9 Best Places to Visit in Alaska

Alaska is a big state which can boast a number of beautiful sights and destinations to visit, and is one of the best remote places to visit on Earth. 

You can enjoy the natural beauty of the place while hiking, paddling, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors. Also, you can visit museums and join interesting tours in the main cities.

But due to the size of the territory, and the weather conditions if you are traveling in the winter, visiting the best of Alaska can be daunting if you don’t plan your trip wisely.

To start planning your trip, check out the top 9 places that are a must-see in Alaska and should be on your itinerary.

Juneau

Being the capital of Alaska, Juneau is also the capital of luxury, enjoyment, and eye-catching places to visit. The city features some interesting attractions such as the Alaska State Museum, Alaska State Capitol, and the incredibly serene, Shrine of St Therese.

Are you a beer lover? Then you’ll like to know that Juneau is the Alaskan hub of breweries and craft beer, you can join one of multiple brewery tours to explore the beer scene.

Ride on the Mount Roberts Tramway to get an excellent view of the city, then head to Front Street if you want to taste some of the regional dishes of Juneau. Here you’ll find several restaurants that serve local dishes such as crab legs with melted butter, reindeer sausage, or anything salmon.

One of the best ways to enjoy Juneau, and other destinations on this post, is by taking an Alaskan cruise. You can find a few different Alaska cruise itineraries that make it easier to visit such a large and remote destination.

Anchorage

Anchorage is not the capital of Alaska as many think but is the largest city of Alaska. It is estimated that almost half of the state’s residents live in or around this city.

Anchorage is the economic center of Alaska as well, but if you only drive for 30 minutes you’ll find yourself in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness… crazy, uh?

Anchorage has many interesting places to visit such as the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

Denali National Park

Denali National Park is probably the most known park among visitors who love the outdoors.

When you hike along the Savage River, you can find several wild species like bears, moose, wolves, and many more… where else in the world can you have this experience?

You can enjoy the stillness of Wonder Lake, created by a retreated glacier, or drive through Polychrome Pass.

There are many ways you can explore the Denali National Park including white water rafting, hiking, and back-country camping. Don’t forget to look up! Denali is one of the best places for stargazing in the world.

READ ALSO: 10 Best Remote Destinations to Visit

Hubbard Glacier

Hubbard Glacier is located 200 miles northwest of Juneau, off the coast of Yakutat, the Hubbard Glacier is a sight that will take your breath away.

The best way to visit is by taking a cruise around the glacier; seeing this 400-foot-tall glacier from the ship is the experience of a lifetime.

Fairbanks

The city of Fairbanks is an interesting place to stop by when you’ve had enough of the outdoors… although you might never have enough. 

Places that are worth visiting include the Morris Thompson Visitor Center, the University of Alaska Museum of the North, and the Large Animal Research Station.

But Fairbanks is mainly known for being the best place to see the northern lights in Alaska.

During the Aurora season, which goes from the end of August to the end of April, here you can see the beautiful aurora borealis because Fairbanks is located in the area where the activity is majorly concentrated. Join a tour or simply look up at the sky and keep your fingers crossed!

Wrangell–St. Elias National Park

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is a natural paradise. It features numerous glaciers, lakes, and mountain streams, and it’s home to a rich variety of wildlife.

What if I told you that this national park has 9 out of the 16 highest peaks in the United States? This makes it a perfect place for climbers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Kodiak Island

Kodiak Island, off the south coast of Alaska, is famous for its lush landscape and for being a large fishing port.

It also has an interesting history for playing a role in WWII, which makes it famous among visitors who have an interest in historical things.

The best thing to do on Kodiak Island is join a bear viewing tour at the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, a remote area reachable only by charter airplane. No roads here!

Homer

If fishing is your thing, then Homer is the best city for you to start your Alaska road trip itinerary.

Located on the Kenai Peninsula, Homer is considered the fishing capital of Alaska, with people coming from all over the world to have their fun here. Good to know that several restaurants in town are happy to cook your fresh fish.

Its road connection to numerous parks makes it a well-connected city and a good place to base yourself for a few days while you explore the surrounding areas.

If you like taking long walks on the beach, then make sure not to miss the various beaches in the area which include Homer Spit.

For some breathtaking views you won’t soon forget, go driving to the Skyline. A bonus for you is that you can see mountain goats, bald eagles, black bears, humpbacks, and other wildlife in the area.

Kenai Fjords National Park

This national park is located on the coastline of the Kenai Peninsula, south of Anchorage. This park has stunning natural beauty scenes, making this one of the must-visits on your Alaska itinerary.

At Kenai Fjords National Park, visitors can spot wild animals such as the brown bear… but if this happens, please stay away! It’s not wise to risk your life for a photo opportunity.

Alaska is definitely a fascinating state to visit. Its history, its wilderness, and its rough climate make it a travel dream for nature lovers.

You could spend months in Alaska visiting its parks and towns, but these places in Alaska are a good start to start planning your trip. Is Alaska on your bucket list now?