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Hotel Class: 
3 Stars - 49 Opinions
5528 North Tongass Highway, Ketchikan, Alaska, 99901, United States
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of people enjoy staying here
49 Opinions
Mission St at Front St
Mill at Stedman St
Alleyway on Stedman St
Derelict Building on Dock St
I had posted a question on Cruise Critic about best place to fish as a cruise passenger: Ketchikan (7/1) 8 hours in port or Skagway (6/29) 14 hours in port. Fishermen are 71 year old, 13 year old and maybe 9 year old. If you have recommendations on best fishing port and specific vendors it would be appreciated.
If you click on this site, there is the name of a lodge in Ketchikan that handles King fishing. June is the best month so you will be there at a great time still.
Fish on!!!!
Chance of catching any fish much greater in Ketchikan plus a lot more fishing charter choices. Skagway is up at the top of a long deep fjord so not as much ocean run king salmon or halibut. No personal experience charter fishing out of either, but did spend a few days at a lodge outside of Ketchikan.
You must check out Ketchikan Kayak Company for the best fishing in Ketchikan. See this web page for incredible pictures of what you can catch. I went with them two years ago and not only did we catch fish but also saw incredible marine life. Boats are super stable and he can take children and seniors without a problem. Here is the link to the fishing page: http://www.ketchikankayakco.com/Kayak_Fishing.htm
I got the chance to tour a ship parked behind this Holland America. I was amused that they take such good care of their guests that they wash the windows while in port so the tourists can have that much better view! Sometimes in the summer there are ships tied up at the City Dock, and in the Tongass Narrows. One day that I remember there were basically more tourists in town than residents... and Ketchikan is one of the largest cities in Alaska.
There's tons of things I liked about Ketchikan. You never have to walk to far to find good shopping, you can find some great places to eat, but most of all, it's a town surrounded by Alaskan wilderness. It's like something out of a postcard.
I read on the Understanding Totem Poles section, which I put in the general tips in this section, that frogs were placed on totem poles to keep them from falling down.
I'm wondering why this poor little frog is on there being held up by it's legs!
The totem poles one sees in Ketchikan are mostly made by people from the Tlingit tribe, but some are also made by Haidas. Experts can tell which tribe made a pole by looking at the way it is carved and the layout of its designs. Poles are also carved for many purposes. Often they tell stories, as the native people in Alaska had no written language. They are also used to mark celebrations and occasions, to honor leaders and as memorials or grave markings. Some poles, though rarely seen, are also used to "shame" people who have done something to greatly disgrace themselves or their tribe, though because of the amount of work involved in making a totem pole, these are rarely seen.
The symbols on totem poles often represent animals. Common ones seen in the Ketchikan area are eagles, ravens, wolves and killer whales. Each animal represents something different and has a distinct personality. The raven, for example, is a trickster who can often fool people into doing his will without them knowing it.
Several native artists in Ketchikan still make totem poles to order which can cost thousands of dollars per foot and take up to a year to complete.
The sign says...
Blackfish or Killer Whale:
Haida believed killer whales were drowned persons returning to visit.
- round head with a snout filled with large teeth
- blow hole often carved as small human-like face
- prominent dorsal fin and pectoral fins
- round eyes
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Q: Where's a good bar? "Now that you guys helped me find my hat, I need a good bar that's not a tourist trap (if there is such a thing). Just a quiet..."
A: "The ships bars a quiet in port"
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