The Best Places to Visit in Alaska: 10 Most Breathtaking Spots

Have you ever dreamt about visiting the most sparsely populated state of the US? A state filled to the brim with stunning mountain ranges, endless open spaces, majestic glaciers, abundant wildlife and romantic towns.

Welcome to Alaska, America's largest state that is actually disconnected and quite different from the rest of the other states.

But no matter if you are an outdoor enthusiast, always wanted to see the Northern Lights, race through picture-perfect nature on a dog sled or simply cruise panoramic passages past dazzling glaciers, if Alaska can keep one promise it's that your adventure heart will be bursting from joy.

The Best Time To Visit Alaska

The best time to visit Alaska very much depends on what you want to see and do.

Peak season is in the middle of summer between July and August, so be prepared to share some sights with other travellers. The weather is warmest in June and July, the flowers are blooming and you might even find the odd mosquito or two. You will also get extended days with up to 19 hours of sunshine per day. Something you gotta experience once!

However, if you prefer less crowds and more reasonable prices, opt for either May or September. The latter will present some beautiful fall colours and make your trip extra colourful. If you always wanted to see the Northern Lights or come for winter sport activities, the best months to visit Alaska are November to March.

Cruising is very popular in Alaska. Not only because of the many rivers and waterways but also because over 50% of roads in Alaska are unpaved! The best time to visit Alaska on a cruise is between May and September. Those months are dry, warm and the best to spot the majestic humpback whales.

Best Places to Visit in Alaska

Are you ready to have your breath taken away? Here are the top 10 places you must visit when travelling to Alaska!

1. Get The Best Panoramas At Kenai Fjords National Park

It may be small in size compared to all the other National Parks in Alaska, but the opportunities to experience dozens of glaciers, ice fields and extensive fjords at Kenai Fjords National Park are unparalleled.

You won't want to miss Harding Icefield, the park's crown jewel. Count in all the glaciers that descent from the ice field and you will get the largest ice field in the US spanning over 2,500 km.

The easiest to visit is Exit Glacier, and from here it's entirely up to you if you want an easy stroll or embark on a more challenging whole-day hike.

2. Cruise Along Inside Passage

If you decide to go on a cruise around Alaska, most itineraries start in either Seattle or Vancouver. I recommend you choose the later, as you'll avoid any bad weather lingering over the open ocean and you get the opportunity to take in the entire beauty of the Inside Passage, a labyrinth of bays, fjords and islands stretching across 800 km.

Here you'll meet an abundance of wildlife and you might get lucky and see the humpback whales making their journey through the passage, splashing you hello along the way. Summer is a beautiful time to cruise the Inside Passage as the extended daylight will provide you with lots of wildlife sights, from mountain goats to eagles, sea otters and much more. You may even spot a brown bear on the shores!

3. Visit Juneau, The Capital Of Alaska

Even though the capital of Alaska is a fairly remote city, chances are you will encounter other cruise passengers and travellers when visiting, because it's firstly not very big and secondly, it's quite a popular spot to sail to for pretty much all major cruise lines.

Adventure is calling outside the city center though. Hiking through the forests, climbing mountains and glaciers, whale watching, bear spotting, and the list goes on. Mendenhall Ice Caves are one of the coolest natural wonders you will come across here.

Sample on local cuisine after a day of exploring around town. Or head to one of the numerous local breweries to warm up on a chilly night.

4. View The Northern Lights In Fairbanks

Possibly the best place on the planet to watch the Northern Lights is Fairbanks. Due to its location close to the North Pole called Auroral Oval and its clear nights with few city lights, Fairbanks is just perfect for viewing the Aurora Borealis.

The season to see the Northern Lights is roughly from August to April and the spectacle can be witnessed mostly late at night or in the early mornings.

Want to enjoy the Northern Lights sitting on a dog sled or a horse sleight? In Fairbanks, even the hotel staff offers to wake you when the magical light show starts as you never know when that'll be!

5. Visit The Awe-Inspiring Hubbard Glacier

Want to see one of Alaska's most beautiful natural treasures? Just off the coast of Yakutat lies Hubbard Glacier, a glorious giant of ice that looks like it could as well make a great postcard front. When you decide to cruise Alaska, you will get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this glacier from almost every angle gazing over the ship's rail.

Strong currents and riptides around the glacier cause calving on a daily basis and you will be in awe witnessing the ice blocks break off into the sea as you sail through the misty air of the Gulf of Alaska.

Hubbard Glacier is one of the longest tidewater glaciers on the planet and can only be accessed by few cruise ships as authorities limit boat visits to ensure conservation and prevent overcrowding. What a way to get off the beaten path in Alaska!

6. Go On A Sled Dog Adventure

Of course, you didn't come all the way to Alaska to miss out on a dog sled adventure. There are many places to book a dog sled ride, such as Seward, Juneau and Skagway in summer.

In the mountainous areas of Alaska, you can additionally go for a glacier dog sled tour which usually includes a helicopter ride up to where the snow actually is. Be ready for an Alaska experience that will truly take you breath away.

7. Learn About Russian History In Sitka

Natural beauty meets rich culture and history. You may know Sitka from the movie “The Proposal” with Sandra Bullock, but did you also know that Sitka is where Americans came to buy Alaska from the Russians?

This event is still celebrated every year for a week with a reenactment ceremony of the purchase and to this day. Russian history is also still visible in town, for example at the beautifully onion-shaped dome of the St Michael's Orthodox Cathedral.

8. Experience Gold-Rush History In Skagway

You will love the compact city of Skagway. Set right on the edges of the popular cruise ship destination en route the Inside Passage, Skagway was once the hope of over 40,000 people who flocked into town to get rich quickly during the gold rush era.

Even today, the gold-rush atmosphere is still there. Old Saloons and shops border wooden sidewalks and some people are still dressed in clothing that was worn back at the end of the 19th century.

Make sure to visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park where the entire history is preserved until today. Or hop on board the vintage locomotives of the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad and enjoy sweeping mountain views and past the infamous Chilkoot trail.

9. Visit Alaska's Most Popular National Park, Denali National Park

Time to spot bears, moose, wolves and pay homage to the highest peak of the U.S., the towering Mount McKinley, which by the way is covered with snow and glaciers during all seasons of the year.

When visiting Denali Nation Park, you will encounter wildlife, admire nature and go on hiking, rafting or back-country adventures. More than 400,000 people come to visit the park each year and therefore makes it one of the most famous places to visit in Alaska.

10. Kayak Through The Glacier Bay National Park

25 million acres of World Heritage Site await as you enter Glacier Bay National Park. As one of the largest protected areas in the world, it will keep you busy with mountain views, glacier hikes, dramatic coastlines, fjords and yes, even lush temperate rainforests!

From the capital Juneau, you can easily access the park by the Alaska Marine Highway. Biking, boating, fishing, and hiking are best around here. If you feel extra adventurous, get on a kayak and experience tranquility and solitude that is absolutely soothing and unparalleled to anything you probably have done back home!