Location: Kotzebue
Top Things to do in Kotzebue
Top Restaurants in Kotzebue
Top 8 Things to do in Kotzebue, United States
Kotzebue (/ˈkɒtsəbjuː/ KOTS-ə-bew) or Kikiktagruk (Inupiaq: Qikiqtaġruk, IPA: [qekeqtɑʁʐuk]) is a city in the Northwest Arctic Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the borough's seat, by far its largest community and the economic and transportation hub of the subregion of Alaska encompassing the borough. The population of the city was 3,201 as of the 2010 census, up from 3,082 in 2000.
Restaurants in Kotzebue
1. Northwest Arctic Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Randy L - Dubuque, Iowa
A trip to the visitors' center before venturing into a new national park is always a good idea. Visiting Alaska's remote national parks is not different. The Northwest Arctic Heritage Center, a few feet from where you landed with Alaska Air, offers a fascinating introduction to the wildlife and human history of this state. There are several quality films. My favorite, however, were the exhibits of Eskimo artifacts. The staff were fantastic answering questions. When considering travel, Alaska should be at the top of your list. Alaska Air has years of outstanding/on-time service and you can fly with them all the way. Make this the year to visit the five most remote national parks/preserves with Arctic Back Country Flying Service, Alaska Air and the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center.
2. Arctic Backcountry Private Flying Service
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Eric Sieh, pilot and owner of Arctic Backcountry Flying Service has over 20 years of flying, hunting, fishing and traveling experience in Northwest Alaska. We are fully insured for flight seeing, drop off and pick up service. Flying out of Kotzebue, our flight service can take you to the most remote, beautiful and wildlife rich places in northwest Alaska. Please contact our office for more information. We'll set you up with the trip of a lifetime.
Reviewed By Randy L - Dubuque, Iowa
I cannot recommend more highly the experience of flying to the remote national parks and preserves in Alaska with Arctic Backcountry! We visited the Gates of the Arctic National Park, Noatak National Preserve, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, and Cape Krusenstern, Kobuk Valley National Park with Jared, a pilot who really knew the region---down to where a musk ox family was frequently seen. Do not let the remoteness of the area keep you from this trip. Alaskan Air---on time and friendly--can deliver you right to Kotzebue. This is the trip that should be in your bucket list! This is the flying service to use!
3. Sulianich Art Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Craig M - Anchorage, Alaska
The Suliaŋich Art Center is a marketplace for local arts and crafts, as well as a safe working environment for artists and carvers. Jewelry, wall art, soft goods, local ivory and more is on display. This is THE PLACE to buy Native arts and crafts in Kotzebue. Don't miss it!
4. Noatak National Preserve
Overall Ratings
5 based on 9 reviews
One of the best areas in the state for outdoor activities.
Reviewed By LiCottam - Kotzebue, Alaska
Viewed the preserve by air with Arctic Backcountry Flying Service. Scenery was breathtaking and the wildlife viewing rewarding. We saw moose, caribou, musk ox, dall sheep, and a grizzly bear from the air. The river was just breaking up and the variety of colors amazing.
5. Northwest Alaska Areas
Overall Ratings
5 based on 9 reviews
A government unit consisting of Noatak National Perserve as well as other nearby areas.
Reviewed By MDIBlueberry - Bar Harbor, Maine
From Kotzebue, we chartered a flight that took us to Gates of the Arctic National Park, Noatak National Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park. We landed in each of the parks and got out of the small plane to take in the scenery on foot as well as from the air. This was truly the highlight of our Alaska vacation. The plot was great, the landings smooth and the scenery amazing. I can't recommend this enough.
6. Golden Eagle Outfitters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
We believe that the Alaska Wilderness is invaluable. The basis for our business is an appreciation and respect for this amazing Alaskan Wilderness. We are second and third generation Alaskans with a lifelong commitment to this land and its' natural wonders. We provide a variety of options for Alaskan wilderness adventures. Our services include Alaska flightseeing trips that will allow you to view many of Alaska's natural wonders from high up. Alaska Flightseeing is one of the best ways to spot large herds of animals and to behold the rugged beauty that makes Alaska's Wilderness so legendary. We also offer drop-off Alaska float trips on wild Alaskan rivers, drop off Alaska unguided fishing trips, and Alaska air transportation for remote hiking and camping. Our Alaska Air Service offers access to many glaciers high in Alaska's mountain wilderness. Call us today to go on any of these Alaska Wilderness Tours.
Reviewed By Dan R - Chandler, Arizona
Chartered with Golsen Eagle Outfitters based on a friend's recommendation. What a great bunch of folks. Took good care of us and working with our schedule. Cannot say enough about them. Thanks Leah!
7. Cape Krusenstern National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Randy L - Dubuque, Iowa
Cape Krusenstern is one of the places you can visit with Arctic Backcountry Flying Service. While not offering the mountain grandeur of Gates of the Arctic, the cape offers vistas of the Brooks Range and the unique polygon freezing patterns of the area. Your chances of seeing animals is excellent. Breath-taking!
8. Serpentine Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Michael S - Eugene, Oregon
Serpentine Hot Springs is on the Bering Land Bridge. It can be reached by bicycle or hiking from Nome, air from Nome or Kotzebue. We went to Kotzebue in early July to see the Caribou migration from the air, Kobuk Valley, NP, and had a chance to see Serpentine Hot Springs. Because of the many flights, Jared, the pilot with Golden Eagle, gave us more ground time, and he spent it in the Hot Springs and walking along the runway. We spent about 2 hours visiting the Tors, granite monoliths that had cooled under the Earth and have been exposed by soil erosion. The place was quiet except for the wind. We were the only persons there, and we visited the area nearest the runway, in order to maximize seeing with limited time. With a day, we could have seen a few places nearby. Overnight, which one can do, since there are bunks and a kitchen (no power, of course), gives one a chance to wander 3-5 miles away from the runway and see a lot more. I would have loved to do that, but bugs can be a problem in July when we were there. The day we were there was absolutely perfect--sunny, warm, enough breeze to get rid of insects. Jared later said he wished he had brought his family there. He had never seen such ideal weather. Yes, it's western Alaska, and rainy days and fog are not uncommon.
It's about an hour's flight from Kotzebue down there, and if one can tie the flight into another group's return, you can save on two flights, which you would need if you wanted to stay overnight. If you have a chance to stay overnight, I'd do it. There might be bugs, but the solitude (assuming not many others are there) would be fabulous. The tors have so many patterns and shapes, and the idea of being on the Bering Land Bridge was very nice. The 2 hour ground time was great. If you can pay for more, it's worth it. Even an hour's ground time will give you a taste of the area.
I'm not likely to get back there in my lifetime, but I won't forget Serpentine Hot Springs and seeing the tors. We spent a week in Kotzebue. It's not Anchorage, Fairbanks, or any other large city with typical large city things. Kotzebue is unique, the people are great, and what can be seen there besides tors (musk oxen, caribou flights, the most remote national park in the system--Kobuk Valley) made it a great week. Don't go expecting luxury. You won't find it there and you won't want it. Go expecting that you are going to have an interesting time, and you will.
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