Family-Friendly Adventures in Ketchikan!

Totem Heritage Center

Why Visit?

Family Visit Itinerary to Totem Heritage Center

Morning Arrival

Start your day by heading to the Totem Heritage Center, located in the charming coastal town of Ketchikan, Alaska. You can easily access the center by car or local bus from downtown Ketchikan. If you"re coming from the cruise ship docks, it"s just a short 15-minute drive or bus ride. Address: 601 Deermount St, Ketchikan, AK 99901.

Exploring Totem Heritage Center

Gather the family and begin your exploration of the Totem Heritage Center by 10 AM. This unique museum houses one of the world"s largest collections of unrestored 19th-century totem poles. Each pole tells a story rich in cultural history, displaying the artistry and craftsmanship of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people. Engage with interactive exhibits and maybe catch a live demonstration or workshop if you"re lucky!

Lunch and Leisure

After touring the center, grab a picnic lunch from a nearby local eatery and head to City Park, just a short walk away. Enjoy your meal surrounded by lush greenery and playgrounds perfect for kids to burn off some energy.

Afternoon Activities

Post lunch, dive deeper into local culture by joining a guided walking tour of nearby historical sites including Ketchikan Creek, where you can often see salmon running. The tour typically starts at 2 PM and lasts about an hour, blending education and entertainment perfectly for a family outing.

Evening Wind Down

Conclude your day with a casual dinner at a waterfront restaurant, offering fresh seafood and views of the harbor. As the sun sets, take a leisurely stroll along the marina, spotting local wildlife and boats docking for the day.

Trivia Tip

Did you know? The Totem Heritage Center was established in 1976 to preserve these monumental carvings by salvaging them from deserted village sites near Ketchikan.

This day-long itinerary offers a rich blend of cultural education, outdoor activities, and relaxation, ensuring a memorable visit for your entire family!

Family-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to family-friendly travelers.

Port of Ketchikan

Why Visit?

Welcome to Ketchikan, Alaska, affectionately known as the "Salmon Capital of the World." This charming port town offers a blend of native culture, scenic beauty, and engaging activities, perfect for a family adventure!

Morning: Creek Street and Totem Heritage Center

Start your day with a stroll along Creek Street. Once Ketchikans"s red-light district, this historic boardwalk now hosts quaint shops and eateries, spectacularly perched on stilts along the creek. It"s a great spot to watch salmon swimming upstream from July through September. Access Creek Street easily by foot from the cruise ship docks.

Next, visit the Totem Heritage Center, just a 5-minute drive from Creek Street. This museum preserves 19th-century totem poles from Tlingit and Haida villages. Besides learning about Native Alaskan art, you can participate in a totem-carving demonstration, a unique hands-on experience for kids and adults alike.

Afternoon: Misty Fjords National Monument

After lunch, embark on a boat or floatplane tour to the breathtaking Misty Fjords National Monument, located about 22 miles east of Ketchikan. These tours typically last 4-5 hours and offer stunning views of dramatic cliffs, lush rainforests, and pristine waters. Wildlife sightings may include eagles, bears, and whales. Tours can be booked directly at the cruise dock.

Evening: Saxman Native Village

Conclude your day with a visit to Saxman Native Village. Just a 10-minute drive south of Ketchikans, this small village provides a deep dive into the rich culture of the area"s indigenous peoples. Watch captivating tribal dances, explore elaborately carved totem poles, and learn the stories they tell.

Each of these stops is family-friendly and provides interactive opportunities to learn and create lasting memories in the heart of Alaska"s wilderness.

Family-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to family-friendly travelers.

Tongass National Forest

Why Visit?

Family-Friendly Itinerary for Tongass National Forest

Day 1: Arrival in Ketchikan

- Getting There: Fly into Ketchikan, Alaska, which is accessible from major US airports usually with a stopover in Seattle.

- Activity: Start with a visit to the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. It’s perfect for families to learn about the local ecosystems and cultural heritage through interactive exhibits.

- Fun Fact: Ketchican is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World."

Day 2: Misty Fjords National Monument

- Getting There: Book a guided boat tour from Ketchikan or for a more thrilling view, opt for a floatplane tour.

- Activity: Explore the dramatic cliffs, waterfalls and watch for wildlife. Keep an eye out for eagles, bears, and whales.

- Fun Fact: Misty Fjords is 2.3 million acres, nearly the size of Connecticut!

Day 3: Hiking and Bear Watching

- Location: Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary on Admiralty Island, accessible by a short seaplane journey from Ketchikan.

- Activity: Guided bear-watching tour where brown bears are often seen in their natural habitat.

- Fun Fact: Admiralty Island is known as "Fortress of the Bears" and has one of the world"s highest density of brown bears.

Day 4: Canoeing and Fishing

- Location: Ward Lake, just a short drive from Ketchikan.

- Activity: Rent canoes and explore the serene lake. Try fishing for trout or just enjoy the lush forest scenery on various hiking trails around the lake.

- Fun Fact: Tongass is the largest national forest in the U.S., covering most of Southeast Alaska.

Day 5: Departure

- Spend your last morning enjoying a leisurely breakfast in Ketchikit before heading to the airport for your journey home.

This itinerary promises an unforgettable adventure in the Tongass National Forest, blending educational opportunities with the thrill of exploring the great outdoors.

Family-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to family-friendly travelers.

Saxman Native Village

Why Visit?

Morning Arrival in Saxman Native Village

Begin your family adventure at Saxman Native Village, located just a few miles south of Ketchikan, Alaska. Easily accessible by rental car or taxi, it"s a quick and scenic drive from Ketchian"s city center.

Explore the Totem Park

Start your tour at the awe-inspiring Totem Park. Here, you can stroll amidst one of the largest gatherings of totem poles in the world. Each pole tells a story or commemorates a significant event, offering a unique glimpse into the rich history and culture of Alaska"s Native peoples. Engage the kids by picking up a guidebook at the entrance and let them lead the way, discovering the stories behind each intricate carving.

Visit the Beaver Clan House

Next, visit the Beaver Clan House, a vibrant community center decorated with traditional Tlingit art. Here, you can experience a fascinating dance performance, showcasing the rich heritage of the Tlingit people through music, storytelling, and dance. The performances are engaging for all ages, with colorful costumes and rhythmic drum beats that captivate the audience.

Carving Shed

Don"t miss the carving shed, where skilled artisans craft new totems and restore aged ones. It’s an educational experience where the family can learn about the techniques and tools used in totem pole carving—a unique art form passed down through generations.

Souvenir Shopping

Wrap up your visit with a stop at the gift shop, where you can purchase authentic souvenirs like handcrafted jewelry, carved wooden items, or traditional textiles. It"s a great way to support the local community and bring a piece of Alaskan culture back home.

Departure

As your tour concludes, reflect on the rich cultural experience as you drive back to Ketchikan, filled with stories and learning from Saxman Native Village.

Family-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to family-friendly travelers.

Inside Passage

Why Visit?

Day 1: Arrival in Juneau

Start your journey by flying into Juneau, Alaska"s scenic capital. Check into a family-friendly hotel and spend your afternoon at the Alaska State Museum, where interactive exhibits keep children entertained while learning about Alaskan natural history and indigenous cultures.

Day 2: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier

Book a whale-watching tour through a local operator, which typically leaves from Auke Bay and promises sightings of humpback and orca whales, sea lions, and bald eagles. In the afternoon, drive or take a shuttle to the breathtaking Mendenhall Glacier. The Visitor Center offers excellent educational displays and a safe viewing platform for the glacier and Nugget Falls.

Day 3: Tracy Arm Fjord

Take a boat tour of Tracy Arm Fjord. This day-long excursion departs from downtown Juneau and sails through dramatic cliffs and waterfalls, with likely sightings of wildlife and close-up views of the Sawyer Glaciers. The onboard naturalists make the journey informative and engaging for all ages.

Day 4: Skagway Adventure

Catch a ferry to Skagway, a town with Gold Rush history. Explore the historic district or ride the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad for stunning mountain landscapes. The train"s vintage cars and dramatic tales of the gold rush era are a hit with kids.

Day 5: Ketchikan Exploration

From Skagatan, hop on another ferry to Ketchikan, known for its rich Native American culture. Visit the Saxman Native Village to see the largest collection of standing totem poles and enjoy a traditional dance performance. Walk along Creek Street, where kids will love spotting salmon in the creek below.

Day 6: Departure

After a leisurely morning, head to the Ketchikan Airport for your flight home, filled with unforgettable memories of Alaska"s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Family-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to family-friendly travelers.