The Reasons You Should Visit Alaska

Magnificent wildlife, towering mountains, plunging fjords. Simply put, those are the reasons you should visit Alaska and take an Alaska vacation.

Summary

• Alaska is a world-class vacation destination for travelers looking to get out into nature
• Reasons to visit in summer include wildlife-watching, beautiful mountainous landscapes, and wilderness exploration
• Reasons to visit in winter include access to iconic winter activities and ample Northern Lights viewing opportunities

Credit: Alpine Air Alaska

Why Should You Go to Alaska?

Access to entirely untouched nature is uncommon in this day and age. So, for many, Alaska is a rare chance to see the Earth as it has been for millennia.

Between small towns, vast open spaces are punctuated only by trees and mountains (and the occasional moose and bears). Millions of acres are set aside as national parks and nature preserves, protecting the landscapes' distinctive flora, fauna, and atmosphere.

There are lush rainforests in the south, and alpine deserts in the Arctic north. Mountain ranges and boreal forests line the horizon. Along the coasts, glaciers hide at the end of vast fjords, and humpback whales weave through the bays and inlets.

Credit: Phillips Cruises

Alaska is, quite literally, a breath of fresh air. It's the least densely populated state, and the largest by far.

Maybe these things are mutually exclusive, but it means one thing for certain: miles upon miles of wilderness existing just as it has for millennia. Where else can you stay atop a glacier, face-to-face with a mountain peak as the Northern Lights dance in magnetic ribbons above you? Alaska is simply a chance to really experience natural beauty in every form.

But, beyond the tangible things you'll see while you're there, there are near-endless reasons to visit Alaska. The people are exceedingly friendly, many of whom moved away from the Lower 48 to follow the call of the wild, and the atmosphere is down-to-Earth and lived in, perfect for a relaxing break from modern bustle.

Things To Do in Alaska

As we said, the three biggest reasons to visit Alaska are the wildlife, mountains, and waterways (its fjords, inlets, and sounds). Our Alaska tours are built around these reasons, linking iconic activities and world-famous sights together in one seamless trip.

So, let's break down the best things to do in Alaska into each category.

Credit: Rust's K2 Aviation

Wildlife Watching

If you're looking to spot wildlife, Alaska is a goldmine. Between its Gold Rush history, you have the opportunity to see animals that rival a classic safari. Bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves make up the 'big five' — the five most-desired sightings for visitors to the state.

And that's not even covering the wealth of marine wildlife (as small as a starfish and as big as a humpback whale). Wildlife tours are the best way to see these creatures in the wild. For bears, that's likely fly-in bear viewing tours in one of the national parks. For whale watching, a day-cruise is best.

Credit: TEMSCO Helicopters

Mountain Scenery

For mountains, you're spoiled for choice. There's Denali National Park & Preserve, an obvious choice as it contains the tallest mountain in the entirety of North America (we recommend tours through the park to almost every guest who travels with us, varying the type for their particular travel style, of course). There's the Brooks Range in the Arctic, the Alaska Range spanning three national parks in the Southcentral Region, the Wrangell Mountains (containing the second and third highest volcanoes in the United States), and the Chugach Mountains, which surround Ultima Thule Lodge. And there are many more that you'll see while driving or taking the train through the state.

While you will inevitably see mountains from a distance while traveling through Alaska, we highly recommend a flightseeing tour to get up-close-and-personal. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see famous peaks and remote glaciers (potentially even landing on one) in a way very few others ever will. We'll work the experience into your trip as you pass through the very best spots for flightseeing.

Credit: Uncruise

Cruises and Day-Cruises

For day cruises in Alaska, Kenai Fjords National Park and Prince William Sound, located off the southeastern and northeastern coasts of the Kenai Peninsula, respectively, are our go-to spots. Generally, we recommend Kenai Fjords National Park for wildlife watching, and Prince William Sound for the sheer number of glaciers, though both voyages do visit multiple glaciers.

For longer, multi-day voyages, we will always recommend small-ship cruising. From the vantage of your expedition ship, you’ll be able to weave through narrow fjords and inlets to hidden bays and prehistoric glaciers that are simply too hidden for large cruise ships to visit.

Credit: Aurora Borealis Lodge

Northern Lights

There's a fourth big draw in Alaska we haven't mentioned yet: the Northern Lights.

Northern Lights viewing happens at the other end of the year from the rest of these activities. Most people visiting Alaska to see the Northern Lights are there with that bucket list item in mind. But, while there, you'll also have the chance to spend the daylight hours enjoying winter activities like snowshoeing, dog-sledding, and snowmobiling.

Fairbanks is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Located directly under the Auroral Band, it's as if it were placed with the express reason to view the lights (it wasn't, but the position is truly perfect).

Credit: Alaska Railroad/Travel Alaska, Ben Prescott

Ways to Explore Alaska

Another reason for an Alaska vacation is the multitude of ways you can do it.

The most popular way to explore Alaska is on a cruise. We agree that Alaska cruises are stunningly scenic and wonderfully relaxing, but big-ship ports are often crowded and give you limited time to explore Alaska beyond these cruise hubs.

Instead, we recommend our guests take a small-ship cruise to see Alaska's Inside Passage, Glacier Bay, and other coastal areas by boat. Not only will you get a more intimate experience on the boat (trading several thousand fellow passengers for less than a hundred), but a more intimate experience of Alaska, visiting bays, fjords, and glaciers that are too difficult for a bigger ship to access.

The other ways to explore Alaska are some of our favorites: a train vacation or a road trip.

The Alaska Railroad is a scenic travel option between major locations like Seward, Anchorage, and Denali, providing panoramic views. All the while, you'll have similar comforts to onboard a cruise — meals served in the dining car, relaxing while gorgeous scenery passes by your window.

On a road trip, you can choose your own adventure, stopping along Alaska's beautiful highways to take a guided hike to nearby glaciers, visit wildlife conservation centers, or simply enjoy the great outdoors.

Credit: Travel Alaska / Chris McLennan, K. Hedges

When is the Best Time to Visit Alaska?

Most people say the absolute best time to visit Alaska is in either July or August. As such, July and August are considered the 'high season.' That means the best weather, the most available amenities (much of Alaska operates extremely seasonally), and the most tourists.

But the best time to visit Alaska is deeply subjective, depending on your personal tolerance for temperatures and crowds, and desire for specific wildlife sightings.

While summer is one of our favorite times to recommend people visit Alaska, when exactly varies based on what they want to see and do. And, at the same time, we love encouraging people to explore off-season for a more intimate trip, unique wildlife activity, and, of course, the Northern Lights.

This, too, is one of our favorite things about welcoming our guests to Alaska. Depending on when they visit, they can have a remarkably different experience.

A shortlist, though:

• June is the best month to visit for the midnight sun
• July is the best month for bear-viewing, especially brown bears at Brooks Falls
• August is the best month for whales, in particular humpback whales and beluga whales
• September is the best month to see moose as they begin their rut
• January and February are the best months to see the Northern Lights

Credit: NPS Photo / Claire Abendroth

Where is Best to Go in Alaska?

Denali National Park & Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Prince William Sound are the stars of any summer Alaska vacation, and are home to some of the most naturally beautiful views in the state (if not the entire country), and are the best places to see some of the most famous Alaskan wildlife.

Fairbanks and the Arctic are our favorite places to visit each winter, and are the ones we recommend to guests looking for world-class Northern Lights viewing and iconic winter activities.

If you're cruising, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a highlight of the journey. Many major cruise lines visit Glacier Bay National Park, but we recommend taking a small-ship cruise to voyage these waters.

Credit: Stillpoint Lodge

And if you're looking for luxury in Alaska, then the handful of wilderness lodges speckling the vast landscape will likely be calling your name.

Despite being entirely off-grid, these spots offer nightly fine dining, remarkably comfortable rooms and suites, and on-the-doorstep access to world-class exploration.

What are the Average Monthly Temperatures in Alaska?

The average monthly temperature in Alaska ranges greatly depending on where you are in the state. A mid-summer day in Anchorage will feel very different from the same day in Barrow on the state's northern Arctic shores.

In Southcentral and Interior Alaska (the regions you'll visit on most land tours of Alaska), summers in Alaska range from the mid-50s to the low 70s Fahrenheit. Winters can be anywhere from mid-20s to sub-zero Fahrenheit.

The average monthly high temperatures in Alaska are as follows:

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Anchorage	23°F	28°F	36°F	46°F	57°F	64°F	68°F	64°F	55°F	43°F	28°F	25°F
Fairbanks	3°F	10°F	27°F	45°F	61°F	72°F	72°F	66°F	54°F	34°F	12°F	3°F

The average monthly low temperatures in Alaska are:

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Anchorage	14°F	16°F	21°F	32°F	43°F	50°F	55°F	52°F	45°F	32°F	19°F	14°F
Fairbanks	-13°F	-8°F	1°F	23°F	41°F	52°F	54°F	48°F	37°F	19°F	-2°F	-11°F

Credit: Sheldon Chalet

Is Alaska Expensive to Visit?

One of our favorite reasons to recommend an Alaska vacation is that it can be as expensive or affordable as you would like. There are luxury wilderness lodges hidden deep in the exceedingly beautiful backcountry. To nobody's surprise, a trip to one of these lodges does not come cheap. If you're looking to stay in a luxurious private, all-inclusive, helicopter-access-only chalet placed on a glacier and only 10 miles from the peak of Mount Denali, it will come at an equally luxurious price.

If you are considering one of these lodges, we're on hand to help you arrange it. Reach out, and we'll organize everything ahead of your arrival and give you on-the-ground support once you do.

Credit: NPS Photo / Kent Miller

On the other hand, in Alaska, you can still get a sense of the great American road trip, with iconic and incredibly scenic routes like the Seward Highway, classic diners serving hearty fare, and affordable roadside stays.

At Alaska By Design, our road trips start at less than $3,000 per person, and include an expert-designed itinerary; all of your hotel nights; and custom excursions, adventures, and entrance fees along the way. And, while you travel, you'll have the support of our team should you need anything.

Credit: Alaska By Design

Why Alaska By Design

We've spent over 25 years practicing the art of crafting the perfect vacation.

Booking a package tour puts the travel planning in the hands of experts. Our team of Travel Designers, specialists, and support staff works to place you where you need to be for a journey of a lifetime. And if you need anything while you travel, just give us a call. You'll have access to our support line for on-the-ground assistance.

In the meantime, subscribe to our newsletter to stay in touch, and for regular inspiration, packages, and offers direct to your inbox. We'll be in touch soon.

FAQs

What is the number one attraction in Alaska?

Alaska’s biggest attraction is Denali National Park & Preserve, home to 6 million acres of protected wilderness, habitat for the ‘Big 5,’ and North America’s tallest mountain, Denali (federally designated as Mount McKinley).

Other top attractions include cruising Alaska’s waterways, watching glacial calvings, wildlife watching tours, and Northern Lights viewing.

When is the Midnight Sun in Alaska?

Summer in Alaska means extended daylight hours. June and July boast up to 20 hours of sunlight each day, depending on where you visit. In Anchorage, June 8 to July 3 means 'civil twilight' — the usable daylight — runs throughout the night, marking what many call the 'midnight sun.' Head north to Fairbanks, and this season is extended from May 18 to July 25.

When are the Northern Lights visible in Alaska?

In much of Alaska’s Interior region (and further north), the Northern Lights can be seen from mid-September to mid-April each night. However, it depends on location, time, and weather conditions. For more information, see our guide to the Northern Lights in Alaska.

Is a trip to Alaska worth it?

A trip to Alaska is absolutely worth it, regardless of whether you’re looking for a road trip, remote lodge getaway, or train tour; whether in summer, for wildlife-viewing and glacier cruises, or to see winter’s Northern Lights. The sheer abundance of unique experiences, landscapes, lodgings, and ways of life in the Last Frontier make it one of the most memorable places you’ll ever visit in the United States, and one we’re so excited to welcome you to.

Feature Image Credit: Travel Alaska / Michael DeYoung