Admittedly, nearly every town you visit or every sight you see in Alaska is incredible, hands down. Even the industrial area in Anchorage can be viewed with some sort of appreciation with Denali sitting proudly in the background! However, some Alaskan towns are more scenic than others and we just want to brag about them. So without further ado, let me present to you 9 of the most beautiful towns in our incredible state. The biggest allure of Alaska is its vistas and beautiful wilderness. Want to experience Alaskan beauty? Visit one of the most scenic towns in Alaska with some really incredible and jaw dropping scenery!
- Sitka
Kool Cats Photography | Flickr Only accessible by air or water, Sitka is one of Alaska’s most beautiful and adventurous places to visit. Located on Baranof Island, Sitka offers both visitors and locals endless recreation opportunities. The nearby oceans, rivers, and lakes are just a few of the hundreds of scenic attractions around the island. Put this spot on one of the top towns to visit in Alaska! You can find more about this beautiful town on their website HERE.
- Talkeetna
Jenni Konrad | Flickr With Denali as its backdrop and national forest on nearly all sides, it’s pretty hard to beat the scenic beauty of Talkeetna. There are so many places to see in Alaska, and Talkeetna should be on that list. Learn more about the history of this beautiful small town at the Talkeetna Historical Society’s website HERE.
- Gustavus
Gustavus Inn Website Gustavus is located not far from Juneau and has some seriously breathtaking vistas. Another huge attraction about Gustavus other than the beautiful scenery is the nearby Glacier Bay National Park, a must-visit if you’re ever in town! If you’re headed to visit this beautiful place, read more about this town and what to do at this cool website HERE.
- Cordova
Riverside Inn Website Sitting at the mouth of Copper River, Cordova is not only a fisherman’s dream but an explorers as well. One of the most beautiful towns in Alaska, this small spot is home to one of the most sought after Alaska salmon, the Copper River King. Learn more about some great things to do in this area HERE.
- Girdwood
Alister & Paine Website Girdwood is a gorgeous scenic town just a short ways out of Anchorage. In the summer months Girdwood is filled with flowers and you can witness some amazing views of the surrounding mountains just walking down the street. In the winter months the town is transformed into a winter wonderland with snowcapped mountains and quaint shops around nearly every turn! Learn everything you need to know about Girdwood HERE.
- Valdez
Jeremy Taylor | Flickr Valdez is located on the Prince William Sound and surrounded by the Chugach National Forest. It’s hard to beat that type of scenery! If you’re looking for places to see, stay, or eat, check out their amazing website HERE.
- Ketchikan
David Schroeder | Flickr The town of Ketchikan is surrounded by inlets and islands making the view from almost anywhere quite the spectacular one. There are endless opportunities for adventure and exploration but one must see attraction of Juneau is the Totem Heritage Center. Make sure you plan a visit next time you’re in town. In fact, you can learn everything you need to know about visiting this town when you visit their website HERE.
- Juneau
KTOO Website Juneau sits along the water’s edge at the base of Mt. Roberts. Mendenhall Glacier is nearby and there are endless recreational opportunities just minutes from town. Not only is Alaska’s Capital scenic, but it’s fun too! You can learn more about our state’s capitol on their travel website HERE.
- Seward
DCSL | Flickr Seward is right on the shores of Resurrection Bay, a gorgeous expanse of water surrounded by high mountain peaks and forest. The bay itself is almost fully enclosed save for the small entrance at the far end allowing cruise ships in and out during the summer months. You can find more information about this scenic town at their visitor webpage HERE.
Have you visited any of any of the most scenic towns in Alaska? What did you think? Would you recommend them?
Kool Cats Photography | Flickr
Only accessible by air or water, Sitka is one of Alaska’s most beautiful and adventurous places to visit. Located on Baranof Island, Sitka offers both visitors and locals endless recreation opportunities. The nearby oceans, rivers, and lakes are just a few of the hundreds of scenic attractions around the island. Put this spot on one of the top towns to visit in Alaska! You can find more about this beautiful town on their website HERE.
Jenni Konrad | Flickr
With Denali as its backdrop and national forest on nearly all sides, it’s pretty hard to beat the scenic beauty of Talkeetna. There are so many places to see in Alaska, and Talkeetna should be on that list. Learn more about the history of this beautiful small town at the Talkeetna Historical Society’s website HERE.
Gustavus Inn Website
Gustavus is located not far from Juneau and has some seriously breathtaking vistas. Another huge attraction about Gustavus other than the beautiful scenery is the nearby Glacier Bay National Park, a must-visit if you’re ever in town! If you’re headed to visit this beautiful place, read more about this town and what to do at this cool website HERE.
Riverside Inn Website
Sitting at the mouth of Copper River, Cordova is not only a fisherman’s dream but an explorers as well. One of the most beautiful towns in Alaska, this small spot is home to one of the most sought after Alaska salmon, the Copper River King. Learn more about some great things to do in this area HERE.
Alister & Paine Website
Girdwood is a gorgeous scenic town just a short ways out of Anchorage. In the summer months Girdwood is filled with flowers and you can witness some amazing views of the surrounding mountains just walking down the street. In the winter months the town is transformed into a winter wonderland with snowcapped mountains and quaint shops around nearly every turn! Learn everything you need to know about Girdwood HERE.
Jeremy Taylor | Flickr
Valdez is located on the Prince William Sound and surrounded by the Chugach National Forest. It’s hard to beat that type of scenery! If you’re looking for places to see, stay, or eat, check out their amazing website HERE.
David Schroeder | Flickr
The town of Ketchikan is surrounded by inlets and islands making the view from almost anywhere quite the spectacular one. There are endless opportunities for adventure and exploration but one must see attraction of Juneau is the Totem Heritage Center. Make sure you plan a visit next time you’re in town. In fact, you can learn everything you need to know about visiting this town when you visit their website HERE.
KTOO Website
Juneau sits along the water’s edge at the base of Mt. Roberts. Mendenhall Glacier is nearby and there are endless recreational opportunities just minutes from town. Not only is Alaska’s Capital scenic, but it’s fun too! You can learn more about our state’s capitol on their travel website HERE.
DCSL | Flickr
Seward is right on the shores of Resurrection Bay, a gorgeous expanse of water surrounded by high mountain peaks and forest. The bay itself is almost fully enclosed save for the small entrance at the far end allowing cruise ships in and out during the summer months. You can find more information about this scenic town at their visitor webpage HERE.
Know of any other stunning scenic towns that didn’t make the list? Leave us your input in the comments below!
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Address: Alaska, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Scenic Towns In Alaska July 01, 2020 Megan McDonald Why are the towns so scenic in Alaska? Alaska has a ton of amazing natural features, and many of the towns in this state grow up around these beautiful sights that people want to see. The towns usually stay small because these natural wonders are located in rural areas that are expensive to travel to, and can sometimes be isolated. This means the scenery and vistas stay gorgeous, and these towns stay as stunning accents to Alaska’s natural beauty. What is the most beautiful city in Alaska? This is a tough one and is entirely subjective. Homer is stunning as it sits right on the seaside, and as you drive into town you can see glaciers hanging in the mountains across the bay. Girdwood is charming as its a tiny little town in a valley beneath hanging glaciers and a beautiful mountain range. Juneau is sandwiched between the ocean and the mountains, with a colorful downtown, and even Anchorage has charm as it sits between the Cook Inlet and the beautiful Chugach Mountain Range. It’s hard to name a city in Alaska that doesn’t have appeal!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Scenic Towns In Alaska
July 01, 2020
Megan McDonald
Why are the towns so scenic in Alaska? Alaska has a ton of amazing natural features, and many of the towns in this state grow up around these beautiful sights that people want to see. The towns usually stay small because these natural wonders are located in rural areas that are expensive to travel to, and can sometimes be isolated. This means the scenery and vistas stay gorgeous, and these towns stay as stunning accents to Alaska’s natural beauty. What is the most beautiful city in Alaska? This is a tough one and is entirely subjective. Homer is stunning as it sits right on the seaside, and as you drive into town you can see glaciers hanging in the mountains across the bay. Girdwood is charming as its a tiny little town in a valley beneath hanging glaciers and a beautiful mountain range. Juneau is sandwiched between the ocean and the mountains, with a colorful downtown, and even Anchorage has charm as it sits between the Cook Inlet and the beautiful Chugach Mountain Range. It’s hard to name a city in Alaska that doesn’t have appeal!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Alaska has a ton of amazing natural features, and many of the towns in this state grow up around these beautiful sights that people want to see. The towns usually stay small because these natural wonders are located in rural areas that are expensive to travel to, and can sometimes be isolated. This means the scenery and vistas stay gorgeous, and these towns stay as stunning accents to Alaska’s natural beauty.
What is the most beautiful city in Alaska?
This is a tough one and is entirely subjective. Homer is stunning as it sits right on the seaside, and as you drive into town you can see glaciers hanging in the mountains across the bay. Girdwood is charming as its a tiny little town in a valley beneath hanging glaciers and a beautiful mountain range. Juneau is sandwiched between the ocean and the mountains, with a colorful downtown, and even Anchorage has charm as it sits between the Cook Inlet and the beautiful Chugach Mountain Range. It’s hard to name a city in Alaska that doesn’t have appeal!
