Exploring Alaska? Discover the Regional Favorites Cherished by the Native Residents.
Explore the natural beauty and rich culture of Alaska with our guide to some of the state's lesser-known treasures. From boating and hiking in stunning state parks to immersing yourself in the vibrant arts scene, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast and culture lover.
Contemporary Native Alaskan Art
First Friday events in Juneau and Anchorage offer opportunities to see contemporary Native Alaskan art. For those interested in learning more about Native art, Rico Worl, a local artist, recommends the Sealaska Heritage Institute in Juneau and Akela Space gallery in Anchorage.
Boating and Hiking in Alaska State Parks
Chugach State Park, located near Anchorage, is a favourite among locals and writers for its vast hiking trails and water sports opportunities. Eklutna Lake within the park provides canoe and kayak rentals, making it a popular spot for water exploration. The park's Eagle River area also offers rafting on Class II and III rapids.
K'esugi Ridge Trail, often called the crown jewel of hikes within Alaska State Parks, offers sweeping rideline views and alpine tundra hiking experiences. While some national parks are more popular, locals suggest exploring parks with a mix of coastal and inland waterways, such as those around Prince William Sound or Kenai Peninsula.
Cultural Festivals
The Cama-i Dance Festival in Bethel attracts groups from all over the world to showcase traditional dances of their cultures. Jesslyn Elliott, executive director of Bethel Friends of Canines, highlights the festival as a celebration of tradition and community through dance.
Exploring Alaska by Sea
Amy O'Neill Houck, co-publisher and co-editor of Edible Alaska magazine, recommends traveling on the Alaska State Ferry for unique experiences and beautiful sights. The Alaska State Ferry's onboard diner-style cafeteria serves reliable, filling meals, including fish and chips made from Alaskan cod.
Arts and History in Kodiak
Kodiak is home to the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository, which provides a more expansive history of the island, and the Kodiak History Museum, which offers information about the island's history, including the treatment of the Alutiiq people by Russian colonizers. The town of McCarthy, located within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, has a vibrant arts community and a rich history best experienced over multiple days.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
The town of McCarthy offers the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark, which offers guided tours, including Kennecott Mills, widely considered the tallest wooden building in the U.S. Hiking North Sister Mountain provides surreal views of the island's natural beauty.
Wood-Tikchik State Park
Don Rearden, a novelist and University of Alaska Anchorage associate professor, finds Wood-Tikchik State Park to be a place he can't get enough of. The park offers boating, hiking, caribou and bear watching, and fishing.
Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or a culture lover, Alaska's hidden gems offer a peaceful and unique experience for those seeking adventure and immersion in the natural beauty and rich culture of the Last Frontier.
- After exploring the natural beauty of Alaska's state parks, consider immersing oneself in contemporary Native Alaskan art at the Sealaska Heritage Institute in Juneau or Akela Space gallery in Anchorage.
- For those seeking a mix of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences, consider visiting K'esugi Ridge Trail in Alaska State Parks and, later, attending the Cama-i Dance Festival in Bethel to celebrate tradition and community through dance.
- Those who prefer to travel by sea should consider taking a trip on the Alaska State Ferry for unique experiences, beautiful sights, and delicious seafood, like Alaskan cod, in the onboard diner-style cafeteria.
- Art and history enthusiasts may find solace in Kodiak, home to the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository, the Kodiak History Museum, and a vibrant arts community in McCarthy within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
- Avid fishermen and hikers should definitely add Wood-Tikchik State Park to their list, praised by novelist and University of Alaska Anchorage associate professor Don Rearden for its variety of activities, including boating, hiking, caribou and bear watching, and fishing.
