How We Spent Half a Day in Ketchikan, Alaska on a Cruise

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One of the downsides of cruising to Alaska is the half day in Ketchikan on certain itineraries. They don’t leave you with a lot of time to explore. Instead, you get a small taste of what this seaside town has to offer.

Lately, skimming through cruise group conversations, I’ve seen more people choosing to skip Ketchikan altogether. For some, the short stop doesn’t seem worth the hustle to get into town, especially if you’re docked at Ward Cove on an NCL cruise. But if it’s your first time cruising to Alaska and you’re not sure when you’ll be back, it’s worth getting off the ship early and seeing what you can. I mean, how do you not try to explore Alaska’s first city?

Woman (kathy) standing on the Creek Street boardwalk in Ketchikan, Alaska, with colorful buildings and “Ketchikan, Alaska in Half a Day” text overlay above.

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There are plenty of ways to spend your time in Ketchikan. Some book tickets to the Lumberjack Show, others explore totem parks, take floatplane tours, or head out on nearby hikes. Here’s how we spent our few hours there.

Exploring Ketchikan in Half a Day

Colorful mural painted on a fence that reads “Welcome to Ketchikan Alaska,” featuring fish, an octopus, and underwater scenery.

The key to maximizing your time in Ketchikan is being ready to get off the ship the moment the captain announces the gangway is open. If it’s an early morning arrival like ours, you just have to go for it and plan to nap later.

I wasn’t thrilled that NCL had us docking and leaving so early, but by the time we were heading back to the ship, I appreciated how quiet downtown was in the morning compared to a couple of hours later. Once the other ships started to arrive, Ketchikan got noticeably busier.

Cruising with NCL to KETCHIKAN

Norwegian typically docks at Ward Cove, about 7 miles from downtown. It’s not walkable, so you’ll need to take the free shuttle, which takes around 20 minutes each way. It’s not the most convenient setup on a short port day, so plan to get off the ship early to make the most of your time.

Cruise passengers walking the gangway next to Norwegian Encore docked at Ward Cove in Ketchikan, Alaska.

First Stop: Coffee and Donuts at Jellyfish Donuts

910 Water St, Ketchikan
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Woman (kathy) holding a cup of coffee and a chocolate raspberry donut outside Jellyfish Donuts in Ketchikan, Alaska, standing in front of a teal mural wall.

Tray of assorted donuts with colorful toppings and glazes at Jellyfish Donuts in Ketchikan, Alaska, including chocolate, sprinkles, and cookie crumble varieties.

Colorful blue exterior of Jellyfish Donuts in Ketchikan, Alaska, with signs for donuts, dumplings, and a pink jellyfish mural above the entrance.

Interior of Jellyfish Donuts showing the donut counter, handwritten signs, a chalkboard menu, and bright pink and rainbow decor.

Close-up of Jellyfish Donuts' handwritten flavor board listing options like maple bacon, lavender, salmon, and fruity pebbles.

Since we were docked at Ward Cove, we had to take a shuttle into town. Thankfully, it dropped us off right across the street from Jellyfish Donuts just as they were opening for the day. We were among the first to walk in, and the donuts were still warm, fresh out of the fryer, and dipped to order.

I got a regular coffee. Nothing fancy, but it was my first cup of the day and exactly what I needed. I went with the chocolate raspberry donut, and it hit the spot. Sure, I can get donuts back home in Los Angeles, but it’s not the same as eating one in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Jellyfish Donuts is a small, locally owned shop known for fun and unexpected flavors, including a salmon donut if you’re feeling adventurous. It was too early for me to go savory, but I appreciated the creativity. I always try to support local businesses when I’m in port, and this felt like the right kind of stop. The shop has a friendly and welcoming vibe, and it was a nice way to start the morning.

Wander Through Downtown Ketchikan

Street view of downtown Ketchikan, Alaska, featuring the iconic “Welcome to Alaska’s 1st City” sign that reads “Ketchikan — The Salmon Capital of the World.”

Cruise visitors walking along the waterfront boardwalk in Ketchikan, Alaska, on a clear morning with views of the harbor and nearby hills.

Directional sign in the Newtown District of Ketchikan, Alaska, showing walking directions to Berths 1–3, Downtown, Creek Street, and nearby districts.

Hand holding a stack of Alaska-themed postcards in downtown Ketchikan, with street view and buildings in the background on a sunny day.

View from downtown Ketchikan, Alaska, showing the marina filled with fishing boats and cruise ships docked in the distance under a clear blue sky.

My goal was to get to Creek Street, but the walk through downtown Ketchikan is part of the experience, especially in the early morning before the town gets busy. We walked along Water Street from where the shuttle dropped us off, following the harbor into town. The views of the boats in the marina and the calm morning light made it a peaceful start to the day.

We strolled along the docks, passed a few shops just opening up, and picked up some postcards to send back home. The streets were still quiet, and it gave us time to take it all in without the crowds.

If you’re sailing with Princess or Holland America, your ship likely docks right in town, making it quick and easy to get into the heart of Ketchikan. For those coming in at Ward Cove, like we did with NCL, it’s a bit more of a trek with the shuttle, but once you’re in town, it’s worth it.

And don’t miss the famous “Welcome to Alaska’s 1st City – Ketchikan” sign stretching across the street. It’s one of those little landmarks that makes you stop and say, yes, you’re really here.

Tour Ideas:
2.5 Hour Tour in Ketchikan on the Tongass Trolley [book now]
City Highlights, Totem Parks and Sightseeing [book now]

Watch the Salmon Run on Creek Street

13 Creek St, Ketchikan
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Wooden sign marking the entrance to Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska, with forested hillside and red buildings in the background.

View of Ketchikan Creek surrounded by trees and colorful buildings along Creek Street, with flowing water and moss-covered rocks below.

View of the entrance to Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska, showing the boardwalk, historic buildings, and visitors walking beneath the wooden sign.

American flag hanging over Ketchikan Creek on Creek Street, with colorful historic buildings and exposed creek bed during low tide.

Colorful shops along Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska, including Fish Creek Co., seen above the creek at low tide on a clear day.

Wide view of Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska, showing colorful historic buildings lining the wooden boardwalk above the creek on a sunny day.

Creek Street turned out to be my favorite part of the day. It’s a boardwalk built over Ketchikan Creek, lined with colorful shops and little boutiques. In the summer, it’s a great spot to watch the salmon swim upstream, and we saw plenty during our visit. While we didn’t spot any bears, I’ve heard others mention seeing them fishing along the creek.

This boardwalk is full of photo opportunities, but there’s a lot more to it than just a pretty view. Creek Street has a lot of history, too. It was once Ketchikan’s red-light district, with brothels operating here from the early 1900s through the 1950s. If you have time, you can even visit Dolly’s House, one of the historic homes that has been turned into a small museum.

We wandered in and out of shops, and one in particular stood out — Fish Creek Co. It had a little bit of everything: jewelry, fossils like whale teeth (which we mailed home to our nieces and nephews), paintings, ulu knives, and even a beautifully crafted knife made from a mammoth tooth that my husband had picked out for himself. The shop was run by super-friendly locals, who helped us ship everything home for a small fee and even shared their favorite place to eat in Downtown Ketchikan.

Early Lunch at Alaska Fish House

3 Salmon Landing, Ketchikan, AK 99901
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Exterior of Alaska Fish House in Ketchikan, Alaska, with outdoor picnic tables and a line of cruise visitors waiting to order seafood under a clear blue sky.

Chalkboard-style menu at Alaska Fish House in Ketchikan, Alaska, listing fish and chips, chowder, tacos, burgers, and Dungeness crab options above a wooden counter.

Woman (Kathy) enjoying smoked salmon chowder by the window at Alaska Fish House in Ketchikan, Alaska, with views of the harbor and mountains in the background.

Bowl of smoked salmon chowder served with oyster crackers on a tray at Alaska Fish House in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Tray of golden fried halibut fish and chips served with coleslaw and tartar sauce at Alaska Fish House in Ketchikan, Alaska.

We could have gone back to the ship for lunch, but I was ready to try something local. Food is such a big part of the travel experience for me. The staff at the gift shop recommended Alaska Fish House, so we headed there and arrived just before the rush. After we got our food, there was a line out the door. I think the lumberjack show next door had just ended because the timing worked out almost too perfectly.

The menu had plenty of options, including fish and chips, chowder, burgers for non-seafood eaters, and even crab legs. The lady at the shop insisted that I try their smoked salmon chowder, so I ordered it along with the halibut fish and chips. I had already splurged on King Crab Legs in Juneau, so halibut felt like the way to go.

Everything was so good. The halibut was incredibly fresh, lightly breaded, and not weighed down by heavy batter. You got big, flaky pieces of fish. I was a little nervous that the salmon chowder would be too fishy — salmon can be hit or miss — but it turned out to be amazing. It was creamy with a hint of spice.

My husband doesn’t eat fish, so he ordered a burger and said it was pretty great too.

The restaurant is casual, with communal tables inside and a few outside. If you can grab a seat by the windows, you’ll get a nice view of the harbor while you eat. And if you’re in the mood, grab a local beer while you’re at it.

After lunch, we made our way back to where the shuttles were picking up to return to Ward Cove. It wasn’t a long day in Ketchikan, but it was a great morning, and I’m glad we made the most of it.

Tour Ideas:
Ketchikan Pub Crawl [book here]
Alaskan Lodge Adventure and Seafeast [book here]

Other Things to Do in Ketchikan Cruise Port

If you have extra time in port or want to switch things up, here are five easy, self-guided things to do in Ketchikan near the cruise port:

Visit the Totem Heritage Center to see original, centuries-old totem poles
Walk through Saxman Totem Park (a short ride or public bus from downtown)
Explore the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, just a few blocks from the docks
Take the Ketchikan Salmon Walk along the creek, with signs about the salmon life cycle and local history
Visit Whale Park (Google map it) for water views, a quiet place to sit, and a few totems nearby

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Kathy Ava

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.