Experience craft and dance exhibitions steeped in tradition. Visit nearby Prince of Wales Island, the Metlakatla Indian Community, and British Columbia. Take in the awe-inspiring sights of the Misty Fjords National Monument. Find the perfect gift or momento in Ketchikan's broad selection of shops and galleries, located on historic Creek Street.

Some of the most popular activities in Ketchikan include:

Ketchikan, Alaska is a melting pot for many forms of visual and performing arts. Crafters of the highest caliber also reside here, adding to the burgeoning arts scene of Ketchikan. The people here in Ketchikan are integral in the creative process, and share in each other's designs and accomplishments. Many of the venues, exhibits and productions are home grown, and shine proudly with local flare.

Among these local concoctions is the Wearable Art Show, which takes place in February. Anyone with a modicum of fashion sense and some fabric (or fishing line, or Spam; anything can and is used) can strut their stuff along the runway.

All artistic activity is channeled through the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council. With fifty years of experience, the K.A.A.H.C. is the nexus of year round arts and humanities events, such as the Blueberry Arts Festival, which takes place in August. The Gigglefeet Dance Festival features local dancers and dance choreographers. Big audiences come out for dances performed in every style imaginable, from modern to traditional Alaska Native dance, to ballet and beyond. If it's theater you are looking for, you have found it! First City Players is the oldest acting guild in Ketchikan. Running a full season of productions, it starts the year off with a major American musical. The remainder of the season features dramas, dinner theater, children's productions and comedies. First City Player's annual Cabaret and Jazz Festival is a fantastic place for amateur musicians to be tutored by visiting New York City jazz professionals and a full weekend's worth of performances. The Ketchikan Theater Ballet has trained dancers in the classical technique and contemporary style for over thirty years. Boasting over two hundred students and two major dance shows each year, the K.T.B. is Ketchikan's premiere dance school. The Ketchikan Community Band keeps local amateur events flowing, with year round concerts.

Whatever you're looking for in the arts, Ketchikan has it. An area that has been enriched by various cultures for years, Ketchikan is a fantastic outlet for both professional and amateur artists. Ketchikan locals take pride in the quality and quantity of art festivals and productions. Come see for yourself what the buzz is all about.

Hiking
Hiking in Ketchikan is a fantastic activity. The Ketchikan Outdoor Recreation and Trails Coalition works with government agencies to construct, design, and improve the trails that surround Ketchikan, Alaska. There are miles and miles of picturesque trails winding around and through the area, from alpine country to high mountaintops, valleys to stormy seas.

Camping
If you want a little solitude, then the remote cabins provided by the U.S. Forest Service are what you're looking for. Nearly two dozen are located within 75 miles of Ketchikan, Alaska. Some are situated on salt water, some on estuaries, others on lakes and streams. Some are only accessible by floatplane. Whatever site you choose, we hope you like living rustically; most cabins are furnished just like they were a hundred years ago, with plywood bunks, wood and oil stoves, and maybe even an outhouse. To reserve a cabin, just contact the U.S. Forest Service.

Sports
If you want to catch a baseball game, or play a little basketball, that's here too. There are tons of sports leagues and recreational groups, such as the youth Dribblers League and the Ketchikan, Alaska Youth Football League. For the adults there is basketball and softball. The Gateway Recreation Center, established in the early 1990's, furnishes several different athletic outlets. Activities include basketball, soccer, roller-skating, racquetball, handball, aerobics, martial arts, and even fitness equipment. During winter months, snowshoes and alpines skis may be rented here. A full-size competition swimming pool can be found here, along with saunas and a warm-down pool. Don't know how to swim? No problem. Master swimmers give lessons on technique, fitness and endurance. If you are a bowler, the Ketchikan Entertainment Center has sixteen lanes.

Tours
Got your sea-legs? Experience Alaska from the seaside! Take in the myriad sights of the Passage by ferry, cruise ship, private charter, or bring your own craft! Year-round service is provided by the Alaska Marine Highway, for passengers and vehicles both. To get the best spaces, make your reservations in advance. For a truly intimate tour of the waterways, bring your own canoe, bicycle, or kayak. Don't worry about having to walk; car rental is found all along the Passage. If you arrive in your own boat, verify mooring in advance with the local visitors bureau.