7 must-see destinations
If you’re like most people, you have a bucket list of exotic locations you want to see in your lifetime. And for tourists from around the globe, Alaska remains high on the list. After all, what’s not to love about calving glaciers, breaching whales, trophy salmon fishing, and breathtaking scenery?
Whether you visit by land, air, or sea, you can experience everything from city life in Anchorage to some of the most remote spots on earth. You can watch a tidewater glacier crash into the ocean, go flightseeing over an Alaska mountain range, see a 1,200-pound grizzly bear, and watch spectacular displays of the Northern Lights. And the state and national parks are some of the largest in the U.S.
Ready to plan your trip to the Last Frontier? Before you book your reservations, here are a few tips:
- Best time to visit? It’s hard to beat anytime between May 10 and September 15. Peak season is mid-June to mid-August, and that’s when most tours operate.
- The weather is highly unpredictable, so be prepared. Summers can be sunny and gorgeous or cool and rainy.
- Much of the state is remote wilderness, so always be fully geared for your chosen activities, and be prepared for emergencies.
- The state sees long daylight hours from mid-May to mid-September, so be prepared for sleeping when it’s light outside.
Don’t know where to begin? Here are 7 must-see destinations:
- Denali National Park. This is the home of North America’s highest peak, Mt. McKinley, traditionally known as Denali, standing at 20,320 feet. You can reach the park by automobile, bus, train, or plane, and regular bus tours take visitors into the park, where they often see wolves, grizzly bears, moose, Dall sheep, and other wildlife.
- The Inside Passage. This maze of fjords in southeast Alaska is a popular cruise destination, with its spectacular views of glaciers, mountains, and ocean views, and its abundance of wildlife. The coastal passage is also full of history in towns such as Skagway, with its Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
- The Alaska Highway. Also known as the Alaska-Canada (Alcan) Highway and initially built by the Army during WWII, the highway runs from Dawson Creek in British Columbia, through the Yukon Territory, to Delta Junction near Fairbanks. It’s the most crucial access road for getting in and out of Alaska, and it’s popular with recreational travelers.
- Kenai Fjords National Park. Some of the best sightseeing in Alaska, with panoramas that take in the many glaciers of the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield. On a popular Kenai Fjords day cruise out of Seward, you can see otters, puffins, harbor seals, bald eagles, orcas, porpoises, and other wildlife.
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. The largest of Alaska’s national parks, Wrangell-St. Elias has nine of the 16 highest peaks in the U.S., numerous glaciers, lakes, mountain streams, and an abundance of wildlife. Popular with hikers, climbers, and water sports buffs, it also offers some rich history at the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark.
- Mendenhall Glacier. Just 12 miles outside the state capital of Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier winds its way down from the 1,500-square mile Juneau Icefield to the shores of a small lake. From the visitor center, you can look out over the glacier and the floating icebergs, and you can hike the trail to Nugget Falls. Kayaking and rafting is popular, allowing visitors to float among the icebergs.
- Alaska’s largest city is the central hub for the state and the gateway to nearby mountains and wilderness. With plenty of shops, restaurants, outdoor recreation, cultural activities, and tours, you won’t run out of things to do here.
Alaska has enough to keep you busy for a lifetime. You’ll just have to pick and choose – and plan on multiple trips.