Take an adventure to the last frontier in Alaska.
Everything about Alaska is massive — from the 90-pound cabbages grown in the Matanuska Valley to the coastline that’s longer than all the other U.S. states combined. North America’s tallest peak, Denali, beckons from the center of the state and its wild, beating heart, Denali National Park. Hike through this vast wilderness, where taiga forests full of pines and spruce stretch below the towering peaks. Sail by the icy beauty of some of the world’s most impressive glaciers, from the Hubbard Glacier and the Tracy Arm Fjord. Cruise to Alaska to rent a bike and pedal along Anchorage’s Coastal Trail for sweeping views of the rugged forests and the expansive ocean.
OF ICE AND MOUNTAINS
Adventuring in Alaska is all about getting to know this state’s stunning landscape. It might seem cold and unforgiving at first glance, but once you spend some time exploring the quiet lakes, imposing glaciers and breathtaking mountain views, you’ll have only warm impressions of this wilderness.
FEEL THE RUSH
Alaska is tailor-made for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you sail its icy bays trying to spot huge cold-water whales or fly high above this rough-and-tumble landscape from the vantage of a helicopter, you’re sure to come away with memories you couldn’t have made anywhere else.
SALMON IS CENTRAL
Featuring tender seafood and savory sausage stir-fried with savory saffron rice, paella’s claim to fame is simplicity. In one bite of this dish, you can taste all of the flavors that have made Spain’s signature dish famous around the world.
SOURDOUGH WON’T LET YOU GO
Meat pies filled with lamb, veal or sometimes pork are called kreatopita, and they are cooked with wine and tomatoes, garlic, cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a medley of flavors. There’s also a variety called pastitsio that combines pasta and meat.
GO WILD FOR BERRIES
Squid ink has become a global food coloring sensation, but the trend started in Croatia. The black color of crni rizot (black risotto) is only the beginning of its appeal, thanks to the tender, juicy octopus tentacles that rest atop its bed of arborio rice.
LOCAL CUISINE
Hearty and rich, Alaska cuisine is made to hit the spot. Most meals spotlight local fish or caribou, and Dungeness crab when it’s in season. For a real Alaska specialty, head to the Cookhouse Restaurant and try the reindeer chili or the Alaska Blue Burger, made with reindeer meat, blue cheese and merlot steak sauce.
LOCAL CUISINE
The local Pacific Northwest “frontier cuisine” is packed with fresh seafood offerings like sockeye lox and halibut fish and chips. Here you’ll find Dungeness crab harvested by local families and food trucks serving black cod collars. And don’t miss Baranof Island Brewing Company— the Silver Bay IPA and Halibut Point Hefeweizen are two solid sipping options.
Exploring the interior of Alaska will give you an entirely different perspective on this vast and rugged state. Take an Inside Passage cruise and gaze upward at the sky that is as blue as the lakes below. Hop on the Alaskan Railroad near Anchorage and see the spruce-lined, mountainous landscape whir by from a new perspective.
In Alaska, ancient rivers of ice wind between mountains and grind out of valleys. Towering walls of ice like the Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm Dawes and the twin Sawyer Glaciers thunder as they calve massive icebergs. Some shore excursions allow up close interaction with these natural wonders.
In the center of the state, Denali National Park is blanketed in wildflowers punctuated with mountains, raging rivers and serene lakes. Denali, “The Great One,” formerly known as Mt. McKinley, rises to the tallest peak in North America and can be seen from as far away as Anchorage on a clear day. An up-close view is more than worth the expedition during your vacation.
In some parts of the state, dog sledding is still the primary mode of transportation through the winter months. Visit Alaska and get the experience for yourself at the Skagway Yukon Discovery and Dog Sled Tour. The Siberian Huskies are sweet and energetic, and the ride is a thrill.
Head to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward for a whale watching tour There’s nothing like seeing these behemoths hurl themselves out of the water, to splash back into the sea. Don’t pass up an opportunity to watch these giants feed and play in the water.
Planes are plentiful in Alaska, where they’re a common form of transportation across the state. Charter a helicopter or fixed-wing flightseeing tour at Juneau and get an unforgettable perspective of the mountains and glaciers of this vast landscape.
1.
Alaska is not a formal place; people even wear jeans to the opera. Focus more on comfort when deciding what clothing to pack.
2.
Cameras, binoculars, rain ponchos and jackets are useful, but add these to the souvenirs you’ll be picking up and soon your bag will be too heavy to tote around. Bring along a quality day pack to make it easier to hold your necessities.
3.
Learn a few words in Alaska’s local lingo: The “Alcan” is the Alaska-Canada Highway, for example, and “fish stories” are the local version of tall tales — unreliable yarns of mythological proportions, often told by fisherman.
4.
Pack your sunglasses— Alaska has bright sunlight even in winter.
5.
Don’t eat berries along Alaskan trails, as some are poisonous.
6.
It rains often in Alaska, even in the summer, so pack a waterproof jacket or raincoat.