Ketchikan in March

May through September gives you the warmest weather and longest days, but each month has its personality. May sees fewer crowds and wildflowers blooming in the rainforest, but some tours don't start until Memorial Day. June brings 17 hours of daylight and the start of salmon runs — perfect timing for fishing charters. July and August are peak season for good reason. The weather's warmest (highs around 65°F), all attractions are open, and you might actually see the sun for a few consecutive days. But you'll share the town with 4,000 cruise passengers on busy days. Book restaurants and tours well ahead. September is the sweet spot for many visitors. Cruise crowds thin out after Labor Day, salmon runs peak at local creeks, and the fall colors in Tongass National Forest are spectacular. October can be beautiful but unpredictable — some years bring early snow, others offer crisp, clear days perfect for photography. Winter here is dark, wet, and quiet. Most tourist attractions close, but if you don't mind 6 hours of daylight and constant drizzle, you'll have the place to yourself. The Northern Lights occasionally appear on clear nights, though clear nights are rare.