After spending a couple days at sea (departing from Vancouver, B.C.) our first destination was in “Alaska’s first city” of Ketchikan. When I hear the word Ketchikan I’m immediately transported back to my elementary years of binge watching Pokemon before school – gotta catch em’ all. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
The jewelry business in Alaskan cities is prominent, although I didn’t quite understand it. I suppose everyone has their “thing,” but I sure didn’t travel to Alaska to buy diamonds or to stay close to the cruise ship. This might come as a shock, but Alaska is also known for their salmon. I know, I thought all salmon lived in giant warehouses too.
**Sarcasm**
The weather was overcast upon arrival, but quickly transitioned to sunny and warm. Perfect conditions to explore. This was the only day of our trip I was able to wear a tshirt. I actually didn’t even bring a jacket with me, because #minimalist. Actually this was a huge mistake, and I was thankful the cruise ship had jackets. 
When I travel I like to get a feel for the city by foot, so we walked around a bit before disembarking on our adventures for the day. We walked along Married Man’s trail, saw the salmon ladder, and into a small area of Ketchikan called Creek Street, also known as the red light district.
It’s here where some of the oldest buildings reside perched on pilings forming a boardwalk. During prohibition Creek Street was the place to go for smuggled whiskey and prostitutes. “It’s where more men – than fish – went upstream to spawn!!”
The western feel of the buildings reminded me of Disneyland, I was immediately in heaven.
Disney fans, does that not remind you of Frontierland? I mean common.
After stretching our legs we were ready for our chosen excursions. When planning a cruise you have the option to book day trips, also known as excursions, ahead of time. We opted for a different approach to our adventures, and didn’t plan a damn thing prior to leaving for our trip.
For starters, we had no agenda other than “see Alaska.”
There are so many options it can be overwhelming to choose. Most importantly, and this wasn’t discovered until we were on the trip – there is a chance you’ll miss your appointment times due to unplanned late arrivals into each port. To eliminate the stress of “having to be somewhere at a certain time,” and to have a clear view of all the options – we chose each cities adventures upon arrival.
You’ll wind up paying a bit more if you do it this way, but spending a few more bucks for peace of mind was fine by us. Err, fine by my dad because he paid for everything. Bless his soul. One of our Ketchikan adventures consisted of a drive outside of the city into the rural wilderness with the goal of seeing a bear.
Spoiler alert: we saw a bear.
Kinda hard to see, bottom right-ish. Black bear.
I don’t remember the company we went through, but our host was local and a wealth of Alaskan knowledge. I liked our host because he encouraged us to drink out of one of the local streams. My goal of “learn more about each other” with my dad provided him a look into my adventurous spirit. Or as he will tell you, “Brittany’s attempt at contracting giardia.”
I couldn’t come to Alaska and not drink some of the water.
For our other Ketchikan experience we went suuuuppperrr tourist – The Great Alaska Lumberjack Show. I had secret motives of finding my future husband, because apparently Alaska has way more men than women. My loyal readers know I’m working on manifesting my future lumberjack husband.
What can I say, my husband will have the ability to build me a tiny house while wearing red flannel and getting wood chips stuck in his beard.
The show was entertaining, but the boys were much too young and way too beardless.
For sustenance we nourished our souls with local salmon (I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much salmon then on this trip) while soaking up the sun. According to the locals, Ketchikan accumulates significantly more rain than Seattle. We just happened to be there on the one sunny and hot day of the year. No complaints.
With bellies full of fresh Alaskan fish, and souls full of wonderful adventure we made our way back to the ship for a night of rest before our next adventure.
Q: Would you rather: whale watch, see bears in their natural habitat, or watch grown men compete in unique sports? The lumberjack show was a legit competition, and some of these guys got college scholarships for lumberjack sports. WHO KNEW!?
Blissfulbritt 
38 thoughts on “Ketchikan, Alaska”
Matthew Wakelee
That looks awesome. Alaska is atop my wish list and I’ll likely take a cruise ship to get there, too (eventually).
Brittany
You must! I highly recommend.
Angie
Whale watching for me!
Brittany
I chooose bearsss!
Angie
I had a feeling that was your choice! That would be my second pick. But, I’d watch from a distance because I have a fear with coming in contact with bears.
Brittany
Oh girl, me too. This distance was good. We saw a grizzly too, but it was from the safety of a bus. He was super close though! That’ll come in a later post hah.
Angie
Omg, can’t wait! I wish hugging them could be safe and cuddly like in my head, but so NOT a good idea.
Amy
YESSSSSS it looks so much like Disneyland!!! Which reminds me… I really want to go back. 🙊 Anytime you come to SoCal, I’d totally tag along then too! 😉 I’m pretty sure I’d choose whale watching or bear sighting… As much as I totally love your lumberjack hubby goals, going out in nature is a little more soothing for my soul! 😂
Brittany
Agreed! The bear was number one, whales not as much cause we have those in Washington haha.
Graham
I think I’d like to watch bears 🐻. I’ve seen whales a couple of times and I always felt that dolphins were a better spectacle as you don’t get to see much of a whale…so bears please! Mind you, if the whales were jumping out of the sea…🙂
Brittany
I have to agree 100%. We have whales in Washington, so bears are my choice too. But if the whales are breaching you bet that would win.
rootchopper
I went whale feeding once. That wasn’t the plan, of course. I made a new friend hanging over the rail of the boat. Her name was Ralph.
Brittany
Whale feeling!? That’s awesome. I fed a tiger once. But you still win.
rootchopper
My feeding of the whales was entirely involuntary. Apparently they like donuts.
Brittany
HA!!
P
I don’t have very good memories associated with whale watching, haha! One family trip made me realize that I get seasick very easily (at least when I was 12 I did, lol)
Brittany
Oh no!! Hahaha. I’d choose bears, as long as there was something between us like distance or a bus.
Shawna
Ahhh I SO want to go to Alaska! I’ve heard nothing but incredible things (which this blog post is solidifying). Looks amazing. I’d def rather see whales than bears (nervous Nelly there), but the grown men competing in unique sports sounds pretty intriguing, too. 🙂 Love your lumberjack man dreams!
Brittany
Hahaha, I’d want to see bears from the safety of distance or a large vehicle. Which I did both!
Agness of eTramping
That scenery is truly breathtaking, Brittany, Alaska is on our bucket list and I really hope to cross it off soon. 😉
Brittany
You guys must go!
Liz H
“Would you rather: whale watch, see bears in their natural habitat, or watch grown men compete in unique sports?”
I think I’d MOST like to watch grown men in their natural habitat wrestle bears wearing watches, from the back of a whale. That’s just me…
Another fun post!
Brittany
Omg hahahaha. Brilliant, and vivid answer.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
It’s a toss up between the whales and the bears. I’ll pass on the lumberjack because a) I have my husband and b) hunting is not my thing. Blows kiss.
Brittany
BEARS FOR MEEE! From inside a large bus hahaha.
Angela
Bears for me! It looks so pretty, I wanna go!!!!
Brittany
Meeee too!
Ellie
BEARS! Oh man that sounds amazing! I would love to come across a bear on a trail run. That would be incredible, and terrifying. In NYS we have a few bears, but mostly the wildlife I see are deer and squirrels. In AZ, where there is a lot of trail running, they have scorpions, snakes and all that stuff that gives me the heebie-jeebies.
I’ve never been to Disneyland but now I’ll just skip it and go to Alaska 🙂
Brittany
OMG on a trail run!? You brave lass, I would shat myself. I fear running into a bear when I’m hiking sometimes. I would choose a bear, but from the safety from a large motor vehicle haha.
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Allie Zottola
Hmm, I think I’d pick whale watching! I’ve always wanted to do that!
Ketchikan looks so quaint and gorgeous! I’m pretty jealous of all the salmon you got to eat! LOL at catching giardia. You’re always cracking me up!
Brittany
I felt fineeeee, so clearly the water was clean. 🤷🏻♀️
stateeats
So glad you did not contract intestinal virus on vacay! Yes, that does look like Frontierland, I guess you were in the real frontierland. Interesting you only booked your excursions when you got there, we have always done it ahead of time for fear that they sell out. But come to think of it now, there were times when our ship got delayed and we couldn’t go on what we booked so we would have to regroup. So I’m thinking your way is better -Kat
Brittany
I don’t know if either way is better per day, both have their perks, but we were just extra flexible! They definitely didn’t sell out, but we also went towards the end of the season.
Alaska Raven
We don’t have Lumberjacks here. We have LOGGERS, & they don’t look like those ESPN Athletes you paid $38 to see. We go too, but locals pre-game it (drink during & REALLY enjoy the show). Those guys LEAVE at the end of the season, so you will not be finding a hubby among them. Also; we DO NOT have more men than women up here. USED TO. 4 to 1 when I arrived. But, sadly, even though the odds were good, the goods were odd. So, you lose. And what is Klikitat? Pretty sure that’s a place or thing in Washington State. Was an old ferry boat we had long ago up here. The Natives? Tlingit, Haida, or Tshimshean is what you’re referring to. Hate when you all come up here then go online & butcher the facts. & Creek Street is NOT A RED LIGHT DISTRICT. It WAS— until 1954. Last lady died in 1975, you can tour her house (big whoop). Lastly, the jewelry stores. Guessing you didn’t set foot in one. ALL FOREIGNERS. It’s because of you & the ships that we even have more than 2. Turns out there’s a bigger markup on jewelry than anything else. On Earth. So….
Brittany
Wow, such an intense comment. Note how I mentioned we went super tourist with the lumberjack show, indicating I’m well aware that it was all for show. And you can shoot the touristic messenger (me) but I’m just sharing my experience of what I was told. I was told by a tour guide about the red light district, I was told by my local tour guide he was a Klikitat (I also met a Tlingit so I’m aware of what that is.) I didn’t dare set foot in a jewelry store, I’m not about that life. I understand your frustration, but no need to get so aggressive. It’s all in good fun. Ketchikan is super touristy, sorry to say.
Alaska Raven
Forgot to say- excellent pictures.
And if you’re truly serious about being a travel blogger, get your facts straight & learn proper spelling/ use of words- don’t be one of those “your” instead of “you’re” or “there” instead of “their”
Ppl.
Just sayin’.
It’s THAN, not then.
: )
Brittany
Thank you for the photo compliment, but no I’m not serious about being a travel blogger. So again, I just share my experiences. Also, thanks for the English lesson. I must have had too much coffee prior to writing this, THE HORROR!