The United States' largest state is also one of its most isolated and mysterious, and when it comes to taking an adventure without leaving the country, then a trip to Alaska is about as adventurous as it can get. The state is famous for being cold and remote, but there are also some amazing and beautiful sights to enjoy in the state, and there is also a warm welcome and some great food to enjoy too.


Whether you are looking for the ultimate in wilderness retreats or a quirky and interesting culture to explore, Alaska should definitely be on your travel itinerary.

 

Anchorage

With a population of around 300,000 people, most states wouldn't consider Anchorage to be particularly big, but here in Alaska it is the largest city in the state and the closest you can get to suburban America. This is a great base if you are looking to explore the area around the city, with mountain biking and hiking popular in the summer months, and cross country skiing and other winter sports popular in the winter. There are also some interesting cultural attractions, such as the native heritage center and the Anchorage museum, which are both worth visiting and offer an insight into the history of the area.

 

Denali National Park

This wild and rugged landscape is typically Alaskan, and is home to the highest mountain in the United States, which is widely known as Mount McKinley but is more familiar to the locals as Denali.

While most visitors won't want to try climbing the peak, which is 6,168 meters above sea level, it is possible to travel into the area to get a glimpse of this beautiful and majestic mountain. A common viewpoint of the mountain is at Wonder Lake, where you can have a good view of the mountain, while there are some lovely hiking routes in the area if you enjoy exploring by yourself.

 

Prince William Sound

On the south coast of Alaska, this lovely area of the country is normally accessed through the Port of Valdez, and is well known for the number of small islands that are found around the Prince William Sound. One of the most amazing experiences to enjoy on the sound is kayaking, and being able to get a fairly close look at the glaciers and the islands that dot this beautiful body of water is a stunning experience. If you are not feeling quite active enough for kayaking, you can also take a boat trip which takes in some of the glaciers in the area, and also introduces you to some of the other visitors exploring Alaska.

 

Skilak Lake

The deep turquoise waters of Skilak Lake make it a very beautiful place to visit, and if you are looking to enjoy outdoor pursuits there are few areas in Alaska that offer quite so many things to do, whether you are looking to learn with a local guide or enjoy the sports by yourself. The large rainbow trout in the lake make this a popular area for fishing, while boating on the lake and hiking around the area are also very popular, with some wonderful scenery to appreciate too.

 

Mendenhall Glacier

This glacier is just twelve miles from the capital of Alaska, Juneau, and is a beautiful place to visit that offers a very interesting way to get a look at a glacier. The glacier has been shrinking over recent decades with global warming having an impact, which has led to the formation of Mendenhall Lake, which is a fine area for fishing, while there has also been an ancient forest uncovered by the retreating glacier. The visitors center offers a great insight into the science behind the glacier, and offers some great viewpoints, while the trail that begins from the center takes visitors past some amazing ice caves formed beneath the ice of the glacier itself.

 

Gates Of The Arctic National Park

Located completely within the Arctic Circle, this is the northernmost national park in the United States, and is also home to many species of rare and interesting animals, with species such as black bears, wolves and Dall sheep among the wild animals that can sometimes be spotted. The park is also one of the best places in Alaska to see the Northern Lights, while the beautiful Marshall Lake is another of the scenic highlights of the park.