10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in Alaska

Talkeetna is the best place to see three glacier rivers meet in one place and anyone who visits the town should take at least one river tour and one flight tour in order to see this amazing site from all perspectives. The Alaskan Range and Denali Mountain can be seen in the distance on a clear day and many people will want to explore one of the many nature trails that extend from the town.

Everyone wants to find gold and while that may not be possible, everyone will have a chance to experience the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 and 1898 for themselves when they visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park in Skagway. Adventurists will want to tackle the thirty-three miles that comprise the Chilkoot Trail, but only seventeen of them are in the United States. The rest of the trail lies in Canada.

Treasures can be found everywhere in the town of Sitka and people will want to soak in the history of the town. There are many museums in the town that tell the stories and show the artifacts from the past. One of the more interesting stories is how Sitka was a ghost town for many years.

Homer has long been known as the Halibut Fishing Capital of the World, but is also nicknamed the end of the road, because there is only one road that leads into the town. The Pratt Museum shares the history of the town and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve have a visitor’s center complete with interactive displays. One of the more famous landmarks in Homer is the Salty Dawg Saloon.

Gustavus is completely surrounded by mountains and it is the entrance to the Glacier Bay National Park. The town’s location allows visitors to see scenery and wilderness that they would never be able to see anywhere else in the world. The Icy Straits are magnificent and the wildlife that can be seen in this area is remarkable.

The Chugach Mountain Range surrounds the small town of Girdwood, yet the town itself is not too far from the international airport. There is plenty to do in this sleepy town including staying in a log cabin, hiking the numerous nature trails, spotting wildlife, and eating at some unique restaurants.

Seward is a town where people can do just about anything that they desire. They can spend time on the trails, out on the water, up in the sky, or in front of a cozy fire reading a book. A popular destination for many is Kenai Fjords National Park where wildlife viewing is practically guaranteed. A few more places that people might want to visit include the Alaska SeaLife Center, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. At all of these places, people will learn more about the town they are visiting as well as the animals in the area.

The Golden Heart City is just the place to catch the Northern Lights or bask in the glow of the midnight sun. Nature is abundant in this city and the locals embrace it on a daily basis, because of the solitude and tranquility it offers. The town may be remote, but the activities will have everyone wondering when they entered the big city. The downtown is charming, the arts community is unique, and the culture is native to the state.

Wildlife is everywhere in Juneau and people can see humpback whales, orcas, seals, porcupines, eagles, bears, and more. There are even tours available where people can get up close and personal with many of these creatures. At the end of a long day, many people will venture into one of the pubs, which have been opened for more years than people can count, and sit amongst the locals listening to the stories of the day and eating delicious local meals.

Cordova is located in Prince William Sound and this town is mysterious in so many ways. The glacier carved mountains lead to wetlands and forests filled with wildlife before reaching one of the multiple waterways. It is one of the best places to take photos in Alaska, especially inside the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The park has 13.2 million acres, so everyone is guaranteed that perfect shot.