The 7 Can't-Miss Towns In Alaska

Think you’ve seen Alaska? Well, you haven’t seen this side of The Last Frontier. Drive, bike, hike, or ski beyond Anchorage and the cruise ship ports to where the road narrows and the landscape expands. These seven can't-miss towns in Alaska weave along the coast, through the interior, and literally to the edge of the Arctic. Each township is a product of fishing, mining, and deep Indigenous roots. They may be small, but they have real-life adventure: glacier hikes, wildlife sightings, and walkable downtowns that still feel local. Boats, boardwalks, and structures that have remained unchanged for decades. This is the part of Alaska that lingers in your psyche, not because it is pretentious, but because it is real. Bring a jacket, pack a map, and find it.

Homer

This fishing town on the edge of the Kenai Peninsula offers more than you’d expect. Your journey begins at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center, where interactive exhibits will familiarize you with the ocean and the local cultural life. From there, walk along the sands of Bishop’s Beach, a local favorite featuring tide pools and beautiful vistas stretching across Kachemak Bay.

Next, make your way down to the Homer Spit, a narrow strip of land filled with food shacks and charter boats, offering vast views of the ocean. Your day culminates with a stop at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon, a saltwater pond locally referred to as “the Fishing Hole.” Nationally known, this lagoon is part of a unique terminal harvest fishery where locals and visitors alike have opportunities to catch halibut and salmon.

Sitka

This can’t-miss town mixes Alaska’s wild side with deep-rooted history. Explore forested paths at Sitka National Historical Park near moss-covered totems and the 1804 battle site of the Tlingit and Russian settlers. Just a few blocks away, step inside St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Cathedral, one of the oldest Russian Orthodox churches in the US, filled with gilded icons.

The Fortress of the Bear is next, where rescued brown bears roam in spacious enclosures while visitors watch from above. Before finishing your day, visit the Sitka Sound Science Center. Touch tanks and marine research labs highlight the rich ocean life just feet from the shoreline. Visit in June if you can, when Sitka fills its streets with performances during the Sitka Summer Music Festival.

Talkeetna

Half quirky village, half Denali gateway, pure Alaskan vibes. Begin your journey at the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum, which offers a historical look at schoolhouses and railroad stories from the town’s frontier past. After visiting the museum, head outside to the Artisans Open Air Market, where talented local artisans display their handmade goods in a unique outdoor festival atmosphere.

Then, venture to Talkeetna Riverfront Park, walk to the edge of the water, and take in the glacial views. Finally, consider wrapping up your visit with an array of adventures, including a zipline ride through the tree canopies or a flightseeing tour to Denali that may include a glacier landing.

Petersburg

A quiet harbor town with a big Norwegian heart. Start with the Sons of Norway Hall, where the rosemaling-covered walls and carved beams tell the story of Scandinavian founders. Then walk down to the harbor, where working boats come and go daily, and pop into the Clausen Museum to learn about Petersburg’s fishing legacy.

Up for a challenge? Hike the steep section of the Petersburg Lake Trail, which leads you through spruce groves and muskeg. If time allows, take a boat trip 20 miles out to LeConte Glacier, a massive tidewater glacier whose icebergs sometimes drift into view.

Wrangell

One of Alaska’s oldest towns and still one of its most surprising. Begin with a walk to Chief Shakes Longhouse, a reconstructed Tlingit clan house filled with totems and cultural artifacts. Then follow the 1.4-mile coastal trail to Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site, where ancient stone carvings emerge at low tide.

From there, book a tour to the Anan Wildlife Observatory, one of the rare places where brown and black bears fish side by side during salmon runs. Wrap up your day with a hike up Mt. Dewey Trail for panoramic views of town and sea.

Cordova

Tucked between the Chugach Mountains and Prince William Sound, Cordova blends wilderness with classic Alaska toughness. Start with a hike along the Henry Ridge Trail, where the views stretch across Orca Inlet. Then visit the Cordova Historical Museum to learn about local Native history and the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Book a trip to Childs Glacier, where slabs of ice thunder into the river just yards from a safe viewing deck. Time your visit with one of Cordova’s famous festivals. May’s Shorebird Festival brings more than five million birds to the area, while July’s Salmon Jam fills the town with music, food, and energy.

Haines

This Southeast town has no shortage of cool things to see. Begin with a walk through Fort William H. Seward, Alaska’s first Army post, where old barracks now host shops and galleries. After that, take a short drive to the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, where thousands of eagles pass through each fall.

Then take an ATV tour up the Takshanuk Mountain Trail and enjoy views over Chilkoot Lake and the glacier-carved valley below. Before you go, check out the Hammer Museum, home to over 2,000 quirky tools and a surprising sense of fun.

Go Beyond the Brochures

These towns are a haven for real explorers and travelers who like to indulge in wilderness and culture. They offer the kind of Alaska you won’t find in brochures: quiet harbors, glacier hikes, roadside fish shacks, and locals who actually live here year-round. From the Copper River Delta to the edge of the Arctic, you’ll find real stories, real history, and real wilderness. These places don’t need cruise ships or chain stores to keep going. They move to their own rhythm, shaped by snowmelt, salmon runs, and old trail routes. Many of them were founded during gold rushes or fishing booms, and somehow, they’re still standing. If you want to know what Alaska really feels like, this is where the road should take you.