Best Things to do in Alaska

Alaska is a state for those who love wildlife, mountains, wilderness, and small towns. Here are the best places and things to do in Alaska that we have personally experienced and shared with you. We have made several Alaska road trips and are planning our next adventure. You will find below links to our in-depth articles, tips, and photos from Alaska’s best places and attractions. This list helps you prepare your perfect Alaska itinerary. Or you can check our ready-to-go Alaska itinerary for 10 days and get tips on what to pack for Alaska vacations. We describe only the places where we have been ourselves. We recommend trips that we have used ourselves. There are no tricks with us because we love Alaska and carefully plan each trip to this state to experience as much of its beauty and attractions as possible.

Enjoy the Best Day Trips From Anchorage in Summer

Explore Homer and Homer Spit

Experience Bear Viewing in Alaska

Take a Trip for Brown Bear Watching in Katmai National Park

Visit the Independence Mine and Explore Hatcher Pass

Take a Marine Wildlife Watching Boat Trip

Go Hiking and Camping in the Denali National Park

Enjoy a Scenic Flight over Denali

Immerse Yourself in Talkeetna’s History and Scenery

Take pictures of Magic Bus 142 from „Into the Wild” movie

See Kennecott Copper Mine

Eat Lunch in McCarthy Golden Saloon

Try Glacier Kayaking in Alaska

Hike the Matanuska Glacier

Take Lake Clark National Park Bear Viewing Tour

Drive the most remote US highway – Dalton Highway

Enjoy the Scenery of Northern Alaska beyond the Arctic Circle

Drive the Taylor Highway and Visit the Town of Chicken

Visit Chena Hot Springs

Don’t Miss Abandoned Igloo City

Alaska Cruise or Halibut fishing? Explore Kenai Peninsula

Check Out Our Alaska Packing List Before Your Trip

Look At Our Ready-To-Go 10 Days Alaska Itinerary

Alaska Quick Information

Traveling to Alaska is a fantastic experience. After several road trips through Alaska, we have collected and shared our experiences with you, so you can prepare as well as possible for your dream vacation in Alaska. It’s our favorite state, which we love. We will show you the best places to visit in Alaska from a travel and photography perspective. We want you to treat this article as a kind of Alaska travel guide with some photo tips. This page contains essential information for planning a road trip to Alaska. We have gathered a number of experiences that we share here. We have prepared detailed articles with many valuable hints and tips from the places we have visited in Alaska. And on this page, you will find links to these articles, each of which is described in detail. We’ll also give you the best sources to prepare for your Alaska road trip.

We share our experiences and describe only those places in Alaska where we have been. Reviewing a trip means that we purchased it ourselves, experienced it, and shared our opinion about it. If you click on the Best Things to Do tab, you will see all the places in Alaska we have visited and described with links to detailed articles.

Alaska is a sanctuary for wildlife. With its massive glaciers, majestic mountains, pristine National Parks, bears, moose, and last frontier history, Alaska is a fantastic destination for vacations and the best spots for wildlife photography. Actually, it’s a paradise for photographers and travelers. Alaska is a place for everyone who loves active outdoor recreation and challenges. You need to prepare well for a trip to Alaska.

What are the best Alaska photography spots to see bear or moose or beautiful sunsets? What is the best time to visit Alaska? Do you want to spend a lot of time in one area exploring the wilderness and mountains or make those side excursions while visiting Alaskan towns? Maybe you like kayaking? Would you like to take an Alaska cruise to admire glaciers and fjords? Or would you like to make an Alaska fishing trip to catch salmon or big halibut? Yes, it’s possible! Where to eat? Where to stay? How to get there, and much more you will find in this Alaska travel and photography guide.

With these Alaska travel tips, we will help you prepare for your dream Alaska vacation and take great photos.

Are you busy or a little confused about how to prepare step by step for your dream travel to Alaska? Or does it seems a little bit overwhelming for you? Check our ready 10 Days Alaska Itinerary for 2023. It’s a free travel plan with plenty of tips and photo opportunities. Based on our experience, we put together a 10-day itinerary to Alaska. However, we spent much more time there. But we know that not everyone has a month or two to take a vacation. We have developed an optimal 10-day plan to see as much as possible in Alaska during that time. You’ll find even more inspiration here if you have 3 to four weeks for an Alaska road trip.

Why do we share it? – You ask. Because we have extensive experience in traveling and taking pictures throughout America, we both love Alaska. But it wasn’t easy to prepare for our journey. We had to look for the necessary information for a long time. And it wasn’t easy to find everything we needed in one place. It was impossible. We really walked through everything. So we share our experience and our opinions, and we hope to help you avoid disappointments and problems you could encounter. Check our free plans; if you have a question, we are prepared to support you!

Where is Alaska? It is a U.S. state in the northwest extremity of the United States West Coast, just across the Bering Strait from Asia. The Canadian province of British Columbia and the territory of Yukon border the state to the east and southeast. It is the largest U.S. state by area and the seventh-largest subnational division in the world. In addition, it is the 3rd least populous and the most sparsely populated of the 50 United States. On March 30, 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire for 7.2 million U.S. dollars, or approximately two cents per acre ($4.74/km2). It was admitted as the 49th state of the U.S. on January 3, 1959. The population is estimated at 738,432, and half of Alaska’s residents live within the Anchorage metropolitan area.

It’s essential to check Alaska’s weather when preparing to travel to Alaska. The climate depends on the region, f.e. Southcentral Alaska is a subarctic climate due to its short, cool summers. In the south climate is more humid and gentle. The climate in the extreme north of Alaska is an Arctic climate with long, cold winters and cool summers where snow is possible year-round. So you should be prepared for the four-season during your stay. That is why it’s essential to pack correctly for your Alaska vacation, depending on the activities you plan to do there.

Pack a map. Our number 1 is Alaska MILEPOST. There is already a version for 2023. Worth the money. This is the best Alaska map and travel guide on the market.

Trip Planning

When is the best time to go to Alaska?

Summer in Alaska is the best for great vacations. June, July, and August are the best months to visit Alaska. It’s the most popular time to travel. September is also excellent, and for sure less crowded, but you have to know that the winter season starts and some of the services are closed for the season. Depending on the region, temperatures vary greatly, but it is slightly warm. You’ll find Alaska’s summer temperatures surprisingly pleasant. Daytime highs range from 60°F – 80°F. Nighttime lows are refreshingly cool, dipping into the 40s-50s. May and September are 5°- 10° cooler.

It depends on which region you will visit, but summer is still the best. If you want to travel in late fall, winter, or spring, you must be prepared for icy weather conditions.

The best sources to prepare for your Alaska road trip

We have been to Alaska a few times and love this State. During our travels, we used several maps and guidebooks. Very helpful for us in planning each of our trips. Their updates appeared this year, which is excellent. They enrich your knowledge of the area’s nature, history, and culture.

Our favorite is The MILEPOST 2023: Alaska Travel Planner. It includes mile-by-mile descriptions of more than 15,000 miles of road in Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and Alberta. Its 700-plus pages detail guide with camping, fishing, gas stops, restaurants, attractions, and services found along the highways and byways of Alaska and western Canada. So, it’s perfect if you plan a longer road trip.

We also used DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer: Alaska. We like its topographic maps, which provide information on everything from cities and towns to historic sites, scenic drives, and trailheads.

Our favorite travel guide is Moon Alaska: Scenic Drives, National Parks, Best Hikes. There is a new version from 2022, which is excellent. You have a paperback or Kindle version to choose from. We love it because it’s very detailed and informative. It gave you a plant of ideas on how to spend time in Alaska according to your needs and interests. Full of educational information about wildlife, plants, local customs, geography, history, ecology, and safety. We love this series.

Transportation to Alaska

How to get to Alaska? The fastest and easiest way to get to Alaska is to take a flight to Anchorage and rent a car there. You have plenty of connections to Anchorage, and this is the best option to start your travel to Alaska. Anchorage is the biggest city in Alaska, and it’s a great place to prepare yourself for your vacation. You can buy everything you need there. And without tax! (later it might be a problem to find well-equipped stores).

We also traveled to Alaska with our own camper truck from Canada, and then we visited Alaska and drove from Alaska to Florida. But we had over six months for this cross-country road trip. We assume you want to rent a car for a week, two or three. Renting a car or motorhome is better if you have 7 – 14 days for an Alaska road trip. We recommend companies like Alamo, Great Alaskan Holiday, or ABC Motorhome. You can compare prices on Rentalcars. Last time we also used a local rental company and were delighted with their services, so check out our Alaska Auto Rental review.

Of course, it’s possible to visit Alaska by train or bus. Main cities are well connected. But if you decide on this option, you should reserve more time to get from place to place. Anchorage has an excellent bus schedule and plenty of train connections with the Kenai Peninsula, and Denali National Park, and more. But the best and cheapest option is to rent a car.

Bears safety in Alaska

If you plan a trip to Alaska, you must be aware that this is one of those unique places where you can sometimes meet more animals than people. Wild animals can behave unpredictably. And you are a guest, only a guest. Often an uninvited guest. We should respect their customs. We should prepare for the meeting. Alaska is a bear country and one of the few places in the world where all three species of North American bears live. Brown bears, also called grizzly bears, are found nearly everywhere in Alaska. Black bears are also in most of Alaska’s forests. Bears are curious, intelligent and tend to avoid or ignore people, but they can be dangerous. Respecting bears and learning proper behavior can help you avoid conflict.

• Never Approach Bears—Give Them Space. Every bear has a personal space– the distance within which the bear feels threatened. If you enter that space, the bear may become aggressive. Especially female bear, which protects their cubes.
• When photographing bears, use zoom lens. Use binoculars and telephoto lenses. Don’t stalk bears or try to get up close to them. Getting close could put you in danger. Never try to attract a bear’s attention with food or loud noises.
• Stay with other people; it’s safer to be in a group.
• Bears use trails and roads, so during your trip make noise, sing or talk loudly, clap your hands, especially if you are going through a brush. Always let bears know you are there. You can buy some bear bells. A bear bell is a small 1.5-inch bell with either a thick velcro strap or a carabiner used for attachment. You can attach it to the outside your backpack, waist belt, or any other external piece of gear. Bear bells are not meant to scare a bear. They are designed to warn a bear (and other animals – cougars, etc.) of your presence. Their sound helps you make some noise during your hike. So it’s worth to have them.
• Don’t leave your lunch or any food out where a bear can smell it. Keep your food away from your tent. Keep it 100 yards away if you can. Use bear-proof containers.
• It’s essential to pack your food properly in bear-proof containers or smell proof bags.
• Don’t set up camp near a trail or a riverbank.
• If staying in a campground, take your garbage to the bear-proof garbage. Do not leave it laying around camp. If backpacking, pack out what you pack in.
• Keep your personal belongings with you.
• Stand your ground if you encounter a bear, even if it approaches. Never run from a bear, as the action may encourage it to chase you. If it’s not approaching, back away slowly and give the bear space and access to its trails.
• Most people who hike in Alaska’s wilderness don’t carry a weapon. They know that the best defense is common sense. Traveling and camping carefully are all that they need. If you feel the need for additional protection, consider carrying “pepper spray”, a bear deterrent made from the juice of red-hot peppers. This incapacitating spray teaches bears a lesson without permanently maiming them. You can take with you bear spray or pepper gun in case of attack. But be careful with using it. It’s dangerous.

You can read more about bears’ behavior in the books presented below. It is worth reaching to them, especially if you are interested in nature photography and would like to take exciting pictures of bears. You will learn a lot about the behavior of these animals from the book: What Bears Teach Us. The author has been working with bears for nearly 20 years. You can learn a lot from this inspiring book. Another one we like is Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance.

Please check our post and photos from the fantastic adventure of photographing bears at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park!

What to Pack for Traveling Alaska

It’s essential to pack appropriately for Alaska vacation because it might be challenging to find the necessary equipment when you arrive. Except for Anchorage and Fairbanks, it’s challenging to find well-stocked stores. We prepared for you a detailed Alaska Packing List. No matter when you travel to Alaska, it will be changing weather. You have to be prepared for four-season, especially if you are going to the higher parts of the mountains or going hiking and camping, especially in a tent. It might be warm during the day but it can still get cool in the evenings and mornings.

Alaska Photography Tips

Alaska is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Photography is one way to capture this unique place’s beauty and wilderness. From beginner to professional, each will find something for himself. Are you interested in Alaska landscape photography? Mountains? Glaciers? Or maybe lake reflections? We share with you the best spots for taking landscape photos, including sunrise and sunset in this Alaska travel guide with photography tips.

Wildlife photography? We love it. We will tell you where and how to prepare to take great shots of animals. Dreaming about bear photos and bear watching? It was our dream, too, and we realized it! We captured terrific brown bears catching salmon and eating salmon in Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. We spent there three days. And it was a fantastic experience observing the biggest bears in the world in their natural habitat. And we give you all the details on how to prepare for such a trip.

Maybe you dream of taking a photo of a grizzly bear? We made it in Denali National Park. Caribou? Or moose? Yes, we did it and will tell you how to prepare for that. Birds photography? We had a cup of coffee when we spotted eagles dancing above our heads at Anchor Point and took great photos of them. We share our opinion about the best cruises and best fishing options where you can take great pictures of animals.

Check our 10 places to visit in Alaska (and photograph) on the trip to Alaska!

If you are looking for excellent tutorials about photographing aurora borealis, please try this post: Photographing Aurora: A Guide to Aurora Photography.

Get Inspired Before Your Alaska Trip

We carefully prepare for each of our trips. Reading books is one of the most important ways. We read novels related to a given place, documentary books, and guidebooks. As photographers, we love photo albums, too, which help us find inspiration. We also watch movies and listen to music connected with the region we are going to visit.

Below are some of our favorite suggestions for Alaska to get you inspired.

The MILEPOST 2022: Alaska Travel Planner	Moon Alaska: Scenic Drives, National Parks, Best Hikes	Moon Anchorage, Denali & the Kenai Peninsula	DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer: Alaska
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Books to read about Alaska

• James A. Michener Alaska: A Novel – The high points in the story of Alaska since the American acquisition are brought vividly to life through more than 100 characters, real and fictional.
• The Inside Passage to Alaska by Art Wolfe – For more than 15 years, Art Wolfe has been documenting Alaska, from the rainforests of the Southeast to snow-shrouded mountains to the northern expanses of the Brooks Range and beyond.
• National Geographic Treasures of Alaska: The Last Great American Wilderness (National Geographic Destinations) by Jeff Rennicke
• History of Alaska by Hubert Howe Bancroft
• The Great Alone: A Novel by Kristin Hannah

Films to watch about Alaska

• Wild Alaska’s National Parks – It is National Geographic documentary film. Emphasized wildlife and scenery-not touristy sites. Gives a realistic overview of Alaska.
• Northern Exposure – It is an American comedy-drama Northern television series about the eccentric residents of a fictional small town in Alaska that ran on CBS from 1990 to 1995, with a total of 110 episodes. A newly graduated doctor is required to set up his practice in an eccentric Alaskan town.
• North To Alaska is a 1960 comedic Western/Northern film directed by Henry Hathaway and John Wayne. The movie featured Johnny Horton’s song “North to Alaska”, sung during the opening titles, setting up an introduction to the story. During the Alaska gold rush, prospector George sends partner Sam to Seattle to bring his fiancée, but when it turns out that she married another man, Sam returns with a pretty substitute, the hostess of the Henhouse dance hall.
• The Frozen Ground is a 2013 American thriller crime drama film directed and written by Scott Walker in his directorial debut, starring Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, Vanessa Hudgens, Katherine LaNasa, Radha Mitchell, and 50 Cent. An Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events.
• Snow Dogs is a 2002 American adventure comedy directed by Brian Levant, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Coburn. When a Miami dentist inherits a team of sled dogs, he’s got to learn the trade or lose his pack to a crusty mountain man.

Alaskan Music

• The Spirit of Alaska
• A Journey to Alaska (Songs of the Humpback Whale)
• Eskimo Songs from Alaska
• After the Gold Rush

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