Ketchikan’s "Fish Tales & Ales – 90 Minute Historical Walking Tour" offers a captivating glimpse into the region’s vibrant fishing culture and lively bar scene. This immersive experience, limited to just 12 guests aged 21 and over, invites you to step back in time and explore the iconic Creek Street, mingle with local fishermen, and discover the stories behind Ketchikan’s most beloved watering holes. With all beverages included, you’ll have the opportunity to savor the flavors of the region and uncover the rich history that has shaped this remarkable coastal community. But there’s more to this tour than meets the eye – the true magic lies in the moments you’ll encounter along the way.
Good To Know
- Explore the historic Creek Street and Ketchikan’s vibrant fishing culture on a 90-minute walking tour, including visits to local bars favored by fishermen.
- Observe the daily unloading of the fishing fleet and learn about the local fishing traditions from the tour guide and interactions with fishermen.
- Experience the Sourdough Cocktail Bar, a favorite among the seafaring community, and the Potlatch Bar, Ketchikan’s oldest bar, to immerse in the region’s bar culture.
- The tour is wheelchair and scooter accessible, and all alcoholic beverages and gratuities are included, providing a hassle-free and inclusive experience.
- The tour offers a 5.0 rating based on 7 reviews, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction with the insights into Ketchikan’s history and fishing culture.
Tour Overview
The tour is called "Fish Tales & Ales – 90 Minute Historical Walking Tour" and takes place in Ketchikan, USA.
It’s a small-group experience limited to 12 travelers aged 21 and over, with a 5.0 rating based on 7 reviews.
Highlights include exploring historic Creek Street, visiting local bars, experiencing the Sourdough Cocktail Bar, watching salmon swim upstream, and ending at Ketchikan’s oldest bar, the Potlatch Bar.
The tour meets at the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau and ends at the Potlatch Bar.
All alcoholic beverages and gratuities are included, and the tour is wheelchair and scooter accessible.
Guests praise the guides’ professionalism and the tour’s unique insights into Ketchikan’s fishing culture.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ketchikan.
Itinerary Highlights
Guests on the Fish Tales & Ales tour will explore historic Creek Street and the fishing fleet, gaining a firsthand look at Ketchikan’s vibrant maritime heritage.
They’ll visit local bars favored by fishermen, including the Sourdough Cocktail Bar (known as the Shipwreck Bar), where they’ll sip unique cocktails.
Along the way, they’ll watch salmon swim upstream, marveling at this natural wonder.
The tour culminates at the Potlatch Bar, Ketchikan’s oldest bar, providing a glimpse into the town’s colorful past.
Throughout the experience, guests will have the opportunity to interact with local fishermen, seeing the culture and traditions that have shaped this coastal community.
Meeting and Pickup
Travelers are to meet at the Front St/Berth 2, Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, located at AK 99901. Look for the Giant Rain Gauge, and arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour’s scheduled start time. The tour concludes at the Potlatch Bar, 126 Thomas St, Ketchikan, AK 99901.
Meeting Point | Time | End Point |
---|---|---|
Front St/Berth 2, Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, AK 99901 | Meet 15 minutes prior to start, by the Giant Rain Gauge | Potlatch Bar, 126 Thomas St, Ketchikan, AK 99901 |
The tour covers historic Creek Street, the fishing fleet, local bars favored by fishermen, the Sourdough Cocktail Bar, and ends at Ketchikan’s oldest bar, the Potlatch Bar.
Inclusions and Accessibility
All alcoholic beverages and gratuities are included as part of the tour. This means you don’t have to worry about extra costs during your 90-minute historical walking adventure.
The tour is also wheelchair accessible and near public transportation, making it suitable for guests with mobility needs. Scooter users can join the small group of up to 12 travelers.
If you need to cancel, no problem – there’s free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
With these inclusions and accessibility options, you can simply relax and immerse yourself in Ketchikan’s fishing culture and local bar scene.
Exploring Historic Creek Street
Winding along the shores of the Ketchikan Creek, historic Creek Street immerses visitors in the town’s rich fishing heritage.
Once the infamous red-light district, this charming boardwalk now showcases vibrant shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Guests on the tour will explore this scenic waterfront, learning about the area’s storied past as a hub for loggers, miners, and fishermen.
They’ll glimpse the fishing fleet anchored in the harbor, watching as the boats unload their daily catch.
Along the way, the guide will point out local bars that have long been gathering spots for fishermen, offering a glimpse into the culture and camaraderie of Ketchikan’s seafaring community.
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Visiting Local Bars
After exploring the historic Creek Street and the fishing fleet, the tour moves on to visiting some of the local bars that have long been gathering spots for Ketchikan’s seafaring community.
Guests will experience the Sourdough Cocktail Bar, also known as the Shipwreck Bar, which has been a favorite watering hole for fishermen over the years.
The tour then ends at the Potlatch Bar, Ketchikan’s oldest bar, where visitors can enjoy:
- Unique Alaskan-themed cocktails
- Conversations with local fishermen
- A glimpse into Ketchikan’s vibrant bar culture
These local establishments provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to take in the rich history and traditions of this fishing town.
Customer Experiences
The tours provide guests with a real-life look at Ketchikan’s history and fishing culture. Guests enjoy learning about the local fishing practices and unique opportunity to meet the fishermen themselves.
The down-to-earth, helpful, and professional guides create an engaging experience, offering insights into the area’s heritage. Visitors particularly appreciate the chance to visit local bars favored by the fishing community, like the Sourdough Cocktail Bar and the Potlatch Bar, Ketchikan’s oldest watering hole.
The tour company’s follow-up communication after the experience further enhances the overall positive customer feedback, leaving guests with a memorable taste of the town’s maritime traditions.
Sum Up
The "Fish Tales &Ales – 90 Minute Historical Walking Tour" in Ketchikan offers a unique opportunity to take in the region’s rich fishing heritage and vibrant bar scene. With beverages included, guests can engage with local fishermen, explore historic Creek Street, and visit charming bars like the Potlatch, all while learning about Ketchikan’s captivating history. It’s an experience not to be missed for anyone looking to dive into the heart of this Alaskan coastal town.
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