The Last Frontier: Discovering Alaska

From towering glaciers and unforgettable wildlife encounters to charming coastal towns and rich cultural traditions, Alaska offers a journey unlike any other.

Some destinations invite you to slow down. Others inspire you to seek adventure. Alaska manages to do both. Here, snowcapped mountains rise above quiet coastal communities, glaciers carve their way through dramatic fjords, and wildlife roams across landscapes that stretch endlessly toward the horizon.

As the largest state in the United States, Alaska offers an extraordinary variety of experiences, whether you dream of cruising past ancient glacial formations, exploring historic frontier towns, sampling fresh seafood, or simply taking in the natural beauty. Its combination of remarkable scenery, fascinating history, and opportunities for discovery makes it an especially rewarding destination for travelers looking for something memorable.

If Alaska has been on your travel wish list, here are a few reasons to make the journey.

Witness Nature on a Grand Scale

Alaska has a way of putting the natural world into perspective. Vast wilderness areas, towering mountain ranges, deep fjords, and enormous glaciers create a landscape that feels almost impossible to capture in a photograph.

A visit to Denali National Park and Preserve offers the chance to experience the grandeur of the Alaska Range, including Denali, the highest peak in North America. The surrounding wilderness provides opportunities to explore tundra landscapes and watch for wildlife, including caribou, moose, and grizzly bears.

Along the coast, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve offers a different kind of spectacle. Towering walls of ice descend toward the water, while floating icebergs drift through protected bays. Witnessing a glacier calve, sending chunks of ice crashing into the sea, is a powerful reminder of the forces that continue to shape our planet.

Whether viewed from a ship, a scenic railway, or a trail, Alaska’s landscapes invite you to pause, take in the view, and appreciate a world far removed from the everyday.

Get Closer to Incredible Wildlife

For wildlife enthusiasts, Alaska offers the possibility of extraordinary encounters in some of North America’s most remarkable natural habitats.

Humpback whales surface in coastal waters, sea otters float among kelp beds, and bald eagles soar overhead. Depending on the destination and season, travelers may also spot orcas, harbor seals, puffins, and bears fishing for salmon.

A wildlife-watching cruise is a wonderful way to experience Alaska’s marine ecosystems, particularly around the Kenai Peninsula and Southeast Alaska. On land, guided excursions and visits to protected wilderness areas offer opportunities to learn about the animals that inhabit these environments and the environments that sustain them.

Of course, wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. That’s part of what makes each encounter special: there’s something unforgettable about seeing an animal in its natural habitat, going about its day with little regard for the people fortunate enough to witness it.

Experience Alaska From the Water

With its intricate coastline, sheltered waterways, and glacier-carved inlets, Alaska is a natural fit for a cruise vacation. Sailing these unique waterways reveals a succession of forested islands, rugged mountains, quiet fjords, and picturesque coastal communities.

Cruising also offers a comfortable way to experience Alaska’s dramatic scenery without needing to plan every detail of the journey independently. Many itineraries include ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, each offering its own blend of natural beauty, local character, and opportunities for exploration. Watching the landscape unfold from the deck of a ship offers a different perspective on Alaska’s immense scale, with ever-changing views throughout the day.

Discover History and Living Cultures

Alaska’s appeal extends far beyond its scenery. The state has a complex history shaped by Alaska Native peoples, Russian settlement, gold rushes, fishing communities, and generations of people who have made their lives in challenging environments.

In Skagway, preserved buildings and historic sites tell stories of the Klondike Gold Rush, when hopeful prospectors passed through the town on their way toward the goldfields. Sitka offers another perspective, with layers of Tlingit and Russian history reflected in its cultural landmarks and architecture.

Equally important is the opportunity to learn about Alaska Native cultures, which have deep roots in the region and remain vibrant today. Alaska is home to diverse Indigenous peoples, each with distinct languages, traditions, histories, and relationships with the land and sea.

Cultural centers, museums, Indigenous-led experiences, and opportunities to learn from local artists and storytellers can add meaningful context to a visit. These experiences help travelers understand Alaska not simply as a wilderness destination, but as a place shaped by the people who have called it home for generations.

Savor the Flavors of the North

A destination’s food can reveal as much about its character as its landscapes, and Alaska is no exception.

Fresh salmon and halibut are regional favorites, often featured in everything from casual waterfront meals to more refined dining experiences. Crab, shrimp, and other seafood also play an important role in the state’s culinary scene. Depending on where you travel, you may find local specialties, seasonal ingredients, and restaurants that reflect the character of their communities.

Food is also a wonderful way to connect with a destination. Enjoying a seafood dinner after a day on the water or stopping at a neighborhood café between excursions adds a relaxed, sensory dimension to the journey.

And with so many coastal communities offering their own distinctive atmosphere, a memorable meal can become part of the destination experience itself.

Make Your Next Journey Unforgettable

Alaska is a destination that rewards curiosity. One day might bring a close-up view of a glacier; the next, a stroll through a historic port town, a memorable wildlife encounter, or a meal featuring fresh local seafood. Throughout the journey, the scenery provides a remarkable backdrop for experiences that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

Ready to experience the beauty of Alaska for yourself? Explore Go Next’s Alaskan travel opportunities and start planning a journey filled with extraordinary scenery, meaningful discoveries, and memories to last a lifetime.