From Gold Rush-era settlements to national park gateways, these quaint Alaskan towns are worth a visit.

Mountains, forests, and wildlife on both sea and land make the area a favorite cruise destination.

Theres a waterfront promenade, hiking trails, and millions of acres of Tongass Rainforest.

People in a square surrounded by beautiful architecture in Paris

On the subject of rain, locals celebrate their liquid sunshine and even post details of record rainfall.

Naturally, fresh seafood is on the menu.

Look for smoked salmon, halibut, red snapper, and king crab.

Waterfront Park Fall skyline bridge boats in Louisville, Kentucky

The Alaska Marine Highway ferry connects the island with the mainland, providing transport for passengers and vehicles.

Churches, including the rebuilt St. Michaels Russian Orthodox Cathedral, house collections of art and religious items.

Every June, theSitka Music Festivalsees classical music concerts held at various locations around town.

Ketchikan, Southern Panhandle, Southeast Alaska

Traditional Russian lacquer boxes, nesting dolls, and icons are available as well.

Shoppers can also find practical items like waterproof boots, fishing poles, and warm clothing.

Art continues in downtown Seward with murals depicting historical people, events, and nature.

Top deck pool area

Its northern location provides 18 hours of daylight in the summer when the weather is warm and dry.

Skagways quaint downtown looks much as it did a hundred years ago with wooden storefronts and period-style buildings.

Theres avisitor centerin a restored 1898 railroad depot offering various programs and exhibits during the summer months.

View of Mallorca coast from helicopter

Vintage locomotives of the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad run past the steep Chilkoot Trail.

Several events each year bring many visitors to Skagway.

The annualBuckwheat Ski Classic, an international cross-country ski race, takes place in March.

The Belmond Eastern & Oriental train in Malaysia

In summer the population of Gustavus swells by thousands as the city is the gateway to the national park.

Whale watching, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife tours are popular with visitors.

TheGlacier Bay National Park Visitors Centeris nine miles from Gustavus in Bartlett Cove.

Streets of Old Montreal during fall season in Quebec, Canada.

Ocmulgee National Monument Park

Scenic view of Arenal Volcano in central Costa Rica at sunrise

beautiful view of the town of Positano from antique terrace with flowers, Amalfi coast, Italy. balcony with flowers

The deep valleys of the wine-making region of the Douro Valley in Portugal

Oslo opera house lit up at night

treet level view of Cartagena’s colonial walled city

View of the South coast with a lush jungle on Dominica

Kansas City panorama with Union Station building. Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Aerial view of people at the Ediacara Fossil Site Nilpena

A bench overlooks a lake surrounded by mountains in New Zealand

Vineyards and hills of Sonoma County with a glimpse of the San Francisco Bay in the background.

Long horns in Fort Worth Stockyards

Cityscape view of Old Town

Pair of photos from India, one showing a boy at a hotel, and one showing a pink palace exterior

Catholic church in Warsaw old town on a sunny morning, Poland

Rocky coastline of Hawaii

Tourists enjoying a beautiful sunny day on Manatee Beach on Anna Maria Island, a barrier island on the Florida west coast.

Roof Terrace Spa Pool at Mollie Aspen

View of woman swinging on white sand beach relaxing and sunbathing by the lagoon in Mexico

Classic Montana landscape of horses, fields and mountains

The exterior of the Queen Anne

Colorful buildings on stilts over a river in Ketchikan

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Sitka, Alaska

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Marina in Seward,Alaska

The main street in Skagway, Alaska, United States - Note the short distance between the cruise ship in the harbour and the tourist shops and attractions.

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Snow coated mountains in Southeast Alaska with clouds in winter.

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