Alaska Favorites

  The main wall of ice
by hea17
 
  • The main wall of ice
      The main wall of ice
    by hea17
  • Ketchikan
      Ketchikan
    by balhannah
  • Girdwood used to be Glac ier City
      Girdwood used to be Glac ier City
    by jumpingnorman
  •   Favorites
    by jumpingnorman
  •   Favorites
    by jumpingnorman
 

Most Viewed Favorites in Alaska

1.

Turnagain Arm   Anchorage

Turnagain Arm, Anchorage

 5 Reviews  The tides of Turnagain Arm are incredibly impressive. This place has the 2nd largest difference in tides in North America and something called a tidal bore which is uncommon, overall. This isn't a... 

 See All 86 Favorites in Anchorage

2.

Wildlife   Denali National Park and Preserve

Wildlife, Denali National Park and Preserve

 18 Reviews  Nowhere that I have been on the North American continent have I seen more impressive and diverse wildlife in such profusion as at Denali National Park. It is one of the few places anywhere that the... 

 See All 64 Favorites in Denali National Park and Preserve

3.

Chugach Mountains   Anchorage

Chugach Mountains, Anchorage

 10 Reviews  See Anchorage & surroundings from the aeroplane. When you are landing at the Anchorage airport during daytime, do look out the aeroplane window and enjoy the really fantastic view of nature at it's... 

 See All 86 Favorites in Anchorage

4.

Hiking/ Trails   Denali National Park and Preserve

Hiking/ Trails, Denali National Park and Preserve

 8 Reviews  Horseshoe lake can be reached via a pretty short trail near the Denali visitor's center. If I'm remembering correctly, the trail was about 2 miles round trip and had only minimal elevation gain. The... 

 See All 64 Favorites in Denali National Park and Preserve

5.

Wildlife   Anchorage

Wildlife, Anchorage

 8 Reviews  If you talk to people from here, they seem so blasé about moose. Not me. I haven’t lived here a long time, but there’s no way I’ll ever get tired of them. They are so large and fun to watch that... 

 See All 86 Favorites in Anchorage

6.

Visitor's Center   Denali National Park and Preserve

Visitor's Center, Denali National Park and Preserve

 5 Reviews  There is a modern visitors center located inside the front entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve at mile 0.7. Here you will find books and souvenirs, interpretative programs, a slideshow, and... 

 See All 64 Favorites in Denali National Park and Preserve

7.

Climate   Anchorage

Climate, Anchorage

 5 Reviews  A few days ago I was having some work done at my local garage. A blonde came in and asked for a seven-hundred-ten. We all looked at each other and another customer asked, "What is a... 

 See All 86 Favorites in Anchorage

8.

Camping/ Lodging   Denali National Park and Preserve

Camping/ Lodging, Denali National Park and Preserve

 2 Reviews  There are two ways to camp in the park. (1) You can camp in an established camground such as Igloo, Riley Creek, or Wonder Lake. Check with the visitor center for availability. All of these are... 

 See All 64 Favorites in Denali National Park and Preserve

9.

Cook Inlet   Anchorage

Cook Inlet, Anchorage

 4 Reviews  The City of Anchorage overlooks Cook Inlet, named for Captain James Cook who explored this area in his vain search for a northwest passage across the top of the North American continent in 1778. The... 

 See All 86 Favorites in Anchorage

10.

Mt. McKinley   Denali National Park and Preserve

Mt. McKinley, Denali National Park and Preserve

 4 Reviews  I was pretty bummed returning from my visit to Denali and not having seen the mountain. Fortunately, a friend had better luck and provided me with a photo of what I missed. I read somewhere that the... 

 See All 64 Favorites in Denali National Park and Preserve

11.

Rafting   Denali National Park and Preserve

Rafting, Denali National Park and Preserve

 1 Review  Several tour operators offer raft trips down Denali-area rivers ranging from a few hours to a few days. Prices obviously vary depending on the duration of the trip, plus possible premiums depending on... 

 See All 64 Favorites in Denali National Park and Preserve

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

travelling in Alaska

by MTrav

Hi - In my opinion the finest time of year to drive and explore Alaska is late May and early September. In my experience these times are cooler, clearer, and roads and attractions are less crowded. Snow is unlikely between mid May and mid September. June and July are fine too but much more crowded with other tourists, and August tends to be rainier for most of the state. Driving from Vancouver or Edmonton would be great but it is a very long drive. I would plan on 3-5 days to drive from Vancouver to Anchorage and you might be road weary after a trip like that. The state ferry is a lot of fun. You can camp on the deck or get a little stateroom and it is a social setting where you can meet other interesting travelers. www.akferry.comRenting a car in Canada and driving into the USA may be a problem. I know it is a problem to do it the other way around. Very unlikely that you could rent in...

What to do in March in Alaska?

by RickinDutch

March might be spring break in the rest of the lower 48 but it is still the middle of winter in Alaska.March will not be suited to fishing or river rafting. Perhaps some winter run king salmon fishing in the coastal towns but nothing fresh water. Ice fishing is available all over but the small stocked trout you'll find don't make the effort worthwhile in my humble opinion.Good March activities would be skiing (Alyeska near Girdwood for downhill). Some dog sledding can be found in the Talkeetna/Wasilla area. X-Country skiing is available all over. Sitka was a nice suggestion, but Sheldon Jackson is closed now. A fun adventure might be renting a house boat in one of the remote coves near Sitka. I have heard that this winter (2009-2010) is one of the worst on record for viewing the northern lights - something about a lack of solar activity. Nightlife is probably the best in Anchorage with...

Tip Photo
Matanuska Glacier

by hea17

I flew up to Alaska for a few days to visit my brother who lives in Anchorage. We decided to hit the road one day to find a glacier. We ended up at Matanuska Glacier which is a few hours north of Anchorage. They were technically closed for the season as it was November when I visited but they allowed us to go out on the ice since there was very little snow cover at that time. After paying a fee and signing a legal document we headed out to the ice. It was incredible! We were the only ones out there which was awesome and a little scary at the same time. We hiked on the glacier for a few hours, completely losing track of time. We're not sure how cold it was on the ice but our truck said 11 degrees F and it was parked off the ice! This was truly one of the most amazing adventures I've ever taken. If you visit in the summer there is camping available too so check it out!

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denali national park

by hanspeter_W.

one of the most beautiful places in Alaska is the Denali Nationalpark near Mt.McKinley It's more than a mountainDenali National Park and Preserve’s dynamic glaciated landscape supports a diversity of wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep and moose. Birds and wildflowers grace summer slopes. Visitors enjoy sightseeing, backpacking, and mountaineering. Whether climbing or admiring, the crowning jewel is North America’s highest peak, the awe-inspiring, 20,320 foot Mount McKinley. http://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm

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When to visit Alaska?

by jumpingnorman

My sister and I visted Alaska on the first week of May and it was then considered springtime and were we LUCKY! The weather was perfect - we were just wearing our shirts and the sun was out in Anchorage - all the way to Homer and Seward. The only time it drizzled was during our last day and it was not that bad.May through September is the tourist season, with the peak at Memorial day and Labor Day weekends. Southsentral is generally mild (40-70 degrees) and in the interior, temps may rise 80-90.In the middle of summer, there will be a lot ofvisitors of course. Hotels are scarce and cruise ships stack up at the Inside Passage and highways filled with Rv's.Also, visiting too early means that some services may not be available like the Denali National Park shuttel buses only onpen from May 20-Set 17. The salmon runs occur in the rivers in late May, especially at the Kemai Peninsula. King...

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Jumping Around Central Kenai Peninsula!

by jumpingnorman

For adventurers visiting Anchorage, this is considered ALASKA'S PLAYGROUND!For my sister and I, this was where we witnessed a lot of wildlife from mountain goats to killer whales on our cruise! But for most people, this is where you will go fishing (big salmon!), hiking, river rafting and canoening.We saw the kenai River and there are several viewpoints but we enjoyed the one at the back of the Soldotna Vistor center which is just beside Kenai itself. And although we took the boat cruise on Resurrection Bay, you can also do the ice-slicing yourself by kayaking (well, not really ice but glassy waters, hehehe)If you want to sleep in a cabin, you can go ahead and book one of eight available cabins at the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge (276-6249) which can only be reached by boat! Awesome - so inaccessible - cool...

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Jumping Around Girdwood!

by jumpingnorman

This is just about 45 minutes by driving from Anchorage, but if you travel by train, it takes about 1.25 hours.It is considered the Resort Town and was called Glacier City before due to the - what else, glaciers. So, my sister decided to book the helicopter tour that she wanted to take here in Girdwood. As you can see from our Alaska pictures, we were definitely not disappointed. From Girdwood, you could explore Prince William Sound and the huge Chugach Mountain Range (we drive and drive and see Chugach written everywhere - it encompasses a wide area).You can also ride the Alyeska Tram here for a bird's eye view at 2000 feet - we did not do this but you can call 754-2275.And from the chopper, our pilot Marcus pointed out the Twentymile River and the Twentymile Glacier. Why 20 mile, I really don't know....Girdwood also has Spencer Glacier, where you can go rafting and canoeing through the...

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Alaska begins when you see it from above!

by jumpingnorman

The culture in Alaska is that you start to experience Alaska when you leave the ground! I'm not sure about that because I felt Alaska when I saw a big rat crossing the road and a bald eagle spreading its seven foot wingspan on top of our car...wilderness.But there are so many planes around that are available for your renting pleasure -- and I do suggest you do go up the sky at least once! Like what we did - we chose the helicopter glacier tour....But the drama of the glaciers can truly be experienced from the sky - I cannot deny that. From the boat, it just looks like a big m,ountain, but from the sky, you do appreciate how it formed and how maginificent it is.If I muster the courage, I might consider landing on a lake next with a float plane!

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Alaska Late May

by MTrav

HiLate May is a good time to be in interior Alaska because the weather tends to be very good and you will be ahead of the heavy crowds. I would not count on skiing in May. I think a trip to Denali NP will be worth your time, especially in late May - that is an excellent time to see Denali. I have seen more wildlife during that time of the year than any other. Im sorry to tell you this but your chances of seeing northern lights in May are slim. By that time of the year in northern latitudes there is very little darkness. There is always plenty rain on the cruise to Alaska. I think fares are cheap because fewer people are traveling this year.I hope you have a great trip. Id be happy to try to answer any other questionsMike

Northern Lights Coupon Book

by Care824

I had heard plenty about the Alaska Toursaver Coupon Book when planning my trip to Alaska, but very few people mention the other great coupon book for tourists...the Northern Lights Coupon Book. It's produced by a non-profit org and sells for US$50. Some of the coupons are repeats from the Toursaver, but there are a few that are not, and those few turned out to be better tours, IMO. For example, the Toursaver has B1G1 (buy one, get one free) Kenai Fjords cruisetour coupons for their "National Park Tour" which is the 6 hour cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park out of Seward. But the Northern Lights book has a B1G1 coupon for Kenai Fjords' "Northwestern Fjord Tour" which is a NINE hour cruise deeper into the park. I'm all about spending more time with the glaciers and wildlife and would rather do this tour, and saving $169 on the 2nd ticket more than pays for buying the book even if...

Related Alaska Favorites Tips

Top 3 Hotels in Alaska

Hotel Captain Cook  Anchorage

 9 Reviews and 246 Opinions  Excellent amenities, with an excellent outlook. The higher the room the better the view, always ask... 

 Hotels in Anchorage

Westmark Baranof Hotel  Juneau

 4 Reviews and 83 Opinions  We stayed twice in the past month for a couple of days each trip and found the front desk staff... 

 Hotels in Juneau

Sophie Station  Fairbanks

 1 Review and 93 Opinions  We stayed at Sophie Station as part of our package tour and one night before the tour. It was clean... 

 Hotels in Fairbanks

568 Hotels in Alaska
 
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Favorites: Cities in Alaska
  1. Anchorage Favorites
  2. Denali National Park and Preserve Favorites
  3. Fairbanks Favorites
  4. Juneau Favorites
  5. Nome Favorites
  6. Barrow Favorites
  7. Kodiak Favorites
  8. Ketchikan Favorites
  9. Seward Favorites
  10. Dutch Harbor Favorites
  11. Skagway Favorites
  12. Sitka Favorites
  13. Homer Favorites
  14. Girdwood Favorites
  15. Talkeetna Favorites
  16. Soldotna Favorites
  17. Chena Hot Springs Favorites
  18. Valdez Favorites
  19. Haines Favorites
  20. Kenai Favorites
  21. Little Diomede Island Favorites
  22. Kodiak Island Favorites
  23. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Favorites
  24. Dillingham Favorites
  25. Unalaska Favorites
  26. Bethel Favorites
  27. Cordova Favorites
  28. Chicken Favorites
  29. Eagle River Favorites
  30. Palmer Favorites
  31. Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park Favorites
  32. Healy Favorites
  33. Seldovia Favorites
  34. Buskin River State Recreation Site Favorites
  35. Denali State Park Favorites
  36. Point Hope Favorites
  37. Prince of Wales Island Favorites
  38. Kenai Fjords National Park Favorites
  39. Nuiqsut Favorites
  40. Kalsin Island Favorites
  41. Kotzebue Favorites
  42. Anaktuvuk Pass Favorites
  43. Puffin Island Favorites
  44. Kachemak Bay State Park Favorites
  45. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve Favorites
  46. King Salmon Favorites
  47. Ninilchik Favorites
  48. Chitina Favorites
  49. Near Island Favorites
  50. Whittier Favorites
  51. Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park and Preserve Favorites
  52. Selawik Favorites
  53. Long Island Favorites
  54. Pasagshak State Recreation Site Favorites
  55. Akutan Favorites
  56. Hyder Favorites
  57. Yakutat Favorites
  58. Ouzinkie Favorites
  59. Aleknagik Favorites
  60. Delta Junction Favorites
  61. Wasilla Favorites
  62. Adak Favorites
  63. Cold Bay Favorites
  64. Pen Island Favorites
  65. Chugach State Park Favorites
  66. Clam Gulch Favorites
  67. Nenana Favorites
  68. Old Harbor Favorites

More Cities in Alaska

 

Questions and Answers

crazy4ocean profile photo

Q:  Hello, I am thinking about flying to Fairbanks the long weekend 2/18-2/20/12 to view the northern light. Anyone has been... 

GrumpyDiver profile photo

A: The moon phases will be in your favour; new moon is on Feb 23. You have to be out of town and away from "light pollution", and of course there has to be good weather... 

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