Adventurous types have been flocking to Alaska for decades, and this land of abundant wildlife and natural beauty is more popular than ever. The state saw a record-breaking number of visitors in 2018, with nearly two million people enjoying the great outdoors via cruise ship or plane. And while Alaska may be known as the Last Frontier, there's still plenty to discover on your first trip up north. With so much space, however, it can be hard to know where to start your exploration.
We know Alaska is the largest state, but there's still so much to learn
We know Alaska is the largest state, but there's still so much to learn. Here are some interesting facts about tours of Alaska:
- It has the lowest population density of any U.S. state, with only 1 person per square mile (2/km²).
- It's home to Mount McKinley (also known as Denali), at 20,320 feet (6,194 meters), the tallest mountain in North America and can be seen from all corners of Alaska on a clear day.
- Alaska has no sales tax—the only place in the U.S. besides Oregon and Washington D.C. that doesn't charge one! This makes it cheaper for tourists who want to shop while visiting Alaska than other places like New York City or San Francisco, where you'll be paying an extra 8-9% just by walking into stores!
Getting out and exploring can be easy if you hire a tour guide
- You'll be able to get out and explore places that you may not have had the opportunity to see otherwise.
- You won't have to worry about the logistics, like getting lost or not knowing where to go.
- It's a great way for those not experienced with hiking or camping in Alaska's wilderness areas. If you're interested in this type of experience but are worried about whether or not it's something you can handle, then hiring a tour guide is an excellent idea!
There are several tours available in Anchorage
There are several tours available in Anchorage. Some of them include:
- Day Tours - These are short trips that take place over one day. The most popular ones include the Panorama Mountain Excursion, which takes you to an elevation of 6,400 feet and includes views of Denali National Park, and the Eagle River Nature Cruise on a pontoon boat, where you can see bald eagles and other wildlife as well as listen to stories about Alaska's natural history from your guide.
- Multi-Day Tours - These tours are longer than day tours but shorter than week-long expeditions. Most multi-day excursions will take place at least three days and two nights away from Anchorage; some even last up to seven days or more (the longest tour currently available). Most popular multi-day excursions include Denali Wilderness Heritage Travel (which features glacier viewing), Glacier Discovery Tour (which visits eight glaciers), Wildlife Viewing Safari Tour (where you'll see caribou, moose, bears and wolves) and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Tour (which lets visitors learn about different species while also experiencing their habitats).
If you really want to see Alaska then go see the glaciers
You can see glaciers in Alaska, but there are many other places you can see them as well. For example:
- Seattle
- Iceland
- Antarctica
- Greenland
- New Zealand (although these glaciers are technically called "ice caps")
- Patagonia
Conclusion
Alaska is a beautiful state with plenty of sights to see. By taking some time to explore them, you'll learn more about where you live. And if you're planning on going there anytime soon, make sure you schedule an appointment for one of the many tours of Alaska available. You won't regret it!