The largest state in the United States, Alaska features a thinly populated terrain of immense natural beauty with three million lakes, more than 3,000 rivers, 100,000 glaciers, 17 of the country’s 20 highest peaks as well as 15 national parks and preserves. Alaska is actually one of the wealthiest, priciest and most racially diverse states in the US.
Explore: Anchorage • Barrow • Cordova • Denali National Park • Fairbanks • Girdwood • Haines • Homer • Juneau • Ketchikan • Kodiak • Sitka • Skagway • Talkeentna • Valdez • Wrangell
- Anchorage: Alaska’s largest city, offering urban amenities and easy access to outdoor adventures like hiking and wildlife viewing.
- Barrow: The northernmost city in the United States, known for its unique Arctic culture and the opportunity to experience the midnight sun or polar night.
- Cordova: A charming fishing town surrounded by natural beauty, ideal for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and bird watching.
- Denali National Park: Home to North America’s highest peak, Denali, with stunning landscapes, wildlife, and extensive hiking trails.
- Fairbanks: A gateway to the Arctic, known for its northern lights viewing, hot springs, and Gold Rush history.
- Girdwood: A resort town known for its skiing at Alyeska Resort, scenic tram rides, and year-round outdoor activities.
- Haines: A picturesque town offering spectacular views, bald eagle watching, and access to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.
- Homer: Famous for its “Spit,” a long, narrow strip of land with shops, restaurants, and opportunities for fishing and kayaking.
- Juneau: Alaska’s capital, offering access to glaciers, whale watching tours, and rich history, including the state capitol building.
- Ketchikan: Known for its totem poles, salmon fishing, and as a gateway to the Misty Fjords National Monument.
- Kodiak: The largest island in Alaska, famous for its brown bears, rich fishing industry, and the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.
- Sitka: A historic town with Russian heritage, stunning coastal scenery, and opportunities for wildlife viewing and cultural experiences.
- Skagway: A historic Gold Rush town, now a popular cruise ship stop with preserved buildings and the scenic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.
- Talkeetna: A quaint town serving as a base for Denali expeditions, known for its artsy vibe and river adventures.
- Valdez: Known for its stunning fjords, waterfalls, and as a hub for outdoor activities like heli-skiing, kayaking, and fishing.
- Wrangell: A small, friendly community offering rich Tlingit history, petroglyphs, and access to the stunning Stikine River.
Alaska’s past was shaped by gold diggers, trailblazers and dreamers who braved the harsh elements to lay claim to their share of fortune. With vast open plains inhabited by roughly one person per square mile, this is a destination where claustrophobics will have a field day. In the state’s very northern region, the summer lasts for three months without a single sunset, while winter is a two-month black night that will have you craving the solarium.
The short summer restricts the types of crops that can be grown; main crops are potatoes, carrots, cabbage and lettuce. Despite this, the long-lasting summer days can help these vegetables reach record size. Alaska has seafood in great abundance, such as the popular king crab renowned around the globe. A delectable example of traditional native fare is Akutaq, or Eskimo ice cream, which consists of dried fish meat, seal oil, reindeer fat and local berries.
Anchorage, Alaska’s biggest city, is both a well-liked tourist spot and the hub of the region’s commerce and transportation. Visitors can check out several local wildlife and historical museums as well as Earthquake Park and the stunning alpine Chugach State Park, while at Girdwood’s Crow Creek Mine, south of Anchorage, you can try your luck at panning for gold nuggets if you find yourself short on funds – or looking for a unique experience.
Alaska’s second-largest city is Fairbanks, located at the northern tip of the Alaska highway. Highlights range from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum to the Alaskaland Theme Park. Between mid-May and July, visitors can participate in a wealth of activities outside given there are over 20 hours of sunlight per day at this time. In the winter, the city hosts world-class sled-dog races and glistening ice-sculpting competitions. The major pull, though, is the aurora borealis that lights the northern skies which can be best marvelled at between December and March.
Where to Go
Highlights
- Denali National Park: Home to North America’s highest peak, offering stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and extensive hiking trails.
- Glacier Bay National Park: A spectacular area of tidewater glaciers, fjords, and rich marine life, perfect for cruising and kayaking.
- Kenai Fjords National Park: Known for its dramatic fjords, glaciers, and wildlife, including whales, sea otters, and puffins.
- Inside Passage: A scenic coastal route famous for its breathtaking views, abundant marine life, and historic towns like Juneau and Ketchikan.
- Anchorage: Alaska’s largest city, offering a mix of urban amenities and outdoor adventures, including wildlife viewing and hiking.
- Fairbanks: A gateway to the Arctic with opportunities to view the northern lights, explore Gold Rush history, and relax in hot springs.
- Homer: Known for its “Spit,” a long, narrow strip of land with shops, restaurants, and world-class fishing and kayaking.
- Seward: A charming coastal town offering access to Kenai Fjords National Park, marine wildlife tours, and the Alaska SeaLife Center.
- Sitka: A town with rich Russian heritage, stunning coastal scenery, and opportunities for cultural experiences and wildlife viewing.
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: The largest national park in the U.S., offering remote wilderness, towering peaks, and historic mining sites.
- Kodiak Island: Famous for its large population of brown bears, rich fishing industry, and the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.
- Talkeetna: A quaint town serving as a base for Denali expeditions, known for its artsy vibe and river adventures.
Top Cities
- Anchorage: Alaska’s largest city, offering a mix of urban amenities, museums, and easy access to outdoor adventures and wildlife viewing.
- Fairbanks: Known for its northern lights displays, Gold Rush history, and nearby Chena Hot Springs.
- Juneau: Alaska’s capital, accessible only by air or sea, known for its stunning glaciers, whale watching, and rich history.
- Sitka: A city with rich Russian heritage, scenic coastal views, and plentiful opportunities for wildlife viewing and cultural experiences.
- Ketchikan: Famous for its totem poles, salmon fishing, and as a gateway to the Misty Fjords National Monument.
- Homer: Known for its “Spit,” artsy community, and world-class fishing and kayaking opportunities.
- Seward: A picturesque coastal town offering access to Kenai Fjords National Park, marine tours, and the Alaska SeaLife Center.
- Kodiak: A vibrant fishing community on Kodiak Island, famous for its large population of brown bears and the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.
- Palmer: Nestled in the Matanuska Valley, known for its agriculture, scenic landscapes, and the Alaska State Fair.
- Valdez: Known for its stunning fjords, waterfalls, and outdoor activities like heli-skiing, kayaking, and fishing.
Things to Do
Cultural Experiences
- Anchorage Museum: Explore Alaska’s history, indigenous cultures, and art through extensive exhibits and interactive displays.
- Totem Bight State Historical Park (Ketchikan): Visit totem poles and a replica of a Tlingit clan house, learning about Native Alaskan heritage.
- Sitka National Historical Park: Discover the rich Russian and Tlingit history through trails lined with totem poles and historical artifacts.
- Alaska Native Heritage Center (Anchorage): Engage with Alaska Native cultures through traditional dance, storytelling, and craft demonstrations.
Natural Experiences
- Denali National Park: Experience North America’s highest peak, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes through hiking, bus tours, and flightseeing.
- Kenai Fjords National Park: Witness dramatic fjords, calving glaciers, and diverse marine life on boat tours or kayaking trips.
- Glacier Bay National Park: Explore tidewater glaciers, fjords, and rich marine life, ideal for cruising and kayaking.
- Katmai National Park: Observe brown bears fishing for salmon at Brooks Falls and explore the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
Urban Experiences
- Downtown Anchorage: Enjoy a mix of shopping, dining, and cultural attractions like the Anchorage Museum and Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.
- Fairbanks: Experience the northern lights, visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North, and relax at Chena Hot Springs.
- Juneau: Take in the scenic beauty and historical sites, with opportunities for whale watching, glacier tours, and exploring the state capitol.
- Seward: Explore the Alaska SeaLife Center, stroll along the waterfront, and enjoy local seafood and shops.
Unique Experiences
- Northern Lights Viewing (Fairbanks): Witness the spectacular aurora borealis in one of the best locations for northern lights viewing.
- Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race: Experience the excitement of the annual sled dog race, either by attending the start in Anchorage or visiting checkpoints along the route.
- Alaska Railroad Journey: Take a scenic train ride through stunning landscapes from Anchorage to Fairbanks or Seward.
- Bear Viewing at Katmai National Park: Get up close to brown bears in their natural habitat at Brooks Falls during the salmon run.
- Flightseeing Tours (Denali): Soar over Denali National Park for unparalleled views of North America’s tallest peak and surrounding wilderness.
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: Explore the largest national park in the U.S., with opportunities for remote wilderness adventures and historic mining sites.