7 Best Places to Visit in Alaska

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Last updated:
30.11.2021

When planning a tour to Alaska, it can be overwhelming. Alaska is a big state that offers fascinating beauty. Hiking, kayaking, and fishing in the great outdoors are great ways to enjoy this natural wonder, especially since state and national parks here are some of the largest in the United States.

It's challenging to choose the best Alaska tourist attractions: there are so many of them. We have made it easy to decide by including the places that tourists and residents both include as their favorite spots.

Denali National Park & Preserve

The third-largest National Park in the United States, Denali, is located in the northern part of Alaska. One of the top exciting things to see in Alaska and Denali National Park is Mount McKinley, which is also known as Denali. The mountain stands at a height of 6,190 meters, which is the highest mountain in North America.

Denali

Located midway between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Denali is the home of grizzly bears, wolves, reindeer, elk, and other animals. Only one road runs through the park, making a trip here the perfect wilderness excursion. In addition to admiring the natural beauty, you can also learn about Native American life and culture by visiting the park.

Kenai Fjords National Park

One of the best scenic places to visit in Alaska, the Kenai Peninsula, sits on the edge of the land where the ice age remains. Kenai Fjords' crowning feature, Harding Icefield, is surrounded by more than 40 glaciers. There is plenty of wildlife in the icy waters and lush forests surrounding this vast expanse of ice.

Kenai Fjords National Park

There are also monstrously large brown bears living in the national park that feed on fat-rich salmon. The Alaska Railroad and the Seward Highway, which end in Seward near the park's northern boundary, are popular entryways into the park.

5 Quick Facts About Alaska

  • There are 3 million lakes in Alaska
  • More than 12,000 rivers flow through Alaska
  • The number of glaciers in Alaska is estimated at 100,000
  • There are more volcanoes in Alaska than any other state
  • A total of 54,563 kilometers of tidal shoreline are on the Alaskan coast

Anchorage

Even though it isn't Alaska's capital, Anchorage is its largest city. So visiting this city is an absolute must-do in Alaska. It is best known for its trails, wildlife, and glaciers, and it is also the heart of Alaska's culture. There are more artists and musicians in Anchorage than anywhere else in Alaska.

Anchorage

Alaska is home to various wildlife species, such as moose, brown and black bears, Dall sheep, and numerous species of migratory birds. You can see moose fairly easily by driving through any neighborhood on Anchorage's Hillside (the foothills of the Chugach Mountains). You can also visit a very impressive museum here, which is an Alaska top attractions.

Fairbanks

Compared to other places in Alaska that visitors usually visit, Fairbanks is quite unique. One of the fascinating places to visit here is Pioneer Park, where history is celebrated and preserved for all to enjoy. This is the city's largest and most feature-filled park, which includes baseball/softball fields and a skate park.

Fairbanks

Fairbanks is also known for its northern lights, aurora borealis, midnight sun, and beautiful sunsets and sunrises. The best time to view the northern lights is between mid-September and late April, with March being the peak month. Read more about the best time to visit Alaska and view the Northern Lights.

Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier is one of Alaska's most impressive sights and one of the best places to see in Alaska, located near Juneau, the state capital. It extends from Juneau Ice Field, its source, to Mendenhall Lake. There are numerous icebergs in the lake and the water provides expansive views of the glacier.

Mendenhall Glacier

Overall seeing icy glaciers is not only a quintessential Alaskan experience, but it's also something we should all do at least once. With open arms, it shows the tourists more beautiful icy scenes in a huge number of glaciers, the most popular of which are Matanuska Glacier, Exit Glacier, Spencer Glacier, and Ruth Glacier.

In Fact
The U.S.'s northernmost, easternmost and westernmost points are in Alaska. It’s true! Point Barrow in the north and both the eastern and western points are in the Aleutian Chain. Pochnoi Point on Semisopochnoi Island in the Aleutians is considered the easternmost point and Amatignak Island is the westernmost point because it lies east of the 180-degree longitude.

Inside Passage

The Inside Passage is a popular Alaskan coastal cruise itinerary route for oceangoing ships and is a treasure trove for wildlife. This passage was carved out by massive glaciers millions of years ago.

Inside Passage

Now it is home to bald eagle habitats, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating whales. This is a place where you can see Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian totem poles as well as ornate, domed Russian churches, and large forests.

Tracy Arm Fjord

The Tracy Arm is named after Civil War general Benjamin Franklin Tracy and is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Juneau. Breathtaking Tracy Arm is a stretch of land that extends over 30 miles long, with nearly one quarter covered in ice.

Tracy Arm Fjord

For many travelers, the breathtaking scenery of Tracy Arm Fjord was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They described the glacial scenery as "incredible" and "breathtaking”, which just proves the fact that this place deserves to be on the list of Alaska top attractions.

Alaska has an incredible natural beauty that you can't find anywhere else in the world. Here are the top 4 things to do in Alaska that will always keep you entertained The people are friendly and welcoming with their great outdoorsy lifestyles - it's no wonder why visitors choose Alaska tours and come from near or far just for an adventure into this incredible state. For those who are looking for something new and beautiful, Alaska is the place to explore.