8 Cozy Alaska Destinations To Visit In 2025
Given its dominating size, cozy might not be the word that comes to mind when you think of Alaska, but hidden in all that vast land are quant hidden villages and fishing towns with so much to offer. The Last Frontier provides multiple opportunities for adventure and leisure. I have gone from viewing the northern lights in an igloo to taking a snow-bound dog sled ride. If you make it to the 49th state, don鈥檛 pass on these eight cozy towns.
Seward
A little over two hours south of Anchorage is a small port city on an inlet in the Kenai Peninsula. The town is historically famous for being a supply center during the gold rush era. While in the town, which is also known for dog sledding, head over to Seavey鈥檚 IdidaRide, a dog farm owned by members of the Seavey family.
Tour the grounds and see how the dogs are taken care of year-round; take a dog sled ride, and if you鈥檙e lucky enough to be there when a new litter is born, cuddle up with some pups! If you prefer a relaxing day on the water instead, visit one of the kayak outfitters on Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. For a calming night, book a stay at the Harbor 360 Hotel. It offers panoramic views of mountains, the harbor, and Resurrection Bay.
Sitka
The serene town of Sitka is known for its natural beauty, scenery, and wildlife. Between the sea and the mountains, the most desired activities there involve hiking and water excursions. Sitka is home to the most hiking trails in all of Alaska, so there are plenty to choose from depending on what you want to see most. Sitka National Historical Park, Sitka Cross Trail, and Harbor Mountain all provide stunning views, with Harbor Mountain making you really work for the view.
The Sitka Cross Trail extends to an access point for the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, so this trail is a popular choice for tourists venturing on cruise liners. And speaking of cruises, Sitka offers multiple cruise options and trips. Take a fishing boat out with Sitka Expeditions or go whale watching in the Sitka Sound. The sound is home to not only whales but also sea lions, sea otters, and puffins. So, book a cruise, sit back, and keep your eyes peeled for all the wildlife this idyllic town has to offer. In the heart of Sitka is the Westmark Hotel, right on the harbor. The hotel offers views of both the Sitka Sound and Mount Edgecumbe.
Wrangell
One of the most unique attractions of Wrangell is its Petroglyph Beach State Historic Park. This beach is home to the highest population of petroglyphs in Southeast Alaska. There are over 40 unique petroglyphs to discover on the beach; most of them are toward a tidal outcropping right upon entering the beach. The petroglyphs are believed to mark significant historical events, victories, or religious rituals.
After a serene walk on the beach, take on a larger excursion and visit Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the US. It is also one of the best places to try and catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. If you are able to get out there during the fall, book a stay at the Kennecott River Lodge for the best possible views of the lights. Enjoy the tranquility of the sky lit up with greens and purples from the comfort of your hotel room. Wrangell might be a more desolate area of the state, but it is not short on sights.
Ketchikan
If you find yourself in Ketchikan, don鈥檛 miss out on the opportunity to visit Misty Fjords National Monument. This monument has options for exploration by boat or seaplane. So, depending on how you want to view the snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and clear lakes, hop aboard either a boat or helicopter and head to the Tongass National Forest to visit this tranquil beauty.
Ketchikan has more than just stunning views; Southeast Alaska also houses one of the highest densities of black bears in the 海角社区! Mid-summer and early fall in Traitor鈥檚 Cove are the best times to try and spot a black bear. Most bear tours are available by boat as the bears will be by the shoreline fishing for salmon during those times. End the night by staying at The Inn at Creek Street, right in the heart of the town, and enjoy all the town has to offer. Including salmon watching from the planks.
Fairbanks
Like Wrangell, Fairbanks is another popular destination to view the Norther Lights. Fairbanks is under the 鈥淎uroral Oval,鈥� which is one of the areas with heavy viewing activity. There are many opportunities to stay in the wilderness for a few nights to try and get a few chances to see the lights, overnight at a remote wilderness lodge or in a dome with a clear roof for optimal viewing.
The Borealis Basecamp offers these once-in-a-lifetime viewing packages with accommodations of either a cozy igloo or a cube, yes, a cube, with plenty of windows to take in all the wilderness has to offer. For a more thrilling expedition, take a tour of the Castner Glacier Ice Cave. Enjoy the quiet and solitude of this mystical state with a tour through this 2.6-mile frozen cave. It offers self-guided tours so you can view its beauty at your own leisure.
Talkeetna
Where else can you enjoy a fireside cookout in the company of reindeer but in Alaska? Start your night by walking the path adorned with Scandinavian ice lanterns and finish it fireside with a fire built from Swedish logs. At the end of the path, you鈥檒l also find the reindeer waiting to be hand-fed. After feeding the reindeer, enjoy a beverage by the fire before taking the path back. If you visit Talkeetna during the right time of the year, you could get lucky and possibly catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Talkeetna sits at the junction of three rivers: the Susitna, Talkeetna, and the Chulitna. Make sure to take advantage of all that river access and book a fishing trip while there. With multiple outfitters available and plenty of fishing methods to pick from, your day can be as tranquil or exhilarating as you choose. Walk the shores, take a jet boat, or try Heli fishing. If you want to book a stay in Talkeetna, spend the night at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. This resort sits higher than any other accommodations for miles around and has the best view of Mount Denali.
Homer
Hiking tours through snow and ice are one of the unique experiences of visiting Alaska, and Homer provides some beautiful views to behold. Take a blissful hike in Kachemak Bay State Park, traverse through forests and streams, and enjoy lakes with crystal clear water. While hiking, keep an eye out for moose, eagles, and bears, all of which call the bay their home. At the end of the hike, you鈥檒l come to Grewingk Glacier, a 13-mile-long glacier in the Kenai Mountains.
If you want to spend more time on land but still view the striking water views, take a walk down the Homer Spit. The Spit itself measures 4.5 miles and juts into Kachemak Bay. Along the spit, there is an abundance of shops and restaurants that provide a relaxing afternoon of shopping and dining. Stay in the center of all the action in Homer at the Driftwood Inn. Stay either at the Seaside and Bluffview Lodge, Woodside Lodge, or the Historic Inn. All of these unique accommodations make any of them a good place to stay.
Skagway
Come to Skagway and take a historic train ride along the White Pass and Yukon Route. The Bennett Scenic Journey takes you further down the pass than any other excursion. Book a trip and sit back during the 120-mile roundtrip ride and marvel at the breathtaking sites. It was in 1897 when people began flocking over the pass.
What brought on this surge? Gold! After a few months of climbing over the pass on foot, travelers tried to come up with an easier way to traverse the conditions. It took a lot of brainstorming and a lot of trial and error, but eventually, the White Summit Pass train line was constructed. To this day, you can still take the same trail the prospectors took over 100 years ago. After a peaceful train ride, enjoy a stay at the Chilkoot Trail Outpost, where you will have the luxury of staying in your own cabin.
Embrace Alaska's Unique Retreats
Something about the snow, ice, and solitude makes Alaska a cozier destination than one might think. Not to mention, many accommodations include your own private cabin in the woods for complete privacy. The excursions can be as peaceful or rugged as you prefer for your trip. Flyfish along the salmon hunting bears or sit back on a charted cruise while looking for whales. So, book your trip according to your preference and enjoy all the tranquility the Last Frontier has to offer.
