Alaska holds a pristine beauty which is unlike any other destination in the country, let alone the world. The world-class hiking, the wildlife — and, of course, the seafood — are unmatched.
To help you plan (or at least fantasize about) an Alaskan getaway, we’ve asked a few WAC teammates with roots in this vast and remote state to give us their personal recommendations on the best places to eat, play, and shop in the five regions of Alaska.
Southeast
The Southeast region of Alaska includes Juneau (the state capital) as well as Sitka and Ketchikan.
Things to do:
For pristine views of the closest region to the continental U.S., hike up the Mt Roberts trail. Once you’re at the top, you can ride the Goldbelt tram down for a view of downtown Juneau (only $10 for a ride down!) Visit the Mendenhall Glacier and take a stroll out to Nugget Falls for the best views.
If you want to see the famed brown bears, we suggest the Fortress of the Bear in Sitka. The rescue center opened in 2007, and now houses eight bears. The fortress raises and protects orphaned cubs that would not be able to survive on their own.
Go whale watching by kayak with Above and Beyond Alaska tours and keep an eye out for humpbacks bubble feeding, orcas playing, bald eagles, seals and sea lions. Or dive right into the water in Ketchikan, where you can don a wetsuit with Snorkel Alaska and explore the sea life below the surface.
In Juneau, head over to Kindred Post, where you can shop from a selection of hand-crafted pottery and gifts made by locals.
To eat and drink:
Head to Amalga Distillery, Juneau’s first and only distillery to sip on some craft gin and whiskey in a variety of flavors, grab some tasty fish tacos at Deckhand Dave’s, and take in views of the wharf with some pub classics at the Hanger on The Wharf.
The Beak in Sitka has a high commitment to providing quality, locally-sourced meals that gives a taste of Southwest AK. The creamy salmon chowder is a can’t miss.
Southcentral
The Southcentral region of Alaska includes Anchorage, Palmer, and Homer (WAC Founder Arron Kallenberg’s hometown!).
Things to do:
Near Anchorage, we recommend Flat Top Mountain, hiking to Rabbit Lake, and the variety of trails near McHugh Peak. If you want to stay closer to the ground, there's the coastal trail in Anchorage that is a beautiful bike ride in the summer.
Just south of Anchorage is Whitter, where you can spot some pristine glacier views. Phillips Cruises offers half-day glacier cruises and has been offering tours since 1958. You can view nearly an endless amount of the ice formations against the backdrop of Chugach National Forest.
If you’re traveling through in the summer, you can even pull over off the highway to see salmon spawning. An easy, accessible spot is at Tern Lake where a wooden deck puts you right up close to the bright red spawners in July and August. Later in August, check out the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, where you can gawk at 100-pound vegetables or kick back to some live music.
Elsewhere in the region, Girdwood is home to Alyeska Resort. It’s a ski resort that features a Nordic Spa, some stellar hiking trails. The mountain itself is worth exploring, too — the easiest, most scenic way is by tram on a sunny day.
Places to eat and drink:
Anchorage is one of the major cities in the Southcentral region, and a city that has been well-explored by our team. For a pizza pub that’ll hit the spot after your plane lands in Anchorage, try the Moose's Tooth Pizza, then cap off your night at F Street Station, a local's bar.
Ludvig’s Bistro in Seward is a homey wine bar and bistro has been crafting delicious meals for the last twenty years, and it’s been lauded by international publications including The New York Times, The Guardian and Fodor’s.
For something upscale, try Simon and Seafort's, a steak and seafood restaurant in Anchorage. Or for a real treat, book a table at the Double Musky in Girdwood — it’s Alaska's only 5-star restaurant.
Home Sweet Homer:
For all of our Homer travel recommendations, hop over to our dedicated blog post with all of our tips for how to spend a few days in the “Cosmic Hamlet by the Sea.”
Southwest
The Southwest region of Alaska includes King Salmon, Dillingham, and other towns around Bristol Bay, as well as the Aleutian Islands and a vast swath of villages tucked into the Yukon Delta that are only accessible by plane.
Things to do:
In the Aleutian Islands, the Dutch Harbor/Unalaska region played a part in WWII. The war’s impact can be seen on the landscape. You can check out the Aleutian World War II National Historic Site to learn more about the war’s impact on the region and the Alaska Natives that inhabited the land.
Near Kodiak, connect with Saltery Adventures to book a Kodiak bear-viewing tour (Kodiak grizzlies are the largest bears in the world!), go on an ATV excursion, or get your angling on. Or stay for a few days at any number of wilderness lodges on the islands in the area, and use those as your jumping off point for exploring the region by land, air, or sea.
Stay at Brooks Lodge in the town of King Salmon for an epic weekend of sport fishing by the largest sockeye spawning grounds in the world.
Places to eat:
The bar and restaurant scene in Southwest Alaska is limited by its remoteness, so most of the dining you’ll be doing is at your lodging. However, one of the best spots in the region is Hana, a Japanese restaurant housed in a converted power plant in Kodiak.
Interior
The Interior region of Alaska includes Fairbanks and the Denali National Park.
Things to do:
Denali National Park is one of the main attractions in the Interior region of Alaska. It covers 6 million acres of land and shows the best of the flora and fauna in the 49th state. Make sure to check the conditions before you go!
In Fairbanks, you can see one of the most beautiful natural occurrences on the Earth: the Aurora Borealis. From August 21 to April 21, the phenomenon is visible on an average of four out of five nights.The city of Fairbanks has a multitude of tour recommendations to see the lights.
For a break from nature activities, head to the Museum of the North. Run by the University of Alaska, you can discover 2,000 years of Arctic natural and cultural history.
To eat and drink:
The Jazz Bistro offers delectable Cuban and Latin cuisine that even has the stamp of approval by one of America’s national treasures, Guy Fieri. It’s a perfect combo of Cuban flavor with Alaskan seafood, plus the backdrop of a live jazz band (as the name suggests.)
South of McKinley Village near Denali, you’ll find 229 Parks. It’s what you could call modern Alaskan food: sustainable, freshly-sourced produce and seafood with an ever-changing menu to reflect the seasons.
Far North
The Far North is the closest you’ll come to the Arctic region of the globe. While less populated, its natural beauty is astounding.
Things to do:
Nome, AK is a 90-minute jet ride from Anchorage. If you happen to go there in March, you’ll be able to see the end of the famed Iditarod Dog Sled Race. While you’re there, check out the Kawerak Katirvik Cultural Center to learn more about the native history of the Bering Strait.
Further north is Utqiaġvik, located on the Arctic Ocean. There you can take a guided tour to Point Barrow, the northernmost area of the U.S. Nearby you can go to the Birnik Archaeological Site, which is one of the oldest continual communities on earth, dating back to the prehistoric era. The Iñupiat Heritage Center offers a rich history on the native culture that dates back as far as 800 A.D.
Places to eat and drink:
When in Nome (pun intended), check out Pingo Bakery and Seafood House for fresh baked goods and fresh-caught seafood. The baked goods and seafood offerings change by the day, so you can always expect something different.
