Southeast Alaska Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Southeast Alaska - Inside Passage showing mist or fog, a sunset and bird life
Southeast Alaska
Ketchikan featuring an aircraft and aircraft
Southeast Alaska - Inside Passage
Mendenhall Glacier which includes forests and a lake or waterhole

Soaring mountain peaks tumble down into icy, glacier-blue waters in the Inside Passage, one of Alaska’s most dramatic, accessible and wildlife-rich regions.

Drift along the coastline or hike through the mountains of Southeast Alaska, also known as the Inside Passage, for a voyage into a majestically beautiful region. This spectacular corner of Alaska is also the home of the state capital, Juneau, as well as some of the area’s most engaging cultural attractions.

Competing international interests have left Southeast Alaska with a multifaceted cultural history. Visit the town of Wrangell to discover the different legacies left by four separate nations, the Stikine Tlingits, Russia, Great Britain and the United States. Explore ancient sites with totem poles and petroglyphs then visit the Wrangell Museum to learn about Alaska’s indigenous communities.

Use the capital city of Juneau as your gateway to the Inside Passage. Visit the Alaska State Museum to discover stories from the region’s past. Ride the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway for views of the city and surrounding scenery from about 1,800 feet (550 meters) up in the air.

Bring your skis to Southeast Alaska in winter for fun in the mountains. Hit the slopes at Eaglecrest Ski Area or try out cross-country skiing in Skagway.

The Inside Passage is full of opportunities for spotting Alaska’s glorious wildlife. Wait breathlessly for a sighting of America’s national bird in the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve or join a boat trip onto the ocean to spot orcas, humpback whales and more.

Spend your days exploring the stunning scenery of Southeast Alaska. Listen for the sound of calving glaciers at the Norris Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. For a novel way of experiencing the landscape, ride a dog sled through the wilderness.

Fly into Juneau International Airport from destinations around the U.S. to land in the heart of Southeast Alaska. As the most southerly region of the state, the Inside Passage has a milder climate than the rest of Alaska. Visit in summer for warms days by the ocean or come in winter for cold but palatable days, when the landscapes are covered in a thick blanket of snow.

Where to stay in Southeast Alaska

Juneau showing dog sledding, landscape views and snow

Downtown Juneau

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

Downtown Juneau is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Mount Roberts Tramway and Alaska State Capitol while you're in town.

Downtown Juneau
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Mendenhall Valley

If you're spending some time in Mendenhall Valley, Alaska Powder Descents and Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure are top sights worth seeing.

Mendenhall Valley
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North Douglas

If you're spending some time in North Douglas, Eaglecrest Ski Area and Gastineau Channel are top sights worth seeing.

North Douglas
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West Juneau

While West Juneau isn't home to many top sights, Alaska State Capitol and Mount Roberts Tramway are some notable places to visit nearby.

West Juneau
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Back Loop

When in Back Loop, you can plan a visit to Mendenhall Ice Caves and Nugget Falls, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Back Loop
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Salmon Creek

While Salmon Creek may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Macaulay Salmon Hatchery and Alaska State Capitol.

Salmon Creek
Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau

Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau

2 out of 5
2295 Trout St, Juneau, AK
The price is AU$199 per night from 20 Oct to 21 Oct
AU$199
20 Oct - 21 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly motel in Juneau. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,015 reviews)
"It was great to have airport shuttle and they arrived so quickly!"

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau
Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau

Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau

2 out of 5
9200 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK
The price is AU$183 per night from 20 Oct to 21 Oct
AU$183
20 Oct - 21 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Juneau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (925 reviews)
"Convenient airport hotel. Good shuttle service"

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau
The Landing Hotel & Restaurant

The Landing Hotel & Restaurant

3 out of 5
3434 Tongass Ave, Ketchikan, AK
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ketchikan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (658 reviews)
"Know before you go... local shuttle is very limited."

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

The Landing Hotel & Restaurant
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Oceanfront Douglas Island Gem - Humble Halibut 2-bedroom condo Juneau

Oceanfront Douglas Island Gem - Humble Halibut 2-bedroom condo Juneau

Juneau
Book a stay at this beach condo in Juneau. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Juneau Arts and Humanities Council and ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
"Great VRBO! 3 of us stayed here very comfortably. There are lots of stairs to get in and another flight in the house. It was fine for us but might be difficult for someone else.The view is just stunning. Fun to watch all the cruise ships coming in and out of the channel. Bedrooms and bath are downstairs. ..."

Reviewed on 25 Sept 2025

Oceanfront Douglas Island Gem - Humble Halibut 2-bedroom condo Juneau
Brand New! 2 Bed condo with AC, 5 mins Juneau Airport

Brand New! 2 Bed condo with AC, 5 mins Juneau Airport

Juneau
Stay at this condo in Juneau. Enjoy laundry facilities, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Mendenhall Glacier and Glacier Gardens ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (14 reviews)
"grocery less than a mile and scenic downtown close by"

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

Brand New! 2 Bed condo with AC, 5 mins Juneau Airport
Cozy 1 bedroom apartment in Enjoyable Ketchikan with WiFi.

Cozy 1 bedroom apartment in Enjoyable Ketchikan with WiFi.

2 out of 5
Ketchikan
Stay at this vacation home in Ketchikan. Enjoy free WiFi and patios. Popular attractions Port of Ketchikan and Misty Fiords National Monument are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
"Small, but worked for what we needed."

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

Cozy 1 bedroom apartment in Enjoyable Ketchikan with WiFi.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Cities near Southeast Alaska

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