For a long time, Alaska was on my dream travel list, but I never quite got there. But once I made my first trip, I fell in love with this unique, beautiful state. There’s a rawness here that strips down all your expectation. I found myself staring at the mountains wide open skies thinking, “This is the kind of beauty you feel, not just see.”
I saw the northern lights in Fairbanks, ate amazing halibut in Homer, and much more. Each destination here is worth your time, I promise.
Best Places to Visit in Alaska:
Staring into the vastness of Denali National Park
The first time I visited, we landed in Anchorage and planned to rent a car to drive to Denali National Park. Our flight cost about $400 round trip from Austin, TX. Travel delays altered our plans, so we booked a round-trip sightseeing flight from Anchorage instead.
Denali scenery was unbelievable. We were in the air, but I could just imagine the stillness below. No cars, no voices. "Were there birds?" I remember wondering.
What I Loved Most: Spotting a grizzly in the distance, roaming free across the tundra like it owned the world. I'm sure that in that moment, it did.
Plan your trip to Denali:
- Best For: Wildlife lovers, hikers, solitude seekers
- Top Experiences: Drive or join a tour
- 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
- Browse hotels in Anchorage
Great tours you can take:
- Denali In A Day Sightseeing Tour – Price: 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
I landed at Ketchikan Airport on Gravina Island in the summer. From there, I took the 10-minute airport ferry to Ketchikan. It cost $6 for adults ($3 for kids).
I kept hearing about Ketchikan Creek from friends, so I booked a stay at the Inn at Creek Street ($197/night). It really was a fascinating place. You can watch salmon swim upstream beneath the old red storefronts of Creek Street. I reminded myself to look up and spot the eagles.
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 needed.
Plan your vacation to Ketchikan:
- 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 like I had already been there, perhaps in another life. I stood on the overlook trail and watched chunks of blue ice bob in the lake below. I thought, “This is Earth’s memory melting in front of me.”
I took the public bus from Juneau to get here. The bus ride took about an hour.
From the bus stop on Dredge Lake Road, I walked just over a mile to the visitor center. It was a perfect active day trip from Juneau. I took a taxi back to Juneau.
What I recommend A warming bowl of crab bisque at Deckhand Dave’s in downtown Juneau. I followed it with a halibut taco. Fresh, no-frills, and full of flavor.
Before heading to Alaskan Hotel for the night, I picked up some gifts at the Red Dog Saloon.
Plan your visit to Mendenhall Glacier:
- Best For: Nature lovers, families, day hikers
- Top Experiences: Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, Nugget Falls
- 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
Next day, I took a 30 minute Alaska Airlines flight from Juneau to Gustavus. I had booked a stay at Glacier Bay Lodge, my base for exploring Glacier Bay National Park.
Since the lodge is about 10 miles from the Gustavus Airport, they picked me up in a shuttle. This is a free service for lodge gusts.
The lodge is located in Bartlett Cove, which is the headquarters for Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.
I hopped aboard the tour boat that departs from Glacier Bay Lodge. We turned a corner in the bay, and suddenly the glacier was there. It was so massive! I stood on the deck of the boat in awe.
What I Loved Most: Seeing sea otters float in the icy water like they owned the place.
I spent the night at Glacier Bay Lodge and then flew back to Juneau.
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
Hoonah, Alaska: Where the Forest Meets the Sea
“This is what quiet really sounds like,” I thought, standing on the dock as mist drifted over the water and bald eagles circled overhead. Hoonah felt untouched—thick with spruce forests, steeped in Tlingit heritage, and edged by still, deep water.
I took a slow walk along the shoreline, watching fishing boats drift in from Icy Strait. The cold air smelled like pine and salt. Time moved slower here. I visited a small carving shed where locals shaped cedar into story poles—each line telling a piece of the town’s past.
What I Loved Most: The silence between waves. The sense that everything around me had stood still for centuries.
My highlight? Fresh halibut at a tiny café near the harbor—grilled simply, flaky and sweet, served with a warm biscuit that tasted like butter and salt air.
Plan your Hoonah day trip:
- Getting There: By ferry or cruise stop from Juneau (~3.5 hours)
- Vibe: Remote, peaceful, culturally rich
- Highlights: Icy Strait Point, Tlingit carving shed, whale watching, coastal trails
- Best Time to Visit: May–September for wildlife and clear skies
- Cost: Low if exploring on foot; tours and dining vary
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
Wasilla, Alaska – Between Mountains and Memories
The road to Wasilla felt like a slow reveal—birch trees giving way to lakes, mountains rising in the distance, and that bright, soft light you only seem to get in Southcentral Alaska. Nestled in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, about 45 minutes north of Anchorage, Wasilla is often seen as a pass-through town. But if you slow down, you’ll start to notice what’s quietly special about it. “This isn’t flashy,” I thought as I pulled into town, “but it’s full of stories.”
Wasilla has roots in the gold rush and railroads, and you can still feel that pioneer spirit in the local museum, tucked beside the old train depot. There’s a strong sense of pride here—locals who know the trails, the fish runs, and the way the mountains shift colors depending on the time of day. At Lake Lucille, I watched kids skipping rocks and someone casting a line in the still water. The Chugach Range framed the scene like a painting.
Later, I grabbed lunch at a roadside café where the special was reindeer sausage with roasted root vegetables. The plate was hearty and fragrant—smoky, sweet, and comforting in the way that cold-weather food always is. I lingered longer than I planned, drinking in the views and the quiet rhythm of daily life. There’s a kind of rugged warmth in Wasilla—part small town, part wilderness gateway—and it invites you to stay just a little longer.
Wasilla At a Glance
- Vibe: Local, unpretentious, mountain-framed
- Highlights: Lake Lucille, Museum of Alaska Transportation, local trails, farm stands
- Best Time to Visit: Summer for long days and lake views; fall for crisp air and golden light
- Nearby: Palmer, Hatcher Pass, Independence Mine, Knik Glacier (via air or ATV tours)
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
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
“Even before I saw the lights, I knew I’d remember that moment.” As I settled into the chilly Alaskan night near Fairbanks, waiting in silent wonder, the aurora opened overhead in ribbons of green and violet—and I felt awe like nothing else.
I had traveled through Alaska with Go Alaska Tours, arriving in Fairbanks just as winter had settled in. The air felt crisp and pure. I stayed at a cozy Aurora Viewing Lodge north of town, far from any city lights, and felt an electric anticipation curling through the sky.
What I Loved Most: Watching the night deepen, hearing only the wind—and then seeing the aurora ripple across the sky, as if the universe was leaning in to whisper.
My highlights? I enjoyed one evening at Chena Hot Springs Resort, and although I didn’t soak in it, the hot spring pool nearby filled the air with a steam-tinged scent of mineral-rich warmth. Dinner was hearty reindeer stew served in the lodge dining room—rich, gamey, and steaming in the cold air. It tasted like wild Alaska grounded me in that moment.
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.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Staring into the vastness of Denali National Park
- • Finding charm in the rain in Ketchikan
- • Walking on ancient ice at Mendenhall Glacier
- • Drifting into silence in Glacier Bay National Park
- • Hoonah, Alaska: Where the Forest Meets the Sea
- • Meeting mountain-town magic in Talkeetna
- • Walking through gold rush history in Skagway
- • Feeling the sea air and spruce in Sitka
- • Finding end-of-the-road beauty in Homer
- • Watching the northern lights dance in Fairbanks