‘AK’, ‘Alaska’, ‘64.866’, ‘-152.500’
Alaska was the 49th state to enter the Union in 1867 and is nicknamed the “Last Frontier.” The U.S. bought Alaska from Russia for $7 million. The capital of Alaska is Juneau and the pale-blue-forget-me-not is the state flower. Alaska is not part of the mainland but is actually a peninsula, the largest in the Western hemisphere, to the west of Canada. Alaska also has the largest land area in the United States. North America’s largest peak can be found in the Alaska Range at Mt. McKinley and at 20,320 feet it is a favorite among mountain climbers that like a real challenge.
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The name Alaska comes from the Aleut word “Alyeska” which means “great land” and a great land it is indeed. Alaska is very popular for its many outdoor activities such as hiking on and off trails, skiing, boating, hunting, and fishing. Touring national parks is a great sightseeing activity for visitors. Alaska has nine national parks, the most popular being Glacier Bay National park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Kobuk Valley national Park.’
Alaska is a beautiful state with many things to do and places to stay.
Things to do in Alaska:
- Visiting Denali National Park
- Whale Watching
- Visit Historic Sites
- Ice Climbing
- Visit a Glacier
- Take a Cruise on the Inside Passage
- Fly-In Fishing/Camping
- Kite Skiing
- Kayaking or Rafting on a River in Alaska’s Interior
- Dog Sledding
Alaska is a magical land of giant glaciers, northern lights, and more wildlife than you could possibly imagine. It’s also home to some of the world’s most avid fishermen, ice-climbers, skiers, and snowboarders. If you’re looking for a place to get away from it all, or just want to explore the majesty of nature on your next vacation, Alaska is the perfect destination.
There are plenty of activities available to keep you busy in Alaska. If you like being outdoors, check out any of the many resort towns. For example, Whittier is known for its beautiful natural scenery and access to the Prince William Sound. Anchorage is another great resort town that offers plenty of outdoor fun as well as shopping and dining opportunities. If you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten path, consider visiting Juneau or Ketchikan—both have charming downtown areas with lots of great restaurants and shops.
If you’re planning on staying overnight in Alaska, there are plenty of places to choose from including hotels and resorts near popular tourist destinations such as Denali National Park or Fairbanks International Airport (FAI). The state also has an abundance of small cabins spread throughout its forests that can accommodate groups up to six people comfortably.
Alaska is the 49th state in the union and the largest by area. It’s mostly known for its breathtaking natural beauty and is a popular vacation destination for some of the most adventurous travelers. The state has more than 3 million lakes, 100,000 glaciers, and more coastline than all of the other states combined. There are tons of things to do in Alaska that are unique to this beautiful state, but also many that you can’t find anywhere else on Earth.
- Visit North America’s tallest peak
- Take a scenic train ride
- Go whale watching
- Try your hand at catching salmon
- Visit Mendenhall Glacier
- Spot wildlife at Denali National Park and Preserve
- Go on a dog sledding tour
- Check out the Northern Lights
- See where gold was first discovered in Nome
- Spend an afternoon in Anchorage
I once read that Alaska has a saying: “The best things in life are free. The second-best things are really expensive.” That may be true, but if you’re on a budget there are still plenty of things to do in Alaska that won’t break the bank. Start with these seven suggestions.
- Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Located just north of Anchorage, the Alaska Native Heritage Center is a living museum where you can learn about the many cultures and traditions of Alaska’s indigenous people through cultural performances, interactive exhibits, and hands-on demonstrations such as beading and carving. Plan to spend an entire day here—it’s also a perfect rainy day activity!
- Explore Anchorage’s many museums. Speaking of museums, Anchorage has several outstanding ones that showcase everything from the state’s history and art to science and nature. Most are affordable (some even offer free admission) or offer discounts for students, seniors, or military personnel.
- Tour Anchorage by bike or on foot. With 150 miles of paved trails connecting city parks to local attractions and scenic points along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Anchorage is one of America’s top 10 cities for urban biking—and it’s completely free to explore it by two wheels or more…
