Top Destinations and Places to Go in Alaska | AlaskaTravel.com (2024)

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What is the number one attraction in Alaska? ›

Alaska is an ideal, must-visit location for anyone who loves the outdoors or beautiful scenery. Some of the best things to do in Alaska include spending time in Kenai Fjords National Park, Chena Hot Springs, Denali National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, and Tongass National Forest.

Most visitors spend seven to fourteen days in Alaska. Much of this decision depends on where you want to go and how you're getting around. Cruising is one of the most popular ways to visit Alaska – especially for first-time visitors – with most cruises lasting seven to ten days.

A typical 7-day Alaska vacation costs around $3000 per person—a little over $400 per day. Here's an average breakdown, based upon our analysis of hundreds of actual itineraries. Or, Jump to our trip calculator and compute the cost of your own vacation!

Few foods are so deeply connected to Alaska as seafood. Fresh salmon, flaky halibut, and monster king crab draw a lot of attention, and rightly so. Whether steamed, seared or as sushi, this is as fresh as it gets.

In Interior Alaska, head to Fairbanks for some of the best northern lights viewing in the state, including the widest variety of tours and specialty accommodations. The Southcentral region has several excellent basecamps for northern lights viewing, including Anchorage, Talkeetna, and the Mat-Su Valley.

April, May, and June usually have a few sunny periods lasting several days. But, these multiday sunny periods can occur into September. Cloudy days and the probability of precipitation start to increase after the middle of July reaching nearly 70% every day during October, which is the peak of the "wet season".

Best Times to Visit Alaska for Lower Prices

The shoulder seasons (May through early June and late August through mid-September) offer the best value for travelers on a budget.

The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Alaska's northern lights season is between late August and late April, peaking in March. However, the season is defined more by its long, dark nights than by solar activity.

What is the number one tourist spot in Alaska? ›

Alaska Destinations

We specialize in Alaska's top travel destinations such as Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Fairbanks, as well as Alaska's most popular national parks including Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park.

Ketchikan. One of the best towns in Alaska for scenic charm, Ketchikan has a strikingly pretty historic downtown. The aptly named Creek Street features brightly painted shops and galleries set along the water, along a stilted boardwalk.

Although Juneau and Anchorage are popular destinations, Juneau has more sights and attractions for tourists. Juneau is famous for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880. It is also well known for the Mendenhall Glacier.

1. Haines. Alaska's safest city is located in the northern part of the panhandle near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. With only three reported violent crimes and 16 nonviolent crimes, it's easy to see how Haines makes the top of the list.