AlaskaUnited States
natureadventurewildlifephotographyroad-trip
America's last frontier — calving glaciers, breaching humpback whales, grizzly bears fishing for salmon, and the Northern Lights. Alaska's scale is almost incomprehensible: it's twice the size of Texas with fewer people than San Francisco.
Best Time to Visit
June to August
Daily Budget
$120-250/day
mid-range tier
Weather
Subarctic. Cool summers (12-20°C) with 20+ hours of daylight. Extremely cold winters (-20 to -40°C). Coastal areas milder than interior.
Top Things to Do in Alaska
- Denali National Park — North America's highest peak (6,190m) and grizzly territory
- Glacier Bay — kayak among calving tidewater glaciers
- Kenai Fjords — boat tour to see humpback whales, orcas, and puffins
- Northern Lights from Fairbanks (September-March)
- Inside Passage cruise — glaciers, fjords, and wildlife from Juneau to Ketchikan
Travel Tips
- 1.Book accommodation months in advance — Alaska has limited capacity and summer fills fast
- 2.Bring bear spray on any trail outside of towns
- 3.The Alaska Railroad (Anchorage to Denali to Fairbanks) is a scenic alternative to driving