Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Ketchikan?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Ketchikan?

Most visitors spend one to three days in Ketchikan when visiting. The local town offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the hiking, the food, the beautiful scenery, and the museums and landmarks.

Ketchikan is an Alaskan town on the Inside Passage that has grown from a local fishing village into a popular cruise ship port. It's a huge fishing destination, particularly salmon fishing, and there is also a local culture that is unique and fascinating. Native American totem poles are a common sight around the town, which is set against the backdrop of snowcapped mountains. You'll find lots of wildlife and salmon spawning streams that ensure the town feels quintessentially Alaskan.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Ketchikan? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is 3 days enough time in Ketchikan?

Three days is more than enough time to see everything that Ketchikan has to offer such as the scenic town and gorgeous mountains. Many visitors prefer to spend one to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the hiking, the food, the beautiful scenery, and the museums and landmarks at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, especially for families and couples. You can also take a day trip to nearby mountain towns if you're looking to explore further around the area.

How to spend 3 days in Ketchikan

Known for it's hiking, Ketchikan sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

A few tour suggestions include:

Ketchikan Electric Bike and Rain Forest Hike Ecotour ($161)
Wildlife Viewing and Whale Watching Quest ($195)
“OVER THE TOP TOURS” city highlights, wildlife and more! ($100)

The delicious food of Ketchikan is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this town's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

Ketchikan is a very walkable city. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

Perhaps the most famous place in Ketchikan is the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

Ketchikan is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It's located at the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage, so you can expect dramatic natural beauty and a breathtaking setting.

A few tour suggestions include:

Ketchikan Rainforest Island and Boat Adventure ($189)

This town offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Ketchikan.

Is 4 days enough time in Ketchikan?

Four days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Ketchikan, including the town and mountains. You'll be able to move at your own pace, relax at your hotel or nearby restaurants and parks. You could also use Ketchikan as a base for exploring the surrounding mountain areas. Take the extra time to take a hike, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, admire the wonderful scenery, and browse through museums over multiple days. Also, explore some of the smaller nearby mountain towns on day trips.

Ketchikan, Alasak

How to spend 4 days in Ketchikan

If you have more than 4 days in Ketchikan, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.

The small-town atmosphere of Ketchikan is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. It has that classic small town vibe where all of the locals know each other and there's a sense of loyalty among the residents.

Is 5 days enough time in Ketchikan?

Five days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Ketchikan at your own pace to experience the hiking, the food, the beautiful scenery, and the museums and landmarks. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing out to nearby mountain towns, hiking trails, or scenic viewpoints. There are also many exciting day trip options.

How to spend 5 days in Ketchikan

Having 5 days in Ketchikan will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.

Shopping in Ketchikan is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Ketchikan, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.