The 15 must-see attractions in Alaska are Glacier Bay National Park, the Alaska Native Heritage Centre, and the Mendenhall Ice Caves, among others. But the real must-see is the state itself, because Alaska is not a country—it’s a stunning coastal US state that calls Canada when it needs a cup of sugar.
The Land of the Midnight Sun is a haven of beauty with towering snowcapped mountains, breathtaking landscapes and a myriad of diverse wildlife, catering to every interest and hobby.
Alaska Native Heritage Centre
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Photo by Frank K. on Wikimedia Commons[/caption]
Located in Anchorage, the Alaska Native Heritage Centre is an educational and cultural hub that informs and educates the public about the Native Alaskan tribes that populate the state. With informative exhibitions and activities, visitors may learn about the culture and people that have called Alaska home for centuries.
The Heritage Centre is situated on stunning wooded acres that sprawl for miles surrounding Lake Tiulana. The institution is open daily between 9 am and 5 pm and tickets are between $16.95 and $24.95.
2.
Glacier Bay National Park
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The Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is the gleaming diamond in the crown of the Alaskan panhandle. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Glacier Bay sprawls for a gargantuan 58,406 acres and is a place of magic and wonder. Visitors are treated to stunningly breathtaking sights of snowcapped mountains, majestic tidewater glaciers and rushing rivers. Close your eyes and feel the cool rush of the wind on your face. You'll be in touch with the gorgeous natural beauty that this national park provides.
With a myriad of diverse activities such as kayaking, mountaineering and hiking there is something for everyone at the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Camp under the stars or stay at the luxurious lodging if you want to extend your trip even further. Here at TouristSecrets, we think you won’t regret it.
3.
Mendenhall Ice Caves
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Photo by Dan Nguyen on Flickr[/caption]
Where on the entire planet can you see the entire water cycle manifested before your very eyes? There are a few, but none more beautiful than the Mendenhall Ice Caves. A glacier located near downtown Juneau, the caves are encased in a stunning glacial blue that provides ethereal magic and beauty never before seen.
These gorgeous ice caves are only accessible via a three-mile kayak to the nearest access point and then a one-mile hike. Make sure you take a trip sooner rather than later. This is due to the glacier’s gradual melting as climate change warms the ocean.
Although physically demanding, a trip to the Mendenhall Ice Caves is not to be missed. It's a place of otherworldly sublimity and it's breath-taking.
4.
Santa Claus House
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Photo by Ovedc on Wikimedia Commons[/caption]
‘Santa’s not real’. You might have heard this from a parent, a teacher or your annoying sibling. Those hell-bent on ruining your childhood might be proven wrong at the legendary grotto. Awaken your inner child by visiting Santa Claus’ House and get into the Christmas spirit, even in July!
Visit the merry abode of Saint Nicholas and grab holiday gifts for friends or family. See Santa’s helpful reindeers, drink warming coffee at the indoor coffee shop and marvel at the world’s largest Santa statue. If you go during the holidays or summer vacation, you may catch the man himself! For more winter travel ideas, check out our guide to places to travel during COVID.
5.
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Centre
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Photo by Bernt Rodstad on Flickr[/caption]
Learn about all things Alaska within a myriad of diverse subjects at the Anchorage Museum at the Rasmuson Centre. This museum is dedicated to studying and exploring the lands, people, art and history of Alaska.
The museum opens its doors to 180,000 visitors every year. With several regularly changing exhibitions, it informs and educates adults and children alike.
The museum is open daily between 9 am and 6 pm. Ticket prices are $18 per adult, $12 per senior citizen and $9 for children between 3 and 12. Children under 2 receive free admission and Alaskan residents receive specially discounted ticket prices.
Alaska Sealife Centre
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Photo by Enrico Blasutto on Wikimedia Commons[/caption]
Discover the secrets of the sea at the Alaska SeaLife Centre located in the city of Seward. It is Alaska’s premier public aquarium and only permanent marine mammal rehabilitation facility. The aquarium presents informative exhibitions and educational programmes that appeal to all ages.
Within the large sapphire blue tanks, you can see the natural beauty of sea life up close. Visitors can take a self-guided tour or join special ‘Behind the Scenes’ tours and ‘Animal Encounters’ shows. These uniquely special opportunities let you connect arm-to-arm with an octopus or feed a puffin or a seal. The Alaska SeaLife Centre is open daily between 9 am and 9 pm. Adult tickets cost $29.95 and children tickets cost $17.95. Discounts are available to Alaska residents and members of the military.
Kenai Fjords National Park
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Photo by Phillip Sauerbeck on Unsplash[/caption]
Located on the Kenai Peninsula near the city of Seward, this park offers a glittering landscape of snowcapped mountains and icy glaciers. The cool wind blows around visitors to this stunning national park. Despite being the smallest national park in Alaska, Kenai Fjords is home to the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United States. There's also a diverse variety of land and marine mammals including bears, moose, humpback and killer whales.
If you want to feel the natural beauty of winter in all its element, there is no better place to see it than the Kenai Fjords National Park. The park is only accessible by boat, airplane or hiking. For more frozen wonders, check out our guide to the top 10 National and State parks to see.
8.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre
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Photo by C Watts on Flickr[/caption]
Dedicated to preserving Alaskan wildlife, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre is a non-profit organisation that places importance on the conservation and protection of varying native species. It serves as a wildlife sanctuary for orphaned or injured animals and hosts education programmes that inform the public on protecting these creatures. Visitors get an up-close look at how animals survive and thrive through drive-through, walk-through, or self-guided tours. The centre is open daily between 8:30 am and 7 pm, with ticket prices ranging from $11 to $16.
9.
Denali National Park and Preserve
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Photo by Every Road- Denali on Flickr[/caption]
Climb the tallest mountain peak in North America at the Denali National Park and Preserve. With a wild terrain of tundra and spruce forest, the park is also home to numerous diverse wildlife species including grizzly bears, caribous, wolves and Dall Sheep. This imposing mountainous park offers visitors the chance to bike, hike and mountaineer throughout its vast span of 6 million acres.
In the wintertime, visitors can experience dog-sledging, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The park offers diverse opportunities for activity and allows guests to experience the natural beauty of Alaska’s jewel. For those planning a longer trip, consider consulting a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy to time your travels.
10.
Katmai National Park and Preserve
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Photo by KNPAP on Flickr[/caption]
Spectate at the feral yet majestic beauty of Katmai National Park and Preserve. Spanning just under 5 million acres, this national park is notable for its vast collection of brown bears, 18 volcanos and The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
Due to its expansive variety of wildlife, the national park has been appreciated and valued. Visitors are offered multiple opportunities to fish, hike, camp or go bear-watching in these gorgeous surroundings or gaze at the magnificent monumental structure that is eponymous of the park’s name.
11.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
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Photo by Ron Karpilo on Flickr[/caption]
Situated entirely north of the Arctic Circle, the northernmost national park in the United States is completely untouched by civilization, with no roads or trails permeating the park.
The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is the second largest national park in the United States. Spanning over 8 million acres, it is larger in area than the entire country of Belgium!
Due to its remoteness and lack of supportive infrastructure, Gates of the Arctic is the least visited national park in the United States. This makes it one of Alaska's best-kept secrets and an attraction worth visiting. Visitors can camp within the park and feel the natural beauty and tranquillity that this park uniquely provides. For those planning a trip, consulting a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy might help with layering strategies, though conditions here are far more extreme.
Tongass National Forest
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Photo by Alan Wu on Flickr[/caption]
The green and blue jewel that is the Tongass National Forest stands proudly in Southeast Alaska. The largest national forest in the United States is comprised of sprawling green fields, fjords, glaciers, mountainous peaks, waterways and the islands of the Alexander Archipelago.
With over one million visitors per year, the park offers a host of recreational opportunities. Camp under the stars in luxurious cabins or a communal campground, or hike through dense forest, alpine meadows, or wooded trails.
Canoe, fish or sail on the serene fjords and waterways. Spectate at wildlife including bears, eagles, whales, and countless other animals. No matter what tickles your fancy, there is something for everyone at the Tongass National Forest.
13.
Chugach State Park
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Photo by Ashley D.Cristal on Flickr[/caption]
East of the Anchorage Bowl, the Chugach State Park dominates the skyline. Established as a park in 1970, it was created to provide recreational activities, protect the scenic value of the Chugach Mountains and ensure the safety of the water supply for Anchorage.
As the third-largest state park in the United States, visitors are spoiled with diverse activities. Eklutna Lake is popular with equestrians, bicyclists, and hikers in summertime, and cross-country skiers and sledders in winter. Eagle River is perfect for wildlife watchers. For those seeking respite, the Hillside Trail System leads to a viewing deck overlooking the city with panoramic scenes.
14.
Chena Hot Springs
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Photo by Sean Salmon on Flickr[/caption]
In contrast to the active, adrenaline-pumping activities offered everywhere around Alaska, the gorgeous Chena Hot Springs Resort provides ample opportunities for rejuvenation and relaxation.
Widely known for its hot springs, stunning views of aurora borealis, geothermal powered facilities and a quirky Ice Museum, the resort opens its doors to thousands of visitors every year. Treat yourself to a vodka appletini served in a handmade ice glass on the Ice Museum Tour, and take a dip in the natural hot springs rock lake.
Make sure to also catch the awe-inspiring Northern Lights. For a place to relax and unwind in Alaska, there is none better than Chena Hot Springs Resort. If you plan your visit around the aurora season, a month-by-month guide to the weather can help you pick the clearest skies.
Mount Roberts Tramway
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Photo by Ian D. Keating on Flickr[/caption]
Take in the views from a birds-eye perspective on the Mount Roberts Tramway. Starting from the cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau, the tram makes a six-minute ascent of Mount Roberts, rewarding passengers with panoramic scenes of the mountain.
At the top, a restaurant, theatre, nature centre, and retail shops are available. Connections to trails for further recreation are also accessible.
