Think you have to spend hundreds of dollars on an excursion in Ketchikan? Think again! As someone who grew up in Ketchikan, I can honestly say it’s one of the easiest Alaska cruise ports to explore on your own. Whether you’re hoping to save money, stretch your excursion budget, or simply enjoy the town at your own pace, there are plenty of free and inexpensive things to do within walking distance of the cruise ships.
I’ve broken these activities down into 4 main groups:
- Best Free things to do in Ketchikan
- Best Cheap things to do in Ketchikan
- Best Free and Cheap Activities for Families
- Best Free activity for adventure travelers
If you get hungry or need some coffee, make sure to go to one of my favorite cafes and restaurants while you’re out and about.
💚 #1 Best Free Things to Do in Ketchikan:
⭐ 1. Self-Guided Walking Tours (FREE)
The Historic Society of Ketchikan made two very in-depth walking tour maps. Together, they include 62 of the community’s premier sites, including historic sites, a salmon ladder, and the hatchery! Ketchikan has the most historic properties out of any community in Alaska, so you can realistically spend your entire time in Ketchikan doing both of the self-guided walking tours!
The first one takes you on a walk all over downtown and walks you past some of the most iconic sights in Ketchikan. Out of the two walking tours, I would choose this one! You can download the downtown walking map here. This online copy is a bit cut off, but you can grab a free paper copy at the Ketchikan Visitor Center right on the docks by the cruise ships downtown.
The second one takes you on a walk on the west end of town. You can also pick up a paper map at the Ketchikan Visitor Center or view & download it here! Note that the Rainbird trail on this map is no longer available. Ketchikan had a large landslide in 2024 that wiped out most of the trail and a few houses.
Budget 2 – 4 hours for these tours.
⭐ 2. Explore Historic Creek Street (FREE)
Window shopping is one of my favorite activities to do 😉 and Ketchikan has a bunch of shops that are fun to explore. My personal favorite area to look is the historic Creek Street. Creek Street is within walking distance of the cruise ship and offers a ton of history and even wildlife viewing if you’re visiting between July and September. Make sure you snap a picture in front of the Creek Street sign; it’s probably the most photographed spot in all of Ketchikan! Also snap a picture of the back of the sign because it has a cute saying on it as well!
Not on Creek Street, but Salmon Landing Market is the largest shopping location that also has free, large, public bathrooms.
⭐ 3. Check out the Liquid Sunshine Gauge (FREE)
This one is fun, and it’s right next to the cruise ship piers in town. It’s my favorite quirky photo stop! Ketchikan gets about 228 days of rain every year and about 12.5 feet of rain, making it the “Rain Capital of Alaska” and one of the rainiest places in the U.S. where people actually live! There are a few rainier locations in Hawaii, but there isn’t a town there.
⭐ 4. Snap a pic in front of Ketchikan’s Welcome Sign (FREE)
Another very iconic photo that’s really close to the cruise ships. I’ve seen a lot of people recreate the Beatles’ famous photo here, and on sunny days, the mountain in the background makes it look incredible. This is a great Instagram spot!
⭐ 5. Married Man’s Trail (FREE)
Located next to Creek Street and Ketchikan Creek, Married Man’s Trail is a short (0.2 miles one way) walk that takes you past the fish ladder and lush rainforest scenery. From July to October, the salmon come back to Ketchikan Creek to spawn, so you’ll be able to see the creek full of salmon!
It’s called Married Man’s Trail because married men supposedly used this path to sneak to the brothels and speakeasies on Creek Street without being seen by the rest of town.
💚 #2 Cheap Things to do In Ketchikan
🐟 1. Totem Heritage Center (CHEAP)
The Totem Heritage Center is a museum that features 33 totem poles in a climate-controlled environment (perfect for escaping the rain!). The displays feature photos of the old village sites to help you imagine the poles as they stood originally. In addition, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian artifacts are housed here as well. To get here, you can take a free downtown city shuttle bus or walk 15-20 minutes from the cruise ship docks. Admission is $7 per person.
🐟 2. Saxman Totem Park (CHEAP)
About 2.5 miles south of downtown in Saxman Village’s Totem Park, which holds the world record of having the most standing totem poles in one location. There are 25 authentic replicated totem poles of original totems that were left in abandoned villages when the Native Alaskans moved into more populated towns. Entry for a self-guided tour is $5 per person. To get here, you can either take a free shuttle or walk along a sidewalk along the ocean.
💚 #3 Best Free and Cheap Activities for Families:
🦅 1. Southeast Alaska Discovery Center (CHEAP)
If you have kids and you want to escape the rain, this is a must-see! At just a block from the cruise ship docks downtown, it’s super easy to get to, and it’s indoors, making it the perfect rainy day activity. This USDA Forest Service-managed center serves as a gateway to the Tongass National Forest, the largest National Forest in the United States that spans over 17 million acres. Explore 20,000 square feet of exhibits that showcase the ecology and history of the Tongass National Forest and the native cultures. There are ranger-led tours held hourly and also a 200-seat theater that shows a variety of award-winning films. Kids under 15 are free, and adults are $5. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass, then it’s also free.
🦅 2. Salmon Ladder (FREE)
A short walk from Creek Street, this can provide a great location to see some wildlife, especially if you’re visiting between July and September when the salmon are running up the creek. Watch the salmon jump and swim, and you’ll often find seals, eagles, and bears hunting here as well.
🦅 3. Walk the Harbor (FREE)
There’s a waterfront boardwalk between Berth 3 and Berth 4 downtown that’s a fun spot to look for fishing boats, floatplanes, eagles and harbor seals! Plus it’s by a few of my favorite restaurants like Burger Queen (they offer A TON of milkshake flavors!) and Timber and Tide.
💚 #4 Best Free Activity for Outdoor Lovers:
🌲 1. Deer Mountain (FREE)
This hike is tough (I call this a “butt buster” hike) with a lot of switchbacks, but the views offer an unparalleled view of the town of Ketchikan and the Tongass Narrows. The full trail to the summit is about 5.5 miles round trip with 2,600 feet of elevation. Budget around 5 hours to do the full hike. If you’re short on time, the first lookout point is about 0.75 miles up and takes about an hour to reach. Even though the trailhead is in town, I would recommend taking a short taxi ride up to the trailhead because the road up to it is super steep! Save your energy for the hike. Also, I’d only do this if it were a nice day; otherwise, you might not be able to see any views because of the clouds!
🗓️ Keep Planning Your Alaska Cruise
Still planning your trip to Alaska? I’ve got you! Whether deciding what to pack or figuring out what to do in each port, these guides will help you make the most of your trip.
🎒 Getting Ready for Your Alaska Cruise?
Ultimate Alaska Cruise Planning Guide: My complete collection of Alaska cruise guides, from packing, excursions, wildlife, food, and everything in between.
What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise: Exactly what to bring for Alaska’s unpredictable weather, including all the essentials you don’t want to forget.
Printable Packing List: A complete checklist of everything you need!
The Ultimate Alaska Bucket List: 100+ Things to See & Do: A giant list of Alaska experiences to add to your bucket list, from wildlife and scenery to food, adventures, and hidden gems.
☕ Stopping in my hometown, Ketchikan?
Ketchikan Cruise Port Guide: My local guide to making the most of your time in Ketchikan, including what to do, where to eat, and how to explore beyond the typical tourist stops.
The Best Ketchikan Excursions: My favorite Ketchikan excursions, including the adventures I think are truly worth your time and money.
The Best Cafes & Restaurants in Ketchikan: My go-to spots for great coffee, delicious food, and a taste of what makes Ketchikan special.
❤️ A little note from me
I grew up in Ketchikan, so Alaska isn’t just a vacation destination to me. Alaska is home. I created these guides to help you experience the best of Alaska, avoid the most common mistakes, and spend your time (and money!) on the things that are actually worth it.
Happy planning! I hope you fall in love with Alaska as much as I have.
Have any questions? Drop them below and I’ll get back to you ASAP!
