
Front Street, Ketchikan
Front Street is a historic and bustling waterfront corridor that serves as the city’s welcoming front porch. Running parallel to the Tongass Narrows, it’s often the first street visitors encounter when stepping off cruise ships at the nearby berths. With its vibrant mix of colorful buildings, wooden boardwalks, and Alaskan-themed shops, Front Street offers a charming first impression of the town’s maritime spirit and frontier roots. The area has long served as Ketchikan’s commercial and social heart, with roots dating back to the early 1900s during the gold rush and salmon canning boom.
Today, Front Street is a pedestrian-friendly promenade lined with gift shops, jewelry stores, galleries, seafood eateries, and coffeehouses—perfect for exploring on foot. Visitors can shop for authentic Alaska Native crafts, local smoked salmon, or a classic souvenir T-shirt, all while enjoying views of seaplanes taking off and landing on the water. Street performers, towering cruise ships, and the occasional bald eagle add to the street’s dynamic and distinctly Alaskan atmosphere.
Beyond its tourist appeal, Front Street is also a great place to connect with Ketchikan’s culture and history. It leads to some of the city's iconic attractions like Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, and the Totem Heritage Center.
Today, Front Street is a pedestrian-friendly promenade lined with gift shops, jewelry stores, galleries, seafood eateries, and coffeehouses—perfect for exploring on foot. Visitors can shop for authentic Alaska Native crafts, local smoked salmon, or a classic souvenir T-shirt, all while enjoying views of seaplanes taking off and landing on the water. Street performers, towering cruise ships, and the occasional bald eagle add to the street’s dynamic and distinctly Alaskan atmosphere.
Beyond its tourist appeal, Front Street is also a great place to connect with Ketchikan’s culture and history. It leads to some of the city's iconic attractions like Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, and the Totem Heritage Center.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ketchikan. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Front Street on Map
Sight Name: Front Street
Sight Location: Ketchikan, USA (See walking tours in Ketchikan)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ketchikan, USA (See walking tours in Ketchikan)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ketchikan, Alaska
Create Your Own Walk in Ketchikan
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ketchikan is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ketchikan Introduction Walking Tour
Ketchikan marks the start of what many still consider the last true frontier. Tucked into the southern tip of the state, it welcomes travelers sailing the Inside Passage—a winding corridor of forested islands, rugged coastline, and dramatic wilderness. It’s a place known for three things: fierce salmon runs, dramatic coastal scenery, and a deep-rooted Alaska Native heritage that continues to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles