Looking for some great Alaska tourist attractions? Well, you’re in the right place. Alaska, a paradise of natural habitat, is a state in the United States. The state consists of vast uninhabited lands and innumerable places to discover. It is home to several wildlife and marine life. Have you visited Alaska? If not, you must add it to your list.
You could stroll in small towns and cities of Alaska, spend some time with your buddies witnessing the northern lights, indulge in adventures like hiking, rafting, and flightseeing, and visit historical places like Alaska Native Heritage Center and Totem Heritage Center.
Exploring the natural landmarks, learning the cultures of the Natives, and trying out hiking and many such adventurous activities, Alaska offers many such attractions to its tourists!
1. 10 Best Alaska Tourist Attractions
Exploring places in Alaska is something that every traveler looks forward to. This place, also known as ‘The Last Frontier,’ is the most scenic and enchanting state in the United States of America.
You could hike the 33-mile-long Chilkoot Trail, enjoy sightseeing in Ketchikan, stroll in Denali, and Glacier Bay Parks, fish in Prince William Sound, take part in sporting events, and have refreshing snacks in cafes present in Juneau.
Small towns and cities in Alaska are underpopulated, so Alaska tourist attractions are still rich in wilderness and natural landmarks. We have listed the top 10 tourist attractions of Alaska for you!
1.1. Visit the Sitka National Historical Park
Alaska is known for its state and national parks. Sitka National Historical Park was established on October 18, 1972. It is one of the oldest national parks in the state, consisting of the remnants of the cultural battle between Russians and indigenous Kiks ádi.
Sitka National Historical Park is an important tourist attraction as there are Russian Bishop Houses and Russian colonization architecture. It is some of the pieces of evidence of the Russian invasion of North America.
The temperate rainforests and totem poles add on its beauty to the Sitka National Park. You could stroll around in the national park and witness the historically significant Alaska tourist attractions.
1.1.1. About Russian Architectures and Their Invasion in America
You can take a look at the rarely found shreds of evidence of the Russian invasion of America: The Russian Bishop Houses in Sitka National Park, one of the major Alaska tourist attractions.
Sitka was also the colonial capital of the Russians when they were in power for almost 125 years. The national park consists of various artifacts that help people understand life during the Russian-American period in Sitka.
1.1.2. Exploring About the Tlingit Clan
The Tlingit clan is known for its rich cultural history. The Sitka National Historical Park consists of various elements related to the Tlingit Clan, such as their special robes, totem poles, vibrant drums, weavings, and carvings.
You could even watch a 12-minute film, “The Voices of Sitka”, which portrays the lives of the Tlingit Clan and consists of various short stories about Sitka.
1.1.3. Spend Some Time Observing Nature
The national park isn’t just historically equipped but also has refreshing scenic beauty to explore. The totem poles in the forests, wildlife, and aquatic life add to the beauty of the national park.
The Sitka National Park is home to various mammals like red squirrels, mice, shrews, and many more. Mammals like sea otters, sea lions, and whales are also found in the national park.
Location: 103 Monastery St, Sitka, US
1.2. Visit the City of Anchorage
Anchorage is the commercial capital and the largest city in Alaska. It consists of various culturally significant places in the state, including the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
The city is the onset point of the adventure. Situated in south-central Alaska, it serves as a linking part to various wild landscapes excursions. It is presently close to the Gulf of Alaska by the Kenai Peninsula.
1.2.1. Alaska Railroad
You cannot miss Alaska Railroad to Seward city when you are in Anchorage. The scenic path throughout the journey is an enchanting and memorable experience. The Alaska Railroad offers several routes and services for the Alaska Railroad Trip.
1.2.2. Anchorage Museum
The Anchorage Museum of the north mostly possesses historical artifacts of the natives of Alaska. Romaldo Giurgola devised the anchorage museum in the year 1968.
An exhibition was held, which consisted of nearly 60 Alaskan paintings borrowed, 2500 historical objects, and two employees. The museum of the north has been appraising since then. Currently, it comprises more than half a million paintings and over 25000 objects.
1.2.3. Alaska Native Heritage Center
The Alaska Native Heritage Centre is located ten miles from Anchorage. It is an educational as well as a renowned cultural institute for all Alaskans. The Alaska Native Heritage Center consists of The Hall of Cultures, which provides the arts and crafts made by the Natives of Alaska.
Location: Southcentral Alaska
1.3. Visit the Kenai Fjords, National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park is among the foremost Alaska attractions. It is spread across an area of 669,984 acres on the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska. It was established as a National monument and later was turned into a national park in 1980 to safeguard rainforests and Kenai fjords.
The Kenai Fjords National Park enables the best sightseeing in Alaska. Flightseeing, fishing, and hiking are major activities most travelers indulge in the national park. It is one of the best parks for spotting wildlife.
This national park is home to various marine and terrestrial wildlife like brown bears, wolves, dolphins, sea lions, and whales. Exploring the local wildlife while visiting Alaska is a must.
1.3.1. Glacier Hiking Trails
Glacier hiking is considered to be the best Alaska tourist attraction. You could get to see wonderful snow-covered peaks and valleys of Kenai Fjords and Exit Glaciers. If you love adventures, this place is for you.
Requirements for Glacier Hiking is that you must at least be thirteen years old. The duration of this adventurous excursion is 7-8 hours. Similarly, the Exit Glacier requirements must be at least fifteen years old, and the hike duration is a minimum of 10 hours.
1.3.2. Wildlife Cruising
The best way to spot wildlife in the vast lands of Kenai Fjords National Park in the Kenai Peninsula is by wildlife cruising. Wildlife cruising is one of the best experiences in Alaska tourist attractions.
You, as a tourist, could witness sea lions, humpback whales slowly emerging from the depths of the seas, fin whales, and many marine birds. Enjoy a luxurious cruise with your friends and family.
Location: Kenai Peninsula, south-central Alaska
1.4. Explore the Totem Bight State Historical Park
If your interests are inclined toward medieval history, Totem Bight State Historical Park is a place for you! It is located in the north of Ketchikan and is popularly known for totem poles as bright and vibrant as the Clan House.
In the early 1900s, the increase in the number of non-native Americans and the subsiding of the barter systems resulted in the Native Americans leaving their villages and totem poles and moving to different places in search of work.
These totem poles were overgrown or got eroded by Nature over a while. After several years the US Forest Service, with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps, funds skilled Natives who were hired to teach other artisans the skills of carving totem poles and remaking the eroded totem poles at Totem Bight State Historical Park.
An Alaska Raptor center is set up to protect the injured birds in the region. They work intending to safeguard and provide quality life to the birds.
To acquire more knowledge about the Totem Heritage Center’s history and culture, you must visit the Clan House, which is the center of attraction of the Totem Bight State Historical Park. The Clan house consists of high-spirited and intricate paintings. You could stroll through the rainforests present in the park and these amazing Alaska tourist attractions.
Location: North of Ketchikan
1.5. Explore the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Lost touch with Nature due to rapid industrialization? Then the best thing would be that you visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre. Mike Miller founded it in the year 1993. It works to protect the local wildlife of the state.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center lies on the shores of Turnagain Arm, surrounded by mountains. You could drive to locations as guides and then stop by the gift shop to walk around. You may find several Alaskan wildlife-like grizzly bears, moose, black bears, brown bears, foxes, and bison reindeer.
1.5.1. Anchorage Turnagain Tour
The most important excursion in the Alaska tourist attractions during the summer season is the Anchorage Turnagain Tour. You could get a clear view of the mountains and glaciers from here, isn’t it fun?
1.5.2. Anchorage Wildlife Tour
Another amazing Alaska tourist attraction at Alaska Wildlife Center is the Anchorage Museum Tour, where you could feed animals and stroll around too!
Location: 11m southeast Alaska of Girdwood
1.6. The Magnificent Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is known for its huge displays of historic photos and videos. These projections bring the early 20s history to life.
The museum even consists of a vintage clothing section where you could have fun exploring the fashion that has evolved over the past eight years. In Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, you could take pictures with grizzly bears hiding and drive operable museum automobiles.
This is the best Alaska Museum for you to acquire knowledge about the Native Americans and Alaska’s history. Alaska Native Heritage Center is also a similar Alaska tourist attraction to visit during your exploration.
Location: 212 Wedgewood Dr, Fairbanks
1.7. Explore the Mendenhall Glacier
This Glacier is situated in the Mendenhall Valley, about 12 miles from Juneau. You could spend your time here enjoying hiking trails. You can even opt for kayaks for paddling near icebergs and cliffs in Mendenhall Lake.
The Mendenhall Glacier is about 13.6 miles long, across the Mendenhall valley in southeast Alaska. Many tourists visit the Mendenhall Glacier to spectate the beauty of the glaciers and snow-covered mountain peaks.
You can also view glaciers and several visually appealing spots at Mendenhall glacier visitor center. Mendenhall Glacier is one of the top Alaska tourist attractions to visit while you are on a trip to Alaska.
Location: Southeast Alaska, 12 miles from Juneau
1.8. Visit the Wrangell St. National Park and Preserve
Wrangell St. National Park and Preserves is the largest national park in the United States of America.
You must take a flightseeing tour to get a better national park experience. If you drive through McCarthy Road, you can catch sight of Railroad Cut, a road that runs through the gap between two high rock walls. This will enable you to see some major north-located glaciers, mountain peaks, and various icefalls.
The Elias National park, present in Wrangell St, is located in south-central Alaska and managed by the National Park Service.
Wrangell St. National Park and Preserve are one of the most visited Alaska tourist attractions known for its various visitor centers, such as Copper Center, Kennecott Visitor Center, and Slana Visitor Center.
Location: Southcentral Alaska
1.9. Explore the Denali National Park and Preserve
Denali Park is located in interior Alaska and is a significant tourist attraction. Thousands of tourists visit this national park and preserve to witness vast wildlife, expansive land, and Denali. You must visit this place, as this is a place that promises solitude.
Denali National Park is a more than six million vast land bisected by a path. It was also known as Mount McKinley National Park, situated in Denali, the highest mountain range in North America. The foothills of the snow-covered mountains consist of taiga vegetation, while the middle elevated area consists of tundra vegetation. The peaks are usually covered with snow and glaciers.
Denali National Park is home to various mammals, birds, and aquatic life. The national park comprises grizzly bears, brown bears, mountain goats, coyotes, mammoths, Arctic ground squirrels, tundra swans, trout, salmons, and Canada Inyx. You can enjoy summer short walks and trail walks from the Denali Visitor Center.
Location: Parks Hwy, Alaska
1.10. Spend Your Day at Aurora Ice Museum
Aurora Ice Museum of the north, located in Alaska, is the world’s largest year-round ice environment. It’s made of more than 1,000 tons of ice and snow; isn’t that insane? You could spend time in polar bear bedrooms, 2-story snowball fights, and even an ice outhouse is present there for tourist attractions.
Steve Brice created the ice sculptures in the museum of the north of knights jousting on horse, and even an ice outhouse is present there, which is renowned as igloos in the Arctic Circle. The Aurora Ice Museum is lit with chandeliers which gives a glimmer effect and enhances the visuals of the tourist attractions.
The museum, which was made to be built as an ice hotel, was later turned into a museum in the Chena Hot Springs Resort. Tourists could visit these vital Alaska tourist attractions and spend a memorable time on their Alaska vacation.
Location: Chena Hot Springs Resort, Fairbanks, Alaska
2. Frequently Asked Questions
2.1. Is Alaska Expensive to Visit?
Alaska being one of the favorite destinations to visit in the world is quite expensive. But that must not stop you from visiting such an amazing place. You could make a budget or take the guided tours that would help you to list out your expenses during the trip.
2.2. Why Do Tourists Visit Alaska?
Alaska isn’t just a place with scenic beauty but also an important junction of the culture and history of the United States. People around the world come here to witness beautiful Alaska tourist attractions, refresh their minds from the daily city life and connect themselves with the beauty of Nature.
2.3. What Tourist Attraction Does Alaska Have to Offer?
The state is home to various state and national parks, such as Elias National Parks, Tongass National Forest, Glacier Bay National Park, Katmai National Park, Chugach National Forest, and Chugach State Park.
In the Arctic circle, the northern lights are a popular tourist destination in Alaska. Travel by Alaska Railroad and Talkeetna air taxi, experience Iditarod National Historic Trail, stroll in Alaska SeaLife Center and hike the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.
Exploring the Skagway historic district, whitewater rafting, boat tours, and driving through the George Parks HWY and Dalton highways are all part of the Alaska tourist attractions.
Concluding Thoughts
Alaska tourist attractions provide a bunch of tourist attractions and amazing experiences for travelers of all kinds. There are abundant natural landmarks, adventures, and culturally significant attractions to visit in the 49th state of the United States.
Suggested reading: Chena Hot Springs
Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by jyoti
