Top 5 Reasons to Visit Alaska
Published Monday, January 17th 2022 - Updated Thursday, October 24th 2024When it comes to breathtaking natural landscapes and impromptu encounters with a myriad of wildlife, there is no other state quite like Alaska.
Here are some of the best reasons to visit Alaska:
Scenery
Travelers visit Alaska to see the jaw-dropping scenery of unspoiled nature, majestic mountains, fjords, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, National Parks, and Northern Lights.
Alaska has some of the world’s most scenic highways like the Seward Highway and Denali Park Road, perfect for an unforgettable road trip. The trains also offer memorable journeys through stunning landscapes. Cruising along Alaska’s Inside Passage viewing remote villages with picturesque backdrops is one of the highlights of trip.
Wildlife
Alaska is one of the best places for wildlife spotting. Cruising on Alaska’s waters allows many opportunities to see seals, sea lions, and whales.
Getting to see a majestic brown bear snatching salmon from an Alaska stream is the memory of a lifetime. If you’re traveling further inland, consider visiting Denali National Park to see the Big 5: moose, bear, caribou, wolf, and Dall sheep. But as iconic as these massive land predators are, they're just the start of what Alaska has to offer.
Native Culture and History
Alaska has a rich and varied history, including the Native Indians, Russian fur traders, and gold miners.
There are unique museums and cultural heritage centers throughout Alaska. Hear stories passed down from Elders and feel the heartbeat of drums used in traditional dancing. Learn about totem carving techniques passed down from generation to generation. And learn about regional and local Native functional and creative arts, ranging from carving and basket weaving to sewing and silversmithing.
Glaciers
Many cruises sail into Glacier Bay National Park for glacier viewing. One of the most memorable travel moments is watching the glaciers calve. Listen for the cracking sound that builds to a thunderous crescendo as ice shears the glacier and crashes into the water below.
Spend the day exploring the countless glaciers. Paddle or kayak through glacial lakes and navigate the tiny bergs floating on the surface. Glacier hiking and ice climbing are also spectacular. Or strap on crampons, grab and ice ax, and go vertical.
Unique Adventures
Alaska’s landscape offers unique adventures no matter what time of year you visit. It is an outdoor paradise, especially during the summer, for kayaking, river rafting, hiking, sport fishing, or scenic flightseeing.
The midnight sun ensures you will have plenty of time for all these adventures. Winter is prime time for dog sledding, hot springs dipping, heli-skiing, and northern lights viewing.