The Ultimate Alaska Travel Guide

Alaska is a destination that resists the ordinary. This travel guide is for discerning travelers seeking a more authentic, immersive way to experience its vast landscapes, from glacier-carved fjords and old-growth forests to coastal towns shaped by Indigenous cultures, gold rush history, and life at the edge of the wilderness.

Here, every journey feels elemental: fishing towns tucked along quiet harbors, boreal forests thick with moss and cedar, blue glaciers glowing in the distance, mountains rising beyond the reach of roads, and deep waters alive with whales, otters, and seabirds. For travelers drawn to the real Alaska, the experience is best revealed from the sea, with exploratory journeys into the wild places that define the Last Frontier.

Flightseeing, a joyful journey to reveal Alaska’s secrets

The Last Frontier is aptly nicknamed, with 665,384 square miles of remote wilderness spanning an area roughly 20% of the “lower 48.” Its wilderness stretches far beyond the reach of roads, making flightseeing one of the most memorable ways to experience the state’s remote interior, especially as part of an Alaska cruise.

From the air, the landscape opens in dramatic layers: snow-covered peaks, glacier-carved valleys, frozen waterfalls, braided rivers, and vast expanses of tundra. A helicopter, small plane, or floatplane can turn the journey itself into part of the discovery, bringing travelers closer to places that might otherwise remain out of reach. Once the whir of propellers settles, the immensity of the quiet takes hold.

While I busied myself making a tiny six-inch snowman out of 10,000-year-old glacial snow at a deserted Denali climbing camp, a fellow passenger opened up into spontaneous song. She slowly spun, arms raised, her “Amazing Grace” vibrato echoing off the stony cliff walls surrounding us. Another passenger dropped to a knee, proposing to his partner who stared up stunned from her mid-snow angel pose. (The pilot kept a wary eye on the platinum and diamond ring that would have blended into the snowpack a bit too well.)

Here, the skies are full of promise. Enjoy helicopter access to Iditarod camps for dog mushing across glaciers. Don your waders and hop onto a floatplane to slide into remote islands for bear observation sessions. We were lucky enough to spot a mother grizzly teaching her two cubs to fish in the shallow rapids of a salmon stream. Heli-hike onto glaciers for unforgettable ice climbing treks. Cultural Utqiagvik Tours even fly into the northernmost Inupiat communities.

Whales, bears, and otters: Spend a day with wondrous wildlife

One of the best ways to settle into the real Alaska is to spend a day seeking its wildlife. Humpback whales wander into these waters every summer, feeding with their often playful young after a long journey back from Hawaii or Mexico. Although we are visiting their world, with no expectations or guarantees, knowledgeable wildlife experts can share tips to increase your odds of an encounter or sighting.

I’ve spent over eight months cruising through Alaska’s wildlife-frequented waters. As a former Humpback Whale Naturalist working with these same creatures in their Maui winter home, it is rare that I don’t spot at least a puff of their exhalation on a daily basis. Orcas are a striking sight, with their dorsal fins majestically jutting to the sky, unlike viewing them in captivity. For some creatures, the time of season affects your chances and the honor of an encounter can be a matter of perfect timing.

Take a photographic foray into the Tongass National Forest, where original Alaska Native totem poles stand outside a historic sawmill within the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. From an elevated boardwalk, visitors can look for black bears and occasional grizzlies near salmon-rich streams and the tidal basins of Herring Cove. Farther inland, a rafting trip near Talkeetna offers another kind of wildlife encounter, drifting past otters, beavers, and bald eagles. Sightings are never guaranteed, but in Alaska, patience often brings its own rewards.

Unique ways to immerse yourself into Alaskan nature

Not only do Alaskan explorations intrigue with sights, sounds, smells, and tastes adding to the tapestry of your trip, but the mode of immersion can be equally unique. Perform an Alaskan air walk with foot-launched paragliding over the frontier, use the local-favored off road UTVs to traverse into traditional Tlingit territory for a meditative rock skipping session on moody Mahoney Lake, or use the strong, steady glacial winds to sailboard along Lake Mendenhall to the edge of the famed icefield.

Explore pristine George Inlet by Zodiac

Take a guided botanical stroll around the forest’s edge to tour a 1913 cannery and museum before taking the wheel of a mini-Zodiac to explore ancient deepwater George Inlet. Maneuver the agile 14-foot inflatable in a guided line through fjords and around tiny islands, where wildlife such as harbor seals, bears, and bald eagles might make an appearance.

Ride a 4x4 UTV through Tongass National Forest mountain trails

This rugged route through old-growth rainforest brings a sense of adventure to the Tongass National Forest, with muddy trails, natural obstacles and quiet pauses along the way. Guides share insight into local flora and fauna, along with stories tied to the Inside Passage, before the trail opens to panoramic views across Behm Canal and the neighboring islands.

Take the Goldbelt Tram to mountaintop hiking trails

Ride the gondola 1,800 feet up Mount Roberts, rising past soaring bald eagles toward panoramic views of downtown Juneau, Gastineau Channel, Douglas Island, the Chilkat Mountains and Admiralty Island. At the summit, guests can explore alpine hiking trails, nature paths, wildlife viewing platforms, a live bald eagle exhibit and Raven Eagle Gifts & Gallery, which features Tlingit art and locally crafted pieces.

What to eat in Alaska: Unique culinary experiences and local specialties

Whet your appetite for Alaska’s abundance through unique culinary experiences in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Catch and relish the freshest salmon in the north, with a post-fishing respite on a private island where the day’s bounty is cooked to perfection over a bed of glowing coals.

Such delicacies are only enhanced by al fresco ambiance, as was the case when we enjoyed our first taste of reindeer sausage roasted over a roaring fire accompanied by an expansive Alaskan craft brew tasting. A more refined, in some ways, dining experience with an Alaskan game focus can be had in Skagway at Olivia’s Bistro. The unassuming farm home in the center of town serves Elk Meatballs, Salmon Puff Pastry, and Seafood Pasta made with locally-caught halibut with a scintillating side of stories of the venue’s house of ill repute history.

When it comes to the most coveted of Alaskan epicurean delights, Tracy’s King Crab Shack is a waterfront institution with a perpetual line down the pier attesting to the worthiness of the wait. A bell is rung marking each requested bucket of the massive legs, the sweet flesh served with clarified butter and smoky clam chowder. Insiders and locals alike opt for Tracy’s Crab Shack 2, an open-air counterpart on the Juneau shoreline whose communal picnic tables are always filled, with or without the live bluegrass and rock echoing over the bay.

Pre/post cruise comfort at fantastical lodging finds

Discover authentic Alaskan ambiance in lodging that accentuates its wild surroundings.

• Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge: Fly-in seclusion for immersive nature and wildlife views.
• Borealis Base Camp: Intimate glass-domed igloos, ideal for Northern Lights viewing.
• Orca Island Cabins: Island glamping with water activities to explore Resurrection Bay.
• Brooks Lodge: Katmai National Park classic lodge, with bear-viewing platforms.

Insider tips: How to prepare for Alaska excursions

Alaska is a land of lumberjack chic looks, where flannel fits in any social setting and layers in soft moisture-wicking fabrics like merino wool are as “luxury” as one might ever need off the ship.

Outfitters provide most specialized gear, so focus on good boots and a three-part warming strategy for colder outdoor glacier days. Base layers in ski tech fabrics or merino wool, a puffer vest or thin fleece jacket on top with an outer waterproof shell to keep dry and comfortable work well.

If you are flightseeing, wear dark colors or bring a black shawl to cover up light clothing which causes a glare in the window for photos and obstructs the view. Learn camera settings and tips for shooting the aurora borealis before you are in the moment, so you’ll be lost in the experience, as one should be. Alaska-specific advice on what to bring and things to consider can create a seamless venture into the wonder that is The Great Land.

Reveal Alaska’s unbridled spirit with Silversea

Alaska rewards travelers who want to go deeper — into glacier-carved landscapes, wildlife-rich waters, and remote coastal places shaped by nature. From flightseeing and glacier exploration to local food and quiet moments in the wilderness, every experience reveals another side of the Last Frontier.

Explore Alaska with Silversea and discover a seamless way to experience its wild beauty.