By Brian Dohrn | Dohrn Travels | Ketchikan Cruise Port Day
Wondering how to spend a Ketchikan cruise port day without booking an excursion? That’s exactly what we did during our Alaska cruise.
After stepping off the ship, we spent a few hours exploring downtown Ketchikan on foot. We walked Creek Street, tried Alaskan king crab for lunch, browsed the shops around Salmon Landing Market, and made it back to the ship with time to spare.
If you’re visiting Ketchikan for the first time, this guide walks you through our port day, what was worth doing, and what I’d do differently next time so you can decide whether exploring downtown on your own is enough or if booking an excursion is the better choice.
Table of Contents
My Ketchikan Cruise Port Day at a Glance
- Starting Point: Ketchikan cruise dock, downtown
- Port Hours: 6:30 AM arrival, 1:00 PM departure (check your itinerary—port times vary by cruise.)
- Best Time to Visit Creek Street: Right after getting off the ship, before the crowds arrive.
- What We Did: Walked Creek Street, had lunch at Alaska King Crab Company, explored Salmon Landing Market, and browsed downtown shops.
- Time Needed: About 2–3 hours on foot.
- Estimated Cost: Exploring downtown is free. Lunch can range from about $20 per person for a casual meal to well over $100 if you order Alaskan king crab. Budget extra for shopping.
- Is It Worth It? Yes, if you want to experience downtown Ketchikan without booking an excursion. If you’re hoping to see wildlife, the rainforest, or more of the island, I’d recommend an excursion.
Getting ready for your Alaska cruise? Before you sail, read my 5 Seattle Cruise Mistakes That Cost Me Time and Money to avoid a few easy mistakes I learned the hard way.
Ketchikan Cruise Port Walking Map
Everything we did during our port stop was within easy walking distance of the cruise ship. Here’s the route we followed so you can easily recreate the day.
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Walking Around Ketchikan from the Cruise Port
One of the biggest questions before our cruise was whether we could enjoy Ketchikan without booking an excursion. As it turns out, downtown Ketchikan is one of the easiest Alaska cruise ports to explore on foot.
Is Ketchikan walkable from the cruise ship? Absolutely. The dock drops you right at the edge of downtown, and Creek Street is close enough that we were standing on it within ten minutes of walking off the ship.
Walking Creek Street in Ketchikan
Creek Street is the first place most cruise passengers head, and after walking it myself, I understand why. It’s a wooden boardwalk built over the creek, lined with colorful historic buildings, local shops, and overlooks where you can stop and watch the water below.
We arrived early, and it wasn’t too crowded yet—just a steady stream of people instead of shoulder-to-shoulder traffic. As the morning went on, more cruise passengers started arriving, and the boardwalk became noticeably busier. If you want a quieter experience, getting there soon after you leave the ship is the way to go.
About halfway along Creek Street is a large salmon statue, and near the upper end you’ll find a small salmon ladder. We were in port before the salmon run, so it was quiet. If your cruise arrives during salmon season, watching the fish work their way upstream would easily be one of the highlights of the walk.
Lunch at Alaska King Crab Company in Ketchikan
After spending the morning exploring Creek Street, it was time to grab lunch before heading back toward the cruise ship. Since trying Alaskan king crab was high on my list for this cruise, Alaska King Crab Company was an easy choice.
We split a Crabby Mary—a Bloody Mary topped with a piece of king crab leg—and shared the King Crab Combo, which included a king crab leg, a cup of clam chowder, and a Dungeness crab cake.
The clam chowder ended up being the standout. It was thick, flavorful, and one of my favorite things I ate during the cruise. The crab cake leaned a little heavy on the breading for my taste, but the king crab itself was exactly what I was hoping for.
Salmon Landing Market & Ketchikan Cruise Port Day Shopping
After lunch, we spent the rest of our port time browsing the shops near the cruise dock. If you’re looking for souvenirs, this is the easiest part of Ketchikan to explore on foot.
Inside the same building as Alaska King Crab Company, I picked up a T-shirt from Dockside Trading Co. From there, we made our way toward Salmon Landing Market, stopping at a few souvenir shops along the way, including Great Alaskan Souvenirs, where we picked up a couple more Ketchikan T-shirts.
A popcorn stand near the market—Pop’s Kettle Corn—was hard to walk past. We grabbed a bag of cheddar cheese popcorn to take back to the ship. It was good, though I probably wouldn’t buy the cheddar popcorn again. If you’re already walking through the area, it’s a fun snack to try.
This stretch of downtown is where you’ll find most of the Ketchikan cruise port shopping. There are plenty of souvenir stores, local art galleries, jewelry shops, and small gift stores. Some shops carry the typical tourist items, but if you take your time, you’ll also find locally made artwork and unique souvenirs.
🚢 Still planning the cruise itself?
If you haven’t booked your Alaska sailing yet, compare Holland America Alaska cruise itineraries and look for routes that include Juneau, glacier viewing, Sitka, Ketchikan, and other classic Inside Passage stops.
What We Spent in Ketchikan
If you’re wondering what a few hours in downtown Ketchikan cost us, here’s a breakdown of what we spent on food, souvenirs, and snacks during our visit. Your total will vary depending on where you eat and how much shopping you do, but this should give you a realistic starting point.
| Lunch | Cost |
| Kolsch Beer | $ 8.50 |
| Crabby Bloody | $ 20.00 |
| King Crab Combo | $ 109.95 |
| Snack | |
| Small Popcorn Bag | $ 6.00 |
| Shopping | |
| Dockside Trading Co | |
| T-Shirt | $ 29.99 |
| Hoodie | $ 44.99 |
| Great Alaskan Souvenir & Gifts | |
| T-Shirt | $ 34.95 |
| Ball Cap | $ 19.99 |
| Fridge Magnet | $ 6.95 |
| Total | $ 281.32 |
Looking back, we packed quite a bit into our short time in port. Here’s my overall takeaway after spending a few hours exploring Ketchikan on foot.
My Take on a Ketchikan Cruise Port Day
If it’s your first time visiting Ketchikan and you don’t have an excursion planned, spending the day on foot is an enjoyable way to experience the downtown area. We had enough time to walk Creek Street, enjoy a great seafood lunch, browse the shops, and still make it back to the ship without feeling rushed.
That said, walking downtown only gives you a small taste of what Ketchikan has to offer. If you’re hoping to experience the rainforest, see more wildlife, or get out on the water, you’ll need to book an excursion.
For our short port stop, I was happy with how we spent the day. But after learning more about what Ketchikan has to offer beyond downtown, I know I’ll be booking an excursion the next time we visit.
🧠Want to Experience More Than Downtown Ketchikan?
Exploring downtown was a great way to spend our short port stop, but if I visit Ketchikan again, I’ll be booking a shore excursion. It’s the best way to experience the rainforest, spot wildlife, and see more of what makes this Alaska port so special.
Before you book, I recommend comparing tours on both Viator and GetYourGuide. Prices, tour options, availability, and cancellation policies can vary, so it’s worth checking both to find the best fit for your cruise.Planning Your Ketchikan Cruise Port Day
If you’re planning to explore Ketchikan without an excursion, I’d recommend getting off the ship as early as you can. Creek Street is much more enjoyable before the crowds build later in the morning.
If you plan to browse the shops, grab lunch, and walk through Salmon Landing Market like we did, allow at least two to three hours. Our port stop was only a few hours long, but we never felt rushed and still had time to enjoy each stop.
One last tip: Keep an eye on your ship’s all-aboard time. Ketchikan port stops are often shorter than other Alaska cruise ports, so it’s easy to lose track of time while exploring downtown.
If you’re still getting ready for your cruise, my What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise guide covers the layers and rain gear that made days like this much more comfortable.
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FAQs — Ketchikan Cruise Port Day
Is Ketchikan walkable from the cruise ship?
Yes. The dock sits right at the edge of downtown, and Creek Street is about a ten-minute walk. You don’t need transportation to see the main part of town.
How much time do you need in Ketchikan on a cruise?
Two to three hours is enough to walk Creek Street, enjoy lunch, browse the shops, and explore the downtown waterfront. If you plan to book an excursion, you’ll want more time depending on the tour.
Where can I find restaurants near the Ketchikan cruise dock?
Most restaurants are located throughout downtown Ketchikan and around Salmon Landing, all within an easy walk of the cruise ships. Whether you’re looking for seafood, casual cafĂ©s, or a quick snack, you won’t need transportation.
Is Creek Street worth visiting?
Yes. Creek Street was one of my favorite parts of our stop in Ketchikan. The historic boardwalk, shops, and creek views make it an easy walk from the cruise ship. If you can, visit early before it gets crowded.
Final Thoughts
A Ketchikan cruise port day on foot is a great option if you want to experience the heart of downtown without booking an excursion. Walking Creek Street, enjoying fresh seafood, and browsing the local shops gave us a great introduction to one of Alaska’s most popular cruise ports.
That said, our visit also showed me there’s much more to Ketchikan than what’s within walking distance of the ship. If your goal is to see wildlife, explore the rainforest, or spend time on the water, I’d recommend booking an excursion.
For our short port stop, though, I have no regrets. It was a relaxing way to experience downtown Ketchikan, and it gave me plenty of reasons to come back and explore even more on my next Alaska cruise.
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