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In a country almost the same size as the whole of Europe, tracking down the best places to visit can be tricky. There’s no denying that there are hundreds of amazing cities, dozens of national parks and more cultural hotspots than you could shake a stick at – but the closest city to the North Pole in the U.S. is a different beast entirely.
First time visitors to the USA tend to stick to the famous destinations we’ve all heard off. Sure, we love New York, Washington and Cape Cod. A trip to the stunning Colorado Rockies or the glamorous beaches of California will never disappoint.

But whether you’ve ticked these U.S. hotspots off your travel bucket list or not, there’s always space to somewhere a little more quirky. Somewhere most Americans have never visited, let alone foreign tourists.
Situated 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the USA’s Northernmost City is the ultimate unusual bucket list destination for summer 2024.
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Where is the USA’s Northernmost City?
Just 250 miles south of the North Pole, Utqiagvik is in the far north of Alaska. Some 1,100 miles from Alaska’s state capital, Juneau, and almost 3,500 miles from Washington, DC, the USA’s northernmost city is a long way from anywhere.

You may also know Utqiagvik as Barrow. The USA’s northernmost city’s name reverted back to its traditional Inupiaq name (the language spoken by the native Inupiat tribe) in 2016. Confusingly, Utqiagvik Airport is still called Barrow.
Why the USA’s Northernmost City should be on your 2024 Travel Bucket List
A far cry from the USA’s bustling metropolises and the sandy beaches of Florida and California, Utqiagvik feels as if it’s in a different country entirely. Whilst all the native locals speak English, they also have their own very distinctive language, culture and food.

Inupiat culture is still very much present in daily life here. It is preserved forever more at the Inupiat Heritage Center, Utqiagvik’s top museum. Utqiagvik is one of the few places in the USA where whaling is still allowed (although strictly controlled and commercial whaling is not permitted). The Cape Smythe Whaling and Trading station in the city center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The USA’s northernmost city is a summer bucket list destination for another reason too; 24-hour daylight. Being so far north, Utqiagvik experiences ‘polar night’ meaning the sun never sets during summer. During winter, however, the sun never rises and residents experience 24-hour darkness for over two months.
Other top sights include Utqiagvik Presbyterian Church, the most northerly place of worship in the USA. It’s also the city’s oldest, built in 1899 by missionaries who translated the Bible to Inupiat. The Wiley Post-Will Rogers memorial, near the airport is another highlight. It honors Post and Rogers, pioneer aviators who were killed in a crash whilst attempting to fly from Barrow to Siberia.

Spend the rest of your time in the USA’s northernmost city ambling around the dirt streets. Spot Arctic birds on the lagoon or dip your toes in the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. And, even if you don’t need any groceries, stop by Utqiagvik’s infamous supermarket. Stuaqpak is known the world over for its ridiculously high prices, which might make sense given this is the closest city to the north pole in the U.S.
The USA’s northernmost city is a surprising foodie hotspot
When you think of foodie destinations in the USA, New Orleans, Portland and New York are probably the first to spring to mind. You might be surprised to hear that Utqiagvik has a surprisingly diverse food scene.

With influences from traditional Inupiat cuisine, migrant settlers from South Asia and, of course, modern America, Utqiagvik’s dining scene is unexpectedly vibrant. Local institution Sam & Lee’s somehow manage to serve all of these cuisines from one tiny kitchen!
Japanese restaurant Osaka is Utqiagvik’s most formal restaurant. Coupled with a couple of great pizzerias and Niggivikput, the home of classic Inupiat cooking, you won’t struggle to eat well in the closest city to the north pole in the U.S.
How can I visit the USA’s northernmost town?
Utqiagvik may be about as remote as it gets, but its well-oiled tourism infrastructure makes the USA’s northernmost city an easy one to check off your 2024 travel bucket list. Add in daily flights from Anchorage and the Alaskan Arctic suddenly seems less far away!

There are a couple of hotels in Utqiagvik. The King Eider Inn is right by the airport and the Top of the World is in the city center.
The Top of the World Hotel is Utqiagvik’s most comfortable hotel. Like everything this far north, expect higher prices than you’re used to, but it offers everything you need for a stay in the USA’s most northerly city. Expect ocean views, an onsite restaurant and gym plus a great location, steps from the beach and Whalebone Arch.

They also tours across the tundra. These tours run every day through summer and are well worth taking. With a local guide on hand, you’ll be able to stray out of the city limits without having to worry about the natives attacking. That’s the four legged natives by the way; polar bears have free roam in these parts!
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