Optimal Seasons to Explore Alaska
Bask in the sun at midnight. Experience 24-hour darkness punctuated only by the shimmering aurora borealis. Celebrate an ice-worm festival and witness grizzly bears fattening up on salmon.
A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Bask in the sun at midnight. Experience 24-hour darkness punctuated only by the shimmering aurora borealis. Celebrate an ice-worm festival and witness grizzly bears fattening up on salmon.
Alaska is bigger, colder, and more remote than any other state in the US. Pure, raw, unforgiving, and humongous in scale, it is a place that calls to those with wanderlust and a strong sense of independence. There are thrilling adventures to be had here, but also pitfalls to be avoided. Take precautions; however, don’t let the wilderness intimidate you.
are characterized by frequent gas stations and whimsical roadside attractions, Alaskan roads cater to a more audacious nature enthusiast. Welcome to a state where the most common pedestrians are moose and road signs sometimes double as targets. If you plan to drive here, ensure you have (or rent) a robust vehicle, familiarize yourself with tire replacement, and stock essential food supplies, playlists, and emergency kits. Below, we offer our recommendations for the finest road trips this beautiful state provides.
Let’s be honest: Alaska isn’t exactly a budget destination. However, with some creative planning and a willingness to trade luxury for an authentic experience, a trip to this stunning northern region doesn’t have to break the bank. The good news is that entry to Alaska’s breathtaking wilderness is often free. Hiking and backcountry camping cost nothing, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot majestic wildlife like bears and moose from the bus window on scenic routes such as the Seward Highway or during an afternoon run in Anchorage.
Perhaps no other state is as defined by terrain as Alaska. With 350 million acres of land and 6,640 miles of coastline making it the largest state in the USA, Alaska’s enormity also represents its significant history, myriad cultures, and abundant activities.
Visiting Alaska is a bucket-list dream for a reason — rugged mountains, epic views, iconic wildlife, and quirky locals have all put this famously remote state on the travel map. For most visitors, Anchorage is the first port of call; however, Alaska certainly isn’t cheap.
A visit to Alaska can be life-changing for children, shaping their understanding of the natural world and wildlife while discovering their own sense of adventure. Few places in the world offer lively hikes to glaciers, abandoned gold mines, and wildlife sightings that can make even the youngest travelers feel a sense of wonder.
Along with its spectacular wildlife, gorgeous fjords and glaciers, Alaska is also a great place to learn about Native Alaskan culture and is an example of Indigenous groups managing authentic tourism experiences that also embrace sustainability.
As Alaska’s biggest city, Anchorage is a veritable cornucopia of adventure. Whether you prefer indulging in fine dining while overlooking Cook Inlet or getting dirty while exploring the Chugach Mountains, you’ll find your nirvana here.
Anchorage is a city literally surrounded on all sides by natural beauty. Before European settlers occupied the region, it was the homeland of the Dena’ina and the Native Village of Eklutna who hunted, gathered, and fished across the abundant land. Explore the bear- and moose-packedChugach State Parkor Cook Inlet – splashing with beluga whales in summer and fall – or hit either the north road or the south road out of town, each direction connecting Anchorage to mountainous destinations beyond. The magnitude of the surrounding nature can feel both magical and overwhelming in its vastness.
Bereft of sun-loungers and ocean-front promenades, Alaska redefines the traditional image of a beach. Here, in the land of humongous glaciers and polar bears, palm trees are mock-ups made from whale baleen, golden sands really do contain gold and, if you want to go swimming, you may have to break a hole in the ice first.
Alaska ain’t cheap, as any “sourdough” (old-timer) will tell you. The cost of flying and shipping everything to such an isolated region is invariably passed on to the consumer. However, if you’re willing to forsake flightseeing for hiking and national museums for national parks, you’re halfway to experiencing the US’s largest state on a shoestring.
Less a cruise, more a coastal adventure – this scenic route through Alaska’s islands is easily explored using the state-run ferry system. Hop among remote communities to encounter rural hospitality, landscapes teeming with wildlife, and glaciers galore.
Alaska frequently ranks high on travelers’ bucket lists due to its incredible experiences like Denali National Park, whale-watching adventures, and floating icebergs. However, further north lies the state’s “Golden Heart” — the under-the-radar city of Fairbanks.
It’s no wonder people often refer to Alaska as the trip of a lifetime; it’s a wild and wonderful place with eight national parks, North America’s tallest peak, and rare wildlife sightings. Expect to see orcas, muskoxen (which have been around since the Ice Age), and wolverines.
Alaska continues to flourish as a destination of choice, and the mega cruise ships have taken notice: 10 new ships called on Alaska in 2019. There’s a lot to love about big cruise liners, like the plethora of onboard entertainment and dining options, but they’re not right for everyone.
Covered in impenetrable forests and lined with craggy coastlines, Alaska has achieved almost a mythic status as the Last Frontier – a land of hardy explorers and off-the-grid adventurers, raw wilderness, and crevasse-cut glaciers. However, how easy is it to get a sense of the call of the wild that draws many people to this state? To find out, I followed in the footsteps of the American artist Rockwell Kent, whose urge to explore led him to live in a cabin on a barely inhabited island off the coast of Alaska, 100 years ago.
Cruising has made Alaska’s once-impenetrable wilderness accessible to millions. However, to really get a feel for the unforgiving landscapes that made erstwhile gold rush ‘stampeders’ quiver in their boots, you need to get off the ship and stretch your legs a little. Here are a few very Alaskan things to do in some of the classic ports of call that dot the 49th state’s rugged shoreline.
Visitors are drawn to Alaska’s biggest city for its perfect blend of outdoor opportunities and urban advantages. Bring your hiking boots and build up a healthy appetite, as Anchorage’s adventure, gastronomy, and cultural scenes are all worth delving into. From the Chugach Mountains that serve as the backdrop to the city to the local cuisine served up in a fancy dining room or from a street cart, you can occupy yourself here for days – and you should.
Learn essential tips and packing lists for your Alaskan cruise, including how to layer clothing for unpredictable weather, must-have items, and more for the adventure of a lifetime.