Southeast Alaska

Travel Guide

Southeast Alaska - Inside Passage showing mist or fog, a river or creek and a sunset
Southeast Alaska
Ketchikan featuring an aircraft and aircraft
Southeast Alaska - Inside Passage
Mendenhall Glacier which includes a lake or waterhole and forest scenes

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 which includes dog sledding, snow and landscape views

Downtown Juneau

4.5/5(3 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
Default Image

Mendenhall Valley

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

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

Mendenhall Valley
Default Image

North Douglas

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

North Douglas
Default Image

West Juneau

While West Juneau isn't home to many top sights, Alaska Governor's Mansion and Alaska State Capitol are some notable places to visit nearby.

West Juneau
Skagway featuring signage

Downtown Skagway

You'll enjoy the mountain views and gardens in Downtown Skagway. You might want to make time for a stop at Trail of '98 Museum or Captain William Moore Cabin.

Downtown Skagway
Default Image

Back Loop

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

Back Loop
Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau
Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau
2 out of 5
9200 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK
The price is S$292 per night from 9 Jul to 10 Jul
S$292
9 Jul - 10 Jul
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! (834 reviews)
"Even though its an older property, it was clean, staff was pleasant and efficient, and room was large. Comfy bed. Close to several eating places."

Reviewed on 27 Jun, 2025

Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau
Baranof Downtown, BW Signature Collection
Baranof Downtown, BW Signature Collection
3 out of 5
127 N Franklin St, Juneau, AK
The price is S$383 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
S$383
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Juneau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (931 reviews)
"The room was updated with clean and new carpet, extremely comfortable mattress and bedding, great tv with lots of options to watch, clean and remodeled bathroom, nice bath mirror and shower, bath products, bath lighting was new. No nasty smells. Biggest downside is old, hot water radiator heating ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jun, 2025

Baranof Downtown, BW Signature Collection
Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau
Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau
2 out of 5
2295 Trout St, Juneau, AK
The price is S$299 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
S$299
27 Jul - 28 Jul
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! (934 reviews)
"all was good."

Reviewed on 29 Jun, 2025

Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau
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.
Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals
Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals
3 out of 5
17351 E Michele Drive, Talkeetna, AK
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Talkeetna. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (389 reviews)
"My family absolutely loved our stay at Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge. We were warmly welcomed to a beautiful cabin that even had our name on it! The bed was incredibly cozy, the kitchen was fully equipped for preparing delicious meals, and the bathroom was spotless with a great shower and high-quality ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun, 2025

Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals
Denali Tri-Valley Cabins
Denali Tri-Valley Cabins
3.5 out of 5
1/10th Mile Lester Road, Healy, AK
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in Healy. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Tri-Valley Community Library and Black Diamond ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (429 reviews)
"we just got back from an eight-day mid-June trip to Alaska and I sure wish we'd been able to stay more than one night in the Big Dipper cabin. We just loved the place! Clean and very cozy. Super comfortable beds. The curtains separating the one queen bed from the main room and other queen bed were ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jun, 2025

Denali Tri-Valley Cabins
Midnight Sun Log Cabins
Midnight Sun Log Cabins
2 out of 5
Mile 28.9 - 34847 Seward HWY, Moose Pass, AK
Stay at this cabin in Moose Pass. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Grant Lake Trail and Upper Trail Lake are located nearby.
8.4/10 Very Good! (240 reviews)
"Hot water tank was small and barely enough for one shower. Other than that the cabin was comfortable."

Reviewed on 24 Jun, 2025

Midnight Sun Log Cabins
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do