It's hard to imagine that the most modern city in Alaska was once little more than a collection of tents. Anchorage, which was established in 1914 as the Alaska Railroad was being built, has grown to become the financial and commercial center of the Last Frontier and currently boasts a whopping 40% of the state's population. The conveniences of a modern American metropolis will be present, but that isn't what lures tourists. Most people only get a glimpse of this significant metropolis in the far north of the United States when they go to see the neighboring mountain ranges' snow-capped peaks or the immense wilderness that lies beyond.

For those who enjoy skiing, hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching, Anchorage is undoubtedly a paradise-like base, but that doesn't mean the city itself should be disregarded. The metropolis of Alaska offers a wide range of activities, including excellent zoos, boutiques, nightlife spots, and museums. And keep in mind that you don't need to venture outside of the city borders if nature is your genuine calling: Visit in the summer to see the 80,000 flowers that make up the City of Lights and Flowers (located in 460 flower beds) in full bloom, or at any other time of year to be mesmerized by the brilliant northern lights (several of the best Alaska tours can help you spot them).

Rankings:

• #1 in Best Places to Visit in Alaska
  
• #6 in Best Places to Visit in April
  
• #14 in Best Adventure Vacations in the U.S.

Location: Alaska

For most travelers, Juneau which is one of the Best Places to Visit in Alaska, serves as a pit stop. Cruise ships land, unload their guests at the port, and then let them explore the town for a while. The savvy tourist will view Alaska's capital city as a portal to nature, nevertheless. While the truly adventurous may travel to Admiralty Island National Monument and Glacier Bay National Park, less experienced nature enthusiasts may enjoy breathtaking beauty at Mendenhall Glacier and Tracy Arm Fjord, which are easily accessible with the top Alaska excursions.

The economic drivers in this little town (which has only 30,000 citizens) are now outdoor enthusiasts rather than mining, fur trafficking, and whaling. Now, instead of brandishing hunting gear, Juneau residents are seen carrying worthless trinkets. Don't fall for the trap though; the best keepsakes are the priceless pictures you capture with your own camera. Many people are in awe by Juneau's magnificent surroundings.

In tiny Juneau, there aren't a lot of things to do. For those brave enough to search in the Last Frontier, Mother Nature puts on quite a show. While Mendenhall Glacier receives the majority of attention and visitor traffic, Tracy Arm Fjord's scenery and animals leave visitors with lifelong memories. Go to the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure and take in the flower-scented air for some more easily accessible natural beauty. Some of the top Alaska trips leave from Juneau, which is a well-liked starting place. And if you want to relax indoors, try some beer at the Alaska Brewing Company.

Rankings:

• #2 in Best Places to Visit in Alaska
  
• #9 in Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the USA
  
• #12 in Best Adventure Vacations in the U.S.

Location: Alaska

Ketchikan, which calls itself the "Salmon Capital of the World," is renowned for its fishing, stunning environment, and vibrant Native culture. Particularly the rangers, you'll find that the locals are proud of their past and culture and are happy to share their knowledge of the region with you.

You'll find gorgeous forests, waterfalls, lakes, creeks, and fantastic coastlines in the scenery, which is straight out of a movie. You will always find something fresh and interesting to look at. The center of this community is art. You'll be compelled to take home a piece for your memory because so many locals make contributions to the art community in their own unique ways.

This picturesque village on the southern edge of Alaska's Inside Passage is a great entry point into Alaskan indigenous culture since it has more totem poles than any other place on earth. Additionally, Ketchikan, which calls itself the "salmon capital of the world," has plenty of chances for fishermen to try their luck on a fishing trip. Explore the Misty Fjords National Monument after taking a stroll down historic Creek Street, which was once Ketchikan's prostitution quarter. This magnificent area of Alaskan wilderness, which is covered in a thick rainforest, is best experienced from the air in a floatplane or on a boat excursion.

Rankings:

• #3 in Best Places to Visit in Alaska

Location: Alaska

Any trip to Alaska must include a stop in Seward. Start your vacation by visiting the Alaska SeaLife Center, the only permanent marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation center in Alaska, and then wander through Seward's Waterfront Park. While in town, visitors can enjoy the more than 30 vibrant paintings that adorn different structures. If you go in July, make sure to check out the renowned Mount Marathon Race. This annual competition pits athletes from all over the world against each other in a hard ascent of Seward's famous peak and a risky descent.

A seaside community called Seward is around 120 miles away from Anchorage, Alaska. You can go to this lovely town by car, train, or, if the COVID-19 virus is not affecting their timetable, cruise ship. Unintentionally, a Russian fur merchant looking for shelter from a storm discovered this well-known village. Ressurection Bay is the name of the bay where the town clings to the coastline. On the Russian Sunday of the Resurrection, the man who was looking for shelter chose this name.

Rankings:

• #4 in Best Places to Visit in Alaska

Location: Alaska

Sitka, one of the Best Places to Visit in Alaska, holds the memory of the Tlingit's ancestral home, the Russians' capture of it, and the Americans' purchase of it. Local museums that house priceless historic records and artifacts have thorough documentation of this unique legacy. Seven of the 24 National Register of Historic Places-listed attractions in Sitka are National Historic Landmarks. The region's natural treasures are explored by other attractions.

Sitka is a top destination for those who love fishing, the outdoors, and history. It is located in the shadow of the dormant volcano Mount Edgecumbe and is rich in both Russian and indigenous Tlingit culture. When you're not taking pictures of the iconic St. Michael's Cathedral or marveling at the totem poles at Sitka National Historical Park, visit the Alaska Raptor Center or the Fortress of the Bear to get a glimpse of the local wildlife. Sitka's location within the Tongass National Forest makes it a terrific place to go hiking and camping if you're yearning to explore the great outdoors.

Rankings:

• #5 in Best Places to Visit in Alaska

Location: Alaska

This tiny community on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska is well-known for its thriving arts scene, excellent halibut fishing, and the famed Homer Spit. The Homer Spit, which stretches over 5 miles into Kachemak Bay, is known for its excellent birdwatching, plenty of restaurants and shops, miles of walking beachfront, and picture-perfect mountain panoramas. Even though you'll probably spend most of your time here, you shouldn't pass on exploring across the water or going tide pooling at Bishop's Beach. Seldovia and Halibut Cove, two secluded boardwalk towns, are easily accessible by water taxi, and Kachemak Bay State Park is also a great day trip destination.

Homer, Alaska, one of the most picturesque cities on Kachemak Bay, offers a wide range of sights and activities. Explore one of the richest marine estuaries in the world, Kachemak Bay, or venture into Katmai National Park's wilderness to see the region with the highest concentration of brown bears on the planet. Prior to your visit, make sure to phone the restaurants and attractions to confirm the most recent operating hours.

Rankings:

• #6 in Best Places to Visit in Alaska

Location: Alaska

Get on the park bus for an action-packed tour of Denali National Park where you can spot wildlife and get up-close to Denali Mountain. Private vehicles aren't permitted past Mile 15 of the Park Road, thus this is your ticket to the park's central area. In addition, a certified naturalist will provide commentary on the bus. Other possibilities include flying in one way, taking a van tour (with less people), or renting a bike to explore the park on two wheels!

This national park, which is situated in the center of the Alaska Range, is well-known for housing the enormous Mount McKinley, also known as "Denali," which is the highest point in North America. Even while the difficulty of climbing Denali may entice bold alpinists, the majority of visitors choose alternative means to experience the area. One of the easiest ways is to take a narrated bus tour, where you may see "the big five" species of Denali's wildlife: moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and wolves, as well as learn about the park's history from a certified naturalist.

Rankings:

• #7 in Best Places to Visit in Alaska

Location: Alaska

The Harding Icefield is the source of approximately 40 glaciers that feed the Kenai Fjords National Park, which is the most popular destination on most Alaskan itineraries. Choose the full-day guided boat tour from Seward (anything less wouldn't do justice to the park's breathtaking grandeur), and keep an eye out for Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and humpback whales. If you're feeling daring, travel to Exit Glacier, the only area of the park accessible by car, and hike its mile-long Glacier View Loop Trail for unrivaled views of this natural wonder up close.

Wildlife watching is one of the most well-liked activities in Kenai Fjords National Park. Kenai has grown to be one of the most well-liked national parks in Alaska and is one of only three that can be reached by car. Numerous bird species and some of Alaska's most well-known marine and terrestrial mammals can be found in the nearby Seward Harbor and Resurrection Bay.

Rankings:

• #8 in Best Places to Visit in Alaska

Location: Alaska

The voyage may be a little difficult (there is no road access into or out of the park), but Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is so breathtaking that it is well worth it. West of Juneau, there is a national park that has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It contains more than 3 million acres of temperate rainforest, narrow fjords, and magnificent tidewater glaciers. Even though you'll probably travel through Glacier Bay on a cruise, think about taking a sea kayaking tour to get even closer to nature before spending the night in Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay's free campground.

In Glacier Bay National Park, Bartlett Cove is the only region that has been developed. In the midst of the Alaskan wilderness, Glacier Bay Lodge, the Park Visitor Center, Visitor Information Station, exhibitions, Park Headquarters, a number of trails, a public dock, kayak rentals, and walk-in camping offer a range of services. The remote settlement of Yakutat is located 50 miles southeast of the Glacier Bay National Preserve, which is situated along the rocky outer coast of Glacier Bay. The 55,000-acre Preserve, which is surrounded by vast and breathtaking natural lands, is well-liked for hunting, fishing, and other subsistence pursuits.

Rankings:

• #9 in Best Places to Visit in Alaska

Location: Alaska

The second-largest island in the nation is Kodiak Island, sometimes referred to as the Emerald Isle, and is located less than 100 miles off the coast of the Katmai National Park and Preserve. Visitors come to Kodiak Island hoping to see gray whales, Steller sea lions, and grazing bison, but it is most renowned for its exceptional bear viewing possibilities (the Kodiak bear is only found on Kodiak Island and its neighboring isles). When you're not taking advantage of Kodiak's numerous options for wildlife viewing, take a scenic drive down the Chiniak Highway for lovely views of gravel beaches, salmon streams, and unspoiled Alaskan nature.

Visitors visiting Kodiak Island, Alaska, will appreciate the chance to discover the region's natural treasures. The island offers a variety of activities for kayakers of all skill levels. A distinctive viewpoint on the island's rich marine resources and commercial fishing sector is provided by the Kodiak Maritime Museum. There are also guided kayak tours and ATV tours offered. All five types of salmon may be found on the island, which is famous for its fishing.

The "Road Zone," or eastern part of the island, has only a few roadways connecting it. Travelers can reach the secluded area by boat, float plane, or on rough ATV routes. The Kodiak grizzly bear lives in this remote region, which is covered in impenetrable forest. This elusive creature has a maximum length of ten feet and a weight of more than one thousand pounds.

Rankings:

• #10 in Best Places to Visit in Alaska

Location: Alaska