Places to Visit in Alaska: 5 Must-See Experiences

The vast, wild, and beautiful landscapes of Alaska are often referred to as “The Last Frontier”. Alaska is the largest of the 50 U.S. states, but it has one of the smallest populations, with only about 735,000 permanent residents.

The long, dark, and cold winters make Alaska a difficult place to live year-round. However, the equally long, light-filled days of summer make it a very popular tourist destination with lots to see. Planning to visit? Check out this list of the 5 best places to visit in Alaska and start packing your bags!

1. Kenai Fjords National Park - Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula is located about 125 miles south of the capital, Anchorage. This park is a great destination for travelers who want to see where ice, mountains, and the ocean meet. Harding Icefield is the biggest attraction in Kenai, spanning 700 square miles and possessing 40 distinct glaciers. You can even visit the end of the Alaska Railroad in Seward.
Image courtesy of Image courtesy of Arthur T. LaBar - Map

2. Tracy Arm Fjord - This is another popular fjord destination filled with glaciers. Located outside the city of Juneau, the Tracy Arm Fjord contains a large portion of the Tongass National Forest. Visitors cannot access the fjord by car. They must take a cruise ship or boat tour to see the two Sawyer Glaciers located at the fjord's head. During the journey, you can enjoy wildlife sightings like moose, brown bear, seals, and whales.
Image courtesy of Sarah Richter - Map

3. The Inside Passage - Glaciers are what attract many visitors to Alaska and the Inside Passage boasts tons of them. The unforgettable scenery makes the Inside Passage a great tourist destination. It also contains a significant portion of the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest. To get the best views of the Inside Passage and many more Alaskan fjords, there’s nothing better than an Alaskan cruise. Image courtesy of Jill /Blue Moonbeam Studio - Map

4. Denali National Park - The very popular Denali National Park sits at the northern edge of the Alaska Range halfway between Anchorage and Fairbanks. It boasts one of the tallest mountains in North America called Denali, which stands 20,320 feet tall. The Denali National Park stretches over six million acres, filled with high Alpine ranges, wide river valleys, glaciers, mountains, and tundra. Animal lovers can see reindeer, elk, caribou, wolves, grizzly bears, moose and 167+ species of bird. Image courtesy of Arthur T. LaBar - Map

5. The Dalton Highway - Last, but not least, visitors can access the Dalton Highway from either Anchorage or Fairbanks as well. This highway stretches into Alaska’s northern regions and covers more than 400 miles. The Dalton Highway runs alongside the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and eventually ends at Prudhoe Bay. Tourists should expect a very remote and rugged highway that does not see many people outside the oil-field workers. However, it’s the best way to cross into the Arctic Circle and check out both the Arctic Wildlife Refuge and the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Image courtesy of Arthur T. LaBar - Map

Other Places to Visit in Alaska: Finding Film Locations - A trip to almost anywhere in Alaska will impress, but these 5 memorable locations will take your breath away. So rent a car or book a cruise and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in a place unlike any other. Interested in discovering other awesome places to visit on vacation? Check out our section where you can learn about famous filming locations around the world (and in Alaska). Imagine standing in the very spot where your favorite characters won the battle between good and evil. Start planning your film-based vacation today!
Image courtesy of Greg Matthews