20 Best Places to Visit in Alaska, From Glacier-filled National Parks to Charming Coastal Towns

From glacier-studded national parks and snow-capped mountain ranges to charming fishing towns and wildlife-rich coastlines, Alaska offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States. The country's largest state spans more than 663,000 square miles, creating an impressive variety of landscapes and experiences for travelers to enjoy.

I've visited Alaska several times and am continually amazed by how different each corner of the state feels. One trip might involve spotting whales in a coastal fjord, while another centers on hiking through alpine wilderness or watching bears catch salmon. With eight national parks, thousands of miles of coastline, and countless opportunities for adventure, Alaska delivers unforgettable experiences to travelers willing to venture beyond the ordinary.

Ready to start planning? Here are 20 of the best places to visit in Alaska.

01 of 20

Anchorage

Anchorage is much more than a gateway to the state. Along with excellent restaurants, local shops, and beautiful mountain views, it also serves as the perfect home base for exploring nearby state parks, national parks , and charming small towns.

For those planning a visit, Diana Rhoades of the Anchorage Park Foundation shared one of her favorite ways to experience the city: "Make sure to give yourself an extra day in Anchorage to complete the Moose Loop, a 32-mile mostly flat path around the city in the shape of a moose. Take your time to bike through dozens of parks where you will likely see moose and other wildlife."

02 of 20

Admiralty Island

Admiralty Island is one of the best places in Alaska to see brown bears in the wild. Home to one of the highest densities of brown bears anywhere in North America, the island is known for its pristine wilderness, old-growth forests, and salmon-filled streams. "Pack Creek on Admiralty Island is a highlight for wildlife lovers," says Jordan Lambe, marketing and communications lead at Maple Leaf Adventures .

03 of 20

Denali National Park and Preserve

One of the national parks I recommend most is Denali because there's nothing quite like seeing North America's highest peak with your own eyes. As Scott Claggett, public affairs specialist for the National Park Service (NPS), explains, "Denali encompasses six million acres of wild land, crossed by a single road. Along the way, travelers watch low-elevation taiga forests give way to alpine tundra and snow-covered mountains, culminating at North America's tallest peak, the 20,310-foot Mount McKinley."

04 of 20

Girdwood

Located about 40 miles south of Anchorage, Girdwood is one of Alaska's premier adventure hubs. Surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, the town offers easy access to hiking trails, glacier views, and outdoor recreation year-round. "Girdwood is a year-round mountain town packed with adventure and incredible scenery," says Nicole Geils, director of sales and marketing at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center . In winter, visitors can enjoy skiing at Alyeska Resort , while summer brings endless opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and even foraging for berries and mushrooms.

05 of 20

Kodiak Island

Kodiak Island is best known as the home of the legendary Kodiak bear, one of the largest brown bears in the world. Wildlife viewing is the main draw, but the island also offers world-class fishing, rugged hiking trails, and beaches. With fewer visitors than many of Alaska's better-known destinations, Kodiak provides an unforgettable glimpse into the state's wild side.

06 of 20

Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords is another Alaska national park worth adding to your list. From glacier-filled fjords to incredible wildlife viewing, it's one of the state's most unforgettable landscapes. Claggett notes, "At the edge of the Kenai Peninsula lies a landscape where the Ice Age still lingers. Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, the park's defining feature. Wildlife thrives in the icy waters and lush forests along the fjords, which were carved by a vast expanse of ice."

07 of 20

Frederick Sound

Another terrific place to view wildlife in Alaska is Frederick Sound, famous for its whale-watching. "The nutrient-rich waters attract large numbers of humpback whales, often creating remarkable encounters," says Lambe. One of the best ways to experience these magical creatures is by exploring the sound by boat, which provides a closer look at one of Southeast Alaska's most vibrant marine ecosystems.

08 of 20

Talkeetna

Talkeetna may be a small town, but it's one of the best places in Alaska to experience the state's rugged wilderness. Located at the base of Denali, it's famous for flight-seeing tours that soar past North America's tallest peak, many of which include glacier landings. Back on the ground, the walkable downtown is filled with colorful storefronts, local breweries, and independent shops, giving it an authentic Alaska feel.

09 of 20

Sitka

Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Tongass National Forest , Sitka blends dramatic scenery with a mix of Tlingit and Russian history. Visitors can watch sea otters and whales offshore, hike coastal trails, or explore historic landmarks like St. Michael's Cathedral and Sitka National Historical Park.

10 of 20

Chugach State Park

One of the largest state parks in the United States, Chugach State Park sits just outside Anchorage and is well worth a visit for its scenic hiking trails, abundant wildlife, and fewer crowds than many of Alaska's national parks. Rhoades points visitors toward one trail in particular, saying, "There's a beautifully maintained trail at Chugach State Park called Little O'Malley Peak . It's great for the whole family with a 4.5-mile out-and-back featuring beautiful flowers, a creek, and gorgeous views."

11 of 20

Katmai National Park

Katmai is one of Alaska's most remote national parks, accessible only by plane or boat, making a visit feel like a true wilderness escape. It was established in 1918 to protect the area changed by the Novarupta eruption and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Today, the park preserves thousands of years of human history and is home to an abundant salmon population as well as thousands of brown bears.

12 of 20

Portage

Located along the scenic Seward Highway south of Anchorage, Portage is home to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, the Trail of Blue Ice, and the popular Portage Glacier Cruises . "It's where glaciers, mountains, and wildlife come together in one incredible landscape," says Geils. Visitors can spot brown bears, moose, muskoxen, and wood bison before taking a cruise for an up-close look at Portage Glacier, one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers.

13 of 20

Fairbanks

Fairbanks is one of the best places in the state to see the northern lights , thanks to its northern location. Winter visitors flock here for aurora displays, while summer brings nearly endless daylight and the chance to paddle rivers, visit gold rush attractions, and soak in nearby natural hot springs. No matter the season, Fairbanks offers a distinctly Alaskan experience.

14 of 20

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Lake Clark has a bit of everything, including mountainous views, wildlife, and history. Claggett notes, "Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a land of remarkable beauty where volcanoes steam, salmon run, bears forage, and rugged mountains reflect in shimmering turquoise lakes. Local communities and their culture continue to depend on the land and water. The park preserves the ancestral homeland of the Dena'ina people, an intact ecosystem at the headwaters of the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery, and a rich cultural wilderness."

15 of 20

Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay feels like Alaska at its most expansive. A journey here means traveling by boat or small plane, but the reward is access to one of the most dramatic landscapes in the state. The park also covers more than 3 million acres of mountains, glaciers, rainforests, coastlines, and fjords, giving you plenty of space to explore and find a little solitude.

16 of 20

Juneau

Accessible only by air or sea, Juneau combines outdoor adventure with a surprisingly lively downtown. The city's biggest attraction is Mendenhall Glacier, where visitors can hike, kayak, or even trek across the ice.

17 of 20

Homer

Situated on the shores of Kachemak Bay, Homer has earned a reputation as Alaska's halibut fishing capital. Beyond its famous fishing charters, the town attracts visitors with galleries, waterfront restaurants, and the Homer Spit, home to the famed Salty Dog Saloon .

18 of 20

Ketchikan

Known as Alaska's salmon capital, Ketchikan is surrounded by rainforest, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. The town is also home to one of the world's largest collections of standing totem poles, reflecting the rich traditions of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples.

19 of 20

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

"Wrangell-St. Elias is a vast national park that stretches from the ocean to the 18,008-foot summit of Mount St. Elias, covering 13.2 million acres," says Claggett. The park offers everything from hiking and rafting to road trips and exploring historic ghost towns.

20 of 20

Valdez

Surrounded by snowcapped peaks and cascading waterfalls, Valdez is often called one of Alaska's most scenic small towns. It's a gateway to the Prince William Sound, where visitors can cruise past glaciers and abundant marine wildlife. At the same time, nearby Thompson Pass offers exceptional hiking and some of the state's most impressive waterfalls. The town's dramatic mountain setting makes it a favorite for both photographers and outdoor enthusiasts.

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