Best Places to Visit in Southeast Alaska: Ultimate Inside Passage Destination Guide
Southeast Alaska is one of the most breathtaking regions in the United States. Known as the Alaskan Panhandle, this remote slice of the state is home to lush temperate rainforests, towering mountains, wild coastlines, and massive glaciers.
If Southeast Alaska isn’t on your USA bucket list yet—it’s time to add it!
Stretching nearly 600 miles along North America’s Pacific Coast, the Alaskan Panhandle is a maze of waterways, dramatic fjords, isolated towns, and thousands of islands collectively known as the Alexander Archipelago. These steep, forested islands are part of the Tongass National Forest—the largest intact temperate rainforest left in the world—and they feel like a place lost in time.
This is Alaska’s last frontier. No roads connect Southeast Alaska to the rest of the state. The only ways in? By air or sea. Most visitors fly into Juneau, the region’s main hub.
By sea, travelers navigate the famed Inside Passage, a network of channels weaving through the Alexander Archipelago. Cruise ships and ferries sail this route to reach Southeast Alaska’s remote towns and wild landscapes.
Many explore the Inside Passage by cruise—it’s the easiest and often most affordable way to visit. But adventurous travelers can also ride the Alaska Marine Highway System, a ferry that runs from Bellingham, Washington, all the way to Anchorage, connecting most major ports in Southeast Alaska.
How you travel depends on where you want to go. Cruises stop at many popular towns, but some places are only accessible by smaller vessels or planes. And with so many unique destinations—from Juneau’s museums and breweries to Ketchikan’s seaside charm and Skagway’s gold rush history—it can be tough to choose.
Whether you’re after wildlife, rich history, world-class fishing, or the dramatic beauty of North America’s fjordlands, Southeast Alaska will capture your imagination.
Here are the top places to visit in Southeast Alaska, listed from south to north—each with highlights and tips on how to get there. Let’s dive in!
Best Places to Visit in Southeast Alaska
Ketchikan: Gateway to Alaska’s Inside Passage
Ketchikan is truly the gateway to Alaska’s last frontier. Nestled at the southern entrance of the famed Inside Passage, this vibrant town earned its nickname as “Alaska’s First City” thanks to its strategic location connecting the Gulf of Alaska to Puget Sound.
Built between steep, forested hills and the waterfront, Ketchikan stretches out in a long, narrow strip—most of the town lies just a few blocks from the shoreline. This small coastal community is surrounded by some of the most jaw-dropping wilderness in the world. It sits in the heart of the Tongass National Forest, making it an ideal place to book a floatplane tour and witness Southeast Alaska’s spectacular scenery from above.
Beyond its natural beauty, Ketchikan is steeped in Native Alaskan heritage. It’s home to the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles, which you can admire at places like Totem Bight State Park, Saxman Totem Park, and the Totem Heritage Center.
Don’t miss a stroll along Creek Street, a colorful boardwalk perched above Ketchikan Creek. Once the town’s notorious red-light district, this historic area is now lined with shops, galleries, and museums—but it still holds plenty of stories from its wilder days.
How to Get to Ketchikan: The only ways to reach Ketchikan are by air or sea—there are no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska.
By plane: If you’re flying, you’ll arrive at Ketchikan International Airport on Gravina Island. From there, you’ll take a quick ferry ride across the Tongass Narrows to reach Ketchikan on Revillagigedo Island. The airport ferry runs frequently between 6:15 a.m. and 9:30 p.m..
By sea: Travelers coming by sea can take the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry, which connects Ketchikan to Bellingham, Washington, as well as other Southeast Alaska towns. Ketchikan is also a popular stop on Inside Passage cruise itineraries, making it easy to visit by cruise ship.
Where to stay in Ketchikan: The Landing Hotel and Salmon Falls Resort
Juneau: Alaska’s Capital City Surrounded by Wilderness
As the capital of Alaska, Juneau is not only a major travel hub but also one of the most scenic cities in the United States. Surrounded by towering mountains and lush forests, Juneau makes an excellent base for exploring Southeast Alaska—and it’s packed with incredible sights of its own.
If you have just one day to explore, start downtown. Nestled at the base of Mount Juneau, this compact district is easily walkable and filled with local charm. Wander along South Franklin Street, Front Street, and Heritage Square, where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and historic landmarks. Don’t miss a stop at the legendary Red Dog Saloon, known for its quirky Alaskan memorabilia and lively atmosphere.
No visit to Juneau is complete without seeing Mendenhall Glacier—one of North America’s most stunning and accessible glaciers. Located just 13 miles from downtown, it’s easy to reach via a shuttle bus for a small fee. From the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, it’s a short, flat walk to viewing platforms overlooking the glacier. Be sure to take the trail to Nugget Falls, where a powerful cascade crashes beside the glacier.
For a quieter adventure, hike to the glacier’s east side, where fewer visitors venture. Here, you can soak up pristine forest views and peaceful glacier scenery—often with the place all to yourself.
If you’re craving a classic Alaska experience, don’t leave without going whale watching. Juneau is one of the best places in the world to see humpback whales, and local tours frequently offer unforgettable close encounters.
How to Get to Juneau: Juneau is accessible only by air or sea—there are no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska.
By plane: Several major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Delta, United, and American, offer flights to Juneau. The easiest connections are from Seattle, Anchorage, or Fairbanks.
By sea: You can also reach Juneau by cruise ship or via the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry, which links many Southeast Alaska towns.
Where to stay in Juneau: Four Points By Sheraton
Glacier Bay National Park: A Bucket List Wilderness
Spanning more than three million acres of rugged mountains, lush temperate rainforest, and—of course—towering glaciers, Glacier Bay National Park is one of the wildest, most remote places in the United States. It’s home to an incredible 1,045 named glaciers!
For most visitors, the biggest draw is the park’s seven tidewater glaciers. Four of these actively calve icebergs into the bay, creating dramatic crashes as massive chunks of ice break off and tumble into the sea. If witnessing this spectacular natural event is on your bucket list, there’s no better place in the U.S. to see it.
Beyond glaciers, the park also boasts the stunning Fairweather Mountain Range, hidden coves draped in emerald forests, and abundant wildlife—from humpback whales to bears.
Glacier Bay is considered the top natural attraction in Southeast Alaska, drawing visitors from around the world. However, getting there requires planning—there are no roads leading into the park. It’s accessible only by air or sea.
Most travelers visit Glacier Bay by cruise ship, which is often the easiest and most affordable way to experience the park. Many weeklong Alaska cruises departing from Seattle include a day in Glacier Bay, along with stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan.
For a more independent adventure, you can fly from Juneau to Gustavus, then drive to Bartlett Cove—the park’s gateway—where a small tour boat departs daily to explore the bay’s glaciers and wildlife.
The easiest way to reach Glacier Bay is by air. During the summer season, Alaska Airlines offers daily flights from Juneau to Gustavus (GST), just 48 miles away. Alaska Seaplanes also provides year-round flights between Juneau and Gustavus.
Other options include traveling by cruise ship or taking the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry, though ferry service to Gustavus is limited.
Where To Stay In Glacier Bay: Glacier Bay Lodge / Princess Cruises
Sitka: A Historic Gem on the Outer Coast
With a population of just over 8,600, Sitka is the second-largest city in Southeast Alaska after Juneau. Located on Baranof Island along the outer coast of the Inside Passage, Sitka offers a fascinating mix of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Sitka’s story stretches back more than 10,000 years, beginning with the Tlingit people, who first settled here. Later, in 1808, Sitka became the capital of Russian America, leaving behind a unique blend of Russian and Native heritage that’s still visible today.
One of the top places to visit is Sitka National Historical Park, a 107-acre site preserving the battlefield where the Tlingit fought invading Russian forces in 1804. Stroll through scenic trails lined with towering Tlingit and Haida totem poles, and don’t miss the Russian Bishop’s House—a rare surviving relic of Russia’s colonial era in North America.
Another must-see is the Baranof Castle State Historic Site (also known as Castle Hill), where Russian Alaska was formally transferred to the United States in 1867. A short walk to the top of Castle Hill rewards visitors with panoramic views of downtown Sitka and its stunning waterfront.
Like most communities in Southeast Alaska, Sitka is accessible only by air or sea—there are no roads connecting it to the mainland.
The most common way to reach Sitka is by air. Flights from Juneau or Anchorage are available year-round, with Alaska Airlines offering regular service. Alaska Seaplanes also provides commuter flights throughout Southeast Alaska.
Sitka is also a stop on some cruise itineraries, making it possible to visit by sea during the cruise season.
Where To Stay In Sitka: Westmark Sitka
When is the best time to visit Southeast Alaska?
The best time to visit Southeast Alaska is from June through September. June, July, and August bring the warmest weather and the longest days—with over 18 hours of daylight in summer, giving you plenty of time to explore the great outdoors!
Wildlife is especially active in summer, with bears, sea otters, seals, and whales most commonly spotted in June and July.
Temperatures start to cool in September, but it’s a beautiful time to see vibrant fall colors. Just keep in mind that some businesses and tour operators begin closing for the season by then.
Winter visits are generally not recommended, as much of the region slows down and many services shut down.
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