Ketchikan - Salmon Capital of the World

Welcome to Alaska’s “First City” & The Salmon Capital of the World.

Ketchikan is known as Alaska’s “First City” because it’s the first major community travelers come to as they journey north. Located on an island, Ketchikan began life as an Indian fishing camp. The name Ketchikan comes from a Tlingit phrase that means “Eagle with spread-out wings,” a reference to a waterfall near town. In the early 1900’s, when gold was Alaska’s claim to fame, fishing and timber industries were established in Ketchikan. The growth of these industries helped make this Inside Passage port Alaska’s fourth-largest city.
Visitors to Ketchikan will be intrigued by its rich Native heritage, which includes the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at Totem Heritage Center. The Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian are all a part of the city’s colorful history. Ketchikan, with its abundance of salmon, is also a sportfishing paradise. Sightseers will be impressed with both the scenic town and its surroundings, especially Misty Fjords National Monument.

The Major Point of attractions in Ketchikan are:-

1. Totem Bight State Park

2. The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

3. Misty Fjords National Monument

4. Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary

Ketchikan is truly an outdoors-man’s paradise filled with adventurous activities like Zip-Lining, Kayaking, Hiking, Flight-Seeing, Mountain Point Snorkelling, Paintball Shooting etc

The Pursers on a Paint Ball Shooting Adventure in Ketchikan

Totem Bight State Park - Ketchikan has the world’s largest collection of standing Totem Poles & the major 15 one can be found at Bight State Park.

The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show - Alaska’s frontier lumberjacks battle British Columbia’s premier woodsmen in a no-holds-barred competition for the title “Bull of the Woods.” These world champion athletes are featured in springboard chopping, buck sawing, axe throwing, log rolling and the thrilling 50-foot tree climb, while your colorful host delights the crowd with stories of lumberjack lore. The show is held in a covered, heated and cushioned grandstand. You can enjoy some pre-show activities, shop at the gift shop, or enjoy a snack before settling in for an exceptional show filled with music, excitement and lots of laughs.

Ketchikan is famous for its unconventional showers & often it would shower with the Sun blasting it’s full heat & thus earning the Ketchikan rains the name “Liquid Sunshine”.

One of the major thrilling adventure experience by me was on the Bering Sea Crab Fishing Vessel ‘Aleutian Ballad”, which even featured in the award winning TV Series “Deadliest Catch”. This tour is once in the life time adventure wherein you experience the life of Crab Fisherman Crab Fishing amidst 40-50 feet swells of the Bering Sea. Alaskan King Crab fishing remains one of the most dangerous jobs in United States with a fatality of 150 / per 100,000.

Ketchikan also has some great Bars & Restaurants and one of my & I suppose everyone who has visited Ketchikan would be Arctic Bar on Water St. At Arctic Bar, you will have the pleasure to enjoy the ‘Happy Bear Brew’ & get connected to free Wi-Fi along with ordering your Burgers from the most famous burger joint in Alaska “Burger Queen”. Paula, who has been bar-tending and running the show for close to 30 years now is always excited to make you her World Famous Bloody Mary’s. Sipping your Beer at Arctic & seeing the numerous Cruise Ships come in & Float Planes taking off and best of all you get to meet people specially crew from from the Cruise Ship who come from different parts of the Globe.

If your not at the Water Front than your better off shopping either at Walmart or other stores that offer numerous Alaskan Collectibles.

In Ketchikan, you should not leave without tasting the Alaska Salmons (Specially Sockeye or Pink Salmon) after all you are in the Salmon Capital of the World. The other must try delicacies are the Alaskan King Crab, Pacific Halibut, Red Snapper & the signature Rhubarb-Blueberry Bread Pudding.

Please do not miss this adventure to Ketchikan, one of the most beautiful places on Earth..Shortly we will progress to Juneau the Capital City of Alaska and explore the legendary Tlingit Indians and visit the beautiful Mendenhall Glacier.

Kinny31