Alaska is one of the most picturesque, wild and beautiful states to see in the United States. Its isolation only increases its beauty. It's the perfect place for intrepid travelers and nature lovers.
In addition to visiting Anchorage, it is essential to go out and explore some of its natural sites. In this post you will find the 10 most beautiful places to see in Alaska and I add several links so you can discover how to visit each city and national park.
10 ESSENTIAL PLACES TO SEE IN ALASKA
1. Anchorage, a must see in Alaska
Although Anchorage is not the capital of Alaska, it is the largest and most visited city in the state. It is the city where a large part of the state's inhabitants live, where most of the businesses reside, and where you will find the greatest amenities as a traveler; hotels, restaurants, shops... In addition, just 30 minutes from Anchorage you have nature in its purest form.
Anchorage is the perfect starting point to begin an Alaska itinerary. The most essential places to see in Anchorage are the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
Anchorage posts that may interest you:
2. Denali National Park
Denali National Park is one of the essential places to visit in Alaska. The Park is home to the peak of Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in the country with 6,190 meters of altitude. It is a protected wilderness area where you can see all types of wildlife, from incredible landscapes, bears, moose, wolves, to the whitewater of the Savage River.
3. Sitka, one of the essential cities to see in Alaska
Sitka was originally established by the Russians as Novo-Arkhangelsk in 1799 and you can find some remains of Russian rule in the city.
There you can visit the Russian Bishop's House, the 19th century St. Michael's Cathedral, among other historical places. Sitka National Historical Park is perfect for walking in nature and exploring ancient forests full of totem poles, animals...
Sitka posts that may interest you:
4. Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the essential national parks to see in Alaska. Glaciers and ice sheets still exist and touch the edge of the ocean, creating incredible views. Half of the park is covered in ice all year round.
There are impressive fjords where wildlife abounds, from migrating whales to birds that swoop down to feed on the fish in the water.
5. Ketchikan, a beautiful picturesque city to see in Alaska
Ketchikan is a quaint little town, it is a destination known for being the first stop for many cruise ships heading north along the coast. It is located at the foot of Deer Mountain, and has many interesting places to visit, such as: the Tongass Historical Museum, the Totem Heritage Center, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, the Tongass National Forest...
6. Mendenhall Glacier
Near the city of Juneau you will find the Mendenhall Glacier, a huge glacier that is calving, or separating, into its own adjacent lake.
You can enjoy this wonder of the glariar by flying over it by helicopter or arriving by boat. Also worth a visit is the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, which includes exhibits about the glacier and several viewing platforms.
7. Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park is located near Homer and Kodiak Islands. The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is one of the most incredible places in the park. It is a huge ash flow left after the eruption of the Novarupta volcano in 1912. In the park you can see brown bears that feed on local salmon.
8. Wrangell St. Elias National Park
Three mountain ranges named San Elias, Chugach and Wrangell create this area known as the Mountain Kingdom of North America. Wrangell St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in the United States. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife and you can explore the trails, visit the glaciers or do different types of activities such as fishing, cycling, hiking, camping...
9. Juneau, the capital, is one of the essential places to see in Alaska
Juneau is the capital of Alaska. There you can visit the Alaska State Capitol, the serene Sanctuary of Saint Teresa, the Alaska State Museum, you can get on the Mount Roberts tram to have incredible views from the top...
Posts from Juneau that may interest you:
10. Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park is an essential place to admire the glaciers in Alaska. One of the most common activities is to rent a kayak and enjoy the surroundings. The park is home to Bartlett Cove, hiking trails in and around the glaciers. The most visited places in the park are Muir Inlet and the John Hopkins Glacier.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO ALASKA
I hope you enjoy your trip to Alaska and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue readingmany more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!