriet Hunt, paddle with your group a Native American–style canoe. Keep watch for deer, moose, eagles and even bears along the way. Reward your outdoor activities with a delicious snack.

Get ready to explore Ketchikan like never before with our guided sightseeing tour. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Ketchikan in a comfortable and pristine minibus that seats up to 20 people. This includes a custom tour of Downtown Ketchikan, along with 4 to 5 other stops of your choice. We recommend checking out Rotary Beach, Totem Bight State Park, the George Inlet Cannery, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, Herring Cove Wildlife Viewing area or the Historic Creek Street area for some shopping. Don't miss out on this opportunity to have a fun-filled and informative tour of Ketchikan. Book your tour now!

Experience Ketchikan in ultimate comfort and style with our Exclusive Van Tour. Relax in a luxury van with plush seating and panoramic windows, while your personal guide curates a day tailored entirely to your interests. Whether you want to explore historic sites, visit local artisans, or chase breathtaking views, the day is yours to design. We can arrange custom experiences—from wildlife encounters to scenic coastal drives—or simply provide a seamless, relaxed journey through Ketchikan’s most iconic and hidden gems. This is more than a tour—it’s a VIP adventure, crafted just for you.

Explore the Legends of Alaska at Lumberjack Cove Distillery, where you'll uncover the art of spirit creation. This engaging tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the distillery, led by an expert guide. After the tour, dive into a personalized infusion class where you can create your own unique alcohol blend to take home. Enjoy shopping time for souvenirs and more. - Discover the distillation process at Lumberjack Cove Distillery - Create a custom infused alcohol with expert guidance - Take home 375 mL of your personalized infusion - Enjoy shopping time for souvenirs and additional cocktails

Ketchikan has always drawn people chasing gold, fish, fortune, or a fresh start, and not everyone succeeded. This self-guided audio tour surfaces the scandals and tragedies cruise lines skip, and how Indigenous people, immigrants, and workers pushed back against exploitation. From the Rock statue, you'll pass Harding's 1923 Masonic cornerstone site, the courthouse behind two Supreme Court cases, and the firehouse, now Uncharted Distillery, linked to a fire chief's disguised return to set more fires. The route continues to Creek Street, the red-light district, for the truth about Dolly the Sporting Woman, and the New York Cafe, whose Japanese-American owner survived WWII internment thanks to neighbors, ending at East Street Pier overlooking Pennock Island, Tongass National Forest, and the cruise ships.

We start off the tour with a nice trip over the whale watching grounds on a 12 mile run to the crabbing location. From there we put your names on the crab pot buoys, bait the pots and toss them over. Huge Dungeness crab, rock crab, and even Puget Sound king/Box crab, starfish and other oddities are hauled up in our crab traps. We can spend some time doing a bit of fishing or whale watching in the middle of the tour. You are able to ship your catch home or eat it back at the dock. Approx 4 hours

Misty Fjords National Monument is a remote, road-less wilderness area that can only be reached by air and sea. This floatplane flightseeing tour takes you into the heart of the park where you can see untouched areas of Alaska far from the hoards of cruise ship passengers that flock to more accessible areas. The tour includes a water landing—a unique experience only a floatplane can provide.