**Top 5 Cities to Film in Alaska**
Alaska is a state known for its wild beauty, vast landscapes, and unique settings. It’s a dream location for filmmakers who want to capture stunning scenes of nature, wildlife, and rugged life in the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking for icy mountains, dense forests, or charming small towns, Alaska has it all. Movieinsure.com is a proud provider of short term film production insurance and annual film production insurance for the state of Alaska. Here are the top five cities to film in Alaska, each offering something special.
1. **Anchorage**
Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska. It’s a great place to film because it has a little bit of everything. In Anchorage, filmmakers can capture both urban and natural settings. The city has modern buildings, busy streets, and lively neighborhoods. But right outside the city, there are breathtaking views of mountains, forests, and wildlife.
What makes Anchorage even more exciting is that it’s surrounded by national parks and trails. Filmmakers can easily travel from the city to nearby locations like the Chugach Mountains, where they can capture snowy peaks, glaciers, and wildlife like moose and bears. This mix of city life and nature makes Anchorage a top choice for filmmakers. Movies like *The Frozen Ground* were filmed here because of its diverse locations.
2. **Juneau**
Juneau is the capital of Alaska, but it’s very different from other capital cities. It’s only accessible by boat or plane, which adds to its unique charm. Juneau is surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers, making it a stunning place to film. The Mendenhall Glacier, located just outside of the city, is a popular spot for filmmakers who want to capture the beauty of Alaska’s icy landscapes.
Juneau also has a rich history. The city’s downtown area is full of old buildings, giving it a historic feel. It’s a great location for filmmakers who want to capture both the beauty of nature and the charm of an old town. With its unique blend of glaciers, mountains, and history, Juneau offers a lot of variety for filming.
3. **Fairbanks**
Fairbanks is located in the interior of Alaska, far from the coast. It’s known for its extreme weather, with long, cold winters and warm summers. Filmmakers come to Fairbanks to capture the beauty of Alaska’s wilderness. The area is famous for its forests, rivers, and wildlife, making it a great place for outdoor adventure scenes.
One of the most exciting things about filming in Fairbanks is the chance to capture the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a natural light show that happens in the night sky during the winter months. Fairbanks is one of the best places in the world to see and film the Northern Lights. The city also hosts events like the World Ice Art Championships, which can provide unique and colorful settings for winter films.
4. **Sitka**
Sitka is a small town located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. It’s known for its beautiful ocean views, tall forests, and historic Russian buildings. Sitka used to be part of Russian America, and you can still see Russian influences in the architecture and culture of the town. This gives Sitka a unique look that’s perfect for filmmakers looking for something different.
Sitka’s location by the ocean also makes it ideal for films that need coastal scenery. The town is surrounded by islands, beaches, and the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States. This offers a great mix of ocean, forest, and wildlife settings. Films like *The Proposal* have used Sitka’s beautiful scenery to create the perfect backdrop.
5. **Ketchikan**
Ketchikan is often called the “First City” of Alaska because it’s the first city you reach when you travel north by sea from the continental United States. It’s known for its colorful houses, Native Alaskan culture, and fishing industry. Ketchikan’s waterfront is lined with old wooden buildings that sit on stilts, giving the town a charming, historic look.
Ketchikan is also home to many totem poles, and the Native culture is a big part of the town’s identity. This makes it a great place for filmmakers who want to tell stories about Alaska’s Native history and traditions. The town is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, offering more opportunities for outdoor filming. Whether you need scenes of a quiet fishing town or lush green forests, Ketchikan has plenty to offer.
—
In conclusion, Alaska is a filmmaker’s paradise. The state’s wild beauty, extreme weather, and unique cities make it an unforgettable location for movies and TV shows. Anchorage offers a mix of city life and nature, while Juneau’s glaciers and historic charm create stunning backdrops. Fairbanks provides filmmakers the chance to capture the magic of the Northern Lights, and Sitka’s coastal beauty and Russian history add a unique touch. Finally, Ketchikan’s colorful waterfront and Native Alaskan culture make it a special place for storytelling.
No matter what type of film you’re making, Alaska’s cities offer diverse and breathtaking settings that will help bring your story to life. From icy mountains to green forests, from modern cities to small towns, Alaska has everything a filmmaker could want.
