Alaska
I have always said Alaska is my favorite US State, and it consistently ranks in my top five destinations in the world. Alaska is America’s natural jewel. Nestled way up north with a remote and rugged landscape, it is home to the most national parks in the US and some of the most dangerous wildlife. It’s also home to some very remote and hard living, which is why I’m so intrigued with Alaskans and their obsession with solitude.
Alaska is vast, yet few people see more than a few tiny sections. Most people stick to the well-worn tourist trails that center around the cruising industry; they see a small part of Alaska and say they’ve ‘been there’- but honestly, they haven’t. I will go out on a limb and say if you haven’t ventured into remote Alaska, then you haven’t ‘been to’ Alaska.
I am constantly looking for ways to get off the tourist trail in Alaska, and that’s what I want to share with you! This includes going to less visited places, as well as going in less busy seasons.
Unique things to do in Alaska
- There’s no place like Nome. This is the town motto, and it’s true. Nome only has three roads, and they lead to nowhere. It also has the most unusual gravestone I’ve ever seen.
- Go for a walk with reindeer at Running Reindeer Ranch.
- Hike the Root Glacier in seldom seen Wrangell St. Elias National Park.
- Follow the pipeline up the Dalton Highway to a truck stop above the Arctic Circle.
- Take the Alaska RR Hurricane Train Tour, the last whistlestop train in America, and peek into local life off the grid.
- Take a float plane into Lake Clark, a least-visited national park.
- Kayak or snowmobile to Spencer Glacier in summer or winter.
- Go on a dog sledding expedition off the grid and see what it’s like to be a musher.
Featured Articles
24 Things to Do in Anchorage in Winter or Summer
29 Things to Do in Fairbanks Alaska Summer and Winter
All Aboard the Alaska Railroad: See the Last Frontier By Train
Best Time to Travel To Alaska
Winter invites aurora chasers to Fairbanks and skiers to Alyeska, while summer unfolds a tapestry of wildlife in Denali and kayaking through Kenai Fjords’ wildlife-filled waters. Fall transforms the landscape into a palette of gold, perfect for foliage enthusiasts.
- Average Temps: 55° – 70° F
- Midnight Sun
- Abundant wildlife & fishing
- National Parks in bloom
- Maximum Railroad Routes Available
- Summit Denali
- Average Temps: 0° to -35°F
- Northern Lights
- Dog Sledding
- Iditarod and Yukon Quest
- Ice Sculptures
- Aurora Winter Train
- Less tourists
- Weather can be volatile
- Few tourists – Yay!
- Some smaller places close down for the fall/spring
- You can often catch aurora
- Early fall colors
- Spring mosquitos
Let me help you plan your Alaska vacation
I’ve been traveling to Alaska for years now in various seasons and I’d love to help you plan a trip that will get you off the beaten track, and involved in more local experiences.
How to get around Alaska
As the largest but least densely populated state in the US, Alaska poses a few challenges when it comes to seeing the entire state. Most of it is unreachable by road or boat. 20 percent is reachable by roads, 20 percent by waterway, and the remaining 60 percent is only reachable by air. What are your options when it comes to getting around Alaska?
- Rent your own car and travel independently.
- Get around by small cruise ships or local ferries to the places off the road system.
- Alaska has its very own state railroad extending from Seward to Fairbanks! No trip to Alaska is complete without a journey on the AKRR.
- Group Tours typically provide group transportation around the state and include various locations.
- Bush Planes will take you to the most remote places and National Parks in the state.
More Articles About Alaska
Stranded in Paradise Kenai Fjords National Park
My 4 Best Days on Earth in 2015
Fall Colors in 5 Unique Destinations and How to Photograph Them
