We just drove from Arizona to Alaska after enjoying a little sunshine in the Lower 48 this winter. We brought back some sun with us (you’re welcome). The highlight of our driving trip was acquiring a dog in Tucson.

Traveling during a global pandemic is one thing, traveling with a puppy is another. Here’s what you need to know. It’s not so bad. Pandemic and puppy travel is not as difficult as some people may think. You just need to familiarize yourself with mask mandates, indoor seating requirements and whether or not you can Bring Fido.

One thing hubs and I really like to do in Ketchikan is walk the waterfront promenade whenever weather permits. The promenade begins near Berth 4, passes Harbor View Park and the other cruise ship docks then wraps around Thomas Basin Harbor. It’s a nice walk on a sunny day and so that was one of the first things we did when we got home (after our 2-week quarantine, of course).

Whether you’re visiting Ketchikan or live here, here’s what you and your pooch need to know. There are pet-friendly hotels, vacation rentals and B&Bs in Ketchikan:

• Black Bear Inn
• Cape Fox Lodge
• Chinook Shores Lodge
• My Place Hotel
• Super 8 by Wyndham
• The Landing

State law prohibits taking your pets into Alaska grocery stores. Same goes for restaurants and bars, unless they have an outdoor seating area (and you have approval from management).

Ketchikan’s Pet Friendly Watering Holes

• Arctic Bar (photo above)
• Bar Harbor

Ketchikan is known as one of the best cruise ship destinations in Southeast Alaska. And, until 2020 had a robust list of shore excursions to prove it. One popular tour is/was the Ketchikan Pub Crawl which took visitors on a walking tour of Ketchikan’s history while stopping to enjoy tasty beverages at historical pubs. The official shore excursion may not return until August 2021 or even 2022, but don’t let that stop you from a self-guided walking tour of our town. Like some of the retail shops, bars are open for business in Ketchikan. So if you’re taking a stroll along Ketchikan’s promenade one sunny day be sure to stop by the “Home of the Happy Bears” (ah hem, and chihauhaus), and also consider paying a personal visit to these local establishments:

• 108 Tap House & Burger Bar
• Arctic Bar (Outdoor Seating)
• Bar Harbor Ale House (Outdoor Seating)
• Bawden Street Brewing Co.
• Cape Fox Lodge
• Creek Street Cabaret
• Fat Stan’s Sports Bar & Pizzeria (Outdoor Seating)
• Sourdough Bar
• (note: some destinations in this list may or may not be pet-friendly, call ahead to verify)

And last but not leash (I mean least, pardon the pun). Here’s a list of other pet-friendly activities you can do in Ketchikan.

• Settler’s Cove State Recreation Site
• Totem Bight State Historical Park
• Ward Lake
• (pet friendly, leash required)

Do you have a pet-friendly destination to add to this list? Leave a comment below!