Alaska is Full of Great Cities and Towns

There are many wonderful Alaska cities and towns in some of the most scenic, beautiful places imaginable. Your Alaska travel should definitely include some of these great places, each with its own unique, local flavor.

Some of My Favorite Towns…

Alaska cities and towns are great places to visit. I definitely haven’t visited all of them, yet. But, I’ve seen a lot of Alaska in the time that I’ve been here. Some of my favorites are Seward, Valdez, Talkeetna and Palmer.

• Seward is located at the end of the Seward Highway on the Kenai Peninsula, and is an awe-inspiring place surrounded by towering mountains and protected seas. It’s the main base of exploration for Kenai Fjords National Park, and a great place to go on kayaking or whale-watching tours. For more info about Seward, click here.
• Valdez is at the end of the Richardson Highway on Prince William Sound, and the end of the famous oil pipeline from the North Slope. It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been so far. It’s also the most scenic drive I’ve ever been on.
• Talkeetna, in the Susitna Valley, is also close to my heart, with its own “unique” culture. There’s a good mix of mountaineers, hippies, “granolas”, and some people who just want to enjoy a slower pace. There’s also a great appreciation for beer, from home-brew to full-fledged breweries. In fact, Talkeetna’s unofficial motto reads, “Talkeetna, AK… A quaint little drinking town with a climbing problem.” It’s the main hub for anyone attempting to summit Mt. McKinley, or Denali as it’s known locally. Every prospective climber has to pass through the Park Service Ranger Station to register for their climb.  Talkeetna is a pretty quick drive from my home and a great day trip or overnight getaway for our family.  For more info about Talkeetna, click here.
• Palmer is right here in the Mat-Su Valley, where I call home. I love Palmer. It has the “main street America” feel, with farming and agriculture all around(some of the most fertile ground in America) alongside a budding art scene with coffee shops, galleries and cafes. I try to spend as much time there as possible. Check out more info about Palmer Alaska here.
  

I’m definitely more of a town person than a city person, but I know that’s not the case with everyone. Alaska has three main “cities” (population over 25,000).

• Anchorage is the main hub of activity in the state with more than half of the population. If you’re traveling to Alaska by air, this will most likely be your gateway into the state. And, if you’re traveling by road, there’s a good chance you’ll pass through.
• Fairbanks is the next largest city, and a great hub for lots of locals living in the bush of Interior Alaska, as well as a gateway to northern Alaska and the Arctic.
• Juneau is the is the smallest of the three Alaska cities, nestled in the lush region of Southeast Alaska. It also has the distinction of being the Alaska state capital, (I can’t imagine a more picturesque seat of government).

There’s many other towns sprinkled throughout the state: Kenai, Soldotna, Hope, Whittier, Girdwood, Cordova, Ketchikan, Glenallen, Nome, North Pole and Barrow just to name a few.

There are so many great Alaska cities and towns to visit on your Alaska travel vacation, or even new places to check out if you’re a local. Let us be your Alaska travel guide to exploring this amazing place.

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