Have you ever gone on vacation somewhere and just wanted to stay? You fall so deeply in love with the place that is steals a piece of your heart. Alaska is this place for my husband and I. Due to this love, we bought a piece of land where we are very slowly building a cabin in the woods. If you need a reason to visit, try one of my 16 reasons you must visit Alaska.
Alaska is the 49th state, gaining statehood January 3, 1959, with the largest area and the 3rd smallest population in the United States. In fact, Alaska has a larger area than all but 19 countries in the world. That’s a lot of land for not so many people. Absolutely my kind of place.
16 Reasons You Must Visit Alaska
Animals
Wildlife Everywhere
This is one of my favorite things about Alaska. When we spend our time in Alaska each year, it’s a very rare day that goes by without us seeing some form of wildlife. However, keep in mind that your chances are much better if you aren’t in the cities, although moose regularly walk around in the cities too. You might see animals you’ve never seen before or even knew existed.
Amazing Fishing and Hunting
I have never been hunting in Alaska, but my husband has and loved every single minute of every trip. I have been fishing in Alaska, lots of times, and have been quite successful. You can go river fishing, stream fishing or ocean fishing, so there are loads of choices.
A note on this photo. We weren’t grumpy, but we were cold and wet, so some of us look a little grumpy.
Sled Dogs
I love seeing the sled dogs, although I haven’t seen them in the winter yet, I’ve seen them a lot of places in Alaska. There are even places you can experience the sled dogs in person.
An important thing to keep in mind is that when you see the dogs, if they aren’t attached to a sled, they will be on a swivel chain, close to their own house. The swivel chain allows them to run some, but not to invade another dog’s space. I’ve also been told that these chains prevents the dogs from fighting. They are also built to live outdoors and get too hot if they are inside for very long. The dogs are investment to the musher and are usually cared for very well, with their needs being met before the musher.
Outdoors
Hiking
Alaska is a beautiful place with vast areas without towns or villages. This makes for amazing wilderness to hike for miles and miles.
Long Days of Summer
Alaska has long, long days in the summer. The farther north you go, the longer the days. We’ve been working on our cabin and worked through 11 pm without realizing it. You can make the most of your vacation easily with so much daylight to play.
Wildflowers
There are so many different kinds of wild flowers in Alaska. I especially love the Fireweed. Isn’t it pretty?
Glaciers
There are 616 named glaciers in Alaska, but the Alaska Almanac estimates that there are actually 100,000 glaciers through out the state. That’s a whole lot of glaciers. (Source: National Park Service website)
Photo Ops
If you want to see beauty almost literally everywhere you look, Alaska is the place to go. Seriously, I take so many photos every time we go to Alaska. I probably have well over 10,000.
People
Slower Pace/Survival Attitude
The people we’ve met in Alaska are very laid back about life. They work hard all summer long to help them survive the winter. Not only do they work on helping their family, they help their neighbors too. We don’t live in Alaska full time yet, so we don’t have to worry about surviving through the winter. However, our “neighbors” are always willing to lend a hand.
Bartering System
A lot of Alaskans live on the bartering system, so they don’t have to worry about an income. My husband bought a 4 wheeler from a guy in exchange for $600 in beer. I’m not making this up. Someone borrowed our freezer and repaid us in smoked salmon. This is a great thing to learn, so try your luck.
Unpaved Highways
I honestly believe that the word ‘highway’ is relative. There are paved highways between cities in Alaska, but there are also main highways that aren’t paved at all. Two examples are the Dalton Highway and the Denali Highway. They are fun to take road trips on too.
Santa’s Village
Santa’s Village is a great reason to visit Alaska, especially if you have kids. Guess where his village is located. That’s right, North Pole, Alaska, which sits outside of Fairbanks. They can even sit on Santa’s lap in the middle of summer.
Cultural Differences in One State
In Alaska you can find several different cultures represented. Close to where our place is, there are quite a few people from Eastern Europe. If you go south to Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula, you will find an European Orthodox church, along with the people who worship there. There are Native indigenous people throughout the state. Keep your eyes open and learn all you can about Alaska and how the people live so differently from each other.
Environment
Open Space
Visiting somewhere and being in so many areas where you can’t see a building or even another person no matter which way you turn is one of the best feelings. I imagine if you aren’t prepared, it can be a unnerving as well, but I love it so far. Alaska is 663,268 square miles of space, with a population of 740,000 people. That means each person in Alaska has just under 1 mile of space to themselves. That’s amazing, right?
Northern Lights
Really, do I need to say anything besides Northern Lights? Visit in the fall and winter for viewing opportunities. I haven’t been in Alaska in the winter yet, but saw them when I was there in September. They are amazing. I can’t wait to see them in the winter time.
Clean Air
With all of the trees and open space and so few cities, the air is clean and fresh. If you’re from somewhere with pollution, you will love being about the breath freely.
Tips
Be sure that you hike safely. We take bear spray and carry a firearm.
Always take enough food and water to get you through whatever activity you are planning.
Always have way to purify creek water, in case you run out of water.
Wear great hiking shoes if you’re going hiking, the ground can be uneven.
If you’re driving around Alaska, store a warm blanket and first aid kit in your trunk.
So, what do you think? Are you planning a trip to Alaska? Which of these do you want to experience the most?
I spent a few weeks hiking in Alaska and love it. These are all great reasons to visit! Did you spend much time in Denali? Also what animal is that in the first picture!?
We visit Denali every year. I haven’t camped in the park, but my husband has. We truly love it there. One of these days I will camp there with him. That animal is a muskox. We saw it up by Deadhorse.
A lovely round-up of somewhere I’d really like to visit. I’ve heard about the flowers – which seem a bit counterintuitive – but your photo shows that it’s definitely worth a visit. And the fishing does look excellent!
It seems like it would be too cold for some many flowers, but they are all over. Lots of different kinds too. The fishing is amazing.
I would love to visit Alaska once. I have heard a lot about its clean air and northern lights viewing. It must be so impressive. It’s a beautiful place and its evident from your pictures and blog. You surely had a great time.
Yes, we love going there almost every year. We see new things every time, even in areas that we frequently visit. You should go for sure.
Wow! Congratulations on buying a piece of land where you’ll build a cabin in the woods! It’s cool that people in Alaska are so laid back! We love places where locals live at a slower pace, so we’re adding Alaska to our bucket list now! Seeing the Northern Lights there would certainly be amazing! But we’d have to visit during winter I suppose? Since there’s so much daylight during summer?
Thank you. The picture in the post was taken on August 26th at about midnight. You can see them more vibrant and more often in the winter. There’s also an ice sculpture festival in Fairbanks in the winter. Maybe you can do both on the same trip.
Well, my number one reason is that it’s the only one of the fifty United States that I have not yet visited!
Ah, you really have to go! Not only will you hit all the states, but you will be able to see the amazing beauty in person. It’s such a fantastic place. I have 3 states left. I will get them though.
The closest I’ve been to Alaska is the Yukon. I would love to go on an Alaskan cruise one day – the scenery is just simply stunning.
The Yukon is quite lovely. My first Alaskan experience was a cruise to the inside passage. I would suggest a cruise that goes all the way over to Anchorage and then has some land tours with it. You don’t want to miss the beauty of the interior.
Alaska has been on my list for a long time bccause of the nature and the beauty of the landscape. Not sure if I want to hunt, I think that sense kicks in if there was no other food around. Would also love to explore the state in the winter and check out those Northern Lights. 🙂
Hunting isn’t for everyone, that’s for sure. We’ve hunted a long time, but to feed our family. Alaska has so much beauty everywhere you look. It’s beyond amazing. There is an ice sculpture festival in Fairbanks in the winter, I think late February. Maybe you can combine that with the Northern Lights.
Alaska has it all for the adventure seekers, northern lights, wildlife, glacier. This one has been on my bucket list and hopefully I get to tick it off soon!
You are so right. I hope you get to tick it off you list very, very soon.
Yes I would like to visit Alaska and these are the very reasons. I want to see Santa’s village in real.
Sounds so exciting to me that you are building a cabin there and living your dream.
Santa’s village was fun. Even the reindeer are close by. Building that cabin is harder work than I thought it would be, but I’m happy we are doing it.
I’m so happy that you keep championing the real Alaska. Too many only see the cruise ship spots or a bit of Anchorage. Love too that you’re highlighting seasonal things. Wildlife too.
Thank you so much. I didn’t expect to fall so in love with it. It is so incredible.
I would love to visit Alaska, looks like it has so much to offer. The wildlife and seeing the Northern Lights would be at the top of my list!
I hope that you will get there and away from the tourist areas. Be prepared to love it so much!
I totally agree! Alaska is in my top 3 states to visit for sure. Sled Dog day was my absolute fav. and we hada chance to white water raft in glacier water! Skagway is my favorite. Gotta visit for winter to see northern lights though. great read!
Thanks! I have a love/hate relationship with winter. I’m hoping it tips towards love when we are in Alaska for it.
Alaska is definitely on my list to visit – the open spaces are so beautiful and the nature certainly is awe-inspiring. I would love to go hiking there, although the thought of coming across a bear is both exciting and terrifying!
It is a beautiful state for sure. The bear worry is well founded. We always have bear spray and are armed when we hike. Actually just at our cabin too. However, I think if you make some noise, that helps keep them away too. They don’t want you to hurt them any more than you want them to hurt you. I hope you get there soon.
That IS A LOT OF LAND for the little population they have. I don’t think I’d like to live there but would be nice to visit. The nature looks beautiful and the place itself is very similar to Canada where I live but I am more of a city girl. Northern Lights is a good selling point to visit Alaska, for sure!
I’m not much of a city girl, so all that space sounds great to me. Funny how we are all so different. It is a beautiful place and a lot like some areas in Canada.