Rainy Day Guide: Best Indoor Activities in Ketchikan
When you’re planning a trip to Ketchikan, it’s wise to anticipate the rain. With its location in the heart of the temperate rainforest, weather can change fast, and an unexpected downpour doesn’t mean your day is over.
Below is a curated list of the best indoor activities in Ketchikan, so you can stay productive, engaged, and comfortable no matter the forecast.
Indoor Activities for Rainy Day Exploration
1. Museums & Cultural Stops
Southeast Alaska Discovery Center – Located downtown, this museum offers hands-on exhibits about the rainforest ecosystem, Alaska Native culture and local wildlife. A solid choice for a rainy midday activity.
Tongass Historical Museum – Small but rich in history: early settlers, the fishing industry, and Ketchikan’s Gold Rush era are featured. Great for when you want indoor depth rather than just a quick stop.
Totem Heritage Center – Preserve 19th-century Tlingit and Haida totem poles indoors, so even if the rain picks up, you’re engaged in meaningful cultural experience rather than hiding out.
These museum stops are popular choices among travelers looking for things to do in Ketchikan when it rains.
2. Performance & Entertainment Venues
Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show – A covered, indoor amphitheatre hosts this energetic show celebrating Ketchikan’s logging heritage. Excellent for families or groups seeking fun when the weather isn’t cooperating outdoors.
Downtown Boutique Shops – Wanderable shops along historic streets give you space to move, explore local artistry, and stay shielded from the rain. Because planning for a “weather buffer” i.e., indoor-friendly time slots, is smart.
3. Fitness, Recreation & Flexible Indoor Spaces
Gateway Recreation Center –If you’re staying a bit longer and want indoor recreation, this facility has plenty to keep you active. It features a competition pool with a dive tank, a lazy river, sauna, weight room, ellipticals, treadmills, an indoor track, and courts for pickleball, basketball, and handball — perfect when cabin fever hits.
Film/reading breaks & café comfort zones – Sometimes the best rainy-day plan is a slower pace: café, book, local chat. Many local cafés near the downtown area offer large windows, comfy seating, and views of the weather outside (so you still feel connected to the place).
4. Enjoy a Good Meal
At The Landing Hotel, you’ll find two excellent indoor dining options, each perfect for a drizzly day:
The Diner at The Landing Hotel – A nostalgic, comfort-forward escape with hearty fare, hot coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, ideal for thawing out after a wet morning outdoors. It’s welcoming, warm, and great for families or travelers who want something classic and satisfying.
The Portside Pub & Grill (inside The Landing Hotel) – Featuring a relaxed atmosphere with soft seating and comfort dishes, Portside Pub & Grill is a go-to rainy-day stop. Warm up with seafood chowder or French onion soup, enjoy a drink, and take your time while the weather passes.
Whether you crave cozy, casual, or pub-style comfort, both restaurants offer inviting indoor spaces to relax and refuel.
5. Browse Local Art Galleries
Just steps from the water, Creek Street and Mission Street are filled with galleries that offer shelter from the rain while showcasing the creativity of Southeast Alaska. One of the most notable stops is Scanlon Gallery, featuring Alaska Native carvings, fine art, handcrafted jewelry, and photography from talented local and regional artists.It’s a great rainy-day activity for anyone looking to explore Ketchikan’s creative side. Inside, you’ll find:
Alaska Native carvings
Fine art inspired by local landscapes and wildlife
Handcrafted jewelry and gifts
Photography from local artists and adventurers
Galleries are a wonderful way to engage with Ketchikan’s creative community. They’re also one of the most enjoyable rainy-day activities in Ketchikan, especially for arts and culture lovers.
If you still want to explore without standing in the rain, a few guided tours allow you to see Ketchikan’s highlights from covered or enclosed transportation. These options let you take in the scenery and stories while staying dry and comfortable:
Ketchikan Trolley Tours – Enjoy narrated sightseeing from a covered trolley as you roll past historic districts, waterfront views, and local landmarks.
Guided City or Driving Tours – A warm, enclosed vehicle offers a relaxed way to explore town, learn about its history, and visit key stops without battling the weather.
Ketchikan Pub Crawl – A guided evening outing that hops between notable local pubs, keeping you indoors or under shelter for most of the experience.
Local Favorites: How Ketchikan Locals Spend a Rainy Afternoon
When locals settle in for a rainy afternoon, they know how to make the most of it:
Grab a bowl of chowder from The Portside Pub or The Diner at The Landing
Browse handmade art at Scanlon Gallery, one of the best spots downtown for Alaska-made prints, jewelry, and photography.
Tour the Bawden Brewing Company and sample small-batch brews.
Even when it pours, there’s no shortage of indoor things to do here in Ketchikan.
Rain in Ketchikan isn’t a deterrent, it’s part of what makes this place unique. The city sits within the Tongass National Rainforest, a vast stretch of nearly 17 million acres that make it the largest temperate rainforest in the world. By aligning your trip with indoor-friendly options and reliable venues, you’ll stay in control of your experience. When you book at The Landing Hotel, you’re not just getting a room; you’re anchoring your trip in a base that understands the weather, the place, and how to move with it.
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