3 Reasons to Visit Alaska and Some Tips on How to Get Around

Whether it’s a visit to the beach, a big unfamiliar city or to grandma and grandpa’s house, simply enjoying some time away from work and life is what you envision as a perfect summer getaway. As such, it goes without saying that you want your vacation to be special.

This year, however, you may be ready to mix things up a bit and try something new — and a visit to our 49th state is a great place to start. As for why Alaska should be on your travel bucket list, along with some practical tips on how to conquer seeing everything on your vacation, check out the following words of wisdom:

1. You Can’t Beat the Scenery

One of the many reasons to visit Alaska is the jaw-dropping scenery. While there, you’ll see glaciers, snow-covered mountains, waterfalls and other examples of unspoiled nature, often in the same day.

Speaking of glaciers, the Alaska Almanac estimates Alaska has 100,000 glaciers to see up close and personal, with approximately 1,000 alone in Glacier Bay National Park, according to the National Parks Service.

2. You Can See Incredible Wildlife Up Close

Of course, you can see Mickey, Minnie and the other cast of characters anytime at Disneyland. But have you considered seeing creatures of the non-cartoon variety up close and personal?

While visiting Alaska, make it a point to check out majestic bald eagles, seals and sea lions, as well as whales and other incredible wildlife. If you decide to travel along Denali Park Road, a 92-mile drive from McKinley Park to Kantishna, you may very well encounter grizzly bears, wolves, caribou and moose.

3. You Can See the Northern Lights in Person

If you’ve ever wanted to see the Northern Lights in-person, Alaska is the place to do it. When the Earth’s magnetic field interacts with charged up particles from the sun, you can see a colorful spectacle in the night sky that you’ll always remember. Fairbanks is one of the more popular places to see the northern lights, as Aug. 21 to April 21 is referred to as “Aurora Season” in the region.

Tips on Traveling to Alaska and Getting Around

Covering 663,000 square miles, Alaska is enormous. If you cut Alaska into two pieces, each half would be larger than Texas, our next-largest state. Because of its sheer size, you will realistically not be able to see the entire state in one trip.

As far as getting there, you can fly into several major cities like Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks; smaller towns like Sitka and Kodiak also have regular flights coming and going. From there, you can drive or ferry to other locations.

Although, if you prefer to kick back and relax, a cruise is also a great way to see Alaska. For example, Princess offers a number of Alaska cruise vacations that include various ports of call, allowing you to explore different towns, as well as the chance to see all that Mother Nature has to offer, including glaciers and lots of wildlife.

Have a Wonderful Time

If you’re ready to try something new for your next vacation, Alaska is a great option. After experiencing all that the 49th state has to offer, you’ll return home relaxed and refreshed, with plenty of memories and photos of the beautiful scenery and wildlife.

Image by Olichel Adamovich from Pixabay