Getting Your Bearings: How to Explore Alaska
Alaska's sheer scale means you need a plan. Your three main options are by road, by plane, or by cruise. A classic road trip along the Alaska Highway is an adventure in itself, perfect for slow travelers. Flying into a hub like Juneau or Anchorage gives you a base to explore from. For maximum convenience and a chance to see the famed Inside Passage, an Alaskan cruise is an unbeatable choice.
1. Juneau: The Accessible Capital & Glacier Gateway
Often the first stop for cruise passengers, Juneau is a surprisingly walkable city packed with charm and incredible nature at its doorstep. It’s an excellent base for a week of work and exploration.
City Sights: Explore the Alaska State Museum and the historic Shrine of St. Therese. For panoramic views of the city and surrounding waterways, the Mount Roberts Tramway is a must.
Mendenhall Glacier: Just a short trip from the city, this is one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers. Take a guided tour to hike the dramatic trails and watch salmon swimming upstream. Combining a Mendenhall visit with a whale-watching tour is a perfect day trip.
Whale Watching: Juneau is a world-class spot for sighting Humpback whales. Numerous boat tours depart from the cruise terminal—book in advance to secure your spot.
2. Denali National Park: A True Wilderness Experience
Home to the highest peak in North America, Denali is the wild, untamed Alaska you’ve dreamed of. At over six million acres, it's a place of profound scale and solitude. Note that it's not accessible by cruise; you'll need to drive about four hours from Anchorage, making it an ideal stop on a longer road trip.
Getting Around: Private vehicles are only allowed on the first few miles of the park road. To go deeper, you must use the park-approved tour and transit buses. Start at the Denali Visitor Center for maps and wildlife updates.
Best Hikes: For a moderate two-mile trek, the Savage River Loop offers stunning valley views. For a serious challenge with rewarding vistas, tackle the Mount Healy Overlook trail.
Wildlife: This is your best chance to spot the 'big five': grizzly bears, elk, wolves, reindeer, and moose. The park is also a birdwatcher's paradise with over 167 species.
3. Kenai Fjords National Park: Where Ice Meets the Ocean
Located on the Kenai Peninsula, this park is defined by the colossal Harding Icefield, a 700-square-mile sheet of ice from which dozens of glaciers flow. The only area accessible by car is the Exit Glacier, making it an easy and spectacular visit.
Exit Glacier Area: Several trails, including the wheelchair-friendly Glacier View Loop Trail, offer incredible close-up views of the glacier.
Boat Tours: To truly appreciate the fjords, take a boat tour from nearby Seward. You'll witness tidal glaciers like the Aialik Glacier and might even see massive chunks of ice calving into the sea—a powerful, unforgettable sight.
4. Ketchikan & Misty Fjords: The Southernmost Jewels
Known as the 'World’s salmon capital,' Ketchikan is a vibrant city with a rich history. Most visitors arrive by ship, making it easy to explore the colorful waterfront and boardwalks of Creek Street. Don’t miss the Totem Heritage Center to appreciate the local Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian art.
Nearby, the Misty Fjords National Monument is Alaska’s largest wilderness area. Think colossal rock walls, deep-blue fjords, and thundering waterfalls. The best way to experience its grandeur is on a boat excursion or, for the more adventurous, a guided kayaking trip where you might spot orcas, bears, and mountain goats.
5. The Alaska Highway (ALCAN): The Ultimate Nomad Road Trip
For the digital nomad who values the journey as much as the destination, driving the Alaska Highway is a rite of passage. This scenic drive stretches over 1,300 miles from British Columbia to Alaska. It's an undertaking best reserved for the summer months. The freedom of the open road, combined with endless, jaw-dropping landscapes, makes this an unparalleled experience. Pro Tip: Keep your headlights on at all times, as dust and changing light can reduce visibility quickly.
6. Talkeetna & Sitka: Charming Hubs of Adventure and History
Beyond the major parks, Alaska’s small towns are where you'll find its soul.
Talkeetna: This quirky town north of Anchorage is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. It serves as the primary base for climbers attempting to summit Denali. For non-climbers, it's the departure point for magical sightseeing flights over the national park—an absolute must-do for a bird's-eye view of the peaks and glaciers.
Sitka: Once the capital of Russian America, Sitka is steeped in history. Visit the onion-domed St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Cathedral and explore the numerous historic landmarks. For a unique activity, take a guided kayak tour around the tiny islands of the Fort Rousseau Causeway.
