Showing 1-9 of 9 results
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Betton Island
Due west of Settler's Cove State Park at the north end (Mile 18.2) of N Tongass Hwy is this island and several smaller islands nearby, making it an excellent day paddle if you're staying at the campground nearby. Although Clover Pass is a highly trafficked area, the backside of Betton Island offers a more wildernesslike setting. Pack a tent and sleeping bag and you can turn this into an overnight excursion by camping on the great beaches of Tatoosh Islands on the west side of Betton Island.
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Creek Street
Departing from Stedman St is Creek Street, a boardwalk built over Ketchikan Creek on pilings - a photographer's delight. This was Ketchikan's famed red-light district until prostitution became illegal in 1954. During Creek St's heyday, it supported up to 30 brothels and became known as the only place in Alaska where 'the fishermen and the fish went upstream to spawn'.
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Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery & Eagle Center
A bridge across Ketchikan Creek links the Totem Heritage Center with the Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery & Eagle Center. The hatchery raises 350,000 king salmon, coho salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout annually and releases them into the nearby stream. In July or later, you'll see not only the salmon fry but returning adult fish swimming upstream to spawn.
Read more about Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery & Eagle Center
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Dolly's House
The house with bright red trim on Creek Street boarwalk is Dolly's House, the parlor of the city's most famous madam, Dolly Arthur. Now it's a museum dedicated to this notorious era. You can see the brothel, including its bar, which was placed over a trapdoor to the creek for quick disposal of bootleg whiskey.
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Naha Bay
From Settler's Cove State Park, it's an 8-mile paddle to Naha Bay, the destination of an excellent three- or four-day adventure. At the head of the bay is a floating dock where you can leave your kayak and set off down the Naha River National Recreation Trail. The scenic 5.4-mile trail follows the river up to Jordan and Heckman Lakes, both of which have USFS cabins.
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Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
Three large totems greet you in the lobby of the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center while a school of silver salmon, suspended from the ceiling, leads you toward a slice of nicely re-created rain forest. Upstairs, the exhibit hall features sections on Southeast Alaska's ecosystems and Alaska Native traditions.
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Thomas Basin
If you thought Creek St was photogenic, cross Stedman St and be ready to burn some film (or megapixels). Thomas Basin is home to Ketchikan's fishing fleet and the city's most picturesque harbor. When the boats come in you can photograph them unloading their catch and then follow the crews to the colorful Potlatch Bar nearby, a classic fisherman's pub.
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Tongass Historical Museum
Sharing a building with the Ketchikan Public Library is the Tongass Historical Museum, which houses a small collection of local historical and Alaska Native artifacts, many dealing with Ketchikan's fishing industry. Outside the museum you'll find the impressive Raven Stealing the Sun totem and an observation platform overlooking the Ketchikan Creek falls.
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Totem Heritage Center
A 10- to 15-minute walk from the cruise-ship docks is Totem Heritage Center, where totem poles salvaged from deserted Tlingit communities are restored. Inside the center 17 totems from a collection of 33 are on display in an almost spiritual setting that shows the reverence Alaska Natives attached to them. Outside Alaska Native carvers are often working on one.
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Showing 1-9 of 9 results
