The 5 Best Places To Visit in Alaska for First-Timers

With its towering glaciers, sweeping landscapes, unique wildlife and rich history, there are so many great reasons to visit Alaska.

Often feeling more like an exotic country than a state, Alaska tops many travelers’ wish lists. But with so much to explore, planning ahead is key to making the most of your adventure.

Whether you are drawn to its natural wonders or its gold-rush past, these are some of the best places to visit in Alaska for first-timers, providing a well-rounded glimpse into all that makes the Last Frontier so special.

But First …

Your first order of business when planning an Alaska vacation in deciding how you want to get there.

Chuck Nardozza, managing director of travel sales at AAA Northeast, prefers cruising.

“Alaska is so big, you can’t just fly there, rent a car and drive around,” Nardozza said.

Many of the cities and towns are so small and far apart that they require flying to get from place to place. So, a ship may be the most convenient mode of transportation.

To get the most out of your time on land, Nardozza also suggests booking excursions in advance. Ships sometimes dock in tiny towns and without plans in place you may not have much to do.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Alaska for First-Timers

Denali National Park and Preserve

Alaska’s top destination, Denali covers 6 million acres and features a single 92-mile road. Only portions of the road are accessible to private vehicles, so bus tours are a popular way to explore.

“The park is a wonderful experience. You get to see the land and animals in their natural environment,” said AAA travel advisor Kari Miller, who was born and raised in Alaska.

Visitors can stay in one of six campgrounds and hike, backpack, bicycle and even go dog sledding on different trails. Of course, you’ll want to see North America’s tallest peak, Mount McKinley. You can climb it, but it is not for the faint of heart.

As you venture through the park, you’ll travel through different biomes, including a taiga forest, alpine tundra and snowy mountains. The park is home to many species of wildlife, from moose to fox.

Tongass National Forest

The world’s largest intact temperate rainforest, Tongass covers nearly 17 million acres in southeastern Alaska and is home to a variety of ecosystems, including glaciers, icefields, mountains, streams and thousands of islands. Feeling adventurous? Among the park’s 19 designated wilderness areas, saltwater fjords beckon canoers and kayakers. On land, 450 miles of hiking trails pass through different terrains, from meadows to forests. To truly experience the wild, spend a night or three in one of the 13 campgrounds.

Mendenhall Glacier

Located 13 miles from Juneau, this is a rare opportunity to access a glacier. Mendenhall Glacier is a half-mile wide, with ice up to 1,800 feet deep. Visitors can follow numerous hiking trails near the glacier. During the warm months, there are platform boardwalks for views from above, and you may even get the chance to watch bears fish for spawning salmon.

Town of Skagway

Skagway served as the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897–1898, where thousands of hopeful prospectors passed through on their journey to the gold fields in search of a big pay day. Visitors can learn more at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and take a ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railway, an engineering marvel that climbs nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles for a trip with incredible views.

Anchorage

Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage offers opportunities for hiking, biking and other outdoor fun, as well as museums and cultural experiences. For a scenic stroll, step onto the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, an 11-mile paved walkway with views of downtown Anchorage, Mount McKinley and the Chugach Mountains. It’s also a favorite place for moose to hang out. Then, spend a few hours at the state’s largest museum, the Anchorage Museum, which has exhibits on Alaska and Alaska Native history. Stop by the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn more about the lives and history of the Native people as you explore this delightful city.

More Ways to Experience Alaska

Dog Sledding

After reading stories about the Iditarod or brave dog teams hauling medicine through blizzards to save the day, it’s no wonder almost everyone who travels to Alaska wants to ride a dog sled. Dog sledding tours are available in winter. In the summer you will have to opt for a tour that includes a plane or helicopter ride to a glacier for a similar experience, or you can meet the pups and go for a ride on the wheeled carts they use for training on the ground.

Northern Lights

If you want to see the northern lights or aurora borealis, make sure to book your trip between late August and mid-April and head north to Fairbanks and beyond for the best views.

Whale Watching

“The variety of whales and the different viewing options make whale watching in Alaska unique,” Nardozza said. Juneau is one of the best launching sites for whale watching, since humpback whales return annually to feed. Visitors can choose from charter boats, kayaks, inflatable boats or catamarans for their adventure.

The Kenai Peninsula

Enjoy a scenic drive along the peninsula through Moose Pass and visit Kenai Lake. The area is also famous for its fishing.

Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway

Located in Girdwood, the Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway observation deck was rated the best view of any U.S. ski resort by Conde Nast. A 7-minute tram ride takes visitors to a viewing deck 2,300 feet above sea level, giving them breathtaking views of hanging glaciers, streams, mountains, forests and wildlife.

Plan the Alaska trip of a lifetime with the help of one of our knowledgeable AAA travel advisors. The service is free with your membership!

What is on your Alaska wish list? Tell us in the comments.