4 Hours in Ketchikan
Creek Street, the old totems and chowder, all on foot from the berths.
By Greg Peters, editor · Updated October 2026
- Walk Creek StreetThe boardwalk on pilings over Ketchikan Creek is five to ten minutes from the downtown berths and free to wander. Dolly's House, the former brothel, is on the boardwalk (admission charged; summer only). Creek Street Historic District →
- Climb Married Man's TrailA short stairway from Creek Street up into the hillside, once the back way out for brothel customers. It has steps and isn't wheelchair accessible. Married Man's Trail →
- See the 19th-century polesThe Totem Heritage Center holds original poles brought in from abandoned Tlingit and Haida villages. Walk 15 to 20 minutes past the salmon ladder, or ride the free downtown shuttle in summer. Totem Heritage Center →
- Chowder for lunchAnnabelle's, under the Gilmore Hotel on Front Street across from the berths, is known for its chowders. Annabelle's Famous Keg and Chowder House →
Walking map: the berths and downtown Ketchikan
The four city berths run along Front Street, numbered 1 to 4 from south to north. Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum and the salmon ladder are a short walk south and east, and the Totem Heritage Center is about 15 to 20 minutes on foot or a free summer shuttle ride.
Map: USGS elevation; streets and buildings © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Questions visitors ask
Can I fly over Misty Fjords on a 4-hour call?
The shortest floatplane trip we list, Misty Fjords Flightseeing (1 hour), takes about 1 hour, so it can sit beside a shorter walk. The boat trip takes about 5 hours 15 minutes and won’t fit.
How far is Creek Street from the ship?
Five to ten minutes on foot from the downtown berths, and the boardwalk is free to wander.
Is this plan step-free?
Mostly. Berths 1 to 3 are a flat walk from downtown and every borough bus is wheelchair accessible, but Married Man’s Trail is a stairway. Skip it, or ride the free shuttle to the Totem Heritage Center.
What if my ship is at Ward Cove?
Ward Cove is about eight miles north, so ride a bus or the water shuttle into town first and allow for the trip back. Go by the all-aboard time in your ship’s program, not the departure time.
A printable Ketchikan plan for your hours ashore
Leave your email and you’ll go right to a day plan timed to your ship’s arrival and departure, ready to print with the map. We write once a month about berths, busy days and what’s open.