While in Ketchikan, you’ll likely want to spend some time on the water exploring the fjords and lakes embraced by Tongass National Forest, be it in a kayak, canoe or Zodiac boat. The town is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” — and the seas are also rich in halibut, rockfish and Dungeness crab — so you might charter a fishing skiff and later grill your fresh catch over a campfire. The views from the air are equally impressive, as revealed in a seaplane flight over Misty Fjords National Monument or a helicopter ride over the 1,500-foot cascades of Mahoney Falls. Those who wish to remain on land can embark on an off-road ATV safari to Mahoney Lake or explore the shops, galleries and restaurants along Creek Street, formerly the town’s red-light district. Home to one of the world’s largest standing collection of totem poles, Ketchikan also offers a wealth of cultural history to discover, including museums and open-air exhibits such as the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center and Saxman Native Village.
