Alaska is a nature lover’s paradise. Home to some of the most pristine landscapes on earth, the state offers a myriad of lakes, mountains, rivers, glaciers and forests. Adventure lovers can spend the long summer days climbing, hiking and biking, while the short, dark winter months are perfect for cosy ski breaks and festive getaways. Dotted amongst this vast wilderness are a number of unique towns and cities, each with their own character and set of attractions. The largest state in America, Alaska is the perfect destination for families, couples and groups looking to explore the great outdoors and witness the natural world at its finest.
Where to Stay in Alaska
Anchorage – The largest city in Alaska, Anchorage is home to nearly half of the state’s population. Boasting all of the attractions of a big American city, including a lively arts scene, good restaurants and a choice of sports venues, a hotel in the city is also just a short drive from Alaska’s breathtaking wilderness.
Denali National Park – As well as being home to Denali (previously known as Mt McKinley), the tallest peak in North America, the National Park covers around six million acres of pristine forests, glaciers and mountains.
Fairbanks – Most people pass through Fairbanks at the beginning or end of an Alaskan adventure. Around 360 miles north of Anchorage, Fairbanks is the transport hub for central Alaska and the perfect launching pad for expeditions into the Arctic Circle or adventures into the Alaskan hinterland.
Juneau – Alaska’s state capital, and arguably most beautiful city, Juneau can only be accessed by plane or by boat. The city’s bustling waterfront, winding streets, old fashioned store fronts and stunning location at the feet of Mount Juneau and Roberts make it perfect for couples, families and groups looking to experience a unique side of this colossal state.
Book a Hotel and Explore Alaska
Almost all of Alaska’s most impressive sights have been made by Mother Nature. From the snow-capped peak of Denali to the glacier covered Kenai Fjords National Park, and from the brown bears on Kodiak Island to the Aurora Borealis that glimmers over Fairbanks during the winter months, Alaska’s natural sights are some of the most awe-inspiring on earth. If you’d prefer to keep your sightseeing to more urban locations, the pretty waterfront and characterful streets of Juneau are well worth a look.
With pretty much every type of landscape under the sun represented somewhere on Alaska’s vast surface, the potential for outdoor sports and activities is almost endless, especially with an adventure sports hotel. Whether you’re staying in a hotel in one of the state’s main cities or you’re camped out in a lodge in the wilderness, opportunities for hiking and trekking will be plentiful. Fans of watersports can go kayaking, canoeing and whitewater rafting from a beach or lakeside hotel, while outdoor enthusiasts can try their hand at glacier climbing, mountain biking and even have a go at dog sledding. Woof woof!