I spent two nights before the cruise. And I enjoyed my time but wished I could have stayed longer. Don’t miss the sites of Chinatown, Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombardo St (the crookedest street). I stayed at the Wharf so my hotel was about a 15 to 20 minute walk to Pier 27 where my cruise ship was docked.

Probably the biggest reason why I took this cruise and it did not disappoint. Mind you I lucked out with the weather. The clear blue sky made for the snow-capped mountains and clear lake some spectacular scenery.

There is a free shuttle ride into town & you are dropped off at a parking lot area which with luck not far is the public library where I went in for a half an hour to use their free WIFI. I sat in the lounge looking out the window at the spectacular scenery. Since the ship docked from 1pm to 9pm, the last shuttle leaving for the ship is 8 pm.

I did my own thing and just walked around this lovely town. Lots to see from St. Michaels Church to Baranof Castle State Historic Site to get a spectacular view of Sitka.

Went inside the Russian Museum (closes at 5) but had 15 minutes to quickly look around (the ground level is free). Further down the street is Peter by the Sea Church.

Just get yourself a good map (I printed one off online) and enjoy

Was I lucky with the weather or what! A local told me the week before it poured so much she doubts hardly anyone got off the ship.

Our ship was the second to dock in a newly built port.

To walk into town for me was about 30 or 40 minutes. I did take the shuttle back BUT I didn’t buy the return ticket at the counter by the port so I just gave the drive a fiver even though she trusted those who came on the bus without a ticket to pay at the booth after she dropped us of. I thought I was going to walk back from town but it was very warm and I was a bit tired.

I went to City Hall and got a map of the town. Wasn’t a whole lot see in Hoohan but was a nice scenic stroll around. There is a lodge with free WIFI but it’s quite a ways away.

I saw few guys carving some boats. Some shops around but I’m not much of a shopper anyway.

I didn’t do a whole lot here just walked around and enjoyed the scenery.

Back at the port, you can go Ziplining.

Back home it was 7C with possible flurries. Ridiculous for mid-May. Here in Ketchikan it was a balmy 26C. Insane, eh? I’m not meaning to brag. I was EXPECTING 10 to 14C; I would have been just as happy.

I went to Crook St. not far from the ship, maybe 10 minute walk. There were a couple of girls asking if people wanted to tour Dolly’s House. Sure why not? Plus I got the U.S. $7.50 morning special as opposed to the $10.00. She gave me a quick rundown of what to see in the house and a bit about Dolly’s past. By the way, Dolly’s House was a brothel back in the early 1900s. Some rooms have a TV screen that will give a history about the place.

I wanted to take the funicular up to Cape Fox Lodge for a nice view but the funicular is out of service. I heard someone way waiting for a part from Norway. I couldn’t find the stairs to climb toward the lodge (I didn’t try hard enough) and didn’t want to waste time. Lots to see and do around Ketchikan so get yourself a good map and start walking. I printed a couple from the Internet, one for the downtown area and one for West End which isn’t far from the ship so after lunch this is where I explored a bit but not much as the heat gets to me a little. Before I headed back to ship I stopped in First City Saloon sports bar for a cold local beer called White.