The first stop on my cruise through Alaska a few summers ago was an adorable little fishing town called Ketchikan. Known as the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan is the 5th most populated city in Alaska, and is the first stop for most cruises into the state. Ketchikan is named after its famous creek, which is filled with salmon in the summer.

After disembarking from the cruise, my cousins and I set off for the town. Surrounded by mountains and water, we admired the quaint streets of Ketchikan.

Creek Street is one of the most famous parts of this small city.  Back in the times of the Gold Rush, this street was full of gold miners and prostitutes. Today it’s a row of cute shops and cafes.

These small building are built on stilts directly over Ketchikan Creek. We had the chance to see lots of salmon swimming fast along the creek since we visited in the summer.

A highlight of our time in Ketchikan was the Ketchikan Duck Tour. We were able to see all of the island from land and from the water. Our tour guide was great and provided lots of fun facts for us to enjoy. I highly recommend the tour if visiting Ketchikan!

Since Ketchikan is an island, it’s only accessible by small plane (like the one below) or by boat. It was fun seeing all these tiny planes flying in and out of the island. It must be such a different way of life for that to be your only way to travel outside your town.

Ketchikan was full of bald eagles! I had the chance to see many flying all over the island, and even caught the one you see below mid-flight!

Though my time on this quaint fishing island was short, it was sweet. It was my first flavor of Alaska which left me excited for what more was to come.

Have you been to Ketchikan? What did you think?

For more on my trip to Alaska, check out these posts:

• Whale Watching in Juneau, AK
• What to Do is Skagway, AK
• What I Love (And Don’t Love) About Cruising
• Sailing Alaska’s Tracy Arm Fjord