We have selected the top places in Alaska to see if you love stunning scenery and natural beauty. A holiday in Alaska will transform your perception of the world. Two times we visited Alaska. Once on a small vessel with UnCruise, we explored Alaska’s more remote destinations. Another time we traveled by rail from Fairbanks to Anchorage. We explored land before we boarded Princess Cruises and enjoyed a wonderful week. Before we went on our tours, we spent some time exploring.
Best Places To Visit In Alaska
Although most people only visit Alaska for a seven-day cruise, exploring this beautiful American State before and after the cruise is worthwhile. There are many things to do in Alaska that should be explored beyond the cruise ship. You can be sure your Alaskan vacation will be different from any other. It is among America’s most popular travel destinations, and for a good reason.
Denali National Park And Preserve
Denali National Park & Preserve should be noticed. The park’s stunning landscape and Alaska Mountain Range are the closest to the unspoiled wilderness. You can tour the park by bus with a ranger. Keep an eye out for Dall Sheep, caribou, and moose. You can hike on the marked trails or off-trail, as well as on some backcountry trails. There are six campgrounds in the park. They can get swamped during summer, so reservations are a brilliant idea. Before you go into Denali National Park, make sure to check in at the Denali Visitor Center.
Denali National Park has more than six million acres of the unspoiled landscape of mountains and rivers. It is the perfect escape from everyday life. This Denali ATV Adventure was fun. 360° views are available from the top of the adventure, including Otto Lake and the Healy valley.
Denali – Mt. McKinley
Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, is the highest peak in the United States. It can be found within Denali National Park. It is located at 6190m (20,310) feet on the summit and is North America’s highest peak. The scenic flight was a stunning way to see Denali. Seeing the glaciers and ice fields up high wasn’t very safe. It felt like we could touch the glaciers and ice fields at times. Experienced climbers can conquer Denali. But unlike Mount Kilimanjaro, it requires profound climbing experience and winter camping. It is best to enjoy the beautiful views if you are new to climbing.
This scenic flight above Denali will take you close to Denali’s summit, offering views of Denali National Park, the Alaska Range, and Ruth Glaciers. This is a unique experience that you won’t be able to repeat.
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park has more than 1000 glaciers and is considered one of the most extraordinary places on the planet. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is rich in history, thanks to the many glaciers that have been there over the centuries.
The Grand Pacific Glacier measured more than 4000 feet in thickness two centuries ago. However, it has significantly shrunk over the past two centuries. The glacier is now divided into smaller pieces, and many are still calving. This means that a massive block of ice could easily fall from them at any time, so the glaciers must be viewed afar.
It covers more than 3,000,000 acres. Access is only possible by boat or float plane. A guided tour of the coast can be arranged to help you learn more about the formations you will see. Glacier Bay’s Inside Passage takes you from forest and ice to breathtaking views as you glide along the fjord. It’s almost like you are in the only place on earth. See our cruise through Alaska’s Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage.
Juneau – Mendenhall Glacier
Many cruise ships start and end their journeys in Juneau, Alaska. One of Alaska’s most famous towns is named after Joe Juneau, a French Canadian prospector and miner. The Juneau Ice Field’s enormous Mendenhall Glacier is one of the main attractions.
Juneau, Alaska, is a place that takes at least three days to discover. You will find a fun, old-west vibe in the town with its saloons, boardwalks, and many attractions. Bald Eagle Beach is also a popular spot to see bald eagles. Learn more about the 28 Amazing Activities in Juneau, Alaska
Juneau: Where to Stay
Four points by Sheraton Located right on the waterfront, this hotel is very convenient. It was easy to walk to downtown Juneau and many of the top attractions in Juneau. It is also easy to access the Seadrome Marina.
Ramada By Wyndham is another excellent Juneau location just a bit further from downtown. We loved their bar and restaurant, which is still within walking distance.
Mendenhall Ice Caves
One of Juneau’s most incredible sights is the Mendenhall Ice Caves. You will feel transported to a world of ice, glass, and other natural attractions. The Mendenhall Ice Caves can usually be accessed between July and September.
- Book the highly-rated Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves Tour. You’ll have the opportunity to paddle from Mendenhall Lake to Glacier, where you can get up close to the glacier. This is something that only a few people get to experience.
- You can also join a kayak trip to the glacier, where you will search for wildlife and paddle around ice flows before finally stepping foot on the glacier.
Alaska Highway
You can experience a true Alaska Highway adventure from Dawson’s Creek, British Columbia. It is a genuinely fantastic road trip. It was a very similar trip that we took along the Dempster Highway through the Yukon.
The Alaska Highway runs for 1400 miles and ends in Fairbanks (Alaska). You’ll see glaciers, mountains, grizzly bears, and many other sights along the way. It will be an unforgettable trip. You don’t even have to drive the highway. You can take a plane to land in Alaska’s major cities.
