Tourist Attractions in Alaska

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Alaska

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Alaska

The largest and northernmost state in the United States. It is also separated from the rest of the country. Alaska consists not only of the mainland, but also of a large number of islands. These lands once belonged to the Russian Empire, and traces of the Russian presence are still preserved, for example, in the names of a number of geographical objects. In 1867, Alaska was sold to the United States and very soon began to take shape as a tourist area.

The interest of travellers is aroused by the local nature. National parks, glaciers and fjords are the main wealth of the state. Tourist routes have been developed to suit all tastes, such as hiking in the “”Misty Fjords”” or sea routes to Juneau for whale watching. The climate and geographical location give travellers the opportunity to see another unusual phenomenon – the northern lights.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Alaska

Denali

 4.6/5

803 reviews

One of the main attractions of Alaska. The national park covers about 25 thousand km². Here is the highest point of Alaska, in honour of which the area is named. Mount Denali has another name – McKinley, given in memory of the 25th president of the country. A visit to the park allows you not only to admire the natural beauty, but also to get acquainted with the life and culture of the indigenous people of North America.

Glacier Bay Basin

 4.9/5

33 reviews

The area of the national park is approximately 13 thousand km². Most of the territory is covered with forests. In addition, there are many uplands, mountain rivers and streams, lakes and glaciers. The largest glaciers are Margerie and Lamplugh. The climate in Glacier Bay is specific: warm winters and cold summers. There are convenient hiking trails for tourists. Visitors to the park can go fishing, rock climbing or rafting.

Kenai Fjords National Park

 4.9/5

1583 reviews

Established in 1980 to protect Arctic territories from the negative impact of humans. The area is approximately 2800 km². More than half of the territory is covered with snow and ice. The fauna is typical for such climate: polar bears, walruses, whales, seals. The coastal flora, on the other hand, is more exotic. Kenai Fjords is famous for its “glacier cruises”: tourists are offered to see parts of the glaciers breaking off.

Open time

Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness

 4.6/5

15 reviews

In 1978 the territory with this name was declared a national reserve. The area is 9500 km². The remoteness of the area has allowed the wildlife to remain virtually untouched. Tourists are brought here mainly by cruise ships and aeroplanes. Hiking routes allow you to see the main beauties of the park. Those who wish to do so can go mountain climbing, boating or fishing in designated areas.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Hubbard Glacier

 4.8/5

118 reviews

The largest glacier off the coast of Alaska. Hubbard continues to gain weight and grow. At the same time, it is on the move and slowly heading towards the Gulf. The maximum age of the ice layers is 400 years. In summer, impressive chunks of the glacier break off and fall into the water with noise. Tourists come to watch this process. And icebergs detached from Hubbard are a serious problem for navigation of ships in the region.

Mendenhall Glacier

 4.9/5

353 reviews

It can be found in the valley of the same name. Because it is not that far from central Juneau, it was formerly called “the glacier outside of town”. In 1891 it received its present name in honour of physicist and meteorologist Mendenhall. It is about 19 kilometres long. Climate change has greatly affected the size and location of the glacier. The glacier is part of the recreational area of the Tongass National Forest.

Tracy Arm

 4.9/5

198 reviews

It is surrounded by emerald water. The shores of the fjord are rugged, the slopes are covered, and the cliffs and mountains have “jagged” features. Tracy Arm waterfalls carry their waters directly into the sea. Tourists on sightseeing tours are driven as close as possible. Sometimes you can see pieces of glaciers breaking off. Another interesting phenomenon is the bathing of bears and reindeer. Dolphins near the fjord are used to people and often swim up to ships.

Brooks Falls

 4.9/5

82 reviews

Located in the Katmai National Park. The large number of seals and shallow waters attract bears. In the past, they were hunted, so the population decreased significantly. Thanks to the current extermination bans and conservation regime, the number of individuals is increasing year by year. Webcams have been installed near the waterfall to monitor the bears fishing.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum

 4.9/5

1006 reviews

In 2007, Tim Kearney opened this museum of rare cars in Fairbanks. Under one roof, 85 cars have been collected. They look perfect, and all but a few are running. The cars in this collection were produced before World War II. In good weather in spring and summer they are “released” from the hangar. If you are in the museum at such a time, you have a chance to ride a rarity or watch a mini-race.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM

Museum of the North

 4.6/5

1225 reviews

Located in Fairbanks. A futuristic building was built especially for the museum collection. Each hall is responsible for a certain direction. Historical, geographical and cultural halls are the largest. Notable exhibits are mummified ancient buffalo and Inuit products. The museum also has a gallery where artists whose work is related to Alaska are exhibited, and a botanical garden.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center

 4.7/5

1240 reviews

Here you can plan your trip around Fairbanks or throughout Alaska. The centre offers brochures, telephone and wi-fi access, and overnight accommodations. The spacious exhibit hall features dioramas and other exhibits that tell the story of the state. The centre is open all year round, with no weekends and only closing on a few national holidays. The centre is open all year round, without weekends and closed only on a few national holidays.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Anchorage Museum

 4.5/5

804 reviews

The museum was opened in 1968 to mark the centenary of the sale of Alaska to the Americans. The area of the museum exceeds 16 thousand m². Initially, the exhibition was made up of about 2,500 exhibits of ethnographic and historical nature. Of these, 60 were paintings. Now the funds have increased 10 times. Now there is a full-fledged gallery for paintings. The design of the museum building is dominated by metal and glass.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM

Red Onion Saloon

 4.6/5

779 reviews

During the gold rush, this was the most popular establishment in Skagway. Upstairs were the “leisure” rooms. Each girl was matched with a doll, which were displayed at the bar. Once the doll was in a horizontal position, it meant the prostitute was free. For the museum, the appearance of the solon was completely recreated. During the guided tours, real performances are organised and tales of the past are told.

Right now place is temporarily closed.
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Alaska SeaLife Center

 4.6/5

3428 reviews

The Grand Aquarium has been in Seward since 1998. Its mission is to maintain the integrity of Alaska’s aquatic system. The organisation is non-profit and reports to all those who help to keep the seas and rivers clean. Another area of activity is animal rehabilitation. As a result of natural disasters or human activity, some animals need treatment, and the centre provides it.

Open time

Monday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM

Alaska Zoo

 4.3/5

2283 reviews

It has been in operation since 1969 and attracts over one hundred thousand additional tourists to Anchorage each year. The history of the zoo in Alaska began with an elephant won in a lottery by a local resident. Nowadays the number of mammal species has reached 46. In addition to them there are about a hundred birds. The zoo conducts scientific research and rehabilitates animals injured or discarded by their previous owners.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Totem Bight State Historical Park

 4.6/5

971 reviews

Occupies 13 hectares in the vicinity of Ketchikan. It was established in 1939. In the past, a campground was located on the site. The historic area includes original Native American totem poles. Other unique sites like a restored chief’s dwelling have been added. There are agility challenges, ceremonial rituals, and canoe rides available to tourists. Each evening there is a big bonfire.

Open time

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

 0/5

Stretches over 17 km from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park. It runs along the shores of Cook Inlet. The terrain and scenic views attract hikers, bikers, half marathon runners and skiers to the trail. At any time of year, there’s something to see here. Conditions, however, remain comfortable for both walking and sports. From here you can see Fire Island and planes taking off from the local airport.

Alaska Train

 4.6/5

152 reviews

Construction started in 1903. The length of the main motorway is about 760 kilometres. The state road is classified as a second-class railway. It is connected with the rest of the railway system of the country through the ferry: from Witter the trains are ferried to Seattle. There are several special tourist routes. The cars on them are equipped with panoramic windows or even transparent domes on the roof.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Gastineau Guiding Company

 4.9/5

171 reviews

Among the excursion walks, this one is the most popular. The tour lasts about 4 hours. Buses with tourists leave from the centre of Juneau and get to the port in less than half an hour. There the groups are accommodated on special boats. On the way to the places of whale congregation all kinds of inhabitants of local waters are met. Especially many seals. They attract the whales. The killer whales are not afraid of people at all and swim right up to them.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Northern Lights Tours LLC

 0/5

One of the most beautiful and unusual natural phenomena. The glow of the upper layers of the atmosphere is due to their interaction with the flow of ionised particles. Alaska is the best place to observe the aurora borealis. The phenomenon is usually revealed in its full glory in September, although the forecast varies from year to year. The highlands of Denali National Park are perfect as a viewing platform.

Open time