Private Ketchikan City Totems & Wildlife Van Tour
Description
Ketchikan, Alaska, is truly the beginning of the last frontier. Set at the southernmost entrance to Alaska’s famed Inside Passage, a network of waterways snakes through some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful wilderness in the world. Ketchikan is best known for three things: feisty salmon, idyllic scenery, and an incredibly rich Alaska Native culture. We are Native Americans, proud of our culture, and can't wait to share it all with you. This tour is completely flexible and can be tailored to your group's interests. Some options include visiting totem parks, beaches, waterfalls, or going on a hike. While you explore, we will teach you about our Alaskan Native culture and traditions.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Totem Bight State Historical Park sheltered in a lush, temperate rainforest rich in Native history and art, beaches with waterfront views, and indigenous plants and animals—it is the top pick for visitors and residents alike. you will also visit Potlatch Park next door (Totem Poles, Clan House, Carving Center, Antique Cars, Gun Museum, Shopping) 10 Miles North $5.00 park entrance not included
Herring Cove where you have chance to see my fishing grounds, salmon swimming upstream, eagles are usually abundant and possibly black bears & Seals, (when in season) 8 Miles South
drive through
Ketchikan Creek served as a summer fish camp for Tlingit natives for untold years before the town was established by Mike Martin in 1885. He was sent to the area by an Oregon canning company to assess prospects. He established the saltery Clark & Martin and a general store with Nova Scotia native George Clark, who had been foreman at a cannery that burned down.[10] Ketchikan became known as "Alaska's first city" due to its strategic position at the southern tip of the Inside Passage, connecting the Gulf of Alaska to Puget Sound. In 1905 a mission house was built, which in 1909 became the Yates Memorial Hospital. In 2020, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the former hospital as one of America's most endangered historic places.
you’ll have the opportunity to explore 5 Native Alaskan clan houses and see what life would have been like here 200 years ago. The inside of the clan house is as spectacular as the outside. Throughout the park, you’ll find spectacular totem poles, even an incredible 42’ tall pole! Staff will be able to tell you the exciting legends the poles represent and answer your questions. they also have a collection of rate antique vehicles in our Antique Car Museum! Do not miss our 1934 Ford Coupe or 1924 Stanley Steamer! There are many more classics for you to appreciate throughout the park!
Creek Street is a historic boardwalk perched on pilings along the banks of Ketchikan Creek in Ketchikan, Alaska. A former Red Light District where both men and salmon swam upstream to spawn. It is now a quaint place to tour Dolly’s House museum, view totem poles, shop at locally-owned stores and galleries, enjoy local art and culture. In the summer months salmon gather by the thousands to spawn upstream; seals and otters are never far away with eagles perched in the trees above.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
WE PICK UP AT YOUR SHIP OR HOTEL ONLY we have a Red Dodge Caravan and will be waiting at your ships pick up location with a sign and your party's name
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- we can accommodate a small collapsible wheelchair
Reviews(127)
Art was an excellent guide - friendly, knowledgeable, and adaptable. We saw bears in the wild (mom and two cubs), a water fall, and experienced local culture and food. Our family of 6 thoroughly enjoyed our small group, private tour with Art. We were picked up on our cruise ship dock and dropped in town at a location of our choosing. The local knowledge was especially appreciated. Highly recommend Art and this tour!
James was a perfect guide...we saw bear and eagle and learned so much about the area .Highly recommend this tour! We went early morning and then had time to explore!
Art was so happy to have you guys on our tour. We are thankful that you chose Rainy Day Tours and let us such a great review. It’s travelers like you that make our business possible.
Art was flexible with our time and very informative. He is and Alaskan native and share his insight from his clan.point of view, which was awesome. He answered questions with ease and it was obvious that he loves Alaska. We loved it, too.
Art was very flexible, talking about his experiences and offering to spend the time however we wanted. Tried the best smoked salmon any of us has ever had, saw a beautiful waterfall, encountered two bears and watched the salmon as well as visiting Buggy’s beach. So much to do!
We could not have been more pleased with our Ketchikan tour with Rainy Day Tours. Communication was first rate. Art was prompt, knowledgeable, and personable. We were two adults and three children, and he was able to provide a car seat and booster seat, which was terrific. His vehicle was clean and comfortable. Art met us in Ward Cove where our cruise docked, so we didn't need to waste time during our port call to take a shuttle into downtown Ketchikan. His suggested sites which we visited were varied and interesting - we saw totems, a waterfall, bears, eagles, mini crabs, and more. My kids warmed up to him immediately and he kept all of us engaged throughout with stories and his knowledge of the area.
Art gave us the best tour experience I've ever had, anywhere. He asked us what we were really interested in doing, and was totally open to changing the itinerary for us. His local knowledge and the small van took us to places that the large buses can't even go, and made the tour so special! And the time spent in each location was up to us (as long as we left enough time for the other things we wanted to do). We saw eagles close up and bears roaming at the first stop, and the tour quality stayed excellent until the end!
Art was incredible! One of the best tours we have taken! He was so knowledgeable and really catered to what we wanted to see. Can't say enough! Very personable and is native and knew history, and knew the artists. He actually brought salmon eggs to bring in eagles and bears!!!! He took us to places other tours did not, he new the ins and outs of each stop and took us to areas other tour guides did not
This was a wonderful excursion. Art was a great guide. He picked us up right at Wards cove and his knowledge of Ketchikan was amazing! You can tell he really loves where he lives. We saw bald eagles and even a bear and his knowledge of the totem poles was so interesting. I would highly recommend this tour. Thanks again Art! The Moore Family.
Art was a wonderful guide and a real wealth of knowledge. The three hours went so fast even if we didn't see any bears and it was raining the entire time. Highly recommend
Art was on time, flexible and passionate about providing a great experience. Knowledgeable and flexible to change sights based on customer priorities or weather changes.
