Alaska Travel Guide
Denali reflected in Wonder Lake. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Alaska is the scale of the American West multiplied: Denali at 6,190 m, the largest national parks in the system, tidewater glaciers calving into fjords, and brown bears fishing salmon streams. Summer brings the midnight sun; winter brings the northern lights.
Most visitors cruise the Inside Passage (Juneau, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay) or drive the railbelt: Anchorage to Denali to Fairbanks. The Dalton Highway to the Arctic Ocean is the serious expedition.
Destinations in Alaska
Denali National ParkThe 6,190 m peak and the 148 km park road; wildlife bus tours.
Glacier BayTidewater glaciers and humpbacks, reached by cruise or Gustavus.
Katmai (Brooks Falls)Brown bears catching salmon at the falls; permit lottery.- Kenai FjordsDay cruises from Seward past calving glaciers and sea lions.
- Seward HighwayThe 200 km scenic drive from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm.
- Fairbanks and the auroraWinter northern-lights viewing and the Chena hot springs.
- AnchorageThe railbelt hub: the Alaska Native Heritage Center, summer markets.
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Top Cities & towns in Alaska
Regional food
- King crab legs (served by the bucket in season)
- Wild salmon (sockeye and king, grilled simply)
- Reindeer sausage (the Anchorage street-food staple)
Getting there
Anchorage (ANC) and Fairbanks (FAI) are the air gateways; Juneau is reached by air or ferry. The Alaska Railroad links Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks in summer. Book Denali buses and Katmai permits far ahead.