Ketchikan might very well be one of the most fascinating destinations not familiar to the average person. The natural elements are impressive in their own right, with the largest forest in the U.S., Tongass National Forest, surrounding Ketchikan. In fact, the salmon capital of the world – one of Ketchikan’s many distinctions – is literally located inside the forest’s vast 17 million acres.
It just gets better from there, with a culture steeped in history that is still practiced and honored today. One example is the totem poles that visitors can find throughout the area. Ketchikan has the largest collection of totem poles in the world.
Best of all, visitors can easily experience all that Ketchikan has to offer on port stops during a cruise. This accessibility, along with the many interesting attractions, makes the Alaskan city an excellent choice for an incentive winners’ trip. Below, you will find the best ways to explore the natural wonders and wealth of culture in Ketchikan during a cruise.
GET A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF MISTY FJORDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Arguably one of the most striking natural landscapes in the area, Misty Fjords National Monument spans 2.3 million acres. The caveat is you can only experience its majesty from above or on the water. Fortunately, a two-and-one-half-hour guided Seaplane tour offers you the chance to experience untouched, pristine areas that few people have seen.
Passengers soar over fjords that rise 3,500 feet above the sea and get a bird’s eye view of waterfalls, lakes, and wildlife. Eventually, the plane lands on a bay or an alpine lake for a fittingly memorable finale. The highly experienced and knowledgeable pilot narrates the tour, noise-canceling headsets allow passengers to hear the details and ask questions and every single person gets a window seat thanks to the setup of the six-passenger plane.
WATCH AN ACTION-PACKED SHOW FEATURING LUMBERJACK ATHLETES
There are indeed world-champion ESPN athlete lumberjacks who put on a show in Ketchikan that is certain to get your adrenaline pumping. Deliberately corny jokes are interspersed with feats like tree climbing, axe throwing, log rolling, and – because you cannot have a lumberjack show without it – wood chopping. The combination is unique (where else can you see anything like it?) and, above all, good rollicking fun.
Elevate the experience for your incentive earners by upgrading them to the Alaskan Cultural, Culinary, and Lumberjack Show package. Set in Saxman Native Village, it includes a culinary experience where guests will learn about Alaskan ingredients and how they are used in modern cooking. Complementing the culinary demonstration is a cultural showcase of Alaska Native art, featuring a variety of priceless and historical pieces from the Cape Fox Corporation Native Art Collection. This package gives travelers a wonderful opportunity to immerse themselves in authentic Alaskan culture.
LEARN ABOUT THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LOCAL TOTEM POLES
While even just the sight of the intricately carved totem poles is notable enough, learning about their place in Alaskan culture is even better. This is the reason why a visit to Totem Heritage Center is highly recommended.
Displaying an impressive collection of 19th-century totem poles of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples both inside and outside of the center, visitors will learn about how each totem pole tells a story. The carved figures, officially called crests, were skillfully created to mark a specific occasion.
Contemporary works of Native American art, textiles, and masks round out the heritage center’s collection – including the striking and enormous Thunderbird Dance Mask, which was carved out of red cedar and painted in fiery shades of red.
GET AN UP-CLOSE LOOK AT SALMON FIGHTING THEIR WAY UPSTREAM
It is only fitting that the salmon capital of the world has a place dedicated to watching them swim upstream. Spending time on the Salmon Ladder Vista is highly recommended, as the stream here is steep, making it challenging for even the strongest swimmers. One of the most thrilling sights here is seeing salmon leap in a full-throttle attempt to make it upstream. There is a manmade invention here to help them: the aptly named salmon ladder.
The stream is bursting full of salmon during the peak season, and any one of five different kinds of salmon might swim in these waters: King Salmon, Chum Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Silver Salmon, and Pink Salmon.
VIEW HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS AND EXHIBITS SPECIFIC TO KETCHIKAN
Visitors to Tongass Historical Museum truly walk on sacred ground, as the museum is located on lands traditionally inhabited by the Taant´a Kwáan and Sanyaa Kwáan of the Tlingit First Nations. Perched on the banks of pretty Ketchikan Creek, Tongass Historical Museum has a number of exhibits and artifacts that highlight the area’s heritage and history. It is one of the best places to learn about the people and events that have shaped Ketchikan into the special place it is today. And, since it is a quick 10-minute walk from the cruise dock, you can easily fit a visit to the museum into your itinerary.
GAZE UP AT ONE OF THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED TOTEM POLES IN THE WORLD
Any totem pole that stands out among Ketchikan’s considerable collection is worth seeing. Chief Johnson’s Totem Pole does just that, standing an impressive 55 feet tall. The other distinctive feature of this totem pole is the undecorated space between the lower totems and the topmost totem. No, it was not left blank by mistake.
The lack of carvings here is deliberate. It highlights the importance of the mythological kadjuk that sits atop the totem pole. The mythological bird is one of the house crests of Chief Johnson’s clan and was said to drop stones that become good luck totems to their owners once they hit the ground.
While the original totem pole decayed over time, this masterful replica is exact and painstakingly done by Israel Shotridge of the Teikweidi clan. The replica of Chief Johnson’s Totem Pole was the first totem pole to be carved and raised in the traditional Ketchikan ways in more than 50 years.
Chief Johnson became chief of the Gaanaxadi clan of the Tongass tribe in 1902. He commissioned the creation of this totem pole to honor his late mother.
TOUR KETCHIKAN BY LAND AND SEA ON A DUCK
You probably never thought anyone could ride on a duck! Well, this is true of the animal version. But in Ketchikan, you can take a guided tour by land and sea on an amphibious vehicle that doubles as a bus and a boat. And, yes, this versatile vehicle has been dubbed a “duck.”
The 90-minute tour sets off from the harbor, then makes its way through Tongass Narrows and the city of Ketchikan. An expert guide gives passengers the scoop on the local sights of the area.
LIVE OUT YOUR BIGFOOT SIGHTING FANTASIES
The Tongass Forest Alaska Bigfoot ATV Ride and Hike is not your average trip through the woods! In addition to the gorgeous scenery that abounds in the Alaskan rainforest, these grounds are infamous for sightings of the elusive and legendary sasquatch. Do not fret if the flesh-and-flood version fails to materialize; you can still get pictures with a full-size replica.
And it is not just Bigfoot enthusiasts who will enjoy the hike. Transversing the untouched wilderness, first by ATV and then on foot, is exhilarating for all nature lovers. The guided hike consists of well-groomed gravel trails, bridges, and stairs as you make your way through the lush rainforest.
STROLL THROUGH THE HEART OF HISTORIC KETCHIKAN
Creek Street is one of the top tourist attractions in Ketchikan. It winds through the historic downtown area and has been privy to many salacious stories. Among them are bootleggers who used the creek as a passageway to deliver forbidden Canadian whiskey to the establishments in town. Many of these establishments were equipped with a trapdoor for the covert delivery of liquor.
These days, Creek Street is known for attractions like colorful buildings built on pilings over the creek and a boardwalk from which you might spot a seal catching salmon for lunch. Visitors have a great chance of finding souvenirs in the local shops that line the street. There are also plenty of fantastic photo opportunities against the scenic backdrop.
Are you looking for ideas to reward your top performers and boost their motivation? If so, contact Gavel International to learn more about travel incentive programs to fabulous places like Ketchikan.
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