Quirky Roadside Attractions You’ll Only Find in Alaska
Along the Seward Highway about an hour south of Anchorage, the tiny town of Girdwood offers more than just ski slopes and mountain views. Here, visitors can find the Alyeska Resort’s “Magic Bus,” a quirky roadside oddity perched near the hotel’s base lodge. This rusted, yellow school bus once carried adventurer Christopher McCandless into the Alaskan wilderness, immortalized in the book and film “Into the Wild.” Stopping here allows travelers to ponder the allure and dangers of Alaska’s vast backcountry. The bus itself, surrounded by wildflowers in summer or snowdrifts in winter, creates a haunting yet captivating photo opportunity. Visiting in late spring or early fall when the wildflowers bloom or the fall colors start turning gives the scene a surreal, almost cinematic quality.
Farther north, in the city of Fairbanks, the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum houses one of Alaska’s most unusual collections. Located just a 10-minute drive from downtown Fairbanks, this museum showcases over 100 vintage vehicles and memorabilia in a strikingly restored Art Deco building. The exhibits don’t just display cars—they tell stories of transportation’s evolution in the relentless Alaskan climate. Visitors can spend hours marveling at everything from early 20th-century steam-powered vehicles to rugged snow machines designed for Arctic exploration. Winter is an especially atmospheric time to visit, when chilly days outside contrast with the warm glow of the museum’s exhibits, and the nearby Chena River often freezes into a pristine sheet of ice visible from the windows.
In the heart of downtown Anchorage, the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature offers an offbeat experience for those intrigued by the state’s natural history. About a 15-minute walk from the railway station, this museum’s dinosaur fossil collection is notable for featuring specimens unearthed in Alaska’s remote northern regions. The massive bones and prehistoric displays are set against exhibits on Alaska’s volcanic activity, glacial landscapes, and native flora, creating a fascinating intersection of geology and paleontology. The museum’s layout encourages visitors to touch and interact with some of the exhibits, making it a hands-on adventure perfect for families and curious minds alike. Visiting during the long summer days means plenty of time to explore the nearby Ship Creek Trail afterward, a favorite spot for salmon watching.
On the outskirts of Juneau, a two-hour drive combined with a ferry ride from the city center brings you to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, where a truly unconventional attraction awaits: the Nugget Falls viewpoint. The mile-long Nugget Falls Trail is a relatively easy hike that culminates in a dramatic view of a roaring waterfall cascading from the glacier’s edge. The contrasts of icy blues, thundering water, and dense rainforest make this a standout spot. What elevates this site beyond typical glacier tours is the opportunity to walk right up close to the falls and hear the raw power of nature in full force. Summer and early fall offer the best weather for this trek, with longer daylight hours and less chance of slippery trails.
Just south of Homer, about a four-hour drive from Anchorage along the scenic Sterling Highway, the quirky town of Anchor Point beckons with its claim as the westernmost point on the North American highway system. Beyond the geographic novelty, visitors can explore the Anchor River State Recreation Area, a favorite for salmon fishing and beachcombing. Here, the shoreline is dotted with colorful driftwood sculptures created by locals, giving the beach an artistic flair unusual for such a remote spot. The area also serves as a launching point for bear viewing tours, where black and brown bears fish in the river. Late summer is prime time, when the salmon run attracts both bears and photographers eager to capture this wild spectacle.
In Skagway, a small town about 100 miles north of Juneau accessible by ferry or the historic White Pass & Yukon Route railway, the famed “Golden North” Hotel stands out for its unique architecture and storied past. The hotel’s rustic, wooden façade and vintage interiors evoke the Klondike Gold Rush era, making it part museum, part lodging, and entirely a nostalgic step back in time. Guests and day visitors alike can tour the hotel’s old bars and reading rooms, where local history is displayed alongside antique furnishings. The hotel’s location near the Skagway Historic District allows visitors to explore the gold rush-era buildings and learn about the rugged pioneers who once flowed through this gateway to the Yukon. Late spring and summer bring the town to life with festivals that celebrate its colorful heritage.
Finally, the Dalton Highway, known as the “Haul Road,” offers a uniquely Alaskan roadside adventure about 400 miles north of Fairbanks. Starting near the town of Livengood, about 60 miles northwest of Fairbanks, this rough and remote stretch of road leads to the Arctic Circle and beyond. Along the way, travelers can stop at the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center near Coldfoot Camp. This modest but informative center provides insight into the geography, wildlife, and indigenous cultures of the far north. Its quirky charm lies in its stark isolation and the opportunity to meet truckers, wildlife enthusiasts, and intrepid tourists braving one of America’s most challenging drives. Visiting during summer’s midnight sun season allows for a surreal experience of continuous daylight and spectacular tundra landscapes.