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A sparsely inhabited state in the USA, Alaska attracts several tourists from all over the world. Popular for its varied landscapes that include forests, mountains, and abundant open spaces, Alaska is the ultimate destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers. On one hand, you can soak in the native American culture while enjoying activities like kayaking, skiing and mountain biking on the other. There is something to see and do for people of all ages, making Alaska an ideal vacation choice. To help you plan your trip to this fascinating state, we have covered the top 11 places to visit in Alaska.
Top 11 Places to Visit in Alaska
Here is the most popular Alaska tourist places list for your next trip:
1. Glacier Bay National Park And Reserve
Photo: Manav Shah / Wikimedia Commons
Boasting over 3 million acres of rainforest, tidewater glaciers and narrow fjords, the Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve is rightly a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although getting to this place is a challenge, the beauty of the park makes the journey worth it. You can traverse the glacier on a cruise and get up close to nature via a kayaking tour or spend the night under the stars in Glacier Bay’s free campground called Barlett Cave. Enjoy close-up glacier views, and diverse wildlife and marine animals sightings right from your boat or cruise deck.
Location: 1 Park Road Gustavus, AK 99826
2. Kenai Fjords National Park
Photo: Niagara66 / Wikimedia Commons
This glacier park is well known for its amazing ice-field views and specular wildlife encounters during boat tours. This national park offers educational exhibits, ranger-led tours and energising trails for hikers. Showcasing over 40 glaciers from Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords National Park is among the top tourist places in Alaska. If you choose the guided tour from Seward, you may spot harbour seals, sea lions and humpback whales. For more adventure, you can drive up to the Exit Glacier and hike the Glacier view loop trail for some stunning views of this natural wonder.
Location: Seward, AK 99664
3. Denali National Park
Photo: Niagara66 / Wikimedia Commons
One of the top places to visit in Alaska, Denali Park exhibits sprawling wilderness with vast peaceful terrains, snow-capped mountains and diverse wildlife. Key features include shuttle tours, hiking trails and dog sledge adventures. Denali is North America’s tallest peak, and since hiking this mountain is challenging, you can explore it in ways such as narrated bus tours, where you can learn about the park’s history. You can also spot Denali’s top wildlife species, such as grizzly bears, caribou, moose, wolves and daal sheep.
Location: Mile 237 Highway 3 Denali Park, AK 99755
Timings: 24 hours
4. Fairbanks
Photo: Quintin Soloviev / Wikimedia Commons
The second biggest city in Alaska and near the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks has a unique frontier feel to it with a unique blend of history and modern-day culture. You can explore the city’s rich history through a private guided tour or the Fairbanks city tour that takes tourists across the town on a motor coach. You can visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North, ride along the trans-Alaskan oil pipeline, and even learn about Alaskan gold mining. If you visit in winter, you will get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the northern lights and take the famous Alaskan flight tours.
Location: Alaska, USA
5. Seaward
Photo: Anonymous / Wikimedia Commons
Flanked by rugged mountains and a scenic coastline, Seward is a must-see place in Alaska. You can begin your trip by visiting the Alaska Sealife Center, a permanent rehabilitation and rescue facility for marine mammals. Day cruises to Resurrection Bay or Kenai Fjords National Park are popular. You can explore Seaward’s bay water via a guided kayak excursion, hike to Exit Glacier, zipline or go on sledgedog expeditions. You can then take a stroll along the Waterfront Park or visit the downtown area to witness colourful murals on several buildings.
Location: Alaska, USA
6. Anchorage
Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons
Anchorage is the ideal town to experience all that Alaska has to offer. Spot grizzly bears via an air taxi, take a flight cruise over Denali, go fishing, or see huge whales and splendid glaciers on a day cruise. There are numerous trails to hike to a mountain top, bike to a glacier, and striking highways to drive through. For shopping and culture, there are many galleries with works of top artists and native handicrafts. You can enjoy some great seafood while you are in Anchorage or catch a show at one of the performance halls.
Location: Alaska, USA
7. Skagway
Photo: Gary Bembridge / Wikimedia Commons
Skagway is a picturesque town with an interesting history of being a gold rush icon. Here, locals can be found in period attire and can spot around 100 authentic gold rush-era structures. You can learn more about the Klondike Gold Rush in the Skagway Museum or ride the rails along the White Pass and Yukon route. There are several options for exploring the city and beyond, such as mini-bus tours, dog sledging tours, downtown walking tours, and hiking on the Chilkoot trail.
Location: 90 miles northwest of Juneau, Alaska
8. Valdez
Photo: Luca Galuzzi / Wikimedia Commons
Situated at the entrance to the Prince William Sound fjord, this town is popular for its winter activities. With over 300 inches of annual snowfall, Valdez is an ideal destination for activities such as snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and bike riding. You can explore the glaciers of Valdez, including the Worthington Glacier, and learn about town history from the Valdez Museum and Historical Archives. A beginning point for day cruises, there is plenty of wildlife near the Prince Willian Sound fjord. You can kayak across the Valdez glacier lake or raft in one of the rivers.
Location: Alaska, USA
9. Mendenhall Glacier
Photo: Ringbang / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most breathtaking yet accessible glaciers in the US, the Mendenhall Glacier is a blue glacial ice formation that stretches across 13.6 miles. Situated in the Mendenhall valley, this glacier is about 12 miles from downtown Juneau in southeast Alaska. Check out the visitor centre that overlooks the glacier and the iceberg waters and learn more about the ecosystem and wildlife. Then, proceed along the Photo Point Trail that overlooks the glacier to capture the best views before embarking on a hike to the famous Nugget Falls. The glacier is accessible throughout the year and can be visited through a hike, a whale-watching cruise or canoeing in Lake Mendenhall.
Location: 12 miles from Juneau in southeast Alaska
Timings: 8 AM – 7:30 PM (May to September) and 10 AM – 4 PM (October to April)
Fees: $5 in Summer and Free in Winter
10. Talkeetna
Photo: Zeete / Wikimedia Commons
This small town outside Denali National Park and Reserve has made it one of the most popular places to visit in Alaska amongst tourists for its charming history and old-world coffee shops. The main street is one of the best places to visit the numerous art galleries, artisan shops, and restaurants. The Aurora Dora Gallery has some splendid images of Northern Lights. You can then head to the Talkeetna Museum and Historical Society to learn more about this distinct town. Apart from flight tours over Denali, other activities such as hiking, fishing, cruising or touring on a jet boat are very popular.
Location: Base of Alaskan range, Alaska
11. Girdwood
Photo: Nathan Searles / Wikimedia Commons
This eclectic resort town is a favourite destination for locals and visitors. Also known as “Glacier City”, with icy peaks on the surrounding mountains, a glacier tour is easily possible in this town. Adventure seekers can also enjoy rafting and dog sledging in Girdwood. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you can check out the Alaska Wildlife Centre, which is spread across 140 acres. There are several summer and winter trails in Girdwood for those who wish to explore the town on their own.
Location: 45 min South of Anchorage, Alaska
Alaska has always been a top pick for tourists due to its natural beauty, unique landscapes and adventurous activities. From the innumerable destinations, we have enlisted the best places to visit in Alaska that can offer you a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Besides striking views, trekking trails, snow-capped mountains and glaciers, Alaska has a rich past and native culture that is captured in galleries, museums, and ancient structures. Now that you know the best places for Alaska trip, connect with TripXL to plan your next unforgettable winter or summer vacation to this exotic place.
