Whittier, at the head of Prince William Sound, is a great base for Alaska's wild beauty. Boat or kayak through icy fjords for glaciated inlets and possible sea otters, seals, and whales. Hike to nearby mountains and waterfalls. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, one of North America's longest, links the rugged wilderness to Whittier's harbor. The Prince William Sound Museum tells the town's history as a military outpost, naval port, rail terminal, and its role in WWII and the Cold War.

Valdez sits on Prince William Sound, backed by the Chugach Mountains. Its history includes the Gold Rush, the 1964 earthquake, and the southern end of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, with the Valdez Museum sharing that story. Today it's a fishing hub and a base for Alaskan adventure: Solomon Gulch Hatchery, whitewater rafting in Keystone Canyon, hiking Worthington Glacier, helicopter tours over Columbia Glacier, and kayaking among Valdez Glacier icebergs.

Sitka blends Alaska Native and Russian heritage. At Sitka National Historical Park, see the restored 19th-century Russian Bishop's House and a coastal trail lined with Tlingit and Haida totem poles. Other highlights include St. Michael's Cathedral and Baranof Castle, where Alaska was transferred from Russia to the U.S. in 1867. Beyond town, explore Tongass National Forest by hiking, kayaking, flightseeing, or boat trips to spot whales, sea otters, sea lions, bears, deer, and to fish Sitka Sound.

Haines, set on an inlet ringed by snowcapped mountains, is a scenic base for outdoor adventure. Visit Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, home to the world's largest concentration of bald eagles, and watch for bears, moose, and other wildlife while rafting or boating the Chilkat River. Hike or ATV to Takshanuk Mountain, kayak Lynn Canal, bike to Chilkoot Lake, or take a seaplane flightseeing tour of Glacier Bay. In town, visit the Haines Sheldon Museum and the Hammer Museum.

In Juneau, a short walk from the port brings shops, museums, food trucks, breweries, fusion restaurants, and Dungeness crab. Beyond the city, Tongass National Forest and a vast icefield of glaciers surround Alaska's capital, reachable only by air or sea. Nearby Mendenhall Glacier offers helicopter landings, dogsledding, canoeing on Mendenhall Lake, seaplane trips for bear viewing or salmon bakes, plus whale watching, sportfishing, and kayaking.

Wrangell, on its namesake island, is a historic town in Alaska's Inside Passage, ringed by Tongass National Forest. Home to the Tlingit for thousands of years, its culture shows in local art, traditions, and shoreline petroglyphs. Its past includes Russian and British outposts and a Gold Rush boom, preserved at the Wrangell Museum. Visitors come for bears at Anan Wildlife Observatory, Stikine River jet boat trips, LeConte Glacier icebergs, Rainbow Falls, and Mount Dewey.

Klawock, on Prince of Wales Island's rugged west coast, offers a glimpse of remote Alaskan wilderness and local Tlingit culture. Visit Klawock Totem Park for its totem poles and possible master carver demos. See black bears and eagles at Dog Salmon Fish Pass, fish for salmon or halibut, and enjoy whale-watching, rainforest hikes, or kayaking on Klawock Lake.

In Ketchikan, explore Tongass National Forest's fjords and lakes by kayak, canoe, or Zodiac. Known as the "Salmon Capital of the World," it also offers fishing for halibut, rockfish, and Dungeness crab. Take a seaplane or helicopter for stunning views, ride an ATV to Mahoney Lake, stroll Creek Street, and visit totem poles, museums, and Saxman Native Village.

Vancouver, between the Pacific and Coast Mountains, blends urban sophistication with outdoor adventure. One of Canada's most diverse cities, it reflects Asian, Latin American and Aboriginal traditions. Highlights include historic Gastown, Granville Island, and Stanley Park's trails, totem poles and waterfront views. Nearby, Grouse Mountain offers hiking or a tram ride, and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park showcases rainforest walkways and cliffside views.