Wrangell has been named the best small town in Alaska to visit by Sunset Magazine — a monthly publication geared toward travel and outdoor living in western states.
Wrangell is featured in the “Beginners guide to Alaska” article inside the May edition of the magazine.
Instead of visiting “artsy” Homer or “cruise-ship-stop” Ketchikan, the article tells readers to head to Wrangell for the “most quirk-for-the-buck.”
Wrangell’s false-front buildings make the town look like a “Wild West prop” the article states. Though, it does point out the lack of a “strong nightlife” in the town.
“In Wrangell, the hardware stores have better hours than the restaurants,” it reads.
However, it is Wrangell’s rugged landscape, its accessibility to the Stikine River and the Anan Wildlife Observatory that make it such an attractive spot for tourists, according to the article.
“Want more quirk?” the article asks, “Wrangell has Southeast’s [Alaska] sole regulation golf course, with its only-in-Alaska rules: Moose play through, and a raven stealing the ball is mulligan.”
Anan was also chosen by the magazine as the best bear-viewing site in Alaska, beating out the popular Pack Creek on Admiralty Island. Local charter companies Alaska Vistas and Breakaway Adventures are named as options for visitors to travel to Anan.
The front of the Stikine Inn is also featured in the article. Stikine Inn General Manager Jake Harris said the magazine contacted him about a month ago letting him know the inn would be included in the article to some degree.
Harris wasn’t expecting the attention the Stikine actually received.
“It was awesome seeing that some of that hard work is paying off,” he said.
Harris thinks Wrangell will continue to receive this type of publicity throughout the next five years, because the town and its surrounding sites offer a unique experience to independent travelers.
The use of social media is helping to spread the word of Wrangell’s attributes, Harris said, and he thinks it will continue to help increase tourism to the town.
People may have to make three to five stops in other Alaska towns to see all that is offered around Wrangell, Harris said. Here, visitors can view wildlife, travel up the Stikine River, take jet boat trips, ferry rides and see glaciers, he said.
“In my opinion, it’s the closest you are going to get to an intimate Alaskan vacation…,” he said. “It’s all right here.”
The Sunset article also suggests Wrangell visitors take a “short” ferry ride to Petersburg to experience its Scandinavian feel.
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