Alaska is America's final frontier — a vast wilderness state where glaciers calve into fjords, brown bears fish alongside bald eagles, and the aurora borealis paints the night sky in emerald and violet. The largest US state by area covers 1.7 million square kilometres yet holds fewer than 750,000 people, making it one of the least densely populated places on Earth. From Anchorage's urban sophistication to Denali's soaring summit, from the Inside Passage's towering rainforests to the Arctic's endless tundra, Alaska offers unmatched natural grandeur.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Alaska.
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1
Denali National Park & Preserve
Denali is a six-million-acre park built around North America's tallest peak, and most visitors experience it via a single 92-mile road that private vehicles can only drive a short way up before shuttle or tour buses take over. The bus ride itself is the main event, crossing tundra and river braids where grizzlies, caribou, and Dall sheep are often visible from the road. The mountain shows itself only about a third of the time, so seeing Denali clear of clouds is a matter of luck as much as timing.
Tip: Book park road buses well in advance — summer seats sell out months ahead on recreation.gov · Board the earliest bus departure for the best wildlife activity and mountain visibility before clouds build · Bring layers: temperatures swing from warm sunshine to cold rain within hours at any elevation · Private vehicles may only drive to the Savage River checkpoint (Mile 15); beyond that, park buses are required · Binoculars and a spotting scope significantly improve wildlife identification from moving buses · Pack a full day's food and water — there are no services along the road beyond the park entrance area
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2
Kenai Fjords National Park
This park protects the Harding Icefield and the tidewater glaciers that spill from it into the fjords near Seward, most of it accessible only by boat. Day cruises out of Seward harbor take visitors past calving glaciers, sea otters, puffins, and often whales, while the small road-accessible section at Exit Glacier lets people walk right up to a retreating glacier's edge on foot. The contrast between the easy Exit Glacier trail and the boat-only fjords makes it a park with two very different ways to visit.
Tip: Book full-day Northwestern Fjord cruises weeks ahead in July — boats fill up fast during peak season · Morning departures offer calmer seas; afternoon boats can be choppy as Gulf of Alaska swell builds · Exit Glacier day-use area is free even when the visitor center is closed; the road closes to vehicles in winter · Dress in windproof and waterproof layers for marine cruises even in July — wind chill and spray are significant · Combining a morning Exit Glacier walk with an afternoon boat tour makes a well-rounded full day
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3
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay is a fjord system in Southeast Alaska that has almost no road access, reached mainly by cruise ship or small tour boat out of Gustavus. Sailing into the bay traces the path of a glacier that has retreated over 60 miles since the late 1700s, passing tidewater glaciers, harbor seals hauled out on ice floes, and steep, forested fjord walls. Because so few visitors arrive independently, the experience is shaped heavily by whichever cruise or tour operator brings you in.
Tip: Fly from Juneau to Gustavus (45 minutes by air) rather than taking the ferry to maximize time in the bay · Book Glacier Bay Lodge and day cruise packages several months ahead — summer capacity is strictly controlled · Bring bear canisters for kayaking; food storage is required in all backcountry zones within the park · Weather can cancel or divert floatplanes; build a buffer day into any Glacier Bay itinerary · Guided kayak trips operate from early June; independent kayakers need a backcountry permit and orientation session
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4
Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall is a glacier that flows down from the Juneau Icefield to a lake just outside downtown Juneau, making it one of the most accessible glaciers in the state. A short paved path from the visitor center leads to lake-level views of the ice face, and side trails reach waterfalls and, in some years, ice caves that form at the glacier's edge. Its proximity to a cruise port makes it one of the most-visited glaciers in Alaska, with crowds that track cruise ship schedules.
Tip: Arrive before 9am to have the trails to yourself before cruise ship passengers arrive mid-morning · The Nugget Falls Trail is stroller-accessible on gravel; the East Glacier Loop has steeper forested sections · Book guided ice hikes and winter ice cave tours in advance — slots fill fast throughout the season · The MGT Glacier Shuttle from downtown Juneau costs about $20 round trip and avoids parking shortages · Winter visits (November through February) allow ice cave access — call the Forest Service to confirm current cave conditions
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5
Anchorage Museum
This is Alaska's largest museum, combining an art collection, an extensive Alaska Native heritage exhibit developed with the Smithsonian, and a science center aimed at families. The Alaska Native gallery in particular draws on artifacts and multimedia to cover the state's diverse indigenous cultures in more depth than most visitors expect from a single stop. It functions as a good orientation point for a trip, especially for travelers who won't otherwise reach rural Alaska.
Tip: Museum admission includes same-day re-entry — leave for lunch and return to finish remaining galleries · The Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center opens at set times each day; check the daily schedule at the front desk on arrival · Book the planetarium show separately at the box office; showings fill quickly on rainy summer days · Alaska residents receive free admission on the first Friday of each month · The museum gift shop stocks a strong selection of Alaska Native art, books, and maps not found in souvenir shops
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6
Chena Hot Springs Resort
Chena is a geothermal resort about an hour from Fairbanks, built around a natural rock-lined hot spring lake that stays warm outdoors year-round, including in winter. It's also one of the more reliable spots in the Fairbanks area to view the aurora in winter, since it sits away from city light pollution, and it houses a year-round Aurora Ice Museum kept below freezing with ice sculptures and an ice bar. The mix of soaking in hot water surrounded by snow and chasing aurora from the same property is its main draw.
Tip: Book accommodation months ahead for January through March (aurora peak season) — demand is intense · The outdoor rock lake closes periodically for maintenance; confirm availability when booking during spring shoulder season · Northern lights viewing is possible directly from the hot springs pool at midnight — no guided tour required · Bring a swimsuit and towel; towel rental is available at the resort if needed · Eat dinner at the resort restaurant before the evening soak; the kitchen typically closes around 9pm
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7
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
At over 13 million acres, this is the largest national park in the United States, and it has almost no infrastructure compared to Denali, with just two long gravel roads pushing into its interior toward the old copper-mining towns of Kennecott and McCarthy. It contains some of the largest glaciers and highest peaks in North America, but seeing much of it requires a bush plane, since roads reach only a fraction of the park. The near-total lack of crowds, even in summer, is the point for the travelers it attracts.
Tip: High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended for the McCarthy Road; check conditions at the Copper Center visitor center before departing · Visitors must cross the Kennicott River footbridge on foot to enter McCarthy — private vehicles do not cross · Book guided glacier hikes and Kennecott mill tours through McCarthy operators in advance; summer slots fill quickly · Fuel up in Glennallen or Copper Center before turning onto the McCarthy Road — no gas stations exist for the next 61 miles · Allow at least 2 hours driving time from the Richardson Highway to McCarthy even in dry conditions
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8
Ketchikan Totem Poles & Misty Fjords
Totem Bight State Historical Park, just north of Ketchikan, preserves a collection of restored and replicated totem poles alongside a reconstructed clan house, set in coastal rainforest rather than a museum setting. Misty Fjords National Monument, reached separately by floatplane or boat tour, is a wilderness of sheer granite cliffs and waterfalls carved by glaciers, similar in character to Norway's fjords. The two sites are often paired on Ketchikan visits but require different kinds of transportation and time commitments.
Tip: Visit Saxman early in the morning before cruise ships dock — Ketchikan can receive up to four large ships in a single day · The Totem Heritage Center ($5 admission) offers the best opportunity to study individual poles in detail without crowds · Totem Bight is free and quieter than Saxman; combining both fills a comfortable half-day at minimal cost · Misty Fjords floatplane tours depart from Ketchikan's downtown waterfront and sell out quickly in July and August · Pack waterproofs for any outdoor totem touring — Ketchikan receives more annual rainfall than any other Alaska city
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9
Brooks Falls — Katmai National Park
Brooks Falls is the spot on the Brooks River where sockeye salmon leap upstream and brown bears gather to catch them, viewed from elevated wooden platforms run by the National Park Service. The concentration of bears at this one waterfall, especially during the July salmon run, is what draws photographers and wildlife watchers to this remote corner of Katmai. Getting there requires a floatplane from King Salmon or Anchorage, so a visit is a full-day or multi-day commitment rather than a quick stop.
Tip: Reserve Brooks Camp lodge or campsite 6 months ahead on recreation.gov — spots are extremely limited and high demand · July 1–15 is the peak viewing window; book the earliest possible departure from King Salmon or Anchorage · All visitors must attend the 15-minute mandatory bear safety orientation immediately upon arrival at Brooks Camp · Floatplane transport from King Salmon to Brooks Camp costs approximately $500–$600 round trip; factor this into the total trip budget · September visits (silver salmon run) are quieter than July and offer mature, heavy bears at close range with less competition for platform space
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10
Sitka National Historical Park
This park preserves the site of an 1804 battle between Tlingit warriors and Russian forces, and its forested waterfront trail is lined with totem poles collected from across Southeast Alaska. The visitor center includes a cultural center where Tlingit and other Native artists sometimes demonstrate carving and weaving. It's a walkable, self-guided way to connect Sitka's Russian and Indigenous history in one place.
Tip: Arrive by 9am to have the totem trail to yourself before cruise passengers arrive mid-morning · The Indian Cultural Center studio is typically staffed from 9am to 4pm; the artists are knowledgeable and welcome questions · Bring insect repellent — the forest trails can be buggy in July and August · The 2-mile loop takes about 1 hour at a comfortable pace; add 30–45 minutes for the visitor center and cultural studio · Look for Pacific wrens and bald eagles nesting in the old-growth forest along the Indian River section of the trail
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Items
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- National Park Pass
- America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80, store.usgs.gov/pass) covers entry to Denali ($15/person), Kenai Fjords ($15/person), Glacier Bay ($15/person), and Katmai ($15/person) — excellent value if visiting multiple parks
- Getting Around
- Rental car essential for Southcentral and Interior Alaska. Southeast Alaska communities require the Alaska Marine Highway ferry (dot.alaska.gov/amhs) or floatplane connections.
- Cell Coverage
- Limited or no cell coverage in Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, and most remote areas. Download offline maps before departing cities.
- Bear Safety
- Carry bear spray ($50-60 at REI or Bass Pro) in bear country. Make noise while hiking. Never leave food unattended.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Purchase the America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) at the first national park you enter — it pays for itself after two park admissions
Book Kenai Fjords boat tours (Kenai Fjords Tours, 888-478-3346) and Denali park bus tickets (recreation.gov) months in advance for summer visits
Mendenhall Glacier Walk and Ice Cave tours (Alaska Shore Tours, 907-321-2526) sell out weeks in advance — book online
Many Alaska flights to remote areas require small aircraft; book bush plane flights early through Rust's Flying Service (907-243-1595) or K2 Aviation (907-733-2291)
The Iditarod ceremonial start in Anchorage (first Saturday in March) is free, spectacular, and one of Alaska's most unique experiences
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Alaska?
June-August for warmest weather, wildlife activity, and midnight sun. September for aurora borealis and fall colors. January-March for aurora, dog mushing, and winter sports.
How many days do I need in Alaska?
7-14 days to see the major highlights. A minimum of 3 days covers Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula, and Portage Glacier.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes — summer is peak season and accommodations, Denali park bus tickets, and wildlife tours sell out months ahead. Book 3-6 months in advance for June-August travel.