Day 6 | Ketchikan, Alaska 🦅 | Creek Street, Herring Cove, Totem Bight & Bald Eagles

🛳️ Welcome to Day 6 of our unforgettable Royal Princess Alaska Cruise! Today we explored Ketchikan, one of Alaska’s most charming cruise ports and a destination famous for its rich Native culture, colorful waterfront, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking rainforest scenery. Known as “Alaska’s First City,” Ketchikan was the first major community encountered by ships arriving from the Inside Passage. It is also called the “Salmon Capital of the World” because millions of Pacific salmon return to its streams every summer. One of the highlights of our visit was spotting bald eagles and black bears in their natural habitat—an unforgettable wildlife experience! ⸻ 📖 A Brief History of Ketchikan Ketchikan has been home to the Tlingit people for thousands of years. The city’s name comes from Kichx̱áan, a Tlingit word referring to the creek that flows through downtown. During the late 1800s, Ketchikan grew rapidly because of: • Salmon fishing • Fish canneries • Timber and logging • Gold Rush supply routes Today, Ketchikan is one of Alaska’s busiest cruise destinations while preserving its Native heritage and historic charm. ⸻ 📍 Places We Visited 🦅 Herring Cove One of the best wildlife viewing areas in Southeast Alaska. During the salmon season (July–September), visitors often see: • Bald Eagles • Black Bears • Harbor Seals • Salmon swimming upstream This was one of the highlights of our trip! ⸻ 🌉 Creek Street & Ketchikan Creek Creek Street is Ketchikan’s most famous attraction. Originally built on wooden pilings over Ketchikan Creek, it was once the city’s historic red-light district during the Gold Rush era. Today you’ll find: • Colorful historic buildings • Souvenir shops • Art galleries • Restaurants • Beautiful waterfront views Ketchikan Creek is also famous for its salmon ladder, where thousands of salmon return to spawn each year. During salmon season, it’s common to see bald eagles waiting nearby for an easy meal. ⸻ 🪵 Totem Bight State Historical Park One of Alaska’s best places to learn about Native Alaskan culture. The park features: • Beautifully restored totem poles • A traditional Tlingit clan house • Interpretive exhibits explaining Native history and traditions Each totem tells a unique story about family lineage, legends, and important cultural events. ⸻ 🌲 Tongass National Forest Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States, covering nearly 17 million acres. It is also the world’s largest temperate rainforest. Home to: • Bald Eagles • Black Bears • Brown Bears • Wolves • Sitka Black-tailed Deer • Thousands of salmon streams The lush rainforest, waterfalls, and misty mountains make Tongass one of Alaska’s most beautiful natural landscapes. ⸻ 🦅 Wildlife We Saw ✅ Bald Eagles Ketchikan is often called the Eagle Capital of Alaska because of its large bald eagle population. Adult bald eagles can have wingspans of over 7 feet (2.1 meters) and are commonly seen around rivers and coastlines during salmon season. ⸻ 🐻 Black Bears Black bears are frequently spotted near salmon streams around Herring Cove. These incredible animals spend summer and early fall feeding on salmon to prepare for winter hibernation. Watching them in the wild was truly one of the most memorable parts of our Alaska adventure. ⸻ 🚶 Tips for First-Time Visitors ✔️ Wear waterproof shoes and a rain jacket—Ketchikan receives over 150 inches of rain annually. ✔️ Visit Herring Cove early in the morning or late afternoon for the best wildlife viewing. ✔️ Creek Street is only a short walk from the cruise port. ✔️ If you’re interested in Native history, don’t miss Totem Bight State Historical Park. ✔️ Bring binoculars and a zoom camera for eagle and bear sightings. ✔️ Fresh Alaskan salmon is a must-try before leaving Ketchikan. ⸻ 📍 Must-See Attractions ⭐ Creek Street ⭐ Ketchikan Creek ⭐ Herring Cove ⭐ Totem Bight State Historical Park ⭐ Tongass National Forest ⭐ Salmon Ladder ⭐ Downtown Ketchikan Waterfront ⭐ Misty Fjords National Monument (if you have extra time) ⸻ 👍 If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to Like, Comment, Share, and Subscribe for the next episode of our Alaska Cruise adventure!