Ketchikan Favorite Tips by mcpangie Top 5 Page for this destination

Rain Storm at Clover Pass

Favorite thing: Ketchikan is located in rainforest. If you're lucky, you'll get the opportunity to see that the rain can be lovely in Southeast Alaska.

Fondest memory: It's kind of hard to level out the horizon on a small boat at sea. Clover Pass is at the "north" end of the Tongass Narrows leaving Ketchikan.

4th of July In Ketchikan

Favorite thing: Every year something special is going on at 4th of July. There is usually a parade. One year some Scottish Bag Pipe players and highland dancers were in town at the city park.

Fondest memory: This picture shows the beauty of the City Park in Ketchikan. It is a tranquil, lovely area to sit a spell.

Thomas Basin From the Air

Favorite thing: Here is a picture of Thomas Basin near downtown Ketchikan from the air... taken on approach for landing at Taquan Air.

Eagles, Rainbows, Rain...

Fondest memory: I took this picture of an eagle watching over the Tongass Narrows after a rainstorm. I thought it matched the picture my niece drew me very well (another tip in this section).

Dry Docked Ferry

Favorite thing: Ketchikan is where the Alaska Marine Highway has a lot of work down on the ferries during the off-months in the winter when traffic slows down.

Fondest memory: This is the M/V Bartlett, which is no longer part of the AMHS fleet. The State of Alaska sold the ferry to the highest bidder on E-Bay.

Ketchikan From the Air

Favorite thing: Travel in floatplanes that take off from the Ketchikan waterfront is one way to see other destinations like Misty Fjords, Metlakatla, and even Prince of Wales Island destinations.

Where Eagles Fly

Favorite thing: Or you'll see eagles out on the water getting food. This picture was taken not far from where the McDonald's drive-thru is at the Plaza, Ketchikan's mall.

Out in the Tongass Narrows the island that is visible is Pennock Island, the island that separates the Tongass Narrows into two channels right near downtown Ketchikan.

Where Eagles Fly

Favorite thing: Bald eagles are a common sight in Ketchikan. You'll find them perched in trees looking out for food....

City Dock

Favorite thing: You'll get some of the best views of Ketchikan from on deck of a cruise ship. You'll be able to pick out the places to go before you can leave the ship.

The shops on this extended portion of the City Dock are designed for tourism. There are restaurants, art galleries, souvenier shops, that will keep you busy enough that before you know it the cruise ship will be blowing it's horn to remind you to reboard.

Holland America Tied to City Dock

Favorite thing: I got the chance to tour a ship parked behind this Holland America. I was amused that they take such good care of their guests that they wash the windows while in port so the tourists can have that much better view!

Fondest memory: Sometimes in the summer there are ships tied up at the City Dock, and in the Tongass Narrows. One day that I remember there were basically more tourists in town than residents... and Ketchikan is one of the largest cities in Alaska.