Ketchikan, Alaska Attractions

Abutting the emerald-green land of the Tongass National Forest is the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary. A wealth of animals including black bears, bald eagles, seals and various other birds have found refuge in this sanctuary. Each of these animals can often be found along a half-mile hike that concludes with the opportunity to feed Alaskan reindeer and get up-close to a sanctuary-trained bald eagle.

Native Tlingit culture is preserved and practiced at Saxman Native Village in Ketchikan. Traditional dances, songs and activities are artfully performed for visitors by Alaska natives. The towering draw of this village is its dozens of hand-carved totem poles, each with its own history and meaning. A master carver is usually hard at work in the carving center, where you can watch as the next great totem is created.

Set out into the calm protected waters of Ketchikan, Alaska on the Aleutian Ballad crab boat which was a part of season two of the Discovery Channel's award-winning TV series Deadliest Catch. The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour allows people from all walks of life to stand on the edge of the commercial fishing world.

Cascading waterfalls, secluded ocean inlets, towering cedars and ample wildlife cover the nearly 2.3 million acres of Misty Fjords National Monument. Seaplanes, kayakers and boaters take advantage of the glacier-formed canals that cut inland, providing views of wildlife and scenery from the calm of protected coves. Because of its remoteness, the only practical means of accessing the area is via floatplane or boat.

The Slagle family is third generation Alaskans that own and operate Baranof Fishing Excursions and the Alaska Fish House from their classic fishing marina in the heart of downtown Ketchikan. During the last decade they have had the honor of introducing over 30,000 individual fishermen to some of the best fishing in Alaska. During the summers their 50 charter boats venture out daily, taking guests into the fish filled wilderness surrounding Ketchikan.

Annual salmon runs provide fishing so ample that making a catch is almost as easy as just dropping in a line. Ketchikan Creek is at the epicenter of salmon fishing culture and has been since Tlingit natives first used the area as a summer fish camp. Today, as with preceding eras, Chinook, Coho and sockeye salmon are common catches.

Orcas Cove is a remote swath of placid ocean where sea life abounds. Sea-kayaking trips to the area provide a silent and serene means of enjoying pristine Alaskan nature. Mountains seem to spring form the water around you, and amongst the flora of the mountainsides reside bald eagles, bears and deer. Beneath the surface of the water, orcas, whales, otters and a variety of fish are often seen. Outfitters provide everything you'll need. Important Information: Kayaking takes place between June 1 and August 31.

Climb aboard, strap on your personal headset and enjoy the spectacular views on this 30-minute seaplane tour over one of Alaska's most incredible landscapes. From the air, you will see surrounding glacial terrain, lush forests, sky-blue lakes and waterfalls.