Creek Street

Creek Street is one of Ketchikan's most iconic spots, combining rich history, vibrant local culture, and scenic charm. Once the heart of the town’s red-light district, this historic boardwalk now attracts visitors with its unique shops, art galleries, and waterfront views.

Getting to Creek Street

Located near Ketchikan's main cruise docks, Creek Street is just a short walk from Berths 1-4. If you're docked at Ward Cove, you can catch a shuttle downtown. Once downtown, follow the signs or ask for directions to Creek Street, which is nestled along the water and can’t be missed.

Exploring Creek Street

Creek Street offers a unique blend of history, shopping, and local culture:

• Historic Walking Tour: Take a self-guided walking tour to learn about Creek Street’s colorful past as a bustling red-light district during the Prohibition era. Many of the buildings still have plaques that share snippets of this history, giving visitors a sense of life in early 20th-century Ketchikan.
  


• Dolly’s House Museum: Step back in time with a visit to Dolly’s House, one of the few remaining buildings from Creek Street’s notorious days. Now a museum, Dolly’s House offers a glimpse into Ketchikan’s past, with artifacts and décor preserved from its original days.
  


• Art Galleries and Shops: Creek Street is home to a variety of local shops and galleries featuring Native Alaskan art, handmade crafts, and unique souvenirs. This is an excellent spot to pick up one-of-a-kind gifts and support local artisans.
  

Wildlife Viewing

Creek Street offers a fantastic opportunity to view wildlife, especially during salmon spawning season. You might spot salmon swimming upstream, or even see bald eagles and seals coming to feed.

Where to Eat

For a bite to eat, Creek Street has several cozy spots and snack stands where you can grab local treats:

• Creek Street Coffee: This small café offers a range of drinks and light snacks, perfect for a quick break as you explore.
  


• Annabelle’s Famous Keg & Chowder House: Just a short stroll from Creek Street, Annabelle’s is known for its hearty chowders and seafood dishes, providing a great taste of Alaska’s culinary scene.
  

Interesting Facts

You can’t take more than a step down Creek Street without being surrounding by fascinating legends, history, and architecture. As the famous saying goes, Creek Street is “where more men than fish went upstream to spawn!” Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, modern-day Creek Street has transformed into one of Ketchikan’s prized historic treasures.

• Creek Street homes and businesses often had trap doors in the floor where bootleggers would simply row up to the home at high tide to drop off Canadian whiskey during prohibition.
  


• Dolly’s House—the last of Creek Street’s brothels and home to Dolly Arthur—was converted into a museum after Dolly retired when prostitution was outlawed in the city.
  


• The Married Man’s Trail leads from Creek Street up through the wilderness away from town, making it the perfect route for married men to escape when police raided the brothels.
  


• From late July through September, the Salmon Ladder at the end of the Married Man’s Trail teems with thousands of salmon going upstream to spawn.
  


• The 55-foot Chief Johnson Totem Pole stands at the entrance of Creek Street and is a replica of the original totem pole that stood until 1982 at the mouth of Ketchikan Creek.
  

Final Thoughts

Creek Street is more than just a tourist stop—it’s a living piece of Ketchikan’s history. From fascinating museums to scenic views, there’s something for everyone along this charming boardwalk. Take your time exploring, enjoy the sights, and don’t forget your camera for capturing this iconic Alaskan setting!