Alaska is one of the most beautiful and scenic places in the world. From its stunning natural beauty to its diverse wildlife, Alaska has something for everyone. If you are planning a trip to Alaska, this travel guide will provide you with all the information you need to enjoy your adventure to the fullest.
This unknown treasure is filled with adventure seekers, panoramic views, and quiet areas for peace seekers. Known as the last frontier for its indigenous and vibrant wildlife, sky-high mountains, and undiscovered landscapes, Alaska offers a great vacation experience for those who want to explore untouched and unspoiled areas.
1- Denali National Park and Preserve
Spread over 6 million acres of wilderness, Denali National Park is one of the popular tourist attractions. Located between Anchorage and Fairbanks, the park is home to brown bears, wolves, reindeer, and elk. Over 167 species of birds have been recorded in Denali National Park, which is one of the largest parks in the United States and surrounds the tallest mountain in North America.
Things to do in Denali National Park and Preserve
- Explore the Park Road
- Photograph Denali (Mount McKinley)
- Hiking Adventures
- Citizen Science
- Backpacking and Mountaineering
- Mountain biking,
- ATV or Jeep tours,
- Whitewater Rafting
2- Kenai Fjords National Park
Established in 1980, Kenai Fjords National Park covers an area of 669,984 acres on the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska, near the city of Seward. This national park is home to large brown bears that feed on fat-rich salmon. The fjord-rich coastline of the Kenai Peninsula (south of Anchorage), this national park offers some of the best sightseeing spots that make it one of the best places to visit.
Things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park
- Take a Wildlife Cruise
- Kayaking in Kenai Fjords
- Visit Exit Glacier
- Hike the Harding Icefield Trail
- Flightseeing Over the Kenai Fjords
- Go Whale Watching
- Explore the Wildlife
3- Iditarod National Historic Trail
If you are in this US state, you don’t have to wonder about where to go in Alaska, right? Beyond parks, museums, and wildlife watching, Alaska has much more to offer visitors. Alaska’s only National Scenic Trail, the Iditarod National Historic Trail, is made up of a network that stretches a total of 2,300 miles between Nome on the Bering Strait and Seward near Anchorage.
This beautiful trail is now used for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and is one of the most famous. The expansive landscapes along the entire route offer breathtaking views of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife.
Things to do in Iditarod National Historic Trail
- Walk, run, or ski the Iditarod Trail from Nash Road
- Seward Coastal Walk
- Hike portions of the historic trail between Moose Pass and Granite Creek
4- Mendenhall Glacier
Located in the Mendenhall Valley about 12 miles from the city of Juneau in the southeastern region of the US state of Alaska, the Mendenhall Glacier is about 13.6 miles long. Accessible by road, the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center offers views of both the glacier and the iceberg-filled water, while trails lead along the edge to the roaring Nugget Falls and impressive snow dunes.
Rafting and kayaking trips give visitors the chance to float amongst the bergs, while wildlife such as black bears, porcupines, and beavers are commonly seen while exploring this dazzling blue landscape. Don’t miss out on visiting this place among the many destinations.
Things to do in Mendenhall Glacier
- Explore other short trails near the visitor center
- Ambitious backcountry hikers can tackle the 3.4-mile (one-way) West Glacier Trail
- Mendenhall Visitor Center is just 13 miles from downtown Juneau
5- Alaska Highway
Known as the Alaska-Canada Highway (Alkan Highway), it is one of the best sightseeing places in Alaska. Built in 1942 for military purposes, the Alaska Highway runs from Dawson Creek in British Columbia (Canada) through the Yukon Territory to Delta Junction near Fairbanks.
This route is the source of land access to the Yukon Territory and southern Alaska and is a favorite among recreational vehicle travelers. The highway passes through Whitehorse, Canada before crossing the international border into Alaska and ending in Delta Junction.
Things to do near Alaska Highway
- Dawson Creek, British Columbia
- Kiskatinaw River Bridge
- Fort Nelson Heritage Museum
- Muncho Lake and Northern Rockies Lodge
- Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park
6- University of Alaska Museum of the North
Located in Fairbanks, the University of Alaska Museum of the North is one of the favorite Alaskan places to visit by tourists. The museum features more than one million historical artifacts and natural history pieces.
The permanent collection includes ethnographic objects created and used by indigenous groups, a fine art collection that focuses primarily on the art of Alaska, archaeological finds from prehistoric cultures, a bird collection, and paleontology specimens. The white structure designed by Joan Soranno features interesting lines and curves that resemble the Alaskan landscape.
Things to do in the University of Alaska Museum of the North
- Discover Alaska Native Cultures
- Natural Wonders and Wildlife
- Alaska Art
- Research and Science
7- Alaska Native Heritage Center
Located outside of Anchorage, the heritage center includes a gathering place for Alaskan Native dance and storytelling and a hall of culture filled with exhibits and local vendors displaying handmade crafts and works of art. This heritage center showcases the lives and values of Alaska’s 11 major cultural groups and is one of the top places to visit in Alaska.
Things to do in Alaska Native Heritage Center
- Interactive Cultural Performances
- Authentic Village Displays
- Native History and Art Exhibits
- Craft Activities for Kids
8- Kenai Lake
One of the popular places to visit is Kenai Lake. Kenai Lake, a large, “zig-zag” shaped lake on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, is the main source of the Kenai River and is itself a destination for fishing and other outdoor activities. Covering an area of 55.9 kilometers, the lake is accessible from both the Sterling and Seward Highways.
Things to do in Kenai Lake
- Explore the Scenic Drive to Turnagain Pass
- Ride the Sixmile Trail Bike Path
- Backpack or Mountain Bike Johnson Pass
- Explore Historic Hope
- Hike the Exit Glacier
- Camp Near Moose Pass
- Adventure on the Russian River
- Hike Portage Pass
- Bike the Trail of Blue Ice
- Visit Girdwood
9- Totem Bight State Historic Park
Located north of Ketchikan, Totem Bight State Historical Park is a 33-acre state park in the U.S. state. In 1938, the U.S. Forest Services began a project to rescue, reconstruct, and erect totem poles – a tradition that was dying out. Abandoned totem poles were restored or reconstructed and 15 poles were installed at Ketchikan Totem Bight State Historic Park which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Things to do in Totem Bight State Historic Park
- Know History Of Totem Bight State Historic Park
- The Clan House
- Totem Poles
- Landscape and Wildlife
- you’ll find interpretive displays, a bookshop, and a viewing deck overlooking the Tongass Narrows
10- Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve
Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve is the largest and most spectacular of Alaska’s vast national parks. This national park includes 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the United States. This beautiful mountain region bordering Canada has numerous glaciers, lakes, and mountain rivers, and is home to a rich variety of wildlife. It is an ideal country for mountaineers, hikers, and water sports enthusiasts.
Things to do in Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve
- Enjoy the Glaciers and Volcanoes
- Drive Nabesna Road
- Venture into the Backcountry
- Hike the Bonanza Mine Trail
- Hike the Root Glacier Trail
- Take a Flightseeing Tour
- Visit Copper Center
- Explore Kennecott
Everything You Need to Know About Traveling in Alaska
Where to Visit Alaska
Unless you have a month or two to spare, you’ll need to be selective with your Alaska itinerary. For those flying into Anchorage, places like the Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound, Denali National Park, and Exit Glacier top the list of must-see destinations. All of the regions can be covered in a two- to three-week itinerary, though many visitors choose two or three key areas to visit in a shorter time frame.
You can also fly remote capital, Juneau, and take whale-watching and glacier-viewing excursions from there. If you’re traveling from Anchorage, don’t miss the excellent Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum, and microbreweries like 49th State
What to Do in Alaska
It is a great place for outdoor adventures, from hiking to kayaking and glacier walking. About a two-and-a-half-hour drive south of Anchorage, Kenai Fjords National Park is the smallest park in the state but offers some of the best opportunities to see Alaska’s rich glacial landscape.
Just a 10-minute drive from Seward, you can see (and even hike on) Alaska’s famous Exit Glacier. Seward is also a great place for kayaking experiences around the protected Resurrection Bay (part of the national park), where all kinds of marine life can be seen.
Wildlife You’ll See in Alaska
If you’ve come to Alaska to see wildlife, you won’t be disappointed – but be prepared to work hard for it. The Kenai Peninsula is one of the most accessible places to see brown bears during the summer months – try Hidden Creek between Copper Landing and Sterling or Humpy Creek near Homer.
It’s a little difficult to get the classic shot of bears catching salmon in their mouths at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, which is only accessible by boat and plane (since Kodiak bears are found on nearby Kodiak Island), but if you’re lucky, you can spot brown bears feasting on salmon on any of Alaska’s waterways during the summer months.
Denali National Park and Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park are also havens for large animals, including moose, caribou, Dall’s sheep, and more. If you don’t see any in the wilderness, consider visiting the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center south of Anchorage, where you can easily spot orphaned and injured wildlife, from bison to bobcats.
When to Visit
Mid-May to mid-September is Alaska’s prime tourist season. The weather is generally warm, wildlife is active, and most tourist services are operational. Outside of these times services are dramatically reduced (and roads can be icy), but there are other activities in the winter months, such as heli-skiing and dog sledding.
What to pack
Even at the peak of summer, the weather in Alaska can change quickly. Wet weather clothing is a must (a rain jacket and pants are more effective than an umbrella), as well as sturdy (ideally waterproof) walking shoes and plenty of layers. Be careful to use sunscreen on glacier walks, as snow reflects up to 80 percent of UV radiation.
Bug spray will also come in handy, and if you plan on hiking or camping in the wilderness, you might consider buying bear spray, which works like capsicum spray. If you want to catch your own salmon, don’t forget to buy a fishing permit from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.