Alaska

Alaska, the largest state in the United States, is renowned for its dramatic landscapes of glaciers, fjords, and towering mountains. Historically, it was inhabited by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years before being purchased from Russia in 1867. The Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century brought waves of settlers and shaped its development. Today, Alaska is a premier destination for outdoor tourism, offering wildlife viewing, cruises through Glacier Bay, the Northern Lights, and Denali National Park. Its blend of natural wonders and rich heritage makes it a unique gateway to adventure and history in North America. 

-Denali National Park 

Denali National Park and Preserve, in south-central Alaska, spans over 9,400 square miles (≈24,600 km²) of wilderness. It centers around Denali (formerly called Mount McKinley), the tallest peak in North America at about 20,310 feet (6,190 m). The park features vast boreal forests, alpine tundra, glaciers, braided rivers, and rugged mountains. Wildlife is abundant: grizzly and black bears, wolves, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, and over 150 bird species. Visitors explore via the Denali Park Road, hiking, flight-sees, and backcountry camping.

Holland America Denali Lodge 

-Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 stars)

Holland America Denali Lodge is nestled along the Nenana River, just a mile from Denali National Park's entrance. This resort features 582 rooms across Swiss-chalet-style buildings connected by boardwalks through a spruce forest, offering a secluded lodge experience. Guests can enjoy dining at Karstens Public House and Canyon Steakhouse, or attend the "Music of Denali" dinner theater. Denali Square provides fire pits and live entertainment. The lodge offers shuttle services to the park and a tour desk for activities like rafting and hiking. Modern amenities include free Wi-Fi, a gift shop, and a coffee bar.

-Glaciar Mendenhall 

The Mendenhall Glacier, located near Juneau, Alaska, is a stunning 13-mile-long river of ice descending from the Juneau Icefield. Surrounded by rugged mountains and lush forests, it offers a breathtaking landscape shaped over thousands of years. Visitors can explore the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, hike scenic trails such as Nugget Falls, and observe unique wildlife like black bears, bald eagles, and mountain goats. The glacier's dramatic blue ice and nearby ice caves highlight the beauty and fragility of this natural wonder. Constantly retreating due to climate change, the Mendenhall Glacier stands as a striking reminder of nature's power and vulnerability.

Aspen Suites Hotel Juneau 

-Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars)

The Aspen Suites Hotel in Juneau, Alaska, offers spacious accommodations just minutes from Juneau International Airport. Each of the 78 suites features a fully equipped kitchenette, including a full-sized refrigerator, microwave, two-burner cooktop, toaster, coffee maker, and utensils, making it ideal for both short and extended stays. Rooms also include a flat-screen TV, work desk, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Amenities such as a fitness center, business center, guest laundry, and free parking enhance the guest experience. The hotel's convenient location in Mendenhall Valley provides easy access to local attractions and services.

-Kenai Fjords National Park 

Kenai Fjords National Park, in southern Alaska, is renowned for its dramatic landscapes of glaciers, rugged coastlines, and deep fjords carved by ancient ice. Covering over 600,000 acres, it preserves part of the Harding Icefield, one of the largest icefields in the United States. Visitors can witness calving glaciers, marine wildlife such as sea otters, whales, and puffins, as well as black bears along the shorelines. The park offers opportunities for kayaking, hiking, and scenic boat tours. Its pristine wilderness highlights the raw power of glaciers and the rich ecosystems sustained by the cold waters of the Gulf of Alaska. 

Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge 

-Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4 stars)

Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is a remote, charming retreat nestled near the Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. Surrounded by towering mountains, glaciers, and pristine waters, the lodge offers cozy cabins with stunning views of the Harding Icefield. Guests can enjoy guided glacier tours, wildlife excursions to spot whales, sea otters, and puffins, and kayaking in tranquil fjords. The lodge emphasizes comfort and rustic elegance, with locally inspired meals and warm hospitality, making it an ideal base for exploring Alaska's wild beauty while experiencing serenity and adventure in a breathtaking, secluded setting. 

-Alaska Railroad 

The Alaska Railroad tour is one of the most iconic journeys in Alaska, offering travelers breathtaking views of mountains, glaciers, rivers, and vast wilderness. Connecting Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward, and Denali National Park, the route provides both comfort and adventure. Guests can enjoy spacious seating, panoramic windows, and onboard commentary highlighting Alaska's history, wildlife, and culture. Whether experiencing the Denali Star, Coastal Classic, or Glacier Discovery train, each journey showcases unforgettable landscapes and opportunities for sightseeing, photography, and wildlife encounters. This rail tour is a perfect way to discover Alaska's natural beauty while traveling in a relaxed and memorable style. 

Hotel Captain Cook 

-Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4 stars)

Hotel Captain Cook is a historic luxury hotel in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, opened in 1964. It offers 546 rooms and suites with views of Cook Inlet or the Chugach Mountains. Amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning, in-room safes, and access to men's and women's athletic clubs. Guests can enjoy four on-site restaurants, 12 boutique shops, and a private art collection. The Crow's Nest restaurant on the top floor provides panoramic views and fine dining. Recognized by Historic Hotels of America, it combines elegance with Alaskan charm, making it ideal for both leisure and business travelers.

-Northern Lights in Fairbanks 

The Northern Lights Tour in Fairbanks, Alaska, offers a magical experience under the Arctic sky. Guests are guided to remote locations, away from city lights, where the aurora borealis shines in vibrant greens, purples, and reds. The tour includes warm shelters or cozy lodges to ensure comfort during the viewing. Expert guides share stories, scientific explanations, and photography tips to capture the natural wonder. With Fairbanks' prime location under the auroral oval, visitors have one of the best chances to witness this phenomenon. The experience blends adventure, culture, and breathtaking scenery, making it an unforgettable highlight of any Alaskan journey. 

Aurora Borealis Lodge 

-Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4.5 stars)

Aurora Borealis Lodge, located near Fairbanks, Alaska, offers an exceptional view of the Northern Lights in a serene wilderness setting. Guests enjoy cozy, well-appointed cabins equipped with modern amenities while surrounded by pristine forests and river landscapes. The lodge provides guided aurora viewing tours, photography assistance, and local cultural experiences. Ideal for nature lovers, couples, and adventure seekers, it combines comfort with Alaska's rugged beauty. Its remote location ensures minimal light pollution, maximizing the Northern Lights experience, while winter activities like dog sledding, snowshoeing, and hot springs visits make every stay memorable.

-Glacier Bay National Park 

The Glacier Bay National Park tour in Alaska offers an unforgettable journey through breathtaking wilderness, where massive tidewater glaciers meet the sea. Visitors can witness dramatic calving ice, snow-capped mountains, and pristine fjords, home to humpback whales, sea otters, and bald eagles. Guided tours often include narrated cruises that reveal the park's fascinating geology, ecology, and cultural heritage of the Tlingit people. The ever-changing landscape provides unique photo opportunities and a deep connection with nature's power and beauty. Whether by ship, kayak, or onshore excursion, the Glacier Bay tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience blending adventure, serenity, and natural wonder.

Glacier Bay Lodge 

-Rating: ⭐⭐⭐(3 stars)

Glacier Bay Lodge, nestled in the spruce forests of Bartlett Cove, is the only hotel within Glacier Bay National Park. Accessible via a 10-mile road from Gustavus, it offers 50 rooms with private bathrooms and scenic views of the Fairweather Mountains. Amenities include a full-service restaurant, the Fairweather Dining Room; a gift shop; a visitor center with interpretive exhibits; and a daily Glacier Bay Day Tour boat cruise. Surrounded by lush rainforests and fjords, the lodge provides access to hiking trails, kayaking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. A shuttle service connects guests to Gustavus airport and ferry terminal.

-Mount McKinley (Denali) 

The Denali National Park tour offers an immersive experience into Alaska's wilderness. Guided bus tours, such as the Denali Natural History Tour, provide insights into the park's rich natural and cultural history. Visitors can explore landmarks like Savage Cabin and Primrose Ridge, with opportunities to view wildlife like moose, caribou, and grizzly bears. The park's 6 million acres of pristine wilderness offer hiking, rafting, and flightseeing adventures. For a more in-depth experience, the Kantishna Experience includes a private tour led by a National Park Service Ranger, offering a unique perspective on the park's history and ecology.

Sheldon Chalet 

-Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5 stars)

Sheldon Chalet is an exclusive luxury retreat perched 6,000 feet atop a nunatak in Denali National Park, Alaska. Accessible only by helicopter, this five-bedroom chalet accommodates up to 10 guests, offering panoramic views of Denali and the surrounding glaciers. Guests enjoy all-inclusive services, including gourmet meals, guided glacier treks, and aurora viewing from the helipad. The chalet's hexagonal design ensures uninterrupted vistas, and its eco-conscious construction blends seamlessly with the rugged Alaskan landscape. This remote sanctuary provides an unparalleled wilderness experience, combining adventure with luxury in one of the world's most pristine environments.

-Anchorage Museum 

The Anchorage Museum offers an immersive experience into Alaska's history, art, and culture. Visitors can explore exhibits on Native Alaskan heritage, contemporary Alaskan art, and the state's natural sciences. Interactive displays, historic artifacts, and rotating exhibitions provide educational and engaging experiences for all ages. The museum also features a planetarium and hands-on science activities. Guided tours highlight the stories behind the collections, giving context to Alaska's unique landscapes, communities, and history. It is a cultural hub that combines learning, art, and exploration, making it an essential stop for anyone visiting Anchorage. 

Hotel Captain Cook

-Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4 stars)

Hotel Captain Cook is a historic luxury hotel in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, opened in 1964. It offers 546 rooms and suites with views of Cook Inlet or the Chugach Mountains. Amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning, in-room safes, and access to men's and women's athletic clubs. Guests can enjoy four on-site restaurants, 12 boutique shops, and a private art collection. The Crow's Nest restaurant on the top floor provides panoramic views and fine dining. Recognized by Historic Hotels of America, it combines elegance with Alaskan charm, making it ideal for both leisure and business travelers.

-Iditarod Dog Sled Race Festival 

The Iditarod Dog Sled Race Festival in Alaska is a legendary event that celebrates endurance, tradition, and the bond between mushers and their dogs. Beginning in Anchorage and traveling over 1,000 miles to Nome, the race follows historic trails once used for vital deliveries. Visitors can witness the ceremonial start, meet mushers, and experience Alaskan culture through parades, food, and music. The festival offers a unique chance to feel the excitement of the "Last Great Race on Earth," combining breathtaking winter landscapes with rich heritage, courage, and community spirit, making it one of Alaska's most iconic annual traditions. 

The Wildbirch Hotel – JdV by Hyatt 

-Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4 stars)

The Wildbirch Hotel – JdV by Hyatt is a boutique hotel located in downtown Anchorage, Alaska. This design-forward property features 252 rooms and suites that blend modern comfort with Alaskan heritage. Guests can enjoy amenities such as the Crimson restaurant offering Pan-American Latin cuisine, Canteen coffee bar, and Undertap brewery. The hotel also provides a fitness center, meeting spaces, and electric vehicle charging stations. Its central location offers easy access to local attractions and the surrounding wilderness. The Wildbirch Hotel is committed to sustainability, utilizing energy-efficient systems and locally sourced materials.

-Tracy Arm Fjord 

The Tracy Arm Fjord tour in Alaska offers an unforgettable journey through one of the state's most stunning natural wonders. Surrounded by towering cliffs, waterfalls cascading into turquoise waters, and drifting icebergs, the fjord stretches for over 30 miles. Visitors often spot wildlife such as seals, bald eagles, and occasionally whales. The highlight is the twin Sawyer Glaciers, where massive ice chunks calve dramatically into the sea. Cruises provide close-up views of this pristine wilderness, immersing travelers in Alaska's breathtaking beauty. This tour is a perfect blend of adventure, serenity, and awe-inspiring landscapes.

Aspen Suites Hotel Juneau 

-Rating: ⭐⭐⭐(3 stars)

Aspen Suites Hotel in Juneau, Alaska, offers a cozy and modern stay in the heart of the city. Guests enjoy spacious suites with fully equipped kitchens, comfortable living areas, and stunning mountain or city views. The hotel provides complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking, making it ideal for both short and extended stays. Its central location allows easy access to local attractions such as the Alaska State Museum, Mendenhall Glacier, and scenic ferry routes. Friendly staff ensure a welcoming atmosphere, while amenities like a fitness center and business services cater to diverse traveler needs, combining comfort and convenience.