6 Adorable Small Towns In Alaska

Alaska, a stunningly beautiful non-contiguous US State, set on the North American continent’s northwestern extremity, brings to one’s mind images of high-reaching mountains, glacial fjords, and never-ending wilderness. But sandwiched between the glaciers and a 6,640-mile coastline and 33,904-mile (tidal shoreline) are a handful of adorable towns that guarantee trippers an equitable share of serenity and outdoor recreational activities. Excellently amalgamating mind-boggling surroundings with a strong sense of community, these lovable destinations located far from the hubbub of the populous cities of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the capital city, Juneau, are worth journeying to in the upcoming holiday season.

Talkeetna

Talkeetna, situated at the meeting of the glacier-fed Chulitna, Talkeetna, and Susitna Rivers in south-central Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna Borough, is a jumping-off point for skilled mountain climbers seeking to summit Mount Denali, the star attraction in Denali National Park and Preserve. Intuitively merging the adventurous spirit with the warm hospitality of a pioneer community, this enthralling census-designated place lures globetrotters to the vibrant Main Street, brimming with artsy shops like Dancing Leaf Gallery, and brewpubs like Denali Brewpub serving house-brewed ales & craft cocktails, and seasonal epicurean delights.

Additionally, take scenic flightseeing tours from Talkeetna’s airstrip over deep valleys and glaciers for a spectacular sight of the Alaska Range and Mount Denali. Enjoy gorgeous views of the ambient landscape while hiking the Denali View Walking Trail, and engage in guided rafting trips on the Talkeetna River.

Sitka

Sitka, a unified city-borough in southeastern Alaska, sits just 95 miles southwest of Juneau, on the Baranof Island’s western side, and the Chichagof Island’s southern half in the Pacific Ocean’s Alexander Archipelago. Excursionists visiting this quondam capital of Russian America, gotta take note of the town’s Russian heritage at St. Michael’s Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox Church in the downtown business district, and the Russian Bishop’s House, maintained as a historic house museum.

At the 112-acre Sitka National Historical Park, sightseers must walk the wooded trails lined with carved totem poles and observe the indigenous Tlingit artifacts on display at the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center. Winged creature aficionados get to behold raptors at the Alaska Raptor Center, the state’s principal bald eagle rehabilitation and educational center, located on a 17-acre campus abutting the Tongass National Forest and the Indian River. Also, savor some of the finest seafood in the region at seafood restaurants like Slammin’ Salmon @ Fisherman’s Alley.

Skagway

Located in the Alaska Panhandle, at the northern limit of the Lynn Canal, the Inside Passage's most northern fjord, Skagway, catches the eye with its seamless blend of small-town warmth, Gold Rush heritage, and pristine wilderness. Dubbed the “Gateway to the Klondike” for its key role during the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s, wander through Downtown Skagway perusing immaculately maintained buildings. This includes the Arctic Brotherhood Hall, saloons like the Red Onion Saloon, and Grizzly’s General & Skagway RadioShack, a 'Klondike Gold Rush-era general store with a 21st century twist.'

For viewing mind-blowing sceneries, hop aboard the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, where vintage railcars climb 3,000 feet past mountains, glacial rivers, waterfalls, and gorges, linking Skagway to Yukon’s capital, Whitehorse, offering unparalleled vistas of the Alaskan wilderness. Moreover, get a taste of local life while shopping for authentic made-in-Alaska products at the Skagway Handloom & Handicrafts, gorging on appetizing smash burgers at the 1898 Burgers N Shakes, and observing artifacts and photographs at the Skagway Museum.

Homer

Known for a long time as the ‘Halibut Fishing Capital of the World,’ this idyllic coastal town is located in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Homer perfectly endorses its nickname “the cosmic hamlet by the sea," thanks to its location by the Kachemak Bay, on the southwestern side of the Kenai Peninsula. Begin your exploration of Homer at the Homer Spit, a 4.5-mile-long strip of land that juts out into Kachemak Bay. This is where the Homer Boat Harbor, the artificial Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon, the top-rated Land’s End Resort, and the fresh Alaska seafood served in the Chart Room Restaurant await visitors.

Extending from a residential street’s end in Old Homer to the Beluga Slough is Bishop’s Beach, a sand-and-mud beach that has a natural shoreline with picnic areas, grills, and is an entrance way to a tidewater trail and a proximate visitor center. Furthermore, at the interdisciplinary Pratt Museum, browse the indoor exhibits on natural history, local contemporary art, and Native Alaskan cultures, as well as the outdoor exhibits, including the vintage Harrington cabin, botanical gardens, and a forested trail system.

Valdez

North America’s northernmost, ice-free all-year port, Valdez, is an enchanting little port town in the Chugach Census Area, located close to the head of a deep fjord in Prince William Sound. Holidaymakers touring this 3,985-inhabitant former Gold Rush town should admire the massive icebergs that have calved from the Valdez Glacier at Valdez Glacier Lake, either from the lakeshore or via safe kayaking. In winter, the frozen lake with lofty icebergs is a popular spot for ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and skiing.

For more alpine awesomeness, stop at one of the state’s most accessible glaciers, the Worthington Glacier, visible from the Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site, and while on a drive along the 368-mile-long Richardson Highway. Take a self-guided walking tour of the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery, North America’s biggest single-species salmon hatchery that incubates yearly up to 270 pink salmon and 2 million Coho salmon. Inspect the comprehensive array of Native Alaskan art and artifacts at the state-of-the-art Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum on the Prince William Sound College campus.

Haines

A teeny census-designated place located on the northern extremity of Lynn Canal, North America’s longest fjord, Haines, named for Francina Electra Haines, a representative of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, sits on the Chilkat Peninsula in southeastern Alaska’s Haines Borough. Haines’s most frequented attraction is the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, an expansive 49,320-acre preserve along the Chilkat River, where thousands of bald eagles gather along the Chilkat River to feast on salmon during the annual Fall Congregation.

Travelers must stroll the well-maintained parade grounds of Fort William H. Seward, an erstwhile military post built in 1902, currently developed as an ‘art colony’ with art galleries, housing, and tourist accommodations. Learn more about the Chilkat Valley's rich history and culture at the Haines Sheldon Museum & Cultural Center. Additionally, check out the unique collection of hammers and related tools at the Hammer Museum, and witness natural history exhibits and the nine live raptor ambassadors at the American Bald Eagle Foundation.

From Valdez, a graphic fjord-lined harbor town, to Talkeetna, a major national park gateway town, these six winsome communities spotlight a side of this US state shaped by unexplored landscapes, impressive heritage, and a welcoming environment. Sojourning in any of these pretty towns is more than checking off the bucket list destinations on your travel itineraries; they are truly worth stopping by to experience an Alaskan way of life that turns every out-of-towner into lifelong admirers. If you want to tour museums full of Russian history relics, stroll past Gold Rush-era buildings, spend quiet mornings watching bald eagles, and share stories over fresh seafood with friendly townsfolk, these Alaska towns are waiting to reward you with unforgettable experiences.