Hidden Gems in Alaska
Discover Alaska’s hidden gems, from the historical Eklutna Park to the quirky Hammer Museum. Explore trails, wildlife, and local culture in our top 10 overlooked attractions. Visit once, and you’ll long to return to the Frontier State!
It is no secret that Alaska is home to stunning wild nature and fascinating cities and towns. The northernmost state in the US boasts breathtaking scenery and rugged, undeveloped nature all around.
Dubbed “the Last Frontier” because of its awe-inspiring remoteness, Alaska is a popular destination because of its natural beauty, fascinating wildlife, and unique culture.
Visitors flock to Alaska in search of adventure, whether it is getting close to a glacier, viewing wildlife, chasing northern lights, or exploring famous cities like Anchorage or Fairbanks. Kenai Fjords and Denali National Parks, as well as the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, are not-to-be-missed attractions, especially for first-timers, but there is more to Alaska worth seeing.
From spectacular natural rural scenes to charming towns and interesting museums, some of the best places to explore are hidden gems in Alaska that you can find if you know where to look.
If you’re fond of getting off the beaten path in search of what’s beyond the usual destination, this list of lesser-known attractions in the Frontier State is for you.
Alaska Unveiled: A Guide to Its Lesser-Known Marvels
#1 Wrangell
Located in Southeast Alaska, Wrangell is one of the oldest towns in the area and a fantastic destination, especially if you are aiming to experience authentic Alaska away from the crowds of cruise ports and popular towns.
With a unique history and heritage from four nations that have claimed it – the Tlingit people, Russians, British, and, finally, Americans – Wrangell has many tales to tell history buffs and casual visitors alike. If that wasn’t enough, Wrangell and its surroundings boast stunning beaches, glaciers, mountains, and wildlife.
Visit the Wrangler Museum to learn about the area’s history, then explore the Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site to see ancient rock carvings. When you’ve had your dose of history and culture and are ready for some close and personal contact with nature, head to the Anan Wildlife Observatory to view bears in the summer. For boating, fishing, and kayaking, Stikine River is the place to go.
#2 Kennicott Ghost Town
Set deep in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Kennicott, a virtual ghost town that houses what remains of a once important and prosperous mining center.
After copper was discovered in the mountains above the Kennicott and Root glaciers, the Kennicott Copper Corporation was formed, bringing a lot of workers to town. Soon, businesses flourished, with shops, restaurants, and barber shops opening up to cater to the newcomers. Sadly, in 1938, all mining activity stopped and almost everyone left.
Because of the high cost of transportation, most of the equipment and machinery were left behind. Today, you can enter the old buildings and see the machinery up close while you listen to stories of bygone days in Kennicott. Many buildings from that time are still in use, which will add to the feeling of having stepped back in time.
#3 Miller Comb Museum
If unique and somewhat bizarre collections are your jam, the Miller Comb Museum in Homer is right up your alley.
This interesting museum houses the biggest collection of hair combs in the world, with more than 3,000 items displayed. You’ll find all kinds of hair combs made from all types of materials, big and small, simple and lavish, new and antique, colorful and sober. The collection includes hair combs from many countries in the world.
But how in the world did so many hair combs get together? They belong to Mrs. Miller, who fell in love with ornamental combs when she was a beauty school student in the 1950s.
It was then that she realized that besides being useful accessories, they were beautiful ornaments. She searched high and low to add pieces to her collection, often finding real treasures in second-hand markets, vintage stores, and boutiques.
#4 Gustavus
Gustavus is a friendly, peaceful town close to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.
While many people cruise by the bay town while exploring the park, few ever stop, even though it has a lot to offer. Boasting an artsy vibe, galleries and shops exhibit the works of local painters, sculptors, jewelers, and woodcarvers. You’ll find a nice selection of restaurants with a casual, laid-back vibe to keep you busy.
As for outdoor adventures, exploring Glacier Bay National Park and hiking the Nagoonberry Loop Trail are popular activities. Beachcombing, fishing, and kayaking are on the menu as well.
#5 Eklutna Historical Park
Eklutna National Park is a fantastic place to learn about the history and culture of the Dena’ina Athabascans, who arrived in South-central Alaska about 1,500 years ago.
It is estimated that between the years 1,500 and 2,000, Dena’ina Athabascans live in the state today. It is also a great place to understand how the Orthodox Christian faith blended with the Athabascan people’s culture and spiritual traditions.
One of the most fascinating attractions in the park is to see the Burial Spirit Houses, which are a product of the Athabaskan tradition of families building colorful houses for relatives who pass away.
The graves of Athabasans are marked with traditional spirit houses but also with Orthodox Christian crosses. Other points of interest are the old St. Nicholas church, built in 1870, and the new Saint Nicholas Church that the people of Eklutna built in 1962.
#6 Skagway
Founded in 1887 as a very small settlement for men who arrived to work at the new mines, Skagway flourished during the Klondike Gold Rush.
Today, the town preserves many of the buildings that were built during the gold mining days. Unlike other former mining towns, Skagway wasn’t completely abandoned, partly because of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad.
Dubbed “the scenic railway of the world”, it takes visitors on a historic and scenic journey. You will go up 3,000 feet to get spectacular views of glaciers, lush forests, gorges, and other natural beauties.
Like most towns in Alaska, Skagway is backdropped by breathtaking natural beauty. If you’re not too keen on heights, Skagway has you covered, as you can also explore the natural treasures by hiking. There are several trails that go from an easy 1.6-mile out-and-back to the world-renowned 33-mile hike to Chilkoot Trail.
#7 Bear Lake
Located a short drive from Seward, Bear Lake is the place to go if you want to mingle with the locals with not too many tourists around.
The beautiful lake is a popular destination with Alaskans, who sometimes brave the chilly waters in a refreshing – or rather chilling – summertime dip.
Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and canoeing are popular activities here. Keep your eyes peeled for salmon swimming in the crystal-clear waters, bears fishing for their dinner, and eagles soaring overhead.
During winter, you’ll find many locals ice skating on the lake’s frozen surface. You might want to enjoy some cross-country skiing and snowshoe hiking on snowy days.
#8 Shrine of St. Therese
Rising on a small tidal island a mere 20 miles from Juneau, the Shrine of St. Therese can be easily reached by a causeway.
Built by volunteers to honor Alaska’s patron saint, a Carmelite nun born in France in the early 1870s who died at the age of 24, the shrine resembles a rural French church.
The beautiful stone chapel’s interior is somewhat plain, with a simple wooden altar, a small cross, and a few candles, adding to the feeling that it could very well sit in the countryside in France. Follow the Good Shepherd Rosary Trail to see the replica of The Pieta by Michelangelo, or take a stroll in the serene gardens to get some amazing views.
#9 Diamond Creek Trail
Located four miles from Homer, the two-mile Diamond Creek Trail is a delight for hikers and nature lovers. Going along lovely Kachemak Bay, the trail will allow you to see stunning beach views, tide pools, forest, and fascinating wildlife.
Be on the lookout for otters, ducks, eagles, crabs, and other wildlife swimming in the ocean or flying through the sky. You could even get lucky and see a whale!
#10 The Hammer Museum
Founded by David Pahl, a man from Ohio who moved to Alaska and went on to learn the blacksmith trade, the Hammer Museum is yet another quirky museum in the Frontier State.
As the name may have clued you in already, the Hammer Museum showcases a big collection of hammers, with all kinds of them on display. You’ll find hammers in all sizes and colors, from those used by the ancient Romans to modern-day tools used by builders, doctors, auctioneers, and judges.
Whether you’re a carpenter, a DIY, a builder, or just a fan of quirky museums, you’ll find the Hammer Museum to be pretty unusual. In fact, it is one of the few museums dedicated to hammers in the whole world. Outside the building, a gigantic one greets visitors and “poses” for pictures, too!
Have you ever been to the Frontier State? What are some other incredible hidden gems in Alaska that everyone should visit at least once? Let us know in the comment section below!
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