Ketchikan Guidebook
Beach
This state park is right across the road from the cottage. The best Beach in town, IMHO! You can put the kayaks in the water here, have a beach fire complete with weenies and smores, and watch the amazing sunsets! If you're really brave you can swim or, if you're equipped, you can go scuba diving here (lots of locals do)!
Refuge Cove State Recreation Site
619-793 Sunset DrThis state park is right across the road from the cottage. The best Beach in town, IMHO! You can put the kayaks in the water here, have a beach fire complete with weenies and smores, and watch the amazing sunsets! If you're really brave you can swim or, if you're equipped, you can go scuba diving here (lots of locals do)!
Great beach for day use and campgrounds for those who are roughing it! If you're brave you can even swim at this beach!
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Settlers Cove State Recreation Site
18000 N Tongass HwyGreat beach for day use and campgrounds for those who are roughing it! If you're brave you can even swim at this beach!
A nice local beach, heavily used by the locals. Has a cool musical garden feature you just might want to check out! Probably not a great idea to swim in the pond area as it may have some bacteria that you don't want on your body.
Rotary Beach Park,buggy Beach
3507 S Tongass HwyA nice local beach, heavily used by the locals. Has a cool musical garden feature you just might want to check out! Probably not a great idea to swim in the pond area as it may have some bacteria that you don't want on your body.
Hiking
A short, easy, peaceful walk through a picturesque forest with views of the Lake and rivers!
Ward Lake Trail
Ward Lake RoadA short, easy, peaceful walk through a picturesque forest with views of the Lake and rivers!
Great options. Easy, across the bridge and loop through the forest. Medium, up the stairs on the right and hike along river. Harder, keep going along river trail until it forks and go right until it loops back around. Always bring a GPS locator (FREE from the library) in case you get disoriented when hiking!
Lunch Creek Trailhead
Great options. Easy, across the bridge and loop through the forest. Medium, up the stairs on the right and hike along river. Harder, keep going along river trail until it forks and go right until it loops back around. Always bring a GPS locator (FREE from the library) in case you get disoriented when hiking!
Get ready for some stairs followed by an amazing view of town. Just take your time and stop and enjoy the view often!
Rainbird Hiking Trail
2600 7th AveGet ready for some stairs followed by an amazing view of town. Just take your time and stop and enjoy the view often!
A great, easy hiking trail through the beautiful Alaska wilderness. Entire hike takes between 2 and 4 hours depending on how much time you spend at Persevence Lake. BTW, the lake is a great place for a swim after a sweaty hike, so bring your swim suit!
Perseverance Lake Trail
Ward Lake Road NorthA great, easy hiking trail through the beautiful Alaska wilderness. Entire hike takes between 2 and 4 hours depending on how much time you spend at Persevence Lake. BTW, the lake is a great place for a swim after a sweaty hike, so bring your swim suit!
Sightseeing
Totem Heritage Center
601 Deermount StAmazing place to learn more about our area's native culture and arts.
Less than a mile away from Sunset Cottage, you can even walk over to see this historical Totem park. If you go during the day, you may even see a carver at work!
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Totem Bight State Historical Park
9883 N Tongass HwyLess than a mile away from Sunset Cottage, you can even walk over to see this historical Totem park. If you go during the day, you may even see a carver at work!
A privately owned totem park and museum, lots to see including some old vehicles!
Potlatch Totem Park and Museum
9809 Totem Bight RoadA privately owned totem park and museum, lots to see including some old vehicles!
An amazing stand of Totem Poles and a beautiful Clan House in the city of Saxman. check out the Carving Shed.
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Saxman Totem Park
2660 Killer Whale AveAn amazing stand of Totem Poles and a beautiful Clan House in the city of Saxman. check out the Carving Shed.
Stop along the side of the streetin this area and you'll probably see some bears (and 30 other people trying to see the bears!) Worth the drive.
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Herring Cove
8033-7979 S Tongass HwyStop along the side of the streetin this area and you'll probably see some bears (and 30 other people trying to see the bears!) Worth the drive.
Get to know Ketchikan by visiting this great museum! Really well curated and so interesting!
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Tongass Historical Museum
629 Dock StGet to know Ketchikan by visiting this great museum! Really well curated and so interesting!
A nice park for a picnic. Ketchikan Creek runs along one edge and man-made river runs through the park with a fountain in the middle.
City Park
Deermount StreetA nice park for a picnic. Ketchikan Creek runs along one edge and man-made river runs through the park with a fountain in the middle.
Food Scene
My best picks for tasty food with a bit of Ketchikan ambiance!
Loaded with Alaskan ambiance, you can pair their top-notch menu offerings with a wide assortment of specialty wines & craft beers while taking in the sights just outside the waterfront windows overlooking the Tongass Narrows. Simply spectacular! Don't miss it!
Bush Pilots' Lounge
Loaded with Alaskan ambiance, you can pair their top-notch menu offerings with a wide assortment of specialty wines & craft beers while taking in the sights just outside the waterfront windows overlooking the Tongass Narrows. Simply spectacular! Don't miss it!
Yummmmm. Super tasty savory and sweet crepes. You have to try the crepes with fresh Alaskan ingredients!
Alaska Crêpe Co
123 Mission StYummmmm. Super tasty savory and sweet crepes. You have to try the crepes with fresh Alaskan ingredients!
Be sure to grab a great cup of joe and a bite in this comfortable coffee house. Hang out for a bit and enjoy the tunes and comfy space.
Pilothouse Coffee
2106 Tongass AvenueBe sure to grab a great cup of joe and a bite in this comfortable coffee house. Hang out for a bit and enjoy the tunes and comfy space.
Close to Sunset Cottage, this is some of the best coffee and treats on the island! And they open early for all you early risers!
The Green Coffee Bean Company
7206 N Tongass HwyClose to Sunset Cottage, this is some of the best coffee and treats on the island! And they open early for all you early risers!
When in Alaska, eat fish! Everything on this menu is great, but you can never go wrong with fish and chips! Try the sampler platter!
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The Alaska Fish House
3 Salmon LandingWhen in Alaska, eat fish! Everything on this menu is great, but you can never go wrong with fish and chips! Try the sampler platter!
Tasty Mediterranean fare, featuring locally sourced ingredients when available. Fridays they often have live music. Grab a drink at the old English bar that is the centerpiece of this space.
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New York Hotel & Cafe
207 Stedman StTasty Mediterranean fare, featuring locally sourced ingredients when available. Fridays they often have live music. Grab a drink at the old English bar that is the centerpiece of this space.
Very tasty burgers, nice atmosphere, and tasty specialty mixed drinks! Small venue. Locally Owned. $$$
108 Tap House & Burger Bar
Very tasty burgers, nice atmosphere, and tasty specialty mixed drinks! Small venue. Locally Owned. $$$
Great place to grab a tasty cup of coffee, lunch wrap or bowl, or an energy drink while you're running around town. Locally owned. $-$$
Local Grounds
Great place to grab a tasty cup of coffee, lunch wrap or bowl, or an energy drink while you're running around town. Locally owned. $-$$
Drinks & Nibbles
Great drinks and some fabulous hand-crafted pizzas. Be sure to try their Bloody Mary's made from their spice infused spirits! Yummm.
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Fat Stan's Sports Bar & Pizzeria
330 Spruce Mill WayGreat drinks and some fabulous hand-crafted pizzas. Be sure to try their Bloody Mary's made from their spice infused spirits! Yummm.
Locally brewed beer--watch, learn and enjoy at this little gem of a brewery!
Bawden Street Brewing Company
325 Bawden StLocally brewed beer--watch, learn and enjoy at this little gem of a brewery!
It's just what it sounds like, but worth a stop if you're thirsty and want to meet the locals! Take a walk on the dock and you might see whales or seals out in the cove!
Hole In the Wall
7522 S Tongass HwyIt's just what it sounds like, but worth a stop if you're thirsty and want to meet the locals! Take a walk on the dock and you might see whales or seals out in the cove!
This just in, fabulous specialty drinks are now available at Ketchikan's new distillery (opened summer 2022)! Swing by on a warm night for a great drink in downtown out on the patio!
Uncharted Alaska Distillery
319 Main StreetThis just in, fabulous specialty drinks are now available at Ketchikan's new distillery (opened summer 2022)! Swing by on a warm night for a great drink in downtown out on the patio!
Wide variety of liquor, wine, beer and specialty drinks at reasonable (according to Alaska's standards) prices!
Alaska Liquor North
90 Signal RoadWide variety of liquor, wine, beer and specialty drinks at reasonable (according to Alaska's standards) prices!
Entertainment
Ketchikan's primary live music venue. Check out their Facebook page to find out what's coming up. They also have some great Cajun cooking...including gator! Be sure to try a local beer brewed by Bawden Street Brewery.
The Creek Street Cabaret
123 Stedman StreetKetchikan's primary live music venue. Check out their Facebook page to find out what's coming up. They also have some great Cajun cooking...including gator! Be sure to try a local beer brewed by Bawden Street Brewery.
Ketchikan is filled with amazing artist and you can always see a great show at the Main Street Gallery. New art openings the first Friday of every month (along with a fabulous Art Walk all over downtown). Exhibitions can be viewed throughout the month.
Main Street Gallery
330 Main StreetKetchikan is filled with amazing artist and you can always see a great show at the Main Street Gallery. New art openings the first Friday of every month (along with a fabulous Art Walk all over downtown). Exhibitions can be viewed throughout the month.
Thursday nightsare my favorite night at Cape Fox, there is great live music that evening. Be sure to call for a reservation if you don't want to wait to be seated. Sit in the lounge area for the best listening experience. Be sure to be ready with a few song recommendations and a tip for the trio if you're feeling generous!
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Cape Fox Lodge
800 Venetia AveThursday nightsare my favorite night at Cape Fox, there is great live music that evening. Be sure to call for a reservation if you don't want to wait to be seated. Sit in the lounge area for the best listening experience. Be sure to be ready with a few song recommendations and a tip for the trio if you're feeling generous!
Shopping
Spiffy local grocery store with great meats and produce and a few aisles of our Costco favorites. Be prepared for a bit of Alaskan-prices sticker shock!
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Ketchikan Alaskan and Proud
3816 Tongass AveSpiffy local grocery store with great meats and produce and a few aisles of our Costco favorites. Be prepared for a bit of Alaskan-prices sticker shock!
Who doesn't need Walmart sometimes. They have a full pharmacy and a large souvenir section, as well as most outdoor gear. AND they have one of the Subway Sandwich shops. They have some basic groceries as well including frozen burgers, chicken at hotdogs for grilling.
Walmart
4230 Don King RdWho doesn't need Walmart sometimes. They have a full pharmacy and a large souvenir section, as well as most outdoor gear. AND they have one of the Subway Sandwich shops. They have some basic groceries as well including frozen burgers, chicken at hotdogs for grilling.
If you need a special gift while you're in town, want some gourmet ingredients, or just want to browse a really cool boutique, Simply Bella's is a must. A bit spendy, but oh so cool!
Simply Bella
4966 North Tongass HighwayIf you need a special gift while you're in town, want some gourmet ingredients, or just want to browse a really cool boutique, Simply Bella's is a must. A bit spendy, but oh so cool!
When you come to Ketchikan, you must buy a Ray Troll t-shirt. You cam find them here at his family's shop along with prints, jewelry and much more! Check out Creek Street when you're in the area.
The Soho Coho
5 Creek StWhen you come to Ketchikan, you must buy a Ray Troll t-shirt. You cam find them here at his family's shop along with prints, jewelry and much more! Check out Creek Street when you're in the area.
If you're in this neck of the woods, you can get all your Alaska treasures and trinkets to take home for yourself and those you left at home!
Alaska Totem Trading
9809 Totem Bight RoadIf you're in this neck of the woods, you can get all your Alaska treasures and trinkets to take home for yourself and those you left at home!
If you need outdoor gear of any kind, including XtraTuf boots (known as Ketchikan sneakers), this is where you need to stop.
Tongass Trading Co. Marine & Outdoors
2521 Marine Works WayIf you need outdoor gear of any kind, including XtraTuf boots (known as Ketchikan sneakers), this is where you need to stop.
Stop by Tongass's upstairs if you need high-quality outdoor clothing, hiking shoes, hats and more. Downstairs is a bunch of souvenir options. Across the street is the Tongass Men's Wear(basement) and Lady's Loft(upstairs) if you need regular clothes, and another gift/souvenir shop on the street level. You can purchase bulk Jelly Belly's here too!
Tongass Trading Co
201 Dock StStop by Tongass's upstairs if you need high-quality outdoor clothing, hiking shoes, hats and more. Downstairs is a bunch of souvenir options. Across the street is the Tongass Men's Wear(basement) and Lady's Loft(upstairs) if you need regular clothes, and another gift/souvenir shop on the street level. You can purchase bulk Jelly Belly's here too!
Wonderful gallery filled with handmade art and crafts made by local artisans. Some of my favorite pottery and jewelry can be found in this great store.
Starboard Frames & Gifts
407 Dock StreetWonderful gallery filled with handmade art and crafts made by local artisans. Some of my favorite pottery and jewelry can be found in this great store.
A handful of local stores including a wonderful knitting and beading store, a children's toy store/consignment clothing store that is really fabulous. All the retail stores are downstairs, upstairs are office spaces.
PLAZA MALL
2417 Tongass AvenueA handful of local stores including a wonderful knitting and beading store, a children's toy store/consignment clothing store that is really fabulous. All the retail stores are downstairs, upstairs are office spaces.
Three Bears Alaska
Big box style grocery store. Great for larger sized food purchases.