19 Best Places To Visit In Alaska

Table of Contents

• Alaska Attractions: National Parks
• Must-Sees in Alaska: Cruise Ports
• Sightseeing in Alaska: Glaciers
• Best Places to See in Alaska
• Ready to Explore Alaska?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Alaska is a vast wilderness that’s steeped in history and dotted with rustic outposts. It’s an incredible region, a true bucket-list destination from the shimmering glaciers to Denali, the Great One. When it comes to choosing the best places to visit in Alaska, start with what appeals to you the most. Whether you’re drawn to glaciers, national parks, or historic towns, there are countless places to visit in Alaska that make every trip unique.

Here are 19 of our favorite places to go in Alaska, drawing from nearly 75 years of experience. If you’re already convinced Alaska is for you, learn more about our Alaska cruises.

• Alaska is a bucket-list destination with glaciers, fjords, wildlife, and history around every corner.
• Top highlights include Glacier Bay, Denali, the Inside Passage, and Prince William Sound.
• Holland America offers award-winning Alaska cruises with exclusive shore excursions that bring you closer to the action.
• The best time to visit is May through September for warm days, long sunlight hours, and incredible wildlife sightings.

There are numerous extraordinary Alaska national parks, each ranking among the most unforgettable places to visit in Alaska. A visit to any one of these offers the opportunity to truly connect with nature in solitude.

Out of all the Alaska cruise stops, Glacier Bay National Park is unbeatable. There are glaciers, fjords, streams, rivers, and animals enjoying it all. Holland America Line is an authorized concessioner of the national park. We have won Best in Alaska Awards because we know the region so well, and our ships are perfectly sized for a more personal experience.

National Park Service Rangers join us on board to point out areas of interest and answer your questions. John Hopkins and the lengthy Margerie Glacier name some of the sights within this natural wonderland. Find Glacier Bay cruises.

No best places in Alaska list would be complete without a mention of the Great One, the eponymous jewel of Denali National Park. Haloed in clouds and sometimes rosy with Alpenglow, Denali is the continent’s highest peak. But there’s more to the national park than the mountain. Crystalline rivers, rolling tundra, and fascinating wildlife like grizzlies and caribou make Denali National Park a top choice for sightseeing in Alaska.

Check out Alaska cruisetours to explore the best places in Alaska.

Just outside Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park has it all: jagged peaks, lush waterfalls and glaciers spilling from the Harding Icefield. It is one of the best places to go in Alaska to see varied landscapes and marine wildlife. Puffins, murrelets and marine mammals thrive in this park’s numerous coves and inlets.

Wrangell St. Elias National Park is among the best places to visit in Alaska for mountain fans. It is home to 9 of the highest peaks in the U.S. and Mt. Wrangell, a massive active volcano. There are summits more than 16,000 feet, and 35% of Wrangell-St. Elias is covered in glaciers. You may spot beavers, lynx, foxes, wolves, and grizzlies roaming these wild lands.

Katmai National Park is world-famous for Brooks Falls, where grizzlies line up to catch salmon mid-leap. Visitors can safely view this incredible spectacle from raised platforms. The park is also home to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a volcanic landscape created by one of the largest eruptions of the 20th century.

Juneau is unbelievably scenic, snuggled between pristine waters and snow-capped peaks. Home to 30,000 residents, Juneau makes the list of best places to visit in Alaska because it is quite unusual for a state capital. It’s only accessible by airplane and boats, has its very own 85-mile-long icefield, outdoor activities galore, and it’s teeming with wildlife. How many state capitals can say that? Plus, it is a fantastic base for exploring Southeast Alaska and holds a lot of history and Tlingit cultural influence. Experience Holland America’s "Best of Juneau" Shore Excursion to decide for yourself.

And if you’re ready to dive into adventure, Juneau has some of the most exciting excursions in Alaska. Head out on the Best of Juneau: Whale Watching, Mendenhall Glacier & Orca Point Lodge Meal for an unforgettable all-in-one day, or hop aboard a Whale Watching & Wildlife Quest to spot humpbacks and orcas up close. Photographers will love the Whales & Mendenhall Glacier Photo Safari, a small-group tour designed for getting that once-in-a-lifetime shot. Or, take things up a notch with the Dog Sledding & Glacier Adventure by Helicopter, where you’ll fly over the Juneau Icefield and mush your own dog sled team across a glacier alongside seasoned Iditarod mushers.

Ketchikan is situated on the banks of the Tongass Narrows and is nicknamed Alaska’s "First City" because it’s often the first cruise stop to explore before the scenic Inside Passage. A mere three miles long and only three blocks wide, a bustling waterfront, hiking trails spidering into the forest, and incredible fishing make Ketchikan one of the best Alaska cruise stops.

Holland America’s shore excursions here are just as colorful as the town itself. Take the wheel on an Adventure Kart Expedition and roar through rainforest trails with jaw-dropping views of the Tongass. Cast a line on the Alaska Fishing & Wilderness Dining tour, where your fresh catch becomes a gourmet meal cooked over an open fire in the forest. Or, take to the skies on the Alaska Bear Adventure by Floatplane, flying into remote wilderness to watch black bears fishing for salmon right in their natural habitat.

Onion-domed cathedrals as vestiges of Russian influence and views of Mount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano, make Sitka one of the best places to visit in Alaska. Situated on Baranof Island, Sitka is surrounded by Alaska’s lush forests and crystal waters. But as the former capital of Russian America and home of the Tlingit people, Sitka is one of the best cruise stops in Alaska to get to know the state’s history.

Holland America’s shore excursions in Sitka let you experience it all in unforgettable ways. Head out on the Best of Sitka: Otters, Raptors & Bears tour for the ultimate wildlife adventure, or try something truly unique with the Dry Suit Snorkel to explore the colorful marine world beneath the surface. For a mix of culture and nature, tours like Experience Sitka: Fortress of the Bear, Sitka National Park & Alaska Raptor Center and Explore Sitka, Raptor Center & Native Tales bring Alaska’s Native heritage, Russian history, and wild landscapes together in one incredible day.

As one of Southcentral Alaska’s oldest communities, Seward is a great port for sightseeing in Alaska. It’s the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and Resurrection Bay, and there are plenty of outdoor activities and wildlife tours to take. It is also ground zero for the Iditarod National Historic Trail dog sled route and home to a renowned research aquarium.

Known as the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World,” Homer offers both incredible angling opportunities and a vibrant arts community. Its famous spit stretches into Kachemak Bay, where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and stunning views of mountains and glaciers.

Anchorage is one of the most convenient places to visit in Alaska, blending modern comforts with quick access to the wilderness. Explore museums, dine on fresh seafood, or head just outside the city to Chugach State Park for hiking, glaciers, and wildlife. Anchorage is often the starting point for rail and road adventures.

With Holland America’s shore excursions, you can experience Anchorage from every angle. Step back in time with the Anchorage Highlights & Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum tour, or get up close with polar bears, wolves, and more on the Anchorage Highlights & Zoo Adventure. Food lovers can eat their way through the city on the Anchorage Sightseeing & Walking Food Tour, while outdoor enthusiasts can pedal along stunning coastal views on Biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. For a truly unforgettable experience, take to the skies on the Denali: Mountain & National Park Flightseeing excursion to see North America’s tallest peak in all its glory.

Glaciers made the Alaska we know and love today. Hubbard Glacier, Mendenhall Glacier and glacial inlets, such as Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord top the list as the most breathtaking places to visit in Alaska.

Whether they’re retreating, "galloping", or feeding a fjord with ice floes, glaciers are a must-see on every Alaska cruise. Though it’s a hard choice, as every glacier has its merits, here are a few of the most popular:

Hubbard Glacier is massive, stunning, deep blue, and the longest tidewater glacier in North America. Beauty and size alone would make it worthy of a "best places in Alaska" list, but it has another distinction—unlike most other Alaska glaciers, it's growing. It is nicknamed the "Galloping Glacier" because of its fast advancing ice margin—up to seven feet in one day.

Cruising College Fjord brings the famous 1899 Harriman expedition to life. The glacier-filled waters amazed the scientists and naturalists on the expedition. But the Harvard Glacier, the second-largest tidewater glacier in the Prince William Sound, has perhaps the most dramatic face at one-and-a-half miles wide.

Mendenhall Glacier, near Juneau, offers plenty of activities and a great, easily accessible visitor’s center. This one makes the best places to visit in Alaska list because it’s so darn charismatic and approachable. Look at those deep crevasses! Hike or bike nearby trails to this river of ice, or even dog sled over it.

The beauty of Tracy Arm Inlet is difficult to capture with words. As you cruise the emerald waters of this narrow passage, you’re flanked by glacier-covered mountains and surrounded by coastal temperate rainforest. Twin Sawyer Glaciers at the terminus fill the inlet with ice chunks, a favorite resting spot for sea otters and chubby seals. Learn more about seeing the best of the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area.

Widely considered one of the best cruising routes in the world, the calm waters of the Inside Passage feature stunning landscapes, arctic-blue glaciers, Misty Fjords National Monument, and Alaska’'s iconic wildlife. This expansive network of waterways is hundreds of miles long and encompasses many of our favorite ports and Alaska cruise stops. It is definitely the best place to visit in Alaska!

Ready to explore Alaska attractions? For more Alaska travel resources and tips, view all Alaska Articles and Videos. Or peruse Holland America's Alaska cruise ports.

Fairbanks is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Alaska, giving visitors a taste of the state’s cultural history, from Gold Rush days to dog mushing traditions. Take a step back in time aboard the sternwheeler Riverboat Discovery and pan for gold at the historic Gold Dredge 8. In winter, this area is also one of the best places in Alaska to see the Northern Lights.

With Holland America, you can also enjoy the Alaska Salmon Bake & Palace Theatre Revue—a hearty dinner of Alaskan favorites followed by the fun, high-energy “Golden Heart Revue” show.

Carved into the mountains above Skagway during the Klondike Gold Rush, the White Pass & Yukon Route is Alaska’s legendary narrow‑gauge “Scenic Railway of the World,” linking tidewater to the 2,885‑foot White Pass summit through a corridor of glaciers, gorges, and waterfalls. Vintage railcars and cliff‑side trestles reveal storied viewpoints while narration brings frontier lore and remarkable engineering feats to life.

For an elevated take on this icon, the White Pass Legacy Club luxury parlor car pairs large‑format windows and custom leather seating with all‑inclusive beverages and regionally inspired appetizers, hosted by a private guide. Your exclusive car, pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive, climbs nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles, retracing the original route past Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point, and the etched‑in‑stone Klondike Trail of ’98.

Prince William Sound is among the most breathtaking places to visit in Alaska, a spectacular maze of fjords, tidewater glaciers, and coastal rainforest. Cruises and kayak tours here bring you close to orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, and puffins. Surrounded by mountains and ice, this is one of the most beautiful marine landscapes in Alaska.

Holland America’s Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise & Coach takes you right into the heart of this icy wonderland. Travel by coach along the scenic Seward Highway, then board a high-speed catamaran to see towering glaciers, calving ice, and incredible wildlife—complete with a hot lunch served as you sail past some of Alaska’s most unforgettable views.

Ready to Explore Alaska?

There’s no better way to see Alaska than with Holland America Line. From Glacier Bay to Denali and beyond, our expertly crafted itineraries bring you face-to-face with the state’s most breathtaking wonders. 

Browse our wide selection of Alaska cruise itineraries and start planning the adventure of a lifetime today.

Places to Visit in Alaska: FAQs

What is the prettiest place in Alaska?

Beauty is everywhere in Alaska, but Glacier Bay, Denali, and Prince William Sound are often considered some of the most beautiful places in Alaska. From massive glaciers to towering peaks and marine wildlife, these destinations showcase Alaska’s most breathtaking scenery.

What is the best place to visit in Alaska for first timers?

Juneau and the Inside Passage are excellent for first-time visitors. They combine iconic wildlife viewing, glaciers, and easy access through Holland America cruises, giving you a true taste of Alaska.

Is 7 days enough for Alaska?

Yes, a 7-day trip is enough to see highlights — especially on an Alaska cruise that includes Glacier Bay, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka. For those who want to add inland experiences such as Denali, a cruisetour is a great option.

What’s the best month to go to Alaska?

May through September is Alaska’s cruise season. June, July, and August offer the warmest weather and most daylight, while May and September bring less crowded spaces and excellent chances for wildlife sightings.