5 Beautiful Places in Alaska to Give You Serious Wanderlust
I knew I would love Alaska, but wow! This state was even more stunning than I anticipated.
My husband and I visited Alaska for our honeymoon. We took an Inside Passage Cruise from Vancouver, Canada to Whittier, Alaska. Along the way, we made some incredible stops that just made me want to book another trip back to Alaska ASAP.
If you are ready for some wanderlust inspiration, keep reading! Let’s look at 5 beautiful places in Alaska that will make you want to plan your next getaway.
Ketchikan
Ketchikan was the first stop on our cruise and it really set the bar high for the rest of the trip. We spent the morning strolling past the colorful shops on Creek Street before heading to Saxman Totem Park just outside Ketchikan. We only had a half day to explore Ketchikan, but this gave us plenty of time to see this rustic city. You can check out more about my stop in Ketchikan here.
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park is the main reason we booked an Alaskan Cruise for our honeymoon. There are no roads that lead to this park so it is one of the more challenging National Parks to visit. But, it is also one of the most beautiful places in Alaska so I knew I had to get there!
This protected land covers 3.3 million acres and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you visit with a cruise, you will spend an entire day slowing touring a small chunk of the park. Glacier Bay is completely breathtaking and provides the iconic Alaskan scenery you are likely imagining.
Skagway
Skagway is another small city we visited during our Alaskan cruise. During the Klondike Gold Rush, thousands of prospectors descended on Skagway. It was heavily featured in the novel The Call of the Wild. Today, just over 1,000 people call Skagway home.
The historic center of Skagway is part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Many of the buildings you will see are preserved or recreated from the Gold Rush period.
Mendenhall Glacier
The Mendenhall Glacier is a 13.6 mile-long glacier near downtown Juneau. Sadly, due to global warming, this glacier is retreating. Since 1929, the glacier has retreated 1.75 miles.
You can visit the Mendenhall Glacier as a side trip from Juneau. Stop by the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to learn more about this fascinating natural wonder. You can also take a hike closer to the glacier to help appreciate how massive this glacier actually is.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
I visited the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on my way from Whitter (where my cruise docked) to Anchorage. This conservation center provides a safe home for injured, orphaned, and sick animals. The non-profit Conservation Center is dedicated to education, research, and high-quality care.
As I explored the 700 acre sanctuary, I saw grizzly bears, moose, red foxes, and wood bison. It was incredible to see these animals in a such a serene and natural setting.
I hope you enjoyed this look at 5 beautiful places in Alaska. Have you been? What should I include on my list for my next visit?
If you are looking for more wanderlust, check out these posts:
4 Beautiful Spots in Arizona to Give You Serious Wanderlust
5 Beautiful Places in Washington State to Give You Serious Wanderlust
If you liked this post, feel free to share it or pin it!
