7 of The Friendliest Towns In Alaska
These seven Alaska towns make it easy to feel welcome from the moment you arrive. In Homer, you can hop on a halibut charter in Kachemak Bay and get pointed toward the locally owned shops and galleries along the Homer Spit. In Sitka, you can explore Sitka National Historical Park and hike rewarding routes through Tongass National Forest. And in Ketchikan, you can stroll the colorful buildings of the Creek Street Boardwalk and browse long-standing local icons like Tongass Trading Company.
Ketchikan
A reputation for warmth and hospitality makes Ketchikan a popular port of call for Alaskan cruise ships, but poses a challenge for passengers with limited time to explore all this delightful village offers. If you can experience just one thing in Ketchikan, explore the Creek Street Boardwalk, where colorful clapboard buildings teeter on wood pilings over Ketchikan Creek. Ride the funky little "funicular" tram from Creek Street up to the wonderful views and boutique-style accommodations at Cape Fox Lodge, wander the boardwalk shopping for art, rocks, and Alaskan-made items at the iconic Sam McGee's, and explore the lush wilderness along the Married Man’s Trail, fragrant with cedar and spruce.
Just steps from the boardwalk is New York Cafe, serving up comforting American fare in a landmark location where the sociable setting is ideal for drinks. Tongass Trading Company has been a dockside landmark since 1898, where you can experience town history and local goods in one convenient spot. The spot actually consists of "The Tongass Trading Company Triangle," which references its three primary stores.
Homer
The town of Homer has plenty of practice honing its hospitality skills with such honorary titles as the Halibut Fishing and Ecological Tourism Capitals of Alaska and the state's premier artist community. Snuggled on the clear waters of Kachemak Bay, surrounded by mountains, Homer is lovingly cared for by dedicated town volunteers who see the value in the beauty of the land and work hard to maintain the trails for future generations. As one of Alaska’s “end-of-the-road” towns, it is filled with natural wonders and encounters with scale-tipping wildlife, including brown bears, the mighty halibut, and whales. Friendly helicopter and floatplane pilots fly visitors to key bear sighting spots at Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks, while the experienced Captains at Maverick Charters are ready with a warm smile and exhilarating fishing experiences that often include whale sightings along the way.
The Homer Spit juts 4.5 miles into the bay, where visitors can meet the welcoming shopkeepers, eatery owners, and town experts happy to point them in the right direction. While many eateries close during the off-season, you can always find a table overlooking the bay at The Chart Room at Land’s End Resort for a first-class meal, drinks, or rooms that are warm and ready for guests. In town, you can find a tight-knit group of galleries along "Gallery Row," where you can browse the collection of original work at the local artist-owned cooperative Ptarmigan Arts Gallery, from paintings to pottery.
Sitka
Romcom fans will recognize Sitka’s town name from the movie The Proposal. Although the movie was actually filmed on the East Coast, this Baranof Island town is definitely film-location worthy with its snow-capped mountains, Tlingit totem poles, and a Russian-influenced cathedral on its streetscape. The town’s warmth is discovered as you explore its rich heritage at sites like Sitka National Historical Park, where ranger-led walks tell the story of the Battle between the Tlingits and Russians, and native carving demonstrations and interpretive experiences are shared with welcoming local experts. Located on just over 100 acres of picturesque coastal rainforest, the park weaves the Tlingit and Russian stories together beautifully with a Russian Bishop’s House, a collection of intricately carved totem poles, and a Visitor Center designed to represent a traditional clan house.
A downtown walking tour is another way to meet Sitka’s friendly locals, with guides punctuating the walk with personal stories about life in Sitka while pointing out Sitka's Russian buildings, iconic gold rush landmarks, and totem poles. Private guided hikes with locally born experts at Tongass Treks take less-traveled trails through Tongass National Forest, where you can discover panoramic views from Harbor Mountain, explore old-growth forests, or challenge yourself to reach the 70-foot waterfall hidden in the Indian River Valley. Renowned chef Renée at Beak Restaurant was one of only 20 semifinalists in the Pacific Northwest for the 2023 James Beard Best Chef award, so you might want to check this place out!
Talkeetna
"Tiny" might be a word that comes to mind when you pull into Talkeetna, with its two-block Main Street and postcard-quality Mount Denali views. Visitors are greeted like old friends, with local businesses ready to make your visit memorable. Everything you need to make the most of your trip is available at Talkeetna Gear Shop, where the enthusiastic staff can help you take advantage of the beautiful surroundings. Rent SUPs to paddle the calm lake system or bikes to tackle the Talkeetna Lakes Park Trail, and switch to Nordic skis and snowshoes to glide along the peaceful snow-covered Talkeetna Lakes Ski Loop in the winter.
After a day outdoors, rub elbows with town folk and fellow adventurers at Denali Brewpub for drinks and a hearty meal of pub fare and smokehouse favorites. If you plan to spend the night, The Roadhouse offers eclectic, comfy accommodation in a circa 1917 log building where breakfast is served family style at communal tables shared by fellow travelers and locals who know this is the place for strong coffee and stellar home-baked goods.
Seward
As host to major events throughout the year, Seward has ample opportunities to show off its friendly side. While the impressive Mount Marathon Race helped put Seward on the map almost a century ago, the town has grown into an Alaskan host with the most, with scheduled events focused on mass appeal like the Seward Music and Arts Festival. The celebration of art, live music, and dance is a gathering place for Alaskan artisans and performers fed by local food vendors and marked with the Seward Mural Society’s mural-in-a-day creation.
With such a busy social calendar, Seward needs a plethora of eateries to feed its guests, with great spots like Tidewater Taps serving up gourmet burgers and locally caught seafood with a healthy dose of cheerfulness. The dining room overlooks the harbor and mountains, or you can sip a few Alaskan craft beers at the bar surrounded by tentacled Kraken arms. Flanked on one side by the waters of Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward is minutes from the blue ice face of Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield Trail for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the creaks of the humongous ice formation and wonder at its sheer mass.
Girdwood
As home to the luxurious Hotel Alyeska, Girdwood has an Alpine resort vibe with the Chugach Mountains as its backdrop. First-class hotels tend to do hospitality up “big,” and Girdwood’s family-like community creates a cozier feel for guests visiting this glacier town. You do not have to stay at the hotel to take advantage of the Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway, where the seven-minute ascent whisks you to the top of Mount Alyeska with eye-popping views in every direction. Arrive at what Conde Nast Traveler Magazine rated as the best view of any U.S. ski resort, 2,300 feet above sea level, where binoculars help enhance the picturesque details of the mountains and hanging glaciers. Once known as Glacier City, the ice masses of the local mountains are accessible by kayak or hiking trails, and guided tours include a knowledgeable companion who knows the terrain and the best views.
The town also features several welcoming, good-spirited, casual spots to have a drink and a comforting meal. Chair 5 Restaurant and Double Musky Inn are living proof that you do not need bougie décor to deliver first-class Alaskan hospitality. Chair 5’s dress-down après-ski lodge is filled with good-humored patrons who come for the loud music, whiskey and beer, and generous servings of good food, while the merry crowd at Double Musky Inn loves the quirky décor and what some argue is one of the best steaks in America, thanks to its New Orleans seasoning.
Valdez
You will have to book a stay for your Valdez adventure if you plan to reach it via the roughly 6-hour scenic drive from Anchorage. However, a quick flight gets you there in under an hour and comes with an excellent “flightseeing” experience with views of Prince William Sound, mountains, and glaciers. The good news is that its remote location means fewer crowds and a heartwarming welcome from town business owners, happy to see new faces. The longer trip also means finding a place to stay, and the staff at Totem Hotel & Suites is ready with a quick smile, premium rooms overlooking the mountains, and little touches like custom mattresses, elegant linens, and a hearty breakfast buffet to make your trip pleasurable. The Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum at Prince William Sound College is home to one of the world’s largest collections of Native Alaskan art and artifacts donated by avid collector Maxine. For years, she traveled to native villages to purchase authentic ivory and baleen pieces, masks, dolls, and fur garments with a keen appreciation for the value the historic artifacts held in educating others about the Native Alaskan culture.
The shores of Prince William Sound are packed with glaciers, and seeing the floating icebergs rising from the waters of Valdez Glacier Lake is a magical experience. While they are visible from shore, a guided kayak tour with Anadyr Adventures is a far more adventurous way to see the giant icebergs and glacial formations.
There is nothing quite like good old-fashioned hospitality to create five-star travel experiences. Heartwarming smiles, enthusiastic community spirit, plenty of food and drink, and town events that showcase local culture and history are all part of the Alaskan experience. You can meet knowledgeable guides with stories of their town in Sitka, be whisked to the summit of Mount Alyeska in Girdwood, mingle with artists and performers in Seward, or discover the beauty of Native Alaskan culture in Valdez. All of this and more await you in seven of the friendliest towns in Alaska.
