Eek AlaskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Eek, Alaska.
1. Eek River
FISHING AND WILDLIFE VIEWING
The Eek River offers excellent fishing opportunities and serves as a vital waterway for the local community. Visitors can observe diverse wildlife including eagles, bears, and various fish species in their natural habitat. The river also provides a traditional means of transportation for locals and a glimpse into subsistence living practices.
2. Eek Traditional Council Cultural Center
YUP'IK HERITAGE SHOWCASE
The Eek Traditional Council Cultural Center showcases the rich Yup'ik cultural heritage of the region through exhibits of traditional crafts and artifacts. Visitors can learn about local customs, language, and the subsistence lifestyle that has sustained the community for generations. The center occasionally hosts cultural demonstrations including traditional dancing and storytelling events.
3. Mendenhall Glacier
MAGNIFICENT ICE FORMATION
Mendenhall Glacier is one of Alaska's most accessible and spectacular glaciers, located just 13 miles from downtown Juneau. The glacier spans 13 miles in length with a half-mile wide terminus that visitors can view from various vantage points. Several hiking trails around the glacier offer opportunities to see wildlife, waterfalls, and incredible views of this massive ice formation.
4. Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
SCENIC URBAN PATHWAY
The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is an 11-mile trail that follows the coast from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park. The trail offers spectacular views of the Cook Inlet, surrounding mountains, and opportunities to spot moose, eagles, and even beluga whales. This beloved recreation path is popular with locals and visitors for biking, jogging, and walking in all seasons.
5. Sitka National Historic Park
TOTEM-LINED FOREST PATHS
Sitka National Historic Park features a collection of totem poles displayed along serene forest trails, preserving the cultural heritage of the Tlingit people. The park commemorates the 1804 Battle of Sitka between Russian traders and the native Tlingit people, a pivotal moment in Alaskan history. Visitors can explore the visitor center's exhibits, watch native artists at work, and enjoy the park's beautiful coastal rainforest setting.
6. Alaska Native Heritage Center
LIVING CULTURAL MUSEUM
The Alaska Native Heritage Center is an educational and cultural institution dedicated to celebrating the traditions of Alaska's indigenous peoples. The center features six life-sized Native dwellings surrounding a lake, where visitors can experience different aspects of Alaska Native cultures. Interactive exhibits, traditional games, dancing performances, and artist demonstrations provide immersive insights into the 11 major cultural groups of Alaska.
7. Denali National Park
WILDERNESS AND WILDLIFE
Denali National Park encompasses six million acres of wild land centered around North America's tallest peak, Denali. The vast wilderness is home to grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and numerous other wildlife species that roam freely in their natural habitat. Visitors can explore the park through guided bus tours, hiking trails, and various ranger-led programs that showcase this magnificent preserved ecosystem.
8. Kachemak Bay State Park
COASTAL WILDERNESS ESCAPE
Kachemak Bay State Park offers over 400,000 acres of pristine wilderness accessible only by boat or plane from Homer. The park features glaciers, mountains, forests, and marine ecosystems that provide habitat for diverse wildlife including sea otters, seals, whales, and numerous bird species. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, hiking, fishing, and camping while experiencing the unspoiled natural beauty of Alaska's first state park.
9. Creek Street
HISTORIC BOARDWALK DISTRICT
Creek Street is a charming historic boardwalk built on wooden stilts along Ketchikan Creek, once the city's red-light district during the early 20th century. Today, the colorful buildings house museums, shops, and art galleries that attract visitors year-round. During summer months, visitors can watch salmon swimming upstream to spawn, often attracting eagles and sometimes bears to this picturesque urban waterway.
10. Hubbard Glacier
MAGNIFICENT TIDEWATER GLACIER
Hubbard Glacier is North America's largest tidewater glacier, spanning 76 miles in length and 7 miles in width with a face that towers up to 400 feet above the water. Visitors can witness the spectacular sight of massive ice chunks calving from the glacier face and thundering into Disenchantment Bay. The area around the glacier is rich in wildlife, including seals, sea otters, eagles, and various whale species.
11. Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park
WORLD WAR II RELICS
Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park preserves important World War II coastal defense installations, including concrete bunkers and artillery positioned to defend Alaska from Japanese attacks. Visitors can explore the historic 203-millimeter Mark VI guns capable of firing 240-pound shells up to 20 miles offshore. The park combines military history with natural beauty, offering scenic hiking trails through spruce forests with dramatic ocean views.
12. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
GOLD RUSH HERITAGE
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park preserves the history of the 1890s gold rush when over 40,000 prospectors passed through Skagway en route to the Yukon goldfields. The park includes a six-block historic district in Skagway, the ghost town of Dyea, and the famous Chilkoot and White Pass Trails. Visitors can explore restored buildings, museums, and interpretive exhibits that bring to life this pivotal chapter in Alaskan and American history.
13. NANA Museum
INUPIAT CULTURAL HERITAGE
The NANA Museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Inupiat people of Northwest Alaska through artifacts, art, and historical exhibits. Visitors can learn about traditional subsistence practices, technological innovations, and spiritual beliefs that have sustained the Inupiat for thousands of years. The museum serves as an important cultural center for preserving and sharing indigenous knowledge with both the local community and visitors.
14. Totem Heritage Center
NATIVE ART PRESERVATION
The Totem Heritage Center houses one of the world's largest collections of original 19th-century totem poles rescued from abandoned Tlingit and Haida village sites. The center works to preserve these cultural treasures while offering educational programs about traditional Northwest Coast Native art forms. Visitors can view these intricate carved masterpieces while learning about their cultural significance and the ongoing efforts to revitalize native carving traditions.
15. Matanuska-Susitna Valley
GLACIERS AND FARMLAND
The Matanuska-Susitna Valley near Palmer offers visitors a unique combination of massive mountains, grand glaciers, and fertile farmland. The region is known for its agricultural heritage, including the famous giant vegetables grown in the extended summer daylight. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities year-round while experiencing the friendly local culture that makes this area a beloved destination for both Alaskans and tourists.