Alaska didn’t just impress me—it rearranged something inside me. From the thunder of a calving glacier to the hush of a snowy trail, every moment felt bigger than life. There’s a rawness here that strips everything down. I found myself staring at distant mountains, silent forests, and wide open skies thinking, “This is the kind of beauty you feel, not just see.”
Whether I was standing beneath the northern lights in Fairbanks, drifting past blue walls of ice in Glacier Bay, or digging into a plate of halibut in Homer, Alaska reminded me that the best adventures are the ones that slow you down and wake you up.
Each town and park here holds something different—quiet, power, wild charm. It’s not just a place you visit. It’s one you carry with you.
Best Places to Visit in Alaska:
Staring into the vastness of Denali National Park
There’s quiet, and then there’s Denali quiet. I remember standing on a ridge, clouds peeling off the mountain, and realizing I couldn’t hear anything—no cars, no voices, not even birds. Just stillness. I stared at the snowy peak of Denali and thought, “I’ve never felt so small and so grateful at the same time.”
What I Loved Most: Spotting a grizzly in the distance, roaming free across the tundra like it owned the world—and in that moment, it did.
My highlights? A cozy post-hike dinner at 229 Parks Restaurant & Tavern, just outside the park entrance. I had Alaskan halibut with lemon butter and roasted carrots, paired with a wild blueberry cocktail. Rustic, seasonal, and deeply satisfying after a long day in the wild.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Wildlife lovers, hikers, solitude seekers
- Top Experiences: Bus tour into the park, Savage River hike, spotting moose and bears
- Best Time to Visit: June to early September
- Getting There: Drive or take the Alaska Railroad to the Denali entrance (near Healy, AK)
- Local Vibe: Remote, humbling, beautifully wild
Great Tours I found in Denali National Park, Alaska:
- Denali In A Day Sightseeing Tour – rice: From $200 per person.
- Denali: 5-Hour Guided Wilderness Hiking Tour – Price: From $180 per person.
- Denali National Park: Helicopter and Hike Adventure – Price: From $529 per person.
Finding charm in the rain in Ketchikan
It rained almost the whole time I was in Ketchikan—but that somehow made it better. The boardwalks glistened, totem poles seemed to glow, and the whole town smelled like cedar and sea. As I walked along Creek Street, I thought, “This place wears its history like weather—layered, rich, and impossible to ignore.”
What I Loved Most: Watching salmon swim upstream beneath the old red storefronts of Creek Street, while eagles circled overhead.
My highlights? Lunch at Alava’s Fish-n-Chowder, a tiny, waterside spot. I had freshly battered cod with fries and a cup of smoked salmon chowder. Warm, comforting, and exactly what I wanted on a rainy day.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Cruise travelers, history buffs, seafood fans
- Top Experiences: Totem Heritage Center, Creek Street, Misty Fjords floatplane tour
- Best Time to Visit: May to September
- Getting There: Fly or cruise into Ketchikan International Airport (KTN); ferry to town
- Local Vibe: Quirky, historic, rain-soaked and proud
Walking on ancient ice at Mendenhall Glacier
I’d seen glaciers before, but Mendenhall felt different—more personal. I stood on the overlook trail and watched chunks of blue ice bob in the lake below, and something about the stillness made me quiet inside. I thought, “This is Earth’s memory—right here, melting in front of me.”
What I Loved Most: Hiking the Nugget Falls Trail and getting sprayed with mist as I stood beside a roaring waterfall with the glacier looming just beyond.
My highlights? A warming bowl of crab bisque at Deckhand Dave’s in downtown Juneau. I followed it with a halibut taco and a local beer on the side patio. Fresh, no-frills, and full of flavor.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Nature lovers, families, day hikers
- Top Experiences: Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, Nugget Falls, kayaking on Mendenhall Lake
- Best Time to Visit: Late May to early September
- Getting There: Located 12 miles from Juneau, accessible by car, taxi, or tour shuttle
- Local Vibe: Icy, dramatic, easy to explore
Drifting into silence in Glacier Bay National Park
We turned a corner in the bay, and suddenly the glacier (in Glacier Bay National Park) was there—massive, glowing blue, and crackling in the quiet. I stood on the deck of the boat and watched a chunk of ice calve into the water with a deep rumble. I remember thinking, “This is the sound of Earth exhaling.”
What I Loved Most: Seeing sea otters float belly-up in the icy water, completely relaxed, like they owned the place.
My highlights? A warm lunch onboard our tour boat: wild salmon with dill cream, mashed potatoes, and sourdough bread. Simple, hot, and perfect against the cold Alaskan air.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Cruisers, wildlife watchers, glacier enthusiasts
- Top Experiences: Glacier viewing by boat, birdwatching, spotting whales and sea lions
- Best Time to Visit: June to early September
- Getting There: Cruise or fly into Gustavus (GST) via Juneau; boat tours leave from Bartlett Cove
- Local Vibe: Remote, serene, jaw-dropping
Romantic Places to Visit in Alaska:
Feeling the thunder at Hubbard Glacier
Hubbard Glacier was loud in a way I didn’t expect. Every few minutes, a thunderous crack echoed across the bay as ice sheared off the face and splashed into the sea. I leaned on the ship’s railing, icy wind on my cheeks, and thought, “Nature doesn’t whisper here—it speaks in echoes.”
What I Loved Most: Watching harbor seals sun themselves on floating ice chunks, completely unfazed by the glacier’s roar.
My highlights? A hot chocolate with a splash of peppermint liqueur, served on the cruise deck while we floated nearby. It wasn’t a meal, but it warmed my hands and heart as I watched another iceberg fall.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Cruise travelers, glacier chasers, photographers
- Top Experiences: Watching calving from the ship, spotting wildlife, photographing the 6-mile-wide glacier face
- Best Time to Visit: Late May to August
- Getting There: Most accessible via Inside Passage cruise; ships approach via Yakutat Bay
- Local Vibe: Immense, icy, unforgettable
Meeting mountain-town magic in Talkeetna
Talkeetna charmed me instantly. The streets were lined with log cabins, quirky cafes, and colorful signs, all backed by snowcapped peaks. I sat by the river and watched clouds swirl around Denali in the distance, thinking, “This little town feels like a storybook—and I’m in it.”
What I Loved Most: Taking a flightseeing tour around Denali, landing on a glacier and stepping out into a world made entirely of white and wind.
My highlights? Breakfast at Talkeetna Roadhouse. I had sourdough pancakes the size of dinner plates, served with thick-cut bacon and housemade jam. Cozy, hearty, and exactly what you want before heading into the wild.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Road trippers, photographers, mountain lovers
- Top Experiences: Denali flightseeing, river rafting, Talkeetna Riverfront Park
- Best Time to Visit: May to September
- Getting There: 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage or train ride via the Alaska Railroad
- Local Vibe: Quirky, welcoming, surrounded by mountains
Walking through gold rush history in Skagway
Skagway felt like a movie set—but real. Wooden boardwalks, saloons, and clapboard buildings stood against steep mountains, holding onto stories from another era. I walked the quiet streets early in the morning, fog hanging low, and thought, “Some places remember better than others—Skagway hasn’t forgotten a thing.”
What I Loved Most: Riding the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad and watching the landscape open up—waterfalls, cliffs, and clouds wrapping the peaks.
My highlights? A hearty meal at Skagway Brewing Company. I had a spruce tip blonde ale with their salmon BLT, stacked high and served with sweet potato fries. Cozy, local, and perfect after exploring town.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: History fans, cruise passengers, scenic riders
- Top Experiences: White Pass Railway, Klondike Gold Rush Museum, hiking Lower Dewey Lake Trail
- Best Time to Visit: May to September
- Getting There: Cruise stop or flight/ferry to Skagway Airport (SGY) or via Juneau
- Local Vibe: Nostalgic, rugged, story-filled
Family-friendly Places to Visit in Alaska:
Feeling the sea air and spruce in Sitka
Sitka greeted me with fog and birdsong. It was quieter than the other Southeast Alaska towns, more thoughtful somehow. I walked past old Russian churches and along rocky shoreline trails, thinking, “This place feels like it knows how to be still.”
What I Loved Most: Watching sea otters bob in the kelp while bald eagles soared overhead. The forest and ocean seemed to merge here.
My highlights? A cozy dinner at Beak Restaurant. I had Dungeness crab cakes with citrus aioli and a side of roasted seasonal vegetables. The candlelit warmth of the space matched the town’s quiet charm.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Nature lovers, history buffs, slower travelers
- Top Experiences: Sitka National Historical Park, Fortress of the Bear, kayaking Sitka Sound
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring to early fall
- Getting There: Ferry or fly into Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (SIT)
- Local Vibe: Reflective, coastal, naturally rich
Finding end-of-the-road beauty in Homer
Driving into Homer felt like arriving somewhere meaningful. The Homer Spit stretched into the bay, boats bobbing, mountains rising across the water. I watched gulls wheel overhead and thought, “This is the kind of place that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.”
What I Loved Most: Beachcombing along the spit and finding sea glass, driftwood, and the occasional starfish nestled in tide pools.
My highlights? A seafood lunch at The Little Mermaid—blackened halibut tacos with slaw and a mango aioli. I ate on the porch with the ocean in full view and salt in the air.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Artists, coastal wanderers, people who love fishing towns
- Top Experiences: Homer Spit, fishing charters, Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center
- Best Time to Visit: June through August
- Getting There: 4.5-hour drive from Anchorage or fly into Homer Airport (HOM)
- Local Vibe: Creative, salty, endearing
Watching the northern lights dance in Fairbanks
I stood bundled in layers, face tilted toward the sky in Fairbanks. The air was quiet, frozen, electric—and then the lights came. They unfurled in green ribbons overhead, waving like a silent anthem. I remember thinking, “No photo could ever explain what this feels like in your chest.”
What I Loved Most: Soaking in the outdoor hot springs at Chena, surrounded by snow and silence, while the aurora shimmered overhead.
My highlights? A warm meal at The Pump House in Fairbanks. I had reindeer medallions with berry demi-glace and wild rice. Rich, earthy, and somehow grounding after such an ethereal show.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Bucket list chasers, stargazers, winter travelers
- Top Experiences: Aurora viewing, Chena Hot Springs, ice museums, dog sledding
- Best Time to Visit: Late August to April (peak viewing: March)
- Getting There: Fly into Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
- Local Vibe: Cold, magical, totally worth it
Fairbanks events worth traveling for:
- Midnight Sun Festival - Fairbanks, Every June
- Tanana Valley State Fair - Every July
- Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival - Every July
- Golden Days - Third week of July
- World Eskimo-Indian Olympics - Mid July
Final Thoughts on Exploring Alaska:
If you’re looking for a destination that humbles and heals, Alaska will meet you there. Come for the glaciers, the northern lights, the wildlife—but stay for the way it makes you feel alive. Every mile offers a new story, a quiet thrill, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Ready to plan your Alaskan escape? Here are a few helpful guides to keep exploring:
Bundle up, look up, and let Alaska show you just how wild and beautiful the world can be.