Alaska is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, but it can sometimes be daunting for new visitors. In a state over twice the size of Texas, there are so many things to see and do, making it difficult to know the best places to visit in Alaska for first timers.
Thankfully, with such a large state and so many National Parks, no matter where you go or what you do, you’re virtually guaranteed to have an amazing time. However, there are some places that both locals and visitors alike consistently rank as one of their favorite parts of Alaska.
A tour we think you'll love
If you’re planning a visit (especially as an independent traveler and not as part of a cruise), you may want to know a little bit more about these locations. To that end, let’s look at seven of the best places to visit in Alaska for tourists coming in 2025 (and beyond!):
1) Experience Beautiful Hoonah Like Never Before With Hoonah Travel Adventures
Hoonah Travel Adventures is Chichagof Island’s premier tour provider, with several amazing options for both cruise ship passengers and independent travelers. If you like amazing views and the opportunity to see wildlife up close, you’ll love your time with us in Hoonah!
Our amazing experiences include:
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On our three-hour Guaranteed Whale Watching Tour, you’ll receive a $100 credit in the very rare event that no whales are seen during your voyage. You’ll also get to see puffins, deer, bears, and many other species of wild animals, not to mention the beautiful views of the surrounding areas.
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The Wilderness Tour and Brown Bear Search takes you through the wilds of Chichagof Island, the fifth-largest island in the United States. In addition to brown bear viewing, you may also get to see bald eagles, ducks, Sitka black-tail deer, martens, beavers, and more.
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Whether you’ve never gone fishing before or you consider yourself an expert angler, you’ll love our Icy Strait Fishing Adventure. Captain Billy, a local Tlingit who has sailed these waters for many years, will take you out to the best spots for halibut and salmon fishing that Southeast Alaska has to offer and help you reel in the fish of your dreams.
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If you love amazing views of picturesque nature, our Icy Strait Kayak Adventure is the perfect choice. Enjoy the still waters of Port Frederick with your knowledgeable guide, Cody, who has been kayaking in these waters for over a decade. Enjoy the most incredible scenery and, if you’re lucky, a few wildlife sightings on this three-hour voyage.
Good To Know: In addition to discounts for teachers, law enforcement, and military members on most of our tours, we also guarantee that we’ll get you back to your cruise ship on time!
Book your adventure today and create unforgettable memories in the breathtaking beauty of Hoonah!
2) Explore The Untouched Natural Beauty Of Katmai National Park
Up next on our list of best places in Alaska to visit is Katmai National Park and Preserve. At over four million acres (or nearly 6,400 square miles!), this massive park is larger than the state of Connecticut! It’s also a great example of Alaska’s Russian heritage, as fur hunters set up a base at Katmai in the 1800s.
Katmai gives you a special look at Alaska’s wild nature that makes the trip worthwhile. The centerpiece of Mount Katmai, an active stratovolcano surrounded by several gorgeous glaciers, which have carved beautiful fjords into the coastline. You’ll also see wildlife in their natural habitats, like brown bears feeding on salmon in the streams.
Pro Tip: Katmai National Park includes parts of the Kenai Peninsula on the Alaskan mainland, making it a prime destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. The best time to visit is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is milder and wildlife activity is at its peak.
3) See North America’s Highest Peak In Denali National Park
At a summit height of 20,310 feet above sea level, Denali (or Mount McKinley) is North America’s highest peak and part of the Alaska Range. It is one of the most popular attractions for those visiting Alaska, bringing thousands of people every year.
Roughly 140 miles north of Anchorage and 110 south of Fairbanks, the mountain is the namesake and centerpiece of Denali National Park and Preserve. The park has a visitor center, an airport, guided tours, and a gift shop, making it easy for visitors to plan their trip, learn about the area’s natural wonders, and take home a piece of their adventure. There is much more to see than just the mountain, however.
Good To Know: Although most tours and activities in these and other National Parks are exclusively in the summer, the park is open year-round. You should come prepared for ice and snow, of course.
4) Take A Hike, Go Camping, Or Explore Glacier Bay National Park
Nearly every cruise through Southeast Alaska will spend time in Glacier Bay National Park (not to be confused with Glacier National Park in Montana), but there are also plenty of chances to take chartered boat tours in the area.
Let’s check out the highlights:
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As you might expect based on the name, there are many glaciers to be seen here. Between the park, preserve, and wilderness area, there are 1,045 tidewater and terrestrial glaciers.
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Many varieties of land, water, and sky-based wildlife can be found in Glacier Bay, including both brown and black bears, harbor porpoises, ten species of owl, five species of woodpecker, bald eagles, golden Eagles, osprey, four species of falcons, Steller sea lions, orca, humpback whales, minke whales, and many, many more.
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Glacier Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the few that allows camping, although the conditions can be difficult and it’s only recommended for experienced campers.
Pro Tip: If you’re visiting Alaska independently, you can easily find a half-day or full-day plane or boat tour of Glacier Bay in most cities, even as far south as Ketchikan.
5) View The Mendenhall Glacier In Alaska’s Capital City
The gorgeous Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is one of the most iconic sights in the state. This 13.6 mile-long glacier is receding at the rate of over 150 feet per year, which means it may not be visible a few decades from now.
If you’re coming to Alaska as part of a cruise, you can either take a tour bus from the docks to the glacier or (if you want to spend time enjoying a little nature walk) take the city bus to the Dredge Lake Road/Mendenhall Loop Road stop, 1.5 miles from the visitor’s center.
Good To Know: The best place to see the Glacier up close is a short hike from the parking lot, about a mile or less.
6) See Glaciers And Icefields In Kenai Fjords National Park Near Seward
Home to the world-famous Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords National Park just west of Seward features only one road. The vast majority of the park is only accessible by hike, plane, or boat, which is a key part in maintaining its delicate natural beauty.
If you’d like to enjoy a shorter cruise, there are several options in Seward that will take you around the park for just a few days. There are also public-use cabins and shelters near the Harding Icefield for those who’d like to enjoy tremendous scenery and wildlife viewing in a more intimate setting.
Good To Know: The many fjords here were shaped by thousands of years of glacial retreat, resulting in a gorgeously jagged coastline that has to be seen to be believed.
7) Ride The Yukon Route Railway In Skagway
For our final entry in the list of the best places to visit in Alaska, we head to the historic Klondike Gold Rush mining town of Skagway in Southeast. History fans will love spending time in the days of yesteryear.
One of Skagway’s most popular attractions is the Yukon Route Railway, which travels from the town center into Canada’s Yukon Territory (don’t forget your passport!) to show visitors amazing sights and pieces of history like the Ghost Town of Dyea.
Pro Tip: After you explore this amazing piece of history, don’t forget to sample the local seafood. There are many restaurants along the downtown that have delicious fish options.
Enjoy The Best Of Southeast Alaska With Us!
Some other great places to visit in Alaska include Nome (close to the Arctic Circle), the museums in Skagway, the totem poles in Ketchikan, the beautiful fjords of Lynn Canal, and many more national parks. There’s so much to explore!
Hoonah Travel Adventures lets you discover the best of Southeast Alaska! Between our charter fishing, kayaking, whale watching, and nature tours, you’ll find something you love so much that you’ll want to keep coming back to Hoonah year after year just to see it again.
Just a heads up, these tours fill up quickly, so don’t wait too long! Book your next exciting adventure in the Alaskan wilderness with us this summer!
