Far from being a one horse town, Ketchikan is a six cruise ship town. These mammoth floating hotels dock at the port right at the heart of the town. Ship visitors stroll down the gang ways straight into souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, and tourist attraction vendors.
Apart from people watching, at least when the cruise ships are there, there is actually much to see within walking distance of the Ketchikan cruise ship docks, including the shops along quaint and picturesque Creek Street, with its historic buildings overhanging a crystal-clear, salmon-filled stream.
Set amongst the lush Tongass rainforest, surrounded by magnificent peaks, waterfalls, and glaciers, there’s a fair bit for the nature lover as well, assuming they have longer to spend there than the average cruise ship stay of five or six hours.
Once these people movers have moved on, the town is very quiet and the shops close all most immediately!

Docked Cruiseships at Ketchikan on the Alaska marine highway and inside passage.

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