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Native arts. Mammoth glaciers. Arctic wildlife. Frontier quirk. Alaska, the 49th state, sprawls over some 571,951 square miles of terrain that includes misty fjords, colossal glaciers, temperate rain forests, sprawling tundra, and a sprinkling of charming towns and cities. For lovers of the great outdoors, it’s a destination without rival.
To discover America’s “last frontier” with its heralded pristine wilderness, jaw-dropping scenery, and laid-back cities.
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$479+: 7-nt sail w/College Fjord, Lynn Canal & Sitka CruisesOnly
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Alaskan accommodations cover a broad range of choices, from modern business hotels in the cities to simple campsites in national parks and from all-inclusive wilderness lodges to quaint B&Bs. Many hotels are only open during the high and shoulder tourist seasons; those that remain open at other times of year, however, offer substantial discounts (with the exception of ski resorts or those catering for northern lights viewing). Note that the standards of frills and luxury in Alaska are lower than in other parts of the country. Make reservations well in advance (at least three months out) for high season.
Alaska's Capitol Inn Bed and Breakfast
This well-located downtown property more than makes up for its understated décor with its 105 spacious and spotless...
Aurora Express Bed & Breakfast
We have to give a nod to this property for its sheer quirkiness: It’s comprised of seven authentic Alaska Railroad cars...
Bridgewater Hotel
This dependable 94-room boutique hotel is located in Fairbanks’ historic downtown area, overlooking the river....
Denali Crow's Nest Log Cabins
Perched on the side of Sugerloaf Mountain and overlooking the entrance to Denali National Park, this property offers excellent...
Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge
Our top pick for Fairbanks lodging is situated on the banks of the Chena River near the airport. The 325 rooms are spacious...
Glacier Bay Lodge
Stay at this comfortable 56-room inn, the only lodging situated within Glacier Bay National Park, set amidst Sitka spruce with...
Goldbelt Hotel Juneau
This well-located downtown property more than makes up for its understated décor with its 105 spacious and spotless...
Historic Anchorage Hotel
For a winning combination of a great downtown Anchorage location and lots of historic charm, book a room at this lovely...
Seward Windsong Lodge
Snag one of the 180 clean and spacious rooms at this rustic yet well-appointed property. Deluxe rooms are worth the upgrade...
Alyeska Resort
Just off the Seward Highway in Girdwood, at the bottom of the north face of Alaska’s most famous ski spot, this upscale...
Bear Track Inn
Visitors to Glacier Bay National Park will find the best local rooms in nearby Gustavus, at this extraordinary shore-side log...
Camp Denali & North Face Lodge
Nestled amid wildlife and wildflowers in the heart of Denali National Park, the eco-friendly Camp Denali & North Face...
Hotel Captain Cook
This nautically themed high-rise hotel in downtown Anchorage encompasses a full city block and complements the city skyline....
McKinley Chalet Resort
Located less than a mile from the Denali National Park entrance, this practical and popular lodging choice is coveted for its...
Pearson's Pond Luxury Inn
This deluxe waterfront bed-and-breakfast is nestled in the rainforest on the outskirts of Juneau, making it an ideal base for...
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Bed down at this well-appointed yet charmingly rustic lodge that unfolds in a 640-acre wilderness setting just two miles...
Campground at Wonder Lake
Those who prefer to sleep under the stars can’t beat Denali National Park’s tent-only campsite on Wonder Lake...
Copper Whale Inn
For something a bit more rustic in the midst of Anchorage, bunk down in one of this inn’s 14 cozy guest rooms, which are...
Kodiak Inn
Accommodations on Kodiak Island are pretty no-frills, but we’ve found this inn to be a reliable choice for its central...
Alaska's Capitol Inn Bed and Breakfast
This well-located downtown property more than makes up for its understated décor with its 105 spacious and spotless...
Aurora Express Bed & Breakfast
We have to give a nod to this property for its sheer quirkiness: It’s comprised of seven authentic Alaska Railroad cars...
Bridgewater Hotel
This dependable 94-room boutique hotel is located in Fairbanks’ historic downtown area, overlooking the river....
Denali Crow's Nest Log Cabins
Perched on the side of Sugerloaf Mountain and overlooking the entrance to Denali National Park, this property offers excellent...
Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge
Our top pick for Fairbanks lodging is situated on the banks of the Chena River near the airport. The 325 rooms are spacious...
Glacier Bay Lodge
Stay at this comfortable 56-room inn, the only lodging situated within Glacier Bay National Park, set amidst Sitka spruce with...
Goldbelt Hotel Juneau
This well-located downtown property more than makes up for its understated décor with its 105 spacious and spotless...
Historic Anchorage Hotel
For a winning combination of a great downtown Anchorage location and lots of historic charm, book a room at this lovely...
Seward Windsong Lodge
Snag one of the 180 clean and spacious rooms at this rustic yet well-appointed property. Deluxe rooms are worth the upgrade...
Alyeska Resort
Just off the Seward Highway in Girdwood, at the bottom of the north face of Alaska’s most famous ski spot, this upscale...
Bear Track Inn
Visitors to Glacier Bay National Park will find the best local rooms in nearby Gustavus, at this extraordinary shore-side log...
Camp Denali & North Face Lodge
Nestled amid wildlife and wildflowers in the heart of Denali National Park, the eco-friendly Camp Denali & North Face...
Hotel Captain Cook
This nautically themed high-rise hotel in downtown Anchorage encompasses a full city block and complements the city skyline....
McKinley Chalet Resort
Located less than a mile from the Denali National Park entrance, this practical and popular lodging choice is coveted for its...
Pearson's Pond Luxury Inn
This deluxe waterfront bed-and-breakfast is nestled in the rainforest on the outskirts of Juneau, making it an ideal base for...
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Bed down at this well-appointed yet charmingly rustic lodge that unfolds in a 640-acre wilderness setting just two miles...
Campground at Wonder Lake
Those who prefer to sleep under the stars can’t beat Denali National Park’s tent-only campsite on Wonder Lake...
Copper Whale Inn
For something a bit more rustic in the midst of Anchorage, bunk down in one of this inn’s 14 cozy guest rooms, which are...
Kodiak Inn
Accommodations on Kodiak Island are pretty no-frills, but we’ve found this inn to be a reliable choice for its central...
Dining out in Alaska is largely an informal affair, and even the most upscale restaurants (generally found in the larger cities) don’t expect patrons to dress up. Servings are usually hearty, and feature plenty of seafood, especially salmon, halibut, and Alaska king crab; salmon bakes are common in tourist areas. Steak and game meat (think reindeer sausage) also feature quite heavily, as do sourdough breads (popularized during the Gold Rush) and wild berries in desserts. Be sure to wash it all down with an Alaskan Brewing Company beer. Reservations are recommended at higher-end eateries; note that several restaurants close out of season.
Chez Alaska
This Juneau cooking school offers a unique twist on lunch – you’ll learn how to prepare gourmet dishes based on...
Gambardella's Pasta Bella
Downtown Fairbanks’ homey Italian eatery is a local favorite thanks to its rustic feel and hearty dishes, including...
Glacier Brew House
This spacious downtown Anchorage restaurant/brewery is regularly abuzz with beer-loving patrons who come for the home-brewed...
Orso
For savory Tuscan-meets-Alaskan cuisine, this downtown Anchorage restaurant doles out bold flavors and innovate dishes like...
Pump House Restaurant & Saloon
This historic Fairbanks restaurant boasts a bustling riverside deck for outdoor dining, and a menu touting oysters (flown in...
Ray's Waterfront
On Seward’s harbor, this bustling restaurant is unbeatable for seafood fresh off the boat – the savory seafood...
Resurrection Roadhouse
Seward Windsong Lodge’s relaxed eatery doles out craft-brewed beers and Alaskan specialties like venison and deep-fried...
Snow City Café
For the best breakfast in Anchorage, search out this funky café, which draws upon a hip, young crowd who chow down on...
The Hangar
For causal American fare – think burgers and seafood dishes – down by the waterfront, this popular local Juneau...
The Overlook Bar and Grill
Denali National Park visitors can chow down after a hearty day of play at this lively bar and grill that offers an extensive...
Gold Room
The intimate Art Deco dining room at the Baranof Hotel is the finest eatery in Juneau, specializing in seafood dishes and...
Seven Glaciers
The Alyeska Resort tram (just off the Seward Highway) will take you up 2,300 feet to the top of Mount Alyeska, where the Seven...
Silverbow Bakery
Grab breakfast or light lunch fare at the state’s oldest operating bakery. The funky and artsy downtown Juneau eatery...
Chez Alaska
This Juneau cooking school offers a unique twist on lunch – you’ll learn how to prepare gourmet dishes based on...
Gambardella's Pasta Bella
Downtown Fairbanks’ homey Italian eatery is a local favorite thanks to its rustic feel and hearty dishes, including...
Glacier Brew House
This spacious downtown Anchorage restaurant/brewery is regularly abuzz with beer-loving patrons who come for the home-brewed...
Orso
For savory Tuscan-meets-Alaskan cuisine, this downtown Anchorage restaurant doles out bold flavors and innovate dishes like...
Pump House Restaurant & Saloon
This historic Fairbanks restaurant boasts a bustling riverside deck for outdoor dining, and a menu touting oysters (flown in...
Ray's Waterfront
On Seward’s harbor, this bustling restaurant is unbeatable for seafood fresh off the boat – the savory seafood...
Resurrection Roadhouse
Seward Windsong Lodge’s relaxed eatery doles out craft-brewed beers and Alaskan specialties like venison and deep-fried...
Snow City Café
For the best breakfast in Anchorage, search out this funky café, which draws upon a hip, young crowd who chow down on...
The Hangar
For causal American fare – think burgers and seafood dishes – down by the waterfront, this popular local Juneau...
The Overlook Bar and Grill
Denali National Park visitors can chow down after a hearty day of play at this lively bar and grill that offers an extensive...
Gold Room
The intimate Art Deco dining room at the Baranof Hotel is the finest eatery in Juneau, specializing in seafood dishes and...
Seven Glaciers
The Alyeska Resort tram (just off the Seward Highway) will take you up 2,300 feet to the top of Mount Alyeska, where the Seven...
Silverbow Bakery
Grab breakfast or light lunch fare at the state’s oldest operating bakery. The funky and artsy downtown Juneau eatery...