The 7 Small Towns in Alaska With the Best Downtown Areas

There’s no better place to be than the charming, small towns in Alaska. While many are absolutely gorgeous and home to friendly locals, many of the best communities have delightful downtown areas that are begging to be explored. We've rounded up just seven charming towns in Alaska with downtowns that will make you swoon. So, the next time you plan a weekend trip, consider adding one of the following destinations to your travel itinerary.

1. McCarthy, Alaska

McCarthy is a bit unique as this small town is actually located inside Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The gateway to everything beautiful in this area, there’s a small downtown area with a couple of restaurants, a gift store, a general store, and even a saloon. Keep in mind that you must walk into town—there is no direct road access—adding even more to the remote, peaceful vibe of town. Come check out this peek into what feels like the original Wild Wild West!

2. Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan’s downtown is one you won’t soon forget. Suspended on boardwalks over the creek, this stunning downtown is flagged with colorful buildings and stunning views. There are tons of great places to explore in the area, including art galleries, restaurants, and even places to stay, right on the boardwalk. Make sure during a visit to Ketchikan, Alaska, that you not only explore historic Creek Street, but also admire the totem pole parks around town—Ketchikan is home to the world’s largest collection of totem poles after all. Plus, if you want gorgeous views and some outdoor adventures, tackle one of the many hikes in the area, like the bucket-list-worthy Deer Mountain Trail.

3. Skagway, Alaska

Skagway used to be the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush. Ships would dock in before miners would head on up the Pass and into the Yukon. Downtown Skagway was built up over the years and is now a great area with a ton of history. Stroll around and hit any of the many shops along the way. This is a historic town in Alaska that's perfect for a weekend adventure. Along with exploring the downtown area, if you want a true Alaska experience, take one of the dog sledding tours in the area or even hike portions of the Chilkoot Trail, a challenging trail through the backcountry that is steep, more than 30 miles long, and absolutely beautiful.

4. Talkeetna, Alaska

Talkeetna is pretty famous, especially in the climbing world. Known as the first stop on your travels to Denali Mountain, this town is filled with climbing history! It’s also a stop on the Alaska Railroad, and downtown is filled with fun. Check out Nagley’s Store, an old-time general store, stop and grab a famous pie at the Talkeetna Roadhouse, or hit one of the tasty breweries you can walk to from the railroad.

5. Sitka, Alaska

Sitka’s downtown is gorgeous, with a ton of great little shops lining the street. Sitka, as Alaska’s first capital, is a bustling small town with a big personality. There are wonderful gift shops, cute little cafes, and amazing restaurants all within a great walking distance and within the shadow of the majestic mountains behind them. This is a wonderful downtown to explore and one of our favorite walkable towns in Alaska.

6. Homer, Alaska

You could say that Homer has three downtowns. You have Old Homer, and the strip of businesses right by the ocean with restaurants, cafes, and art galleries, all near the popular Bishop's Beach. Or you have the long Homer Spit, a wonderful area filled with restaurants, shops, and bars, situated on the land jutting into Kachemak Bay. There is also the traditional "downtown" Homer, with museums, great food, and even a small movie theater. There are so many great places to explore in Homer.

7. Juneau, Alaska

Juneau is the biggest "small town" on the list, but this is one enviable downtown, so we had to include it. It may be Alaska’s capital, but it has all the charm of any of these small towns on the list. Downtown is perfectly walkable and filled with tons of great Alaska history. Walk down to the docks, hit any of the tasty restaurants, or hike one of the trails that start right in downtown Juneau.

Do you love the small towns in Alaska? If so, you aren't alone. We have so many favorite places to explore, especially in the many charming downtowns throughout the state. If you are looking for even more travel inspiration, check out some of our favorite Alaska hidden gems or even consider tackling one of these road trip itineraries.