Only 6 hours in Ketchikan--how to best organize my day

Question

We only have from 7 am-1 pm in Ketchikan arriving on a Princess cruise on Sept. 11th. Based on what I've read the things I'm most interested in are Totem Bight State Park, The Lumberjack Show (1-hour shows at 8, 9:30 and 11 am) and walking along Creek Street.

I understand that to get to Totem Bight State Park I'd do the following: Take the Silver Line North bus which runs every hour at 7:26, 8:26, etc. and takes 28 min to reach the park. Silver Line South picks up passengers at Totem Bight State Park at :07 past the hour.

If I get off the ship as soon as it docks at 7 am (is it realistic to expect to be able to do this on a large ship?), how can I best fit in the above stops and in what order should I do them? Does Totem Bight have a brochure I can download to learn about the totem poles or will there be signs in front of them? How long will this visit take? Where does the bus stop when it returns to town? Will it be near Creek Street? Are there shops or other great photo ops I shouldn't miss? If taking the public bus wastes too much time, does anyone know how much an Uber or taxi would cost?

Answer

With only 6 hours in Ketchikan (7 AM–1 PM), you can still see Totem Bight State Park, the Lumberjack Show, and Creek Street with careful planning. Here’s a suggested itinerary and detailed guidance.

Disembarking:

Large cruise ships can take 15–30 minutes to clear passengers through gangways and customs. If you disembark promptly at 7 AM, it’s realistic but leave a small buffer in case of lines.

Suggested order of stops:

7:30 AM – Head to the Lumberjack Show if you want to catch the first 8 AM show. The show lasts about 1 hour. This allows you to enjoy a fun, fast-paced local performance right in town.
8:45–9 AM – After the show, take the Silver Line North bus at 9:26 AM from downtown to Totem Bight State Park (28-minute ride). Alternatively, a taxi/Uber can take about 20 minutes and offers more flexibility if you’re pressed for time (rough cost ~$20–$30 one-way).
9:30–11 AM – Explore Totem Bight State Park. The visit can take roughly 60–75 minutes to see the restored totem poles, clan house, and interpretive signs. Brochures may not be downloadable, but signs in front of each totem pole provide historical context. Guided tours may be available seasonally.
11:07 AM – Take the Silver Line South bus back to downtown Ketchikan. The bus drops you near downtown streets close to Creek Street. A taxi/Uber is faster but costs more.
11:30 AM–12:30 PM – Walk along Creek Street, browse shops, and take photos. Creek Street is famous for its colorful historic buildings and waterfront views. Don’t miss photo ops at the iconic red boardwalks and city overlooks near the harbor.
12:30–12:45 PM – Quick snack or souvenir shopping near the cruise terminal if time permits.
12:45–1:00 PM – Return to ship for boarding by 1 PM.

Additional Tips:

Totem Bight State Park visit: Wear comfortable walking shoes; the path is paved and stroller-friendly if needed. Interpretive signage explains each totem pole and cultural significance.
Photo opportunities: Downtown Ketchikan waterfront, Creek Street boardwalk, Totem Bight clan house and totem poles, scenic harbor views.
Timing buffer: Always leave extra 10–15 minutes for bus/taxi transfers to ensure you return to the ship on time.
Taxi/Uber versus bus: Bus is inexpensive (a few dollars per person), but using a taxi or rideshare may save 10–15 minutes each way, helpful with only 6 hours total.
Optional: If you miss the 8 AM Lumberjack Show, you can catch the 9:30 or 11 AM show depending on how you schedule Totem Bight first, but this may require tighter timing.

With this plan, you maximize your short visit: enjoy a lively Lumberjack Show, see historical totem poles at Totem Bight, and stroll Creek Street with time for photos and shopping before returning to the ship.

Only 6 hours in Ketchikan--how to best organize my day

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