Alaska Destination Guide
Alaska, often referred to as “The Last Frontier” and “The Land of the Midnight Sun,” is the largest state in America, showcasing a vast expanse of glaciers, mountain ranges, roaming grizzlies, fjords, lakes, and rivers. Located in the far northwest of North America, Alaska shares borders with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south.
Approximately half of Alaska's residents live in Anchorage, the state's largest city.
In Denali National Park, visitors can explore massive glacial rivers, witness incredible wildlife, and behold North America’s highest peak, Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley), also known as “The Great One.”
The Alaska Marine Highway in the southeast winds through islands, fjords, fishing villages, and the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the U.S.
Travelers often venture out by kayak in the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound to observe marine and land animals.
Whether you are an explorer keen on hiking icy glaciers, a fisherman looking to catch wild salmon, a photographer aiming to capture wildlife, or simply someone who revels in the beauty of the open highway, Alaska promises an unforgettable experience.
Due to its sheer size, Alaska’s weather varies greatly throughout its regions and by season.
Summer (May through September)
May is generally the driest month. By July, daytime temperatures in the interior parts can average in the 70° F range—although it has been known to reach well into the 90s—while temperatures in the coastal areas and higher elevations rarely get above 65° F.
Temperatures across the state start cooling in August and September.
Winter (October through March)
Temperatures and daylight vary from region to region. Coastal areas are more temperate, rarely falling below 20° F. Snow covers much of southcentral areas.
Artic and interior regions may dip below -30 F.
February and March are great for watching dogsled races and for attending winter festivals.
The shorter days from late August through April are the best times to see the northern lights.
Talkeetna is located around 2-2.5 hours north of Anchorage at the meeting point between three major rivers: the Susitna, the Talkeetna, and the Chulitna River.
Visitors usually reach Talkeetna by Alaska Railroad, motorcoach, or by rental car.
The area surrounding Talkeetna is often referred to as South Denali Park due to its location near the southern border of both Denali National Park and Denali State Park.
Denali National Park
Denali National Park is around a 2-2.5 hour drive from Talkeetna with wonderful stops along the way. Drive through the Susitna Valley and up the Parks Highway. Explore Byers Lake and the Alaska Veterans' Memorial.
Stop at the Denali National Park visitor center and learn about the park and its millions of acres home to grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, caribou, moose, and much, much more!
There is only one road into Denali National Park. After the Savage River Bridge, only shuttles and tour buses can continue on the Park Road. Destinations in the park include the Stony Hill Overlook, Polychrome Pass, Eielson Visitor Center, Wonder Lake, and the historic Kantishna townsite.
Riding along trails surrounding Denali National Park, you can also stop at overlooks with views of the Alaska Range, Otto Lake, and the Healy Valley.
Skagway, the initial incorporated city in Alaska and the entryway to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, is a well-preserved section of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Vintage trains chug through this charming Alaskan town, while cruise ships frequent its port along the Inside Passage.
Sitka
Once a Russian settlement until the Alaska Purchase in 1867, Sitka's rich Russian heritage continues to be deeply embedded in the city. Pay a visit to St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral for a remarkable example of period architecture. Strolling along the promenade in Whale Park provides an opportunity to spot breaching humpback whales, while a hike through Sitka Historical Park unveils breathtaking coastal trails and century-old totem poles.
Explore Tongass National Forest for an up-close encounter with wildlife, including Alaska Coastal Brown Bears, American Bald Eagles, and Sitka Blacktail Deer. Alternatively, visit the Sheldon Jackson Museum, the oldest standing structure in Alaska, which features a small but impressive collection of artifacts from all of Alaska’s indigenous cultures.
English is the official language.
The currency is the United States Dollar (USD).
Electrical outlets, plugs and voltage are all exactly the same as in the rest of the United States (120V).
Cruise seasons typically span from late April to October, with departures from Seattle, Anchorage, Juneau, Seward, or Vancouver. You can choose between one-way or round-trip itineraries. The peak season falls between July and August, offering perfect warm weather, abundant wildlife sightings, and a summertime atmosphere.
By late August, crowds decrease by a third, and by the first and second weeks of September, they halve, making it an ideal time to travel if you have schedule flexibility. While the weather cools down, many still find it an enjoyable time to explore. Some ports may be quieter as summer workers return to school. Avoid sailing past the second week of September as waters may become rough in certain areas, and the weather can be unpredictable.
The Alaska Railroad travels between Seward and Fairbanks, passing through scenic locations like Whittier, Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Denali. Travelers can embark and disembark at various stops, exploring different areas before reboarding.
Multi-day itineraries offer rail travel, accommodations, and a variety of activities for a seamless Alaskan experience.
There are two seating options available:
Adventure Service: Affordable and comfortable with large windows, onboard dining options, and assigned seats.
Goldstar Service: Includes all meals, soft drinks, two complimentary adult beverages per trip, glass-dome ceilings, upper-level outdoor viewing platforms, and a private bar.
The White Pass and Yukon Route runs between Skagway to Yukon gold fields.
Culinary
Of the various types of seafood that should be on your Alaskan bucket list, Alaskan King Crab should be “King.”
The Copper River Salmon is some of the most sought after in the world, with its beautiful rose color and incredible flavor.
Oysters: Prepared in a multitude of ways.
Sourdough bread: From the time of the Klondike Gold Rush, this bread remains a staple.
While moose, venison and caribou are considered wild game and commercial sale is prohibited in restaurants, you can find items such as reindeer sausages, hot dogs, hamburgers and jerky.
Akutaq, otherwise known as “Eskimo Ice Cream,” is a native dish made by whipping the fat of hunted animals (or store-bought lard), adding snow and native berries, and a pinch of sugar to sweeten it! A favorite of locals, it may not be on every restaurant menu, but be sure to look for other desserts made with local wild berries.
Beer: From porters and IPAs to hefeweizens and sours, try out a wide array of Alaskan brews, in what many say is one of America’s most underrated beer scenes.
Many flight routes heading to Alaska include a layover at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle, which is the nearest major airport to the state. However, there is a growing number of direct flights available as well. Apart from Seattle, direct flights are offered from various cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Maui, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Portland, although some are seasonal.
Flights departing from Seattle typically take around two-and-a-half hours to reach Juneau, and between three-and-a-half to four hours to get to Anchorage and Fairbanks.
APPROXIMATE FLIGHT TIMES BETWEEN ALASKA COMMUNITIES
Anchorage to Fairbanks: 50 minutes
Anchorage to Juneau: 1.5 hours
Anchorage to Kenai: 30 minutes
Anchorage to Nome: 1.5 hours
Anchorage to Utqiaġvik (Barrow): 2 hours
Fairbanks to Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay: 1 hour
Juneau to Ketchikan: 1 hour
Juneau to Sitka: 45 minutes
Wildlife Viewing
Bears
Because bears tend to visit the same locations in search of seasonal foods year after year, there are a number of fairly reliable viewing locations for bears across the state.
Anan Creek, near the town of Wrangell (July-August)
Pack Creek, near Juneau (June-September)
Katmai National Park (July and September)
Lake Clark National Park (June-September)
Kodiak Islands (June-September)
Denali National Park (June-September)
Whales
The best way to view whales in Alaska is out on the water. Tours typically begin in the spring, from March–May, and run through September or October, weather permitting.
Species include humpback whales, orcas, gray whales, fin whales, and minke whales. Gray whales travel along the Alaska coastline in the spring and fall on their annual migration to Arctic waters, and humpback whales reside in Alaska from May through October to spend the summer feeding before returning to their winter breeding grounds in Hawaii. Resident species like orcas can be seen in Alaska year-round.
