Denali National Park

Home to North America’s highest mountain, Denali National Park is the third largest National Park in the United States and one of the major attractions in Alaska. Denali is the traditional name of Mount McKinley, which is  20,320 feet tall. The park covers six million acres of land with some of the most breathtaking landscapes you will ever see. Here you will find everything from river valleys, and high alpine ranges, to glacier-draped mountains and tundra. The park is situated between Anchorage and Fairbanks and can be accessed easily by the Alaska Railroad.

 Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park protects most of the Kenai Peninsula and offers some of the best sightseeing in Alaska. The park is ridden with fjords, glaciers, and miles of untouched coastline. In addition, the Kenai Fjords National Park protects a 700-square-mile Harding Icefield and beastly brown bears that feed on the fresh salmon. Unfortunately, most of the tourist spots inside the park can only be reached by hours of hiking; the only area accessible by vehicle is the Exit Glacier, where you can hike through several tries to get a closer view of the icefield and other attractions.

Anchorage

With around 300,000 residents and an area of 1,706 square miles, Anchorage is the biggest city in Alaska and is often the starting point for most tourists flying into Alaska. Apart from being home to Anchorage International Airport, the city also has a wide range of top-notch hotels and restaurants, in addition, the Alaska Railroad headquarters is also located in Anchorage, providing visitors easy access to attractions all over the state of Alaska.

University of Alaska Museum of the North

Anyone interested in learning about Alaskan history and the different people that have called Alaska home over the years should visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North. It is situated in Fairbanks and houses over a million historical artifacts. In addition, indigenous groups’ ethnological items and fine arts collections are represented here. The museum also showcases archaeological finds from prehistoric cultures and several paleontology specimens.

Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park

Known for its fascinating wildlife and scenic views, Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park is tailor-made for those who want to glimpse native brown bears. Brown bears feed on fresh salmon, and spawning salmon travel the Brooks River in June and July, attracting the park’s largest mammals in significant numbers. Several elevated platforms around the falls allow visitors to view these majestic beasts from a safe distance.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, located in south-central Alaska, is the largest national park in the United States, encompassing over 13 million acres of stunning wilderness. This vast and remote park features towering mountain ranges, including nine of the sixteen highest peaks in North America, expansive glaciers, active volcanoes, and diverse wildlife habitats.

Other notable places and attractions:

Alaska Native Heritage Center
Dalton Highway
Alaska Railroad
Inside Passage