14 Must-See Places In Alaska For First Time Visitors

It's no wonder why Alaska's nickname is "America's Last Frontier." Spanning over 400 million acres from tip to tip, many sections of this rugged state are only accessible by ferry or plane while others are traveled to on dirt roads. Covering the same length as the Lower 48 and as big as Texas, California, and Montana combined, the number of national parks in Alaska (eight) is a testament to its outstanding natural beauty. It is also brimming with history, from Russian occupation to the Gold Rush, and a tapestry of First Peoples heritage. Towering totem poles, sweeping scenery, and wildlife encounters like grizzly bears and wolves are just a glimpse of what you can expect on a first-time trip.

It's important for new Alaska visitors to keep in mind that much of the state is still remote, rugged, and untouched. While this certainly means there will be plenty of pristine wilderness to see, it also means that it can be inherently more dangerous. Wild animals, unpredictable weather conditions, and desolate roads are all factors that you might come face to face with. But if you're someone who likes the largest, biggest, or any other travel superlative, Alaska is the perfect destination. Using a mixture of information from Travel Alaska and Alaska's National Park Service, we've gathered together the perfect itinerary for those planning their very first trip to Alaska, whether you're a wildlife lover, history buff, bonafide adventurer, or have simply always wanted to see the 49th state.

Ketchikan is a colorful town that's steeped in Alaskan history. If you decide to hop aboard an Alaskan cruise, chances are you'll make a pit stop here. The town's unique nickname, "Salmon Capital of the World," tells you most of why Ketchikan came to be in the first place, although the Gold Rush also had a huge effect. Nicknamed the "First City" because it was, well, the first city most people came across in Alaska, Ketchikan was also the largest city in the state in the early 1930s because of its plethora of salmon. 

No visit to Ketchikan is complete without strolling down Creek Street. Once a hotbed of prostitution, now its historic buildings line the very salmon-spawning stream that brought the city to life. Dolly's is the oldest brothel in town, and you can't miss its iconic neon green paint. Aside from a history lesson or two, there are many fun things to do around town in the warmer months. The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show features brawny men performing incredible feats like log rolling and sawing massive tree trunks, while the Misty Fjords National Monument's majestic waterfalls are just a seaplane ride away.

Ketchikan is known for its Tlingit heritage and is a great spot to seek out intricately carved totem poles. You can do so at the Totem Heritage Center or the Totem Bight Historical Park. One important factor to remember is that most of Ketchikan's main attractions close after mid-October.

Situated on an island along the Pacific side of the Alexander Archipelago, Sitka is an important player in Alaskan history and a wildlife lover's paradise. In a way, Sitka is a tale of two cultures. Russia and the Tlingit peoples vied for control of the area for decades in the 18th and 19th centuries, long before Alaska became a U.S. territory and later a state in 1959. Tlingit and Russian influence can be seen all over town, from the Russian Blockhouse and Orthodox Church to the intricately carved totem poles.

Sitka is a great place to stop for first-timers because of its historic ties. 13% of the city's population is First Nations, and the heritage is beautifully represented across town. Dive into Tlingit culture while standing in the towering shadows of Sitka National Historical Park's 20 different totem poles. If you want to continue exploring the local culture through your tastebuds, stop by Pel'Meni for a steaming hot plate of potato dumplings.

Both the Alaska Raptor Center and Fortress of the Bear are wonderful places to see wildlife up close in Sitka. A safe and controlled atmosphere to see bears, the Fortress of the Bear is a local sanctuary for orphaned bears, while eagles, owls, falcons, and hawks are all rehabilitated at the Alaska Raptor Center, which takes in almost 200 injured birds a year.

From snow-capped peaks to brilliant blue ocean, Glacier Bay National Park encompasses the varying terrain that you can only find in America's "Last Frontier." Glacier Bay is both a World Heritage site and a UNESCO biosphere reserve, which tells you a little something about its importance. Over 10,000 years of human history collide with millions of years of intricate geography. Even better, visiting Glacier Bay National Park is completely free! 

Day tour boats and independent cruises are gorgeous ways to cruise Bartlett Cove and see glaciers up close. Visitors should carve out time to visit the park's totem poles and the Huna Tribal House to learn about Glacier Bay's Tlingit heritage. You can find the Healing Totem Pole at the Bartlett Cove dock while two others stand stoically at the Huna House itself.

As its name might suggest, there are over 1,000 different glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park. Tucked along the Inside Passage, just one of the dozens of reasons to cruise here, this area is best explored by boat, giving passengers an up close and personal view of the glaciers reflected in the sea. Kayaking is another way to connect with nature in Glacier Bay, gliding past giant slabs of ice, playful seals, and exploring the tidewaters. It's incredibly important for first-timers to join a guided tour, as the tides can be difficult to read for newcomers.

There's one big reason why most visitors make the trek out to Katmai National Park – brilliant, beautiful bears.

Katmai has one of the densest bear populations on Earth, a perfect storm of its remote terrain and the Brooks Stream becoming a bountiful sockeye salmon run in summer. Most of these ursine are grizzly bears who flock to the famous Brooks Falls to feast in preparation for their impending hibernation. July and September are the best times to witness this epic dining scene, and visitors can see the bears easily at Brooks Falls. You'll need to sign in at the Visitor Center and go through a quick "Bear School" beforehand.

Sitting on the precipice of the Aleutian Islands at the start of the Alaska Peninsula, Katmai National Park is utterly remote. This is one of the wildest places in Alaska, with unpredictable weather, dense wildlife, and sweeping mountain vistas, but its rugged beauty only adds to its magical qualities. The park was designated after a cataclysmic eruption known as the Novarupta in the early 1900s. This volcanic eruption was larger than both Vesuvius and Krakatau and led to an uptick in scientific research. Destinations in the park, like the inspiring Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, were created in the event. A visit to this park is reserved for true adventurers but makes for an unforgettable trip, especially if this is your first time in Alaska.

Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska yet still retains the state's rugged spirit. Ringed by snow-capped peaks, visitors can experience the great outdoors by trekking across glaciers, snowmobiling, or witnessing breaching humpbacks. Anchorage is also one of the best places to uncover Alaskan history through the city's many museums, such as the Alaska Native Heritage Center. There's no shortage of things to do here, which makes it one of the best places to visit for a first trip.

Like Fairbanks, Anchorage also experiences the Midnight Sun, and sometimes the aurora borealis makes an appearance, although both of these phenomena are less exaggerated. Anchorage is the start of the Iditarod, a legendary sled dog race that ends in Nome, up to 1,000 miles away. Being in town for the kick-off in March is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you can even try your hand at dog sledding any time of year! If you want to partake in more truly Alaskan adventure, sign up for gold panning at the historic Crow Creek Gold Mine.

Cheers to your time in Anchorage with the city's claim to fame — the Duck Fart. While the name certainly doesn't sound appetizing, this one-of-a-kind cocktail is unique to Alaska and made from a combination of Kahlua, Baileys, and whiskey — the perfect medley to warm you up from the inside. Yum!

Talkeetna is an artsy community of just 1,200 people tucked away north of Anchorage. This little city was once a Gold Rush boomtown but is now a popular staging area for ascents of Denali. You might even see the "Great One" (Denali's nickname) from town on a clear day. You'll probably spend your first moments in Talkeetna strolling down the historic main street, so pop into Nagley's Store to fuel up with a cappuccino and check out the National Historic Register-listed property yourself.

Visitors can participate in activities paying homage to Talkeetna's many historic phases by gold panning, riding the Alaskan Railroad, or hiking in the nearby Denali National Park. Although many Alaskan towns offer flightseeing, a tour from Talkeetna, with views of Denali, is arguably the best in the entire state.

If seeing the climbers and trekkers preparing for their ascent of Denali has piqued your interest, head to the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum. The nearby memorial at Talkeetna Cemetery dedicated to the climbers who never made it off the mountain is another solemn sight. End your swing through town at the Denali Brewing Company, sipping on a Mother Ale. They also own the Alaska Cider Works and Alaska Meadery if you favor the sweet stuff.

Aptly nicknamed the "Golden Heart City," Fairbanks was at the very heart of Alaska's Gold Rush. Sitting just below the Arctic Circle in Interior Alaska, Fairbanks experiences both the swirling Northern Lights and summer's Midnight Sun, giving visitors from the Lower 48 a special treat. If it's your first trip to Alaska, this is one city you can't miss. First-timers hoping to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis without venturing too far off the beaten path, this is your golden ticket.

Fairbanks' Museum of the North deserves a dedicated visit if not for its iconic antler arch alone. The famous Magic Bus from "Into the Wild" was once near Denali National Park but has been displayed at the Museum of the North since 2020. The Morris Thompson Cultural Center is another excellent stop if you are interested in Alaskan history and features interesting exhibits on Athabascan culture and Interior Alaska.

You can't leave Fairbanks without trying some of the local specialties like reindeer and Yukon potatoes, of course! The Pump House is the best place in town to grab a bite to eat, with a nostalgic interior and delightful terrace for when the weather is good.