While planning your Alaska vacation, consider these unforgettable views, things to do, and the best vacation spots in Alaska. For your trip, booking an Alaska cruise (or cruise + land tour) gives you the chance to see many of these highlights up close in one seamless itinerary.
Denali National Park is an enormous, unspoiled wilderness of gigantic mountains and braided rivers cutting through ancient glacial valleys. Moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and wolves roam freely across millions of acres of tundra, with Denali — “The Great One” — towering above the Alaska Range.
Denali has only one road, paved for just the first 15 miles. Beyond that, travel is limited to park buses to protect the landscape. Choosing the right park tour is key when planning your Alaska adventure.
The Tundra Wilderness Tour is an eight-hour journey that travels 62 miles into the park, offering wildlife viewing and sweeping scenery, including potential views of Denali itself.
Seasonal note: Road access beyond Teklanika (mile 30) may be limited during early spring or late fall.
For more than 100 years, the Alaska Railroad has linked coastal ports to the state’s interior. Today’s glass-domed railcars offer panoramic views, onboard dining, and narrated storytelling — making it one of the most relaxing ways to see Alaska.
Routes between Fairbanks, Denali, Talkeetna, Anchorage, and Seward run 4 – 8 hours each. Many cruisetours include at least one rail segment, so check your itinerary for specifics.
The Inside Passage is a 1,000-mile protected coastal route lined with islands, fjords, and glacier-carved channels. It forms the heart of most Alaska cruise itineraries.
Ships sail through the Tongass National Forest — the largest temperate rainforest in the U.S. — past waterfalls, mountains, and wildlife-rich waters home to whales, seals, and eagles. Many communities along this route are accessible only by sea, making cruising the best way to explore them.
Alaska is home to more than half of America’s glaciers, and many of the most dramatic are accessible by cruise ship. Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in North America, is famous for its vivid blue ice and thunderous calving events.
Glacier Bay National Park is another highlight, offering views of multiple tidewater glaciers and prime feeding grounds for humpback whales. Park rangers often board ships to provide commentary during the scenic cruise day.
The Juneau Icefield spans 1,500 square miles and feeds more than 140 glaciers. Helicopter flightseeing offers sweeping views of crevasses, peaks, and bright blue meltwater pools.
Many tours include a glacier landing — and some add dog sledding with professional mushers for an unforgettable Alaska-only experience.
Dog mushing is Alaska’s official state sport, and meeting sled dogs is one of the most popular summer activities. Visitors can tour kennels, cuddle husky puppies, and learn how mushers prepare for famous races like the Iditarod.
Many excursions also offer summer sled rides or glacier dog-sledding adventures.
Skagway’s gold-rush history comes alive through restored saloons, museums, and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The town is compact and easy to explore on foot.
Many travelers ride the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, a narrow-gauge train that climbs the scenic mountain pass toward the old gold fields. The three-hour round trip is a guest favorite.
Just north of Ketchikan, Totem Bight State Historical Park showcases hand-carved Tlingit and Haida totem poles set among coastal rainforest and rocky shoreline.
A reconstructed Clan House and guided walks help visitors understand the cultural stories and symbolism behind each carving.
The Riverboat Discovery tour in Fairbanks shares 100 years of interior Alaska history. The narrated cruise includes bush-plane demonstrations, a sled-dog kennel visit, and a guided walk at Chena Indian Village.
Don’t miss the Alaska at 40 Below Experience back at Steamboat Landing, where you can step into a chamber that simulates midwinter temperatures.
Alaska is famous for its wild salmon—especially Copper River—but you’ll also find fresh halibut, king crab, spot prawns, and rockfish on menus across the state. Summer brings wild blueberries, salmonberries, and fireweed honey, often paired with traditional sourdough bread.
Regional favorites like reindeer sausage and hearty seafood chowders round out the experience, along with a growing craft beer scene led by the Alaskan Brewing Company and Denali Brewing.
From majestic Denali to the ice-carved fjords of Glacier Bay, Alaska delivers unforgettable scenery and adventure. There’s no easier way to see many of the state’s top sights than an Alaska cruise + land tour. Read more about Alaska cruisetours…
June – August offers the warmest weather and best wildlife viewing. May and September have fewer crowds and lower prices but cooler conditions.
No, but a cruise is the easiest way to see glaciers and coastal towns. Many travelers pair a cruise with a land tour to reach interior highlights like Denali.
An Alaska cruisetour combines a 7-night cruise with a land-based trip to places like Denali, Fairbanks, or Talkeetna — usually 10–14 days total.
Plan on 7 nights for a cruise or 10–14 days for a full cruise + land experience.
Yes. Most itineraries include glacier viewing — such as Glacier Bay or Hubbard — and excellent chances to see whales, eagles, seals, and bears.
