Can’t Make It to Norway? This Remote Alaska Town Is the Next Best Thing

Alaska is home to many small towns that have a rich heritage and strong culture. Kenai, Kodiak, and Sitka, for example, each has deep Russian roots and are towns we recommend visiting at least once. But if you are dreaming of a European vacation and don’t want to travel too far overseas, we know of a remote community that deserves a spot on your bucket list—Petersburg. This waterfront town in Alaska is a little slice of Europe in the U.S. and one of our favorite places to recommend for an Alaskan getaway.

Just like traveling to Europe, your journey to Petersburg will require a little extra effort. This Alaskan town of approximately 3,000 people is an island community on Frederick Sound and is only accessible by water or air. For nearly 2,000 years, the Tlingit people have called this area home, but the town was officially founded in 1897 by Peter Buschmann of Norway. Today, the Norwegian heritage can be seen throughout the community, from street names and architecture to annual festivals.

When you first arrive, the spectacular scenery is what may catch your eye. Wharfs and boathouses surround Petersburg. Across the Frederick Sound, you’ll see glacier peaks, including the LeConte Glacier, the southernmost tidewater glacier in Alaska.

In the water, you may spot breaching whales, especially during the summer months, as this area is the feeding ground for hundreds of humpback whales. On land, homes and businesses line the streets. Many of the structures here feature distinctive Norwegian rosemaling, making you feel like you are walking along the streets of a small town in Norway, rather than in Alaska.

As you explore Petersburg, I recommend heading to Sing Lee Alley, a street featuring many historic buildings with strong Norwegian roots. The Social Hall, for example, is often the main gathering place for celebrating and honoring the Norwegian culture. If you time your visit right, you may even catch a performance or taste some Norwegian pastries.

Each May, the community hosts the Little Norway Festival, a four-day celebration of Norway's Independence Day. This popular and highly anticipated festival includes Norwegian clothing, games, dances, and a massive seafood buffet and shrimp feed.

And this is just the beginning of the things you can do in Petersburg. Spend an afternoon walking around the Clausen Memorial Museum, where you can learn more about the area's fishing history. Also, stop by Bojer Wikan Fishermen’s Memorial Park. This park is home to the Valhalla, a replica Viking ship, as well as a 9-foot sculpture of local fisherman Bojer Wikan, which honors his crew who were lost at sea.

For a little relaxation and fun outdoors, you can spend time at Sandy Beach Recreation Area, a popular place for discovering tide pools and home to ancient petroglyphs. There are also several bucket-list-worthy hiking trails near Petersburg, like the challenging Raven's Roost Trail.

Yes, a trip to Norway would be nice, but for a getaway a little closer to home, Petersburg is exquisite. It’s truly a little slice of Europe right here in the U.S.

Of course, if you are looking for even more travel inspiration, check out these 12 small towns in Alaska to visit, one for each month of the year. Make sure to also take a look at our list featuring some of the most colorful places to visit in Alaska. Each one is worthy of your bucket list.