There are only a few places in the world that can literally blow your mind away and leave you awestruck not only because of its immense beauty but the history, culture, and marvelous sites as well. And one such place in the United States is Alaska, which is ubiquitously popular for a variety of reasons. Alaska is one of the most sparsely populated states in the nation, it boasts of rugged and vast land featuring mountains, forests, open spaces, and not to forget, exotic wildlife. In addition to that, the state is also famous for featuring a myriad of lakes, rivers, active ice fields & glaciers, and much more. It is an excellent destination for nature admirers and outdoor adventure seekers alike. Skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, dog mushing, flight seeing, hiking, etc. are some of the best adventure-sports to try in Alaska. No matter what age group you belong to or kind of interests you hold, Alaska has a little bit of everything to offer to everyone.
Alaska is a gorgeous place to visit, it is home to some of the most stunning sites and attractions, and if you have any plans to visit this place anytime soon, make sure to add these lovely destinations that we have listed below to your itinerary, this will you realize why Alaska is so beloved.
Denali National Park
Denali National Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Alaska, the park is sprawled over 6 million acres of wilderness. Besides being home to some of the most exotic wild species, it also shelters the iconic and massive peak of Mount McKinley, which is the highest mountain in the nation. While walking along the park, you might be able to spot a few wild species like grizzly bears, reindeer, wolves, elks, moose, and more. If you are looking to indulge in some outdoor adventure in the park, you can try activities like hiking, whitewater rafting, and back-country camping.
Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier is yet another impressive site to visit in Alaska. It is a short drive from Juneau and is easily accessible. The site boasts of 13-mile long glacier that separates into its self-made lake. Marveling at the wonderful sight of the gigantic glacier and glacier-fed lake is a one-of-a-kind experience. In addition to taking a hike along the photo point trail or the west glacier trail, you can also enjoy kayaking or take a canoe tour of the lake.
The Alaska Highway
The Alaska Highway is one of the most scenic places in Alaska. It is an ideal destination for all the road-trippers who want their journey to be full of scenery and amazing views. The highway was built during WWII; it connects Alaska to the lower 48 states via Canada. The scenery here can be simply breathtaking during both summer and winter. While summer boast of lush foliage, winter turn the land into a snow paradise.
Anchorage
If you are more of a city person and want to get a taste of Alaska’s city life, then you must visit its largest city Anchorage, which houses almost half the total population of Alaska in and around. The city has several kinds of experiences to offer. You can visit the Anchorage Museum, which is a great place to learn more about Alaska’s native people. In addition to that, you can also visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Thomas Planetarium. In short, you will never run out of things to see and do here.
Katmai National Park
Located in close proximity to Homer and Kodiak Island, Katmai National Park is one of the most scenic places to visit in Alaska. The park also features the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, which is filled with ash flow from the eruption of the Novarupta Volcano. Other than that, you will also get several opportunities to spot wild species including brown bears.