Southeast Alaska

Travel Guide

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

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 landscape views, dog sledding and snow

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
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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
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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
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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
Skagway showing signage

Downtown Skagway

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

Downtown Skagway
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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
Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau

Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau

2 out of 5
9200 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK
The price is €100 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
€100
1 Sept - 2 Sept
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! (870 reviews)
"The staff was wonderful!"

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2025

Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau
Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau

Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau

2 out of 5
2295 Trout St, Juneau, AK
The price is €126 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
€126
1 Sept - 2 Sept
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! (979 reviews)
"Older furnishings, otherwise very good."

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2025

Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau
Extended Stay America Suites Juneau Shell Simmons Drive

Extended Stay America Suites Juneau Shell Simmons Drive

2.5 out of 5
1800 Shell Simmons Dr, Juneau, AK
The price is €113 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
€113
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Juneau. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,004 reviews)
"This is a great stay for an early morning flight. Other than that there is not much around for dining and convenience."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Extended Stay America Suites Juneau Shell Simmons Drive
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.
Private house connected to Potlatch Totem Park extreme ocean view. Premium Host

Private house connected to Potlatch Totem Park extreme ocean view. Premium Host

Ketchikan
Stay at this vacation home in Ketchikan. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Totem Bight State Park and Mariah Charters are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
"Pretty much what we expected. Location is amazing, right on the water. It's far out of town and a bit isolated, so you'll want a rental car. Taxi is 60 one way. Bus runs once an hour and is only a 5 minuted walk to the stop, but last bus is around 6 PM. It's more rustic than most places on Vrbo, ..."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

Private house connected to Potlatch Totem Park extreme ocean view. Premium Host
Auke Bay View Studio

Auke Bay View Studio

Juneau
Stay at this vacation home in Juneau. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Auke Bay and Mendenhall Golf Course are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
Everything was great
"Nice"

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2025

Auke Bay View Studio
{Forget-Me-Not Inn} Alaskan Vacation Rental (Bear Suite)

{Forget-Me-Not Inn} Alaskan Vacation Rental (Bear Suite)

Sitka
Stay at this apartment in Sitka. Enjoy laundry facilities and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Magic Island and Sandy Beach are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (17 reviews)
Nice place
"Very clean"

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

{Forget-Me-Not Inn} Alaskan Vacation Rental (Bear Suite)
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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