10 Best Small Towns In Alaska For A Crowd-Free Summer

Despite its reputation as a cold and wintry place, Alaska is a fantastic summer spot with year-round activities and sites to see. With its abundance of natural beauty and wildlife, rich histories, and capacity for summertime adventure, Alaska boasts some of the greatest hidden spots the country has to offer. Summers in Alaska are often overlooked, and therefore can make for a vacation that you and the family have largely to yourselves. Here are 10 small towns to consider when planning your next getaway to the Last Frontier.

Skagway

Situated in Alaska’s southeast region, Skagway harbors a rich plethora of natural beauty and Gold Rush history. The prime summer attraction is the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, where visitors can walk the 33-mile Chilkoot National Historical Trail, dubbed “the world’s longest museum” due to the extensive archeological remnants from the Gold Rush. For families, kids have the opportunity to earn their Junior Ranger Badge after completing an interactive activity booklet.

Skagway also offers local tours of the area through M&M Tours by boat, train, helicopter, or on foot. In addition, there are museums, unique dining, and an opportunity to see the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway and even ride from Skagway to Whitehorse or Carcross, in Canada's Yukon Territory. This town is one for the historian’s and naturalist’s scrapbook.

Sitka

With an intriguing Russian history and an Indigenous legacy, Sitka holds an impressive 24 attractions on the National Register of Historical Places. Most notable for the richness of its Native culture, there are plenty of outdoor activities to be found that will fill up any number of nice summer days. The Russian Bishop's House, first built in 1842, once functioned as a school, Bishop's residence, and chapel, but is now a historical landmark.

For nature lovers, the Sitka Sound Science Center is an aquarium, salmon hatchery, and educational facility with a touch tank and behind-the-scenes tours. You can also find a surprising number of outdoor attractions pertaining to military history, including WWII’s Japonski Island and Castle Hill. Sitka is also an epicenter for timeless Russian architecture. Old and beautiful cathedrals and churches pepper the area and are readily available for viewing.

Talkeetna

Talkeetna is a haven for outdoor adventure. This small, quirky town provides a multitude of options that will satisfy any itch. The list is quite extensive, with floatplane tours over Denali National Park courtesy of Alaska Bush, and trips into the park on foot for world-class hiking, biking, backpacking, and mountaineering. The Reindeer Grove offers educational tours related to homesteading and foraging, for those with an interest in living off the land, and Willow Creek Tours provides gentle rafting opportunities for anyone craving a water-based activity. In addition, the Denali Arts Council hosts a range of live performances and community events throughout the year, from musical acts to comedy and readings by local writers.

Ketchikan

The town of Ketchikan is another cultural wellspring, as well as the undisputed “Salmon Capital of the World." Dining in Ketchikan is a delightful experience, with coffee houses and an abundance of restaurants. Notable examples include The Green Coffee Bean Company and Annabelle's Keg and Chowder House. Once home to a booming logging industry, Ketchikan used to have over 50 bars. While that number is now inevitably less, there are still plenty of local spots of interest and historical note. Arctic Bar is the town's oldest and most beloved, established in 1937 and still going strong. Meanwhile, the Scanlon Gallery is a premium spot for Alaskan art, though Native art and history are perhaps even more of a draw. The largest collection of totem poles in the world can be found in Ketchikan, in places like Potlatch Park, Totem Row Park, and in historic downtown.

Seward

Seward is unique in that it is shaped by glaciers, placing it in a dazzling nook surrounded by mountains and the sea. This special and unforgettable beauty makes for a spectacular extended summer outing. In Seward, you can visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska’s only public aquarium that is also an educational, research, and rehabilitation facility. Kenai Fjords National Park offers the chance to explore glaciers in the Harding Icefield. You can hike, kayak, or even take a boat tour with Kenai Fjords Tours, where you might spot orcas, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. With a range of options beginning and ending right in town, the wonders of the natural world are never lost in Seward.

Valdez

Valdez is a favorite among Alaskan summer visiting spots due, in part, to its abundance of pristine waterfalls. Eight stunning waterfalls are scattered around the area, as well as many other secondary falls. Valdez also has exclusive events that are great for families, including the Valdez Fly-In & Air Show and the Alaska Kite Festival. The air show showcases the famous STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) competition, acrobatic stunts, and other fun displays, while the Alaska Kite Festival welcomes paragliding and speed-gliding athletes from around the world. Celebrations include a party with a bonfire, races, competitions, and even the chance to take a lesson in snowkiting.

There are also summer-exclusive events, including Gold Rush Days, a five-day festival honoring the region's heritage and history. Once the victim of a massive earthquake in 1964 and a disastrous oil spill in 1989, Valdez has displayed remarkable resilience to become a community that is a must-visit on anyone’s Alaskan summer itinerary.

Juneau

Juneau, much larger in population than the previously mentioned towns, is Alaska’s state capital; thus, there is a wider variety of activities for those looking to consolidate the Alaska experience into one location. The city boasts a thriving art scene and is home to several museums, including the Juneau Douglas City Museum with permanent exhibits on fishing, mining, and skiing, as well as Southeast Alaska Native history and traditions.

The Alaska State Museum is also found in Juneau, expanding its focus to wider Alaska as it informs and educates visitors on regional history related to the environment and wildlife, as well as Alaskan arts and culture. The Mendenhall Glacier is another jewel in Juneau's crown. This natural wonder is one of the world's thickest glaciers, with ice caves ranging in size from large, hollow tunnels to tiny corridors barely big enough to fit a human.

Fairbanks

Also a larger town, Fairbanks is of special interest to those hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern lights (or aurora borealis), via 1st Alaska Tours and Aurora Pointe, an observatory-like spot designed for nightly viewings of the Aurora. While the northern lights are not typically a summer event, the viewing season tends to start around mid-August. You can also learn to make crafts, woodwork, sharpen outdoor skills, or learn more about Alaskan nature at The Folk School, an organization that offers classes and workshops in specialized skills such as spoon carving, broom braiding, and even making mittens from beaver pelts. For a fine meal between activities, you can visit the historic Pump House Restaurant and Saloon that sits right on the banks of the Chena River, making for a scenic dining experience after a hearty day of travel and fun.

Nome

Nome is historically a mining town, and for current-day summer visitors, there are remains of gold dredges that can be visited, along with the World's Largest Gold Pan. You can also pan for gold yourself! In addition, Nome has its own museum, the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum, which houses exhibits on Native culture and the Gold Rush.

To further explore the culture and history of Nome, you may also visit the Kegoayah Kozga Public Library. This library holds an impressive rare-book collection focused on Alaska. Perhaps the primary attraction in Nome, however, is the potential for spotting wildlife. Birders in particular can see hundreds of species of birds on their migratory returns. Those interested in botany can see thousands of wildflower species growing along the Seward Peninsula.

North Pole

Looking to experience the wonders of the Christmas season during the summer? Look no further than the real North Pole, located a half hour outside Fairbanks. Beautifully adorned year-round with Christmas decorations and holiday-themed attractions, North Pole is truly a singular travel experience. Take a drive along the roads where streetlamps are decorated like candy canes and stop by the Santa Claus House, where Santa himself can write you a letter, addressed from the North Pole. Also in the house is a toy workshop and a vast boutique. Annually, North Pole hosts Winterfest, a joyous bash involving local vendors, games, activities, and a fireworks show. Also near the area is Chena Lake, complete with campgrounds and beaches, boat rentals, and everything you need for a truly unforgettable vacation.

Seeing Alaska in the summer is the prime time to do so. It is one of the best seasons for wildlife viewing, exploring local communities and cultures, and taking advantage of every opportunity the Last Frontier has to offer. So whether you’re lacing up your hiking boots, bringing out the binoculars, or brushing up on the region’s history and anthropology, a summer in Alaska is the perfect excursion!