The wild lands of Alaska are steeped in legend and myth, with Native Americans having developed a special bond with the local wildlife and awe-inspiring landscapes over thousands of years. If you've only got a day, however, and still wish to experience the full majesty, history and heritage of this amazing region, then Ketchikan is the place for you.
Surrounded by stunning geological features such as Deer Mountain and the Misty Fjords, Ketchikan is a truly striking location and provides some amazing photo opportunities. It is home to three indigenous Pacific Northwest Indian tribes, with the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian nations having called the area home since long before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas. As a result, it is the totem pole capital of the world, with the town containing the planet's largest collection of these intriguing structures. Visitors will find several opportunities to explore the area's native heritage, with the Totem Bight State Park, Saxman Native Village and the Totem Heritage Centre being the best starting points.
The connection between the native people of the American continent and the other species that they share their home with is the stuff of legend, and you'll find some of the most majestic wildlife in the world living in harmony with the residents of Ketchikan. Bald eagles can be seen soaring across the sky and nesting in the trees all along the shoreline, whilst places like Salmon Creek, Anan Creek and Prince of Wales Island are famous for their massive populations of soaring salmon. This, in turn, attracts large numbers of brown and black bears, and the area around Ketchikan is dotted with viewing stations where these cuddly-looking yet extremely powerful creatures can be spotted.
As if that weren't enough, orca and humpback whales bound in the waters off the coast, while the local seafood is of the absolute highest quality, with restaurants across Ketchikan serving up freshly caught shrimp, salmon, crab and many other fishy delights.
Find out more about cruising in this part of the world, and sign up for our new Alaska brochure.
The wild lands of Alaska are steeped in legend and myth, with Native Americans having developed a special bond with the local wildlife and awe-inspiring landscapes over thousands of years. If you've only got a day, however, and still wish to experience the full majesty, history and heritage of this amazing region, then Ketchikan is the place for you.
Surrounded by stunning geological features such as Deer Mountain and the Misty Fjords, Ketchikan is a truly striking location and provides some amazing photo opportunities. It is home to three indigenous Pacific Northwest Indian tribes, with the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian nations having called the area home since long before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas. As a result, it is the totem pole capital of the world, with the town containing the planet's largest collection of these intriguing structures. Visitors will find several opportunities to explore the area's native heritage, with the Totem Bight State Park, Saxman Native Village and the Totem Heritage Centre being the best starting points.
The connection between the native people of the American continent and the other species that they share their home with is the stuff of legend, and you'll find some of the most majestic wildlife in the world living in harmony with the residents of Ketchikan. Bald eagles can be seen soaring across the sky and nesting in the trees all along the shoreline, whilst places like Salmon Creek, Anan Creek and Prince of Wales Island are famous for their massive populations of soaring salmon. This, in turn, attracts large numbers of brown and black bears, and the area around Ketchikan is dotted with viewing stations where these cuddly-looking yet extremely powerful creatures can be spotted.
As if that weren't enough, orca and humpback whales bound in the waters off the coast, while the local seafood is of the absolute highest quality, with restaurants across Ketchikan serving up freshly caught shrimp, salmon, crab and many other fishy delights.
Find out more about cruising in this part of the world, and sign up for our new Alaska brochure.
