2025's 11 Best Small Towns To Visit In Alaska
Alaska is famous for its glaciers, rugged wilderness, and untamed beauty, but the true spirit of the state often shines brightest in its small towns. These communities, tucked along fjords, rivers, and mountain valleys, offer not only dramatic scenery but also rich slices of history and culture. Whether you’re wandering through Gold Rush-era streets, hopping a ferry to a fishing village, or spotting eagles from a riverside park, these towns are where you’ll find Alaska at its most authentic. Here are 11 of the best small towns to visit in 2025.
Homer
Perched at the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, Homer has been luring artists, fishermen, and adventurers for decades. Nicknamed the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World,” the town enjoys its place as a hub for commercial fishing and homesteaders looking for a rugged life. Today, it’s a lively mix of bohemian energy and outdoor adventure.
Stroll the Homer Spit, a narrow strip jutting into Kachemak Bay, where shops, cafes, and charter boats buzz with life. For art lovers, the Pratt Museum tells the story of the town’s people and environment through fascinating exhibits. Nearby, Bishop’s Beach is perfect for a quiet walk along tidepools with mountain views across the bay. If you’re craving a deeper wilderness experience, take a water taxi to Kachemak Bay State Park to hike among glaciers and forests.
Talkeetna
Talkeetna began in the early 1900s as a railroad supply stop and quickly became a gathering point for trappers, miners, and bush pilots. Today, this quirky mountain town still feels like the frontier, with a dash of eccentricity and a sense of eccentric flair, as it once elected a cat named Stubbs as mayor, an honorary post he held for 20 years.
Basecamp for Mt. Denali climbers, Talkeetna thrives on adventure. Scenic flights with Talkeetna Air Taxi give you a bird’s-eye view of North America’s tallest peak. Downtown, the historic Talkeetna Roadhouse, dating back to 1917, serves hearty meals and fresh-baked pies that evoke the essence of Alaska comfort on a plate. Beer lovers can stop by Denali Brewing Company for a pint inspired by the wild landscape. In this community, you’ll quickly feel at home whether you’re sipping coffee on Main Street or swapping trail stories with climbers just back from Denali.
Skagway
Once the bustling gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush in 1897, Skagway saw tens of thousands of stampeders flood its muddy streets in search of fortune. Today, fewer than 1,500 residents call it home, but the town’s historic character remains, giving you the feeling you’ve stepped back in time.
Broadway Street is the center of town, lined with restored wooden buildings that now house shops and cafes, many managed by the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. To see the mountains from another angle, board the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, a narrow-gauge railway built in 1898 that climbs into breathtaking alpine scenery. For a slower pace, wander Pullen Creek StreamWalk, where you might spot spawning salmon in season. History buffs will love the Red Onion Saloon & Brothel Museum, which tells colorful stories of the town’s wild past. Skagway is best because it blends history and drama—gold rush lore set against glacier-clad mountains. It’s small-town Alaska with a sense of adventure and charm.
Gustavus
At the edge of Glacier Bay National Park, Gustavus is a tiny town with a big claim: it’s the launch point for exploring one of the world’s greatest wilderness areas. Established in the early 20th century as a farming settlement, it later grew when the park brought visitors eager for adventure.
From Gustavus, you can set out on a boat tour into Glacier Bay National Park, where massive tidewater glaciers thunder into the sea and whales surface against walls of ice. Back on shore, the Nagoonberry Loop Trail winds gently through meadows and spruce forest, offering a quiet escape into nature. Kayakers often launch from Bartlett Cove, gliding across calm inlets where sea otters float and seals slip through the water. And when the day winds down, the Glacier Bay Country Inn and Restaurant makes for a memorable stop, serving a nightly changing menu that highlights fresh, local flavors.
Kenai
Kenai’s story stretches back centuries, beginning with the Dena’ina Athabascans and later becoming a key Russian outpost in the 1700s. Today, it’s a community where deep history and outdoor adventure meet along the Cook Inlet.
Start your visit at the Kenai Visitors & Cultural Center, where exhibits showcase Native heritage and Russian influence. Just steps away, the Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church, built in 1895, still stands proudly on the bluff. Anglers from around the world come to test their luck on the Kenai River, famed for salmon runs that set records. If you’d rather relax, take in a dinner at Louie's Steak and Seafood, a local favorite serving halibut fish and chips as a specialty. Kenai is one of Alaska’s best small towns because it’s more than a fishing hotspot—it’s a place where history, local flavors, and stunning landscapes come together to create an experience that feels uniquely Alaskan.
Valdez
Founded during the Gold Rush of the 1890s, Valdez grew as a supply town for stampeders and later gained new importance as the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The community has also endured hardship, including the devastating 1964 earthquake that reshaped its harbor. Today, Valdez thrives as one of Alaska’s most scenic and adventure-ready towns.
Hike the Mineral Creek Trail, where remnants of old mining operations lie tucked among waterfalls and alpine views. For a look at the town’s dramatic past, the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive shares stories of the quake, pipeline era, and local pioneers. Out on the water, a Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise is a must—you’ll pass sheer cliffs, see puffins, and watch ice tumble into the sea. Afterward, refuel at the Fat Mermaid, a waterfront restaurant renowned for its fresh seafood and stunning harbor views.
Sitka
Sitka has one of the most fascinating histories of any Alaskan town. Once the capital of Russian America, it was here in 1867 that the United States formally took ownership of Alaska. Long before that, the Tlingit people made Sitka their home, and their cultural presence remains strong. With mountains rising behind town and the sea stretching endlessly ahead, Sitka blends natural beauty with a story-rich past.
Begin at Sitka National Historical Park, where Tlingit and Haida totem poles line wooded trails that wind down to the shoreline. Just nearby, the Russian Bishop’s House, built in 1842, is a preserved piece of colonial history offering a glimpse into Sitka’s past. For wildlife encounters, the Alaska Raptor Center rehabilitates injured bald eagles and provides visitors with up-close views of these magnificent birds. And no visit is complete without stepping inside St. Michael’s Cathedral, its onion-shaped dome a reminder of the Russian Orthodox legacy.
Petersburg
Petersburg grew around his cannery and sawmill on Mitkof Island. With its strong Scandinavian roots and thriving fishing industry, the town proudly carries the nickname “Little Norway.” To this day, murals, festivals, and seafood harvests reflect a heritage deeply tied to both culture and the sea.
Start at the Sons of Norway Hall, a community hub where dances, gatherings, and the annual Little Norway Festival celebrate traditions that have endured for generations. For a taste of working waterfront life, stroll the Hammer Slough Boardwalk, where fishing boats, colorful houses, and seabirds create a postcard-worthy view. The Claussen Memorial Museum adds more depth, showcasing local artifacts that weave together Native and Scandinavian stories. When you’re ready to stretch your legs, head into the forest along the Three Lakes and Ideal Cove Trail, a peaceful path linking serene ponds and spruce groves. Petersburg is best because it feels so authentically lived-in. It hasn’t remade itself for tourism—you’ll find fishermen mending nets, kids biking through town, and neighbors greeting one another by name.
Seldovia
Seldovia began as a trading post and later thrived as a hub for canneries, but the 1964 earthquake reshaped its harbor and transformed the town forever. Today, only a few hundred residents call it home, and you can reach it only by boat or small plane. Its quiet charm, layered history, and coastal beauty make it one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets and a memorable stop along the Kenai Peninsula.
Wander along the Seldovia Boardwalk, where colorful houses and shops sit perched over the tidal slough, giving you a sense of the town’s character. The Otterbahn Trail leads through mossy forest to a quiet ocean beach, perfect for beachcombing and birdwatching. For a deeper understanding of local heritage, the Seldovia Museum & Visitor Center shares stories of Native Alutiiq culture, early Russian influence, and the town’s resilience after the quake. And if you’re visiting in summer, check the schedule at the Seldovia Arts Council, which hosts concerts, craft fairs, and community events that bring everyone together. If you're seeking a secluded small town to get away from the chaos of urban living, this little spot is one of the best in the world.
Cordova
Cordova, tucked between Prince William Sound and the Chugach Mountains, grew rapidly in the early 1900s as a copper shipping port for the Kennecott Mines, and it remains one of Alaska’s most picturesque coastal towns. Its isolation—reachable only by boat or plane—adds to its charm.
Start with the Ilanka Cultural Center, where Native artifacts and art celebrate Eyak heritage. A stroll along Main Street reveals shops, eateries, and a welcoming small-town vibe. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the Copper River Delta, North America’s largest wetland, renowned for its birdwatching and diverse wildlife. If you’re visiting in summer, join locals at the Copper River Salmon Jam, a lively festival of food, music, and art honoring the town’s most famous catch. Cordova shines because it feels both authentic and alive. Whether you’re savoring fresh salmon, spotting eagles in the delta, or simply walking the docks at sunset, Cordova shows you a side of Alaska that’s as real as it gets.
Haines
Haines began as a Tlingit village before missionaries established a settlement in the late 1800s. The U.S. Army soon built Fort William H. Seward, which brought soldiers, families, and eventually artists who transformed the historic garrison into a cultural hub. Today, Haines thrives as a small town where history, art, and wilderness meet along the Lynn Canal.
Start your journey at Fort William H. Seward, where white clapboard buildings now house galleries, studios, and inns. For wildlife lovers, the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is unbeatable—thousands of eagles gather here each fall, creating one of the most spectacular sights in the natural world. Back in town, stroll Front Street, where shops and cafes look out on glacial peaks and fishing boats. And don’t miss the quirky Hammer Museum, home to thousands of hammers from around the globe, each with its own curious story.
Haines feels special because you can explore art, spot eagles, sip coffee with locals, and still feel the pull of the wild steps away. It’s that balance of small-town warmth and Alaskan grandeur that makes Haines one of the best places to visit in 2025.
Alaska’s vast wilderness may steal the headlines, but it’s the small towns that give the state its heart. From the Russian domes of Sitka to the fishing docks of Cordova, each of these communities offers a window into Alaska’s history and a taste of everyday life lived on the edge of the wild. They’re places where you can wander a historic street in the morning, watch wildlife in the afternoon, and end the day with a fresh-caught meal while mountains or glaciers loom in the distance. So if you’re ready for a trip that blends discovery with authenticity, put these 11 small towns on your list. They’re proof that Alaska’s soul lives not only in its glaciers and peaks but also in the people and places that call it home.
