Alaska holidays

Alaska is defined by superlatives — the biggest state, longest coastline, highest peak and longest day and night in the US. Even after a lifetime of holidays to Alaska, you’ll only have uncovered the tip of the iceberg. From epic wildlife and surreal landscapes to fascinating Indigenous cultures, see why America’s last frontier should be first on your bucket list.

Top destinations in Alaska

Anchorage

With scenic trails, craft breweries, salmon fishing and a buzzing local arts scene, Alaska’s biggest city has a lot to keep you busy. It’s time to go all in on Anchorage.

Fairbanks

Located in the state’s sparsely populated interior, Fairbanks brings you face-to-face with breathtaking wilderness. Explore everything from glacier hikes and river canoe trips to nearby hot springs.

Galena

The outdoors loom large in this remote Alaskan town. From skiing and fishing to gazing at the Northern Lights, Galena gives you a front-row seat to the edge of the world.

Juneau

Whether you go whale watching, walk on a glacier or feast on some of the freshest seafood on the continent, Alaska’s capital city captivates the imagination.

Sitka

With a picturesque harbour surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Sitka is worth a stop on your Alaska tour. And it’s also the perfect base for wildlife encounters.

Ketchikan

A historic city in Alaska’s Inside Passage, Ketchikan is renowned for its Native American totem poles, world-class fishing and colourful wooden buildings overlooking the water.

Alaska: fast facts

Language

English

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Time zone

Anchorage - UTC−9 (AKST) and UTC−8 (AKDT)

High season

June – August

Low season

November – March

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Alaska holiday highlights

Juneau
Sarah Cannard

Explore Indigenous cultures

To truly appreciate this remote land, you’ll need to spend time with its Indigenous peoples. Watch dance performances and listen to local stories at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. And learn all about the Iñupiat people’s culture in the northern city of Utqiaġvik. To support the state’s Indigenous communities, try to book excursions with Alaska Native–owned tour operators.

See the Northern Lights

Alaska is one of the best places on Earth to see the Northern Lights. To increase your odds of catching the show, visit between mid-August and mid-April, when the night skies are darkest. While the Northern Lights are visible statewide, they’re best seen in the Interior and Arctic regions, especially in spots like Fairbanks, Coldfoot and Wiseman.

Get near a glacier

Getting up close to the state’s thousands of glaciers is one of the best things to do in Alaska. Hike around Matanuska Glacier and explore the Exit Glacier area in Seward on a fat-tyre bike. Looking for a more relaxed way to see these icy wonders? Take in the dramatic scenery while riding the Alaska Railroad, which travels 756 kilometres between Seward and Fairbanks.

Things to do in Alaska

Juneau
Travel Juneau

Top attractions

Few sights are as iconic as Denali, North America’s highest peak at 6,190 metres. Drive the George Parks Highway for stunning views. Mendenhall Glacier is one of the few in the state accessible by road, with several short scenic walking trails nearby. To see one of the most impressive sections of the Inside Passage, cruise through Tracy Arm Fjord.

Beaches

With 54,000 kilometres of shoreline, there are plenty of beaches in Alaska to choose from. Soak up the Midnight Sun from Bishop’s Beach Park in Homer. Or spot the blow of humpback whales from Hoonah’s Icy Strait Point Beach on Chichagof Island. In summer, bears and bald eagles congregate at Juneau’s Eagle Beach.

Nature

Alaska’s natural wonders are something to behold, from snow-capped mountains and towering glaciers to crystal-clear lakes and fjords. Denali National Park is famous for its namesake peak, grizzly bears, moose and caribou. And you can spot orcas and humpback whales in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Need a break from the cold? Warm up in Sitka’s Goddard Hot Springs.

Cuisine

You can thank Alaska’s immense coastline and its more than three million lakes for the amazing seafood you’ll find here. Feast on wild salmon, Pacific halibut and king crab legs at the best restaurants in Alaska. Or swap fresh fish for reindeer sausage and elk burgers. Ready for dessert? Order the ‘akutuq’ (Alaskan ice cream), made from animal fat, berries and snow.

Culture and museums

Travel back to Alaska’s frontier days at Fairbanks’ Pioneer Park. Or spend an afternoon hunkered down at the Anchorage Museum, the largest in the state. One of the best museums in Alaska to learn about local history and culture is the Alaska State Museum in Juneau. And if you’re interested in Indigenous art, don’t miss the Potlatch Totem Park and Museum in Ketchikan.

Nightlife

Anchorage has some of the best nightlife in Alaska. Kick off your evening at one of the city’s award-winning craft breweries. For a night of culture, catch a show at Atwood Concert Hall or check out some comedy at Chilkoot Charlie’s. Juneau and Fairbanks also have a smattering of great breweries, distilleries and gastropubs.

Find the best time to visit Alaska

Weather in Alaska through the year

April – May: Spring in Alaska is unpredictable, with highs around 14°C and lows near freezing. It’s a great time for wildlife — bears emerge from hibernation, and grey whales can be spotted off Seward.

June – August: Summer is the best time to visit Alaska for outdoor activities. Anchorage gets highs in the low 20s°C and near-endless daylight.

September – October: Warm weather can linger into early September, but cold and rain aren’t far behind. Marvel at bright-red foliage in Denali National Park and aurora displays in the Arctic Circle.

November – March: Winter is long and snowy, with averages ranging from −7°C in the south to −29°C in Fairbanks. Wrap up warm and enjoy winter sports, festivals and the spectacular Northern Lights.

Events in Alaska

Summer Solstice Festival (June): Locals gather in downtown Anchorage to mark the longest day of the year. Expect a big outdoor party with live music, food trucks, dance shows and sporting events.

Alaska State Fair (August to September): This historic two-week fair has drawn visitors to Palmer since 1936. It’s known for its unusual competitions, from hot dog eating and fiddle playing to vegetable growing.

Sitka WhaleFest (November): Celebrate Alaska’s marine life at this three-day festival featuring science talks, wildlife cruises, film screenings and hands-on workshops.

Anchorage International Film Festival (December): As Anchorage transforms into a snowy wonderland, this 10-day festival brings plenty of warmth. Enjoy a diverse selection of films celebrating local and international talent.

Know before you go

Budget

A cheap holiday in Alaska can be tricky, but carefully budgeting your trip can help keep costs down. Expect to pay around 20 US dollars ($) for a simple meal and under $10 for a local beer. A short taxi ride will set you back around $9.

Health and safety

Alaska’s natural environment can be as dangerous as it is beautiful. If you’re hiking without a guide, be prepared for sudden weather changes and keep your distance from wildlife, especially bears. In winter, snowstorms can cause road closures, power outages and travel delays. Make sure your travel insurance covers the activities you plan to do, and call 911 in an emergency.

Free things to do

Seven of Alaska’s eight national parks are free to enter. Kenai Fjords is the most easily accessible from Anchorage and offers scenic trails around Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield. Or explore totem poles carved by the native Tlingit people at Sitka National Historical Park. Want to see whales without paying for a tour? Head to Icy Straight Point in summer.

Family friendly

See bears, bison and moose at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Girdwood, where naturalist-led walking tours bring the experience to life. Journey deep into Alaska’s rugged interior on the Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star. At The Anchorage Museum’s Discovery Center, kids can explore interactive exhibits on the state’s environment, wildlife and geology.

Getting around Alaska

Anchorage
Visit Anchorage

Public transport

Buses: Alaska has a limited regional bus network run by private operators. Alaska Park Connection offers buses from Anchorage to Seward twice daily, while Interior Alaska Bus Line connects Anchorage, Fairbanks, Northway and Tok.

Trains: You’ll find loads of breathtaking views riding the Alaska Railroad. The Denali Star route from Anchorage to Fairbanks shows off the region’s hulking peaks and glaciers. And the Coastal Classic from Seward to just outside Kenai Fjords National Park is much shorter, but just as stunning.

Boats: The Alaska Marine Highway ferries passengers between major ports, including Ketchikan, Juneau, Homer and Whittier. Check its website for tickets and schedules.

Domestic flights

Alaska’s rugged terrain makes flying a necessity. Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau are the main hubs, with Alaska Airlines offering the most regional flights. For scenic views on a budget, take a ‘milk run’ flight, which delivers groceries, cargo and passengers to remote southeastern towns.

Find domestic flights

Driving and car hire

This is a road-tripper’s paradise for good reason. Roads between the main tourist spots are well maintained, there’s hardly any traffic, and the views are endless. Summer brings peak season car rental prices, while winter can mean challenging conditions. But the freedom and flexibility are worth it.

Check car hire

FAQs about Alaska holidays

Start in Anchorage, an ideal base for tours ranging from glacier hikes to bear watching. If your plans include the Inside Passage, spend a few nights in Juneau, celebrated for its gold rush history and rich Indigenous heritage.
You’ll want to spend at least seven days in Alaska to make the most of the sprawling state’s nature, culture and activities. If you’re planning on including a cruise during your trip, consider extending your visit another week.
The best time to visit Alaska is between May and September, when warmer weather allows for prime hiking and wildlife watching. If spotting the Northern Lights is at the top of your list, aim to visit between November and March. Alaska is at its coldest during this time, so pack plenty of warm layers.
Alaska is a very safe travel destination. But due to the state’s vast wilderness, it helps to be prepared in case of emergencies. Keep any medication with you when exploring, and always check the weather before venturing out. If you’re travelling in winter, beware of icy roads.
English is the most commonly spoken language in Alaska. But the state is also home to about 20 Indigenous languages. Some of these dialects include the Eskimo-Aleut and Athabaskan-Eyak-Tlingit languages.
You’ll use US dollars ($) in Alaska. Cards are widely accepted, but smaller businesses may only take cash, so try to carry a little just in case. Tipping is the norm here. Add 20% in restaurants, a dollar per drink in bars and cafes and between 10% and 20% for tour guides.

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