Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Alaska for 2025

Alaska is expansive. It encompasses approximately half the area of the contiguous United States. Given this vastness, it is challenging to experience all the highlights in a single visit. To truly appreciate Alaska, multiple trips are often necessary. Alongside its substantial size, the state boasts an exceptional natural beauty.

The majority of Alaska remains uninhabited, providing ample opportunities for outdoor adventures. Visitors frequently find that the urban areas, while distinctive and intriguing, serve best as starting points for exploring the wilderness beyond. Alaska features a rich historical narrative and a myriad of unparalleled experiences.

Having resided in Alaska throughout my life, I have encountered various aspects of what it offers. Below is my compilation of the most compelling activities to experience in Alaska:

1. Denali National Park

My personal favorite and an essential destination, Denali is the location of the highest peak in the United States. Although the mountain’s original name is Denali, it was renamed Mount McKinley by modern explorers—a subject of local contention. Regardless of the name, it is surrounded by over six million acres of tundra, alpine ranges, glaciers, and river valleys. In summary, it is breathtaking.

Situated approximately halfway between Fairbanks and Anchorage, this national park hosts reindeer, wolves, elk, grizzly bears, and almost 200 species of birds. Visitors can enjoy sled dog demonstrations showcasing how huskies collaborate to transport sleds over extensive distances.

2. Tracy Arm Fjord

If you have contemplated embarking on an Alaskan cruise, it is highly likely you will stop at Tracy Arm. Located south of Juneau in Tongass National Forest, this fjord is encased by stunning glaciers, making it a truly awe-inspiring location. Witness waterfalls cascading down rock faces, glaciers calving, and the resulting icebergs.

The twin Sawyer Glaciers serve as the welcoming committee to this natural wonder. Observers are almost certain to see moose and brown bears on land alongside seals and whales in the waters. For those who find this captivating, exploring Prince William Sound in Anchorage is also worthwhile.

3. Mendenhall Glacier

Visualize a 13-mile-long river of ice. Difficult? The sight is indeed remarkable. Mendenhall Glacier is located near the Coast Mountains and the Juneau Ice Field—a remnant from the Ice Age covering 1,500 square miles. To fully absorb its grandeur, the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is the ideal location. At the observatory’s peak, park rangers provide insights into the natural history surrounding you.

The visitor center features an exceptional film and state-of-the-art exhibits. Do not overlook the Alaska Geographic bookstore. For those wishing to explore further, various trails of varying lengths lead to waterfalls, salmon streams, black bears, bald eagles, and lush rainforests. An enjoyable pastime during your visit is counting the icebergs along your walk. Adventurous visitors may also choose to view from the water by kayak.

4. The Anan Wildlife Observatory

Situated thirty miles from Wrangell, the Anan Wildlife Observatory is located here. This site is home to the largest run of pink salmon in Alaska.

Even for those who do not fish, visiting is essential due to the abundant salmon population that sustains a large number of black and brown bears in the vicinity. The observatory includes a covered viewing area, photo blind, and a restroom facility.

5. Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area

An unforgettable Alaskan experience is taking a floatplane ride. Consider flying to the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area located within Tongass National Park. A mere 30-minute flight leads you to a truly rugged and untouched environment.

With no facilities and absent cell phone service, the adventure of observing these magnificent creatures becomes more profound. Prepare to embrace the elements on Kootznoowoo Island, a locale rich in bear population—boasting more than 1,500 bears, which is more than all other 49 states combined—making this outdoor excursion an absolute delight.

6. Kenai Peninsula National Forest

This area indisputably offers the finest sightseeing experiences in Alaska. This declaration carries significant weight. Witness Kenai Fjords, Harding Ice Field, Exit Glacier, and the Alaska Railroad. At Resurrection Bay, with its forested coastline, one can observe sea lions, otters, and even migrating whales.

With a robust bear population, the native Alutiiq peoples have prospered in this region for generations. While visiting, consider taking a boat tour, kayaking, participating in a ranger-led walking tour, and more. Utilize Anchorage as your central location and allocate several days for exploration.

7. Harding Icefield Trail

Located in Kenai National Forest, both Harding Icefield and its corresponding trail merit distinct recognition. The trail extends approximately 8 miles and features over 40 icebergs, offering an unparalleled hiking experience. Traverse cottonwood forests, flourishing meadows, and ascend above the treeline for a sweeping view of the icefield. This journey provides a connection to the Ice Age, with ice and snow stretching as far as the eye can see, interspersed with the occasional nunatak indicating distance.

8. The Alaska Highway

Running from Dawson Creek in British Columbia, Canada to the Yukon Territory in Fairbanks—the heart of Alaska—the Alaska Highway serves as a critical transportation route. Constructed in a brief span of eight months for military purposes during World War II, this highway remains the most significant access point to vast expanses of Alaska.

It draws considerable tourist interest due to its exceptional capacity to showcase extensive portions of the state in one journey. Approximately 1,387 miles long (2,232 km), junctions appear roughly every hour. Visitors can explore small towns such as Charlie Lake, Fort Nelson, Upper Liard, Johnsons Crossing, Jakes Corner, and Tok, experiencing a facet of Alaska that is genuinely unforgettable.

9. The University of Alaska Museum of the North

The University of Alaska Museum of the North houses an impressive collection of approximately one million artifacts. The permanent exhibits encompass a diverse array of items from indigenous populations, a fine arts collection centered on Alaska, and archaeological discoveries from prehistoric societies. The museum building, designed by Joan Soranno, emulates the Alaskan landscape, serving as the sole teaching and research museum in the state.

Located in Fairbanks, a visit to this museum presents an opportunity to observe millions of years of biological and cultural diversity. Exhibits include a 36,000-year-old mummified bison, a sound and light display elucidating time determination based on the sun or moon’s positioning, insights into the aurora, stunning ancient ivory carvings, and much more. Allocating several hours for exploration is highly recommended.

10. The Inside Passage

Many visit the Inside Passage aboard cruise ships, charter boats, or even yachts. The region not only features astonishing wildlife but is also home to several indigenous tribes, including the Tsimshian, Haida, and Tlingit tribes.

A section of the passage runs through Tongass National Forest, encompassing 17 million acres, making it the largest national park in the United States. The passage also leads to Prince of Wales Island, one of the largest islands in the US, the town of Skagway, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, the historically significant American-Russian town of Sitka (which is not accessible by road), and Ketchikan, noted as one of Alaska’s most vibrant cities.

11. The Northern Lights

Despite the prolonged dark winters in Alaska, one of the advantages is the mesmerizing view of the Northern Lights. Between September and April, Fairbanks offers some of the most extraordinary views of the aurora borealis globally. It resides beneath the aurora oval—a geographic area with the highest likelihood of viewing.

Optimal viewing occurs just after midnight each night, and guided tours often provide valuable insights, such as identifying the best locations. This natural phenomenon is one of Earth’s most enchanting occurrences and is a must-see during any visit to Alaska. Additional viewing opportunities are available in Anchorage and the Brooks Range.

12. Alaska Native Heritage Center

What makes the heritage center particularly unique is the relocation of several traditional native dwellings to a lake adjacent to the center. Guides are present to showcase handicrafts, artistry, as well as music and dance of native cultures.

Located just outside of Anchorage, the heritage center endeavors to communicate the authentic narrative of the North, broadening visitors’ perspectives and fostering discussions about the unique landscapes and peoples of the region. It houses over 26,000 artifacts from every native Alaskan culture. As an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, it offers a profound experience.

13. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Where can one find nine of the country’s 16 highest peaks? In Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This park is aptly described as grand, primarily formed from volcanic activity, with Mount Wrangell being the only active volcano within its boundaries. It attracts climbers, kayakers, glacier skiers, and hikers alike. One can visit abandoned mines and the former mill town of Kennecott Mines during their exploration.

The park is comparable in size to six Yellowstones, featuring peaks and mountains that stretch for miles in every direction. Major summits include Sandford, Blackburn, Wrangell, and Drum, but the sheer multitude of mountains can be overwhelming, often encouraging visitors to pause and simply appreciate the scenery. Despite the park’s popularity, most guests depart with a sense of having witnessed something extraordinarily pristine.

14. The Iditarod National Historic Trail

Originally traversed by ancient hunters and subsequently by gold rush prospectors, the Iditarod National Historic Trail extends from the Bering Strait to Seward. It spans 2,300 miles and once connected tribes living in remote regions. Most famous for hosting the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, it serves as an ideal winter hiking path.

Five cabins are available along the trail providing shelter. For those with a spirit of adventure, this trail offers a remarkable opportunity to explore Alaska while retracing the footsteps of early peoples.

15. The Totem Heritage Center

In the 1930s, the US Forest Service acknowledged the necessity of preserving and rehabilitating existing totem poles throughout Alaska. This mission quickly expanded to include the education of totem pole artistry as the craft was at risk of vanishing. Traditional carvers from the older generation were commissioned to restore or recreate abandoned totem poles, also imparting their knowledge to the younger generation. It is advisable to check the current exhibitions and operating hours on their website.

Currently, there are 14 totem poles located in Ketchikan’s Totem Bight State Historic Park. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the heritage center also features additional totem poles and a traditional clan house. The artistry and craftsmanship inherent in this cultural expression warrant a personal visit to be fully appreciated.