Everyone has one. The crème de la crème, the top dog, the place you must see before you die.
That place for me is Alaska!
The excitement, the boundless and breathtaking spaces and the wildlife have captivated my imagination since I was a child. I think all those episodes of “Grizzly Adams” made me a mountain girl at heart, and I’ve never gotten it out of my system.
Alaska is wild and unspoiled and has just enough danger to keep you on your toes. The weather, the wildlife and the wide open spaces are unpredictable, yet tantalizingly alluring. You never know what you’re going to get in this 49th state of incalculable adventure.
So, come with me and lets explore the most exciting state in all fifty, the great state of Alaska!
1. Juneau
Capital cities in America tend to be a conglomeration of buildings, traffic, pavement and noise. But, Alaska’s capital city is anything but that. Juneau is a natural mecca that is the perfect place to kick off your tour of one of the most amazing places on the planet, Alaska.
Juneau exudes its small town charm through its shop-lined, quaint streets and its endless opportunities for peace and quiet. Did I mention glaciers? Near Juneau, you have your pick of visiting over 1,500 square miles of glaciers located in the Juneau Icefield. Talk about adventure.
If you aren’t quite up to the task of trekking glaciers, check out the local wildlife. There are a plethora of tours that will take you to see the local “residents” in their natural habitat. Get a gander of bald eagles, bears and mountain goats. Because Juneau is on the ocean, you can also see sea otters, orcas, sea lions and even whales.
Juneau is a must do if you are concocting your agenda. Fly into Juneau, take a few days to tour around and then continue your tour of one of the best states in the nation.
2. Mendenhall Glacier
While you are in Juneau, you will kick yourself if you don’t seek out a tour of Mendenhall Glacier and one of the best places to visit in Alaska. This moving slab of ice is almost 14 miles long and is one of the most beautiful sights in the state.
Take a tour on a boat or rent a kayak and get up close to the glacier. On your way, you are bound to see whales, eagles and sea lions enjoying their home. In summer, your eyes will feast on the variations of color that nature brings with its wildflowers, mosses and flowering shrubs.
Don’t miss the hike down to the beach and experience the magnificent Nugget Falls and the rush of standing in its mist as it douses your face.
Mendenhall Glacier is something that you can’t miss, because it may not be here forever. The glacier is retreating due to warming temperatures, so make sure you get plenty of pictures to show your grandkids on this amazing stop.
3. Denali National Park
Denali National Park is the number one stop for tourists in Alaska. At 6.1 million acres, Denali has a vast landscape that includes some of the highest peaks and some of the densest forests in the world and is one of the best places in Alaska to explore.
In fact, Mt. McKinley has the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet. Just one mile short of Mt. Everest. “The tall one” or “Denali”, comes from Koyukon, an ancient language spoken by local Native Americans. Stop at the visitor center and learn more about these first people and their way of life.
Then hop on a bus and take one of two fascinating tours of the park that will fill you in on all the nature and history of the park. Make sure you bring your good camera for capturing some of the most awe inspiring sights in the world!
4. Kenai Fjords National Park
If you came to Alaska to see glaciers, then Kenai Fjords National Park has you covered and is one of the most exciting destinations in Alaska.
Stay in Seward, Alaska and you will be perfectly poised to explore the national park by day and enjoy the amenities of a quaint town full of things to do by night.
Start your journey in Kenai Fjords with an excursion to the Harding Icefield where you can traverse the Exit Glacier. Ready to use your crampons? Visit the glacier and do some climbing as you get up close to this million year old behemoth. If you don’t want to exert yourself too much, consider taking a helicopter tour of the ice field.
Wildlife abounds in this national park that doesn’t disappoint. Keep your eyes open to spot bald eagles, humpback whales, orcas, seal lions dolphins and much more!
5. Alaska Native Heritage Center
People lived in Alaska long before we Americans claimed it for our own. In fact, there are five traditional territories in which Alaska’s people have resided for thousands of years. There is so much to learn at this important museum making it one of the most interesting places to visit in Alaska.
Come to the Alaska Native Heritage Center and immerse yourself in the rich culture that the people of Alaska have been living for over 10,000 years. You will enjoy learning about native art, dance, game demonstration, exhibits, films and even experience native dwellings. This is the original Alaska and you owe it to yourself to learn about its captivating history.
6. Iditarod National Historic Trail
You’ve seen it in movies and read about it in books. The Iditarod National Historic Trail is a famed 1000-mile trail that “…offers a rich diversity of climate, terrain, scenery, wildlife, recreation and resources in an environment largely unchanged since the days of the stampeders.”
Between Seward and Nome, you can take on a section of the trail on foot in summer, or be more adventurous in the winter and take a dog sledding adventure. If you are visiting in March, you can get a gander of the competitors slated to race in the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and one of the best things to do in Alaska.
Whether you watch a race or take on the trail, experiencing this trail in one form or fashion should be on your itinerary on your tour of this amazingly adventurous state.
7. Chena Hot Springs
Chena Hot Springs is a great destination for kicking back and pampering your aching traveling bones. However, there is so much more to this experience and you will be sure to call this one of the most interesting and relaxing places in Alaska.
After a nice soak in the springs, take the Aurora Ice Museum Tour and see beautiful sculptured illuminated with gorgeous lighting. If adventure is calling, take a dogsledding tour or try ice fishing. As night falls you will be able to bask in the glory of the fabulous Aurora Borealis.
At the end of your day rest your head in a cabin fit for an explorer. You’ll feel like you went back in time with your own private outhouse. What a great experience as you travel through this many faceted state.
8. Prince William Sound
If you are staying in Anchorage, you have to put Prince William Sound on your itinerary of things to do. At just a short 47-miles away, you can take a half-day boat tour to see the sound and all that has to offer.
Thirty species of land animals call the rugged rainforest their home. However, wildlife viewing doesn’t stop there. Guides will show you humpback whales, orca whales, porpoises, sea otters, sea lions, and seals.
All of this amongst the backdrop of a beautiful body of water littered with icebergs. What an experience! Don’t miss one of the best places to go in Alaska if you are visiting Anchorage.
9. Seward
Seward is another jumping off point in your tour of Alaska. You can explore the area by sea, land or by sky. But whatever you do, you will be surrounded by beauty.
Take a kayaking tour to see the beauty of the ocean amongst icebergs, sea lions and humpback whales. If you haven’t had enough, you can also hit up a bear viewing tour by bus where you are sure to see these cute, yet ferocious beasts.
At night, you can tickle your tastebuds by visiting the Seward Brewing Company for a pint and some cauliflower bites. You can also spring for a seafood meal at The Cookery for Alaska’s home favorites made with Alaska’s fresh ingredients.
Don’t miss the light show at the end of the day when you catch the Northern Lights as they streak across the sky in one of the best towns to stay in when traveling Alaska.
10. Inside Passage
The Inside Passage spans 500 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean and is the home to three tribes of native people and six coastal towns, including a national park.
Popular ways to explore this area are through cruising on a cruise line or by taking the state run ferry where you are able to take your time. Enjoy the diversity of cultures, community and scenery as you travel this unbelievably beautiful part of Alaska.
Whether you decide to travel the Southern, Glacier Bay Area or Northern region, you will experience Alaska at its finest as it boasts its wildlife and scenery on your relaxing excursion.
11. Katmai National Park
Have you been itching to see bears, go on a sport fishing excursion or just view the scenery of one of Alaska’a most remote national parks? Then Katmai National Park is where you should be headed.
With the largest concentration of brown bears in the state, this creature will be luring you to the nearest fishing spot to watch them in their natural habitat in one of the coolest places to visit in Alaska.
Have you been wanting to hike volcanic glacial ice fields and explore the site of the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century? You can set off on a trek that will take you through the Valley of Ten Thousands Smokes and Novarupta, a volcano that erupted in 1912, releasing 30 times the amount of magma of Mount St. Helens.
Coming to this park is like being on another planet. However, a planet that is inhabited by bears and is in the beginning stages of its life. Visiting is such a cool experience and one you can’t have anywhere else.
Did we miss anything you would like to see in Alaska? We’d love to hear from you!
Leave what you’d like to see in the comments!