Welcome to the Travel in the United States Series. This series will explore family friendly vacation options in each of the 50 states (and as a bonus, I will include our Nation’s capital, The District of Columbia). An index to all the 50 States posts can be found here.
Alaska Travel
Alaska is such a big state that it is hard to know where to begin! Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area, bu is the 4th least populous and the least densely populated. Almost half of all Alaskan residents live in or near Anchorage. Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867 at only two cents an acre!
Alaska is divided into five distinct regions: Inside Passage, Southcentral, Interior, Far North and Southwest.
Inside Passage Alaska
The Inside Passage region of Alaska consists of three main cities: Ketchikan, Sitka and Juneau (the capital of Alaska). Ketchikan is a major port for cruise lines and you will probably stop in this city if you take an Alaskan Cruise. There is so many outdoor activities to participate in that it is hard to list them all! They seem to cater to every adventurer including kayaking, eco-tours, bear watching, birding, salt water fishing, glacier cruises, ziplining and more! If history is your thing, Inside Passage Alaska is home to the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian Indians whose history is reflected in towering totem poles.
Southcentral Alaska
Over half of Alaska’s population live in the Southcentral region which is home to Anchorage. This area is also home to Prince William Sound. As with other region’s of Alaska, outdoor activities abound! Trout and Salmon fishing are excellent past times and many visitors take a day cruise to see the fjords and glaciers. Just outside Hope, Alaska, you will find a state park where you can actually pan for gold! Learn more about the Native American’s from Alaska by visiting the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. Laura, from Day by Day in Our World, an Alaskan resident, talks about this center in her series of posts – Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. This video from Laura, shows some of the games that are demonstrated at the center:
Interior Alaska
The Interior region of Alaska is where you will find Mt. McKinley, the continent’s tallest peak, surrounded by tundra. The forests are home to grizzly bears and caribou. You can see the experience the midnight sun and the northern lights. One place your won’t want to miss is Denali National Park. Why not explore the park by bus on the Kantishna Wilderness Trails. This all day bus excursion travels 92 miles inside the park with knowledgeable guides to share the history, biology and geology of the region.
Southwest Alaska
Southwest Alaska is home to the Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Islands and the Kodiak Archipelago. If you are an extreme adventurer, this is the area to visit! On my list of places to stay is the Katmai Adventure Lodge which sits on the banks of the Naknek River and located just outside the village of King Salmon and Katmai National Park. Set up your base here and then experience day trips of kayaking, bear viewing, hiking, fishing, rafting and more.
Far North Alaska
It is in the Far North region that you will cross the Arctic Circle. Home to the Inupiat Eskimos, some who still live a subsistence lifestyle. This area is only accessible by jet or small aircraft from Fairbanks or Anchorage. One of the highlights of this area is the Arctic National Park and Preserve. The best way to experience this area is to book a Kotzebue/Nome Adventure. You will visit an Inupiat village, shop for traditional crafts and then head off to the National Park Service Visitor Center. Next up is Nome, where you can relive the gold rush and pan for gold. Then off for a dogsled demo on the Iditarod Trail.
Cruising to Alaska
All of the major cruise lines offer cruises to Alaska. Various itineraries are available and stops include such cities as Ketchikan, Juneau, Hubbard Glacier, Seward, Tracy Arm Fjord and more. Before booking a cruise, decide what you want to see and do and then find an appropriate itinerary. Typical Alaska Cruises last 7 days. Tammilee, at Tammilee Tips, gives you a first hand look at her Alaska cruise experience. Hint: She had a blast!
My sister and her family have taken a cruise to Alaska twice now-my son and I are going with them next time! All of their pictures are absolutely breath taking and the stories sound like it would be a lot of fun!
With your post, I definitely want to check out some of these too!
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I hope you have a great time. I definitely want to visit there more than once.
Love visiting Alaska. I was lucky to be able to do 3 out of the 5 regions you mentioned. It was fabulous. And given the opportunity to do it again. I would! YES!
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I am so jealous! There is so much to see in Alaska and so little time 🙂
Loved this article! I’ve always wanted to see Alaska since it is so beautiful but the cold weather usually keeps me away. So for now, I will enjoy it in places like your post. Thank you so much for sharing its beauty with us!
~ Dina
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I am not a cold weather person either 🙂 However, it looks so beautiful I just have to go.
My parents went to Alaska and they said it was amazing! After reading your post, I’m even more convinced. Hopefully I will be able to take a trip there one day!
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I have never been to Alaska, but I also haven’t been to a tropical island. I think a hot spot is still first choice, but you have Alaska pushing a close second with this blog post! Very cool!
I usually tend to visit the warmer climates too, but Alaska is sure beautiful.
I have never been to Alaska, but it is on our bucket list! It was pretty far down on our list but it may be moving up now! Looks so amazing!
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I’ve always wanted to visit Alaska. Maybe some day!
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We can all hope, can’t we? I just have too many places that I want to visit!
I guess I should of put Alaska on my bucket list. It looks like such a beautiful state!
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It is definitely on my bucket list. My dad and step mom lived there for a while and I never did check the chance to visit. Now, I am kicking myself.
Hubby would LOVE to visit Alaska. Me… not so much. 😉
Alaska is high on my list of places I’d love to visit! I wouldn’t want to go when it’s too cold, but a summer visit there would be amazing.
Nikki recently posted..Practical Tips to Add More Protein to Your Diet When You’re a Picky Eater
although i abhor the cold, i want so badly to visit Alaska. there is so many fantastical places there. simply stunning.
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I hate the cold too, but there is something fascinating about Alaska! So beautiful.
My brother is in the army and lives in Alaska right now. I’ve always thought about traveling there to see him. Plus it doesn’t hurt that the place is beautiful! Thanks for the post!
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My dad lived in Alaska for a short time and I never did get there to see him. Now I am kicking myself!
We just moved to Ketchikan and am excited to start sight seeing.
That is where my Dad and step mom lived for about four years. I so wish I could have visited. They thought it was beautiful!
when traveling to Alaska always be sure to bring extra memory for your camera. So many photo ops it is great
I agree! Sometimes I don’t take enough pictures, but I am sure I would go crazy in Alaska!
I don’t like being cold but I would like to visit Alaska someday just to see the view.