Ketchikan

Ketchikan
Anchorage, AK
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Ketchikan is a popular city  and port of call in southeast Alaska.  Located on Revilagigedo Island, it is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World" .  It also has a reputation for rain - similar to that of Seattle.  Popular activities in Ketchikan are Kayaking in Misty Fiords and hiking in Deer Mountain.  At Neets Bay you can catch Black bears eating their fill of salmon in Tongass National Forest.  Another popular means for viewing bears is by floatplane - available during late July through September.  Sightseers can catch a magnificent view of Ketchikan and beyond at a popular hillside resort called WestCoast Cape Fox Lodge.  You can access this hilltop resort from a funicular that operates on Creek Street.

Creek Street is a popular destination known for its unique row of wooden buildings perched over the water.  Once a red light district, it has been turned into an artsy shopping district offering many items unique to the area - Pendleton blankets with Indian themes, silver pendants and bronze scuptures.  Another interesting "shopping" area is a line of galleries along Stedman Street such as Blue Heron (123 Stedman Street), which has Alaskan crafts, including locally carved totem poles, and Golden Eagle Gifts (123 Stedman Street) for state-made coffees and teas.

Dolly's House museum reminds you of more rugged times in the red light district.   Other museums offering historical insight to Ketchikan are the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, the Totem Heritage Center, and the Tongass Historical Museum.  Unique to the city are numerous totem poles where legends of the past were recorded.  They are fascinating works of art.   You'll want to be sure to ferret these out and a good place to find them is at Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Native Village.

Anyone visting the area must catch the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show where you'll see logging pros compete at log rolling, axe throwing and pole climbing.

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