Ketchikan Shore Excursions — Rainforest, Totem Poles & Fishing
Ketchikan is Alaska's "First City" — the first major port most northbound cruise ships visit. It sits at the southern tip of the Inside Passage, surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in North America. Expect rain (it averages 150 inches per year), but don't let that stop you.
The standout excursions here are the Misty Fjords floatplane tour (a 2-hour flight over granite cliffs and hidden lakes), the Totem Heritage Center and Saxman Village for authentic Tlingit culture, and world-class salmon and halibut fishing charters. The rainforest zipline canopy tour through 800-year-old Sitka spruce is the best adventure option.
Walkability: Ketchikan's historic Creek Street and downtown are walkable from the cruise dock. You can easily spend 2–3 hours exploring independently before or after a booked excursion.