Top Things to do in Alaska
Top Hotels in Alaska
- 1. Pike's Waterfront Lodge
- 2. The Hotel Captain Cook
- 3. Alyeska Resort
- 4. Hyatt Place Anchorage Midtown
- 5. The Lakefront Anchorage
- 6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anchorage Airport
- 7. Land's End Resort
- 8. Driftwood Inn & Homer Seaside Lodges
- 9. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fairbanks Airport
- 10. Best Western Grandma'S Feather Bed
Countries
Top 10 National Parks in Alaska, United States
Alaska is divided into five regions: far north, interior, southwest, south central, and inside passage. Although it takes a long time to see the entire state, you can travel through the regions by boat, car, bus, or plane. Hike through the mountains, or venture out on a deep sea fishing or whale watching excursion. Get in touch with nature by camping in the wilderness, or experience your preferred degree of class and luxury in the beautiful, active cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Restaurants in Alaska
1. Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve
2. Admiralty Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Located about 15 miles west of Juneau, this island is perfect for nearly every outdoor activity.
3. Chugach National Forest
4. Aleutian World War II National Historic Area
5. Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,372 reviews
Reviewed By mu51c10rd - Lehi, United States
Glacier Bay is awe-inspiring when you see the sheer size and number of the glaciers. Cruising on a cruise ship down the bay provides a 360 view, and there is wildlife all over (we saw bears, otters, whales breaching, goats, and eagles). The nature of this national park means there are almost no people around except those on boats and ships on the water, so all the scenery is pristine. You can watch Margerie Glacier calving and hear the booms as the ice hits the water. The amazon part is all of Glacer Bay was one big glacier in 1750 that has since receded and created the bay with lots of glaciers coming to the water's edge. Sad part is seeing how many glaciers have receded far enough away from the water that you can't see them anymore.
6. Kenai Fjords National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,688 reviews
Reviewed By ryanhA8897LM
A unique national park, full of wildlife of all sorts. At least two different operators offer cruises out here, ranging from a few hours to a full day. It is definitely worth a day of your time and the expense to go out here and experience coastal sea life. We saw sea otters, Steller sea lions, orcas, MANY humpback whales, one Beluga whale, eagles, puffins, murres, harbor seals, etc. Breathtaking landscape, including two glaciers that one can cruise up to and watch calve. Great experience.
7. Pack Creek
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By AnastasiaHBC - Huntington Beach, United States
First and most important, you DO NOT NEED A GUIDE. We took WARD AIR-they did a good job. Just call Ward Air and book a flight after you secure online permits. Lots of reviews tell you about seeing the bear...so I included some things I wish I knew before I went. Here's how it works: you land on a beach-head where you get your orientation from the state or federal ranger, eat and perhaps hang out to bear watch. To the right is a short flat walk to the "viewing area" and to the left, up hill one mile, is the raised viewing platform. The plane lands very close to the beach...absolutely no reason the plane shouldn't get you close to the shore. Roll your pants up and use water shoes or even flip flops to get to shore because you will walk through the water. That day, there was room in the bear box for our food and water shoes, but bring a plastic bag and be prepared to carry your water shoes with you for the day. All your food will go in the bear box. A ranger is always on the beach and is pleased to answer all your questions (hence no reason for a guide). When you're ready, the ranger gives you the go-ahead to walk either to the viewing area or the platform. Another ranger is stationed at the viewing area-again, she is happy to answer all your questions. The viewing area is simply a little area with logs to sit on. You sit there and wait to see bear. The ranger has to give you the "all-clear" to move back to the beach or to the platform. That's it...those three areas and lots of bear. We came when the salmon were just coming so we didn't get that spectacular show with bear fishing for their lunch. The 7 bears we saw were clamming at low tide and just walking around. Yes, it was absolutely wonderful and I'm soooo glad I didn't pay $825 a person to do this trip that cost the 4 of us $225 each.
8. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By jlafranca1 - Puyallup, United States
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is one of the most pristine national parks you will find. We did a full day bear tour which involved taking a Cessna plane from Homer to the park (highly recommend Smokey Bay Air). Please note that the park is only accessible by boat or plane, so when I say you are truly remote from the world, you really are. This is not a highly traveled area simply due to how remote it is. This was definitely the most memorable part of our Alaskan adventure. You are truly removed from society and all the noise. The landscape is incredible and everything is just "big". It truly is one of the most incredible places I have traveled to.
9. Bartlett Cove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Near the tiny village of Gustavus, this is the part of the bay where you will find the park headquarters.
Reviewed By warrenville111
We stayed in Bartlett Cove for 2 nights. One day, we explored the Forest Trail, Beach Trail, Campground, Tlingit Trail, and Bartlett Lake Trail. All of the trails were relatively easy and well cut. We were there when it was dry. I don't think you need more than a day in the cove to do these things. Make sure to catch a ranger or Huna member talk at the Tribal House. Having the Huna member explain all of the carvings and formline art to us was so incredibly interesting! I was a bit disappointed with the tide pools; I was really hoping to see starfish. One of the rangers said that with the otter population up, they don't really get starfish anymore. There is an NPS visitor information station near the dock, and a NPS visitor center in the lodge. There are restrooms by the dock, at the campground, and in the lodge. Make sure to see 'Snow' the whale skeleton - and have someone explain the Healing Totem Pole...it gives a great history of the area. Wifi is available in the lodge; food is available in the lodge (but recommending packing your own if you are budget conscious).
10. McHugh Creek Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By DudefrmAK - Anchorage, United States
The trail back toward portage will provide you with the most amazing views of the inlet and surrounding area. You can do an out and back, or as we like to do when we have visitors, leave a car at McHugh and start at Portage. The hike is not overly difficult, but it can be very muddy in some sections after a lot of rain. You can head the other direction, or to Rabbit Lake, but those trails are a bit more difficult. Note well that you will very likely come across moose (know the warning signs of an angry moose), and there was a LOT of bear sign on the trail the last time we went - it's been warm and they are not bedded down yet. Bear spray at hand is a good idea. And PLEASE - pick up after your dog!
