For adventure and relaxation in the ultimate wilderness landscape, consider vacationing in Alaska. If your interests fall under appreciation and exploration of the great outdoors, plan a week-long trip to Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Denali National Park or Seward and Kenali Fjords. In addition to the rugged outdoors and mountain ranges, Alaska also offers urban attractions and a couple of theme parks you can visit during your vacation to "The Last Frontier".
Regions
Every region within Alaska offers a distinctive adventure and memorable vacation experience. Land excursions allow you to explore a majority of Alaska's five regions by plane, train, car, boat or RV.
The Interior is Alaska's heartland, where visitors can camp, hike and view wildlife in multiple forests. The Far North Region becomes a popular stop during the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.The Southwest Region includes the Alaskan Peninsula and the Kodiak Archipelago where bird watchers can enjoy more than 240 bird species. The Southcentral area offers great fishing excursions for rainbow trout or salmon. The Inside Passage is a top destination for ecotourism, glacier trekking, bicycle tours and sportfishing.
Amusement Parks
Although Alaska is known for outdoor recreational activities, it does offer a metropolitan experience with cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks. Within these cities, Alaska hosts the only two theme parks in the state. Pioneer Park in Fairbanks gives you an opportunity to explore Alaskan art, square dancing, world Eskimo-Indian Olympics, restaurants and shops.
H2Oasis, Alaska's largest indoor waterpark, offers families an opportunity to enjoy summer fun on a year-round basis. The Children's Lagoon & Pirate Ship, The Master Blaster Water Coaster, The Open Flume Slide and other attractions offer fun for the family.
Great Outdoors
Many outdoor enthusiasts enjoy vacationing in Alaska for the recreational lifestyle and landscapes. Alaska's parks are a popular destination for camping retreats. The Gates of the Artic National Park and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve allow for exploration of natural wonders such as glaciers. Denali National Park and Preserve provides campgrounds where you can rock- and ice-climb, in addition to horseback treks and river excursions. The Katmai National Park, home to the Alagnak Wild River and many other lakes, is a great fishing haven for sport anglers interested in any of the five species of Pacific salmon and other fish that live in the waters within the park.
Climate
Summer is considered the best season to visit Alaska. However, if you want to see the Northern Lights, go to Alaska in the winter. The Interior Region claims the warmest weather of the summer in the state, with temperatures reaching as high as 72 F, although the winter months can get as cold as 18 degrees below zero. However, the coldest winters are in the Far North Region where temperatures drop as low as 22 below zero, with just four to eight hours of sunlight a day.
Cruises
An Alaskan Cruise is one of the best ways to see most of the state in a short amount of time. A variety of cruise liners offer four-day, seven-day and 10-day cruises that visit port towns such as Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan to bigger cities such as Anchorage and Fairbanks. In addition they plan land excursions from the Arctic Circle to Denali National Park.
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