6.6 Allison Hirte writing 4 PAT

My top 5 reasons why you should visit Alaska on your next vacation

When you're in school, it is hard to imagine what life will be like when you're finally finished. When you graduate I suggest celebrating with a huge, relaxing, unforgettable vacation! Where is that magical place you're wondering? Simple, Alaska.

When it comes to absolutely breathtaking views and natural landscapes mixed with wildlife spotting at every turn, there is no other state quite like Alaska. Ever since I was young I have dreamed about visiting Alaska. One of my favorite movies and books of all time is into the wild, which is a story about a young man who gave up all of his money and set foot across the country to make it to Alaska to live on his own in the wild. In the movie, there are hundreds of breathtaking views, and I haven't stopped thinking about traveling there ever since!

I did some more research outside of the movie to find out even more reasons why you should visit Alaska as your next travel destination. Although it is very difficult to get to Alaska, at least it isn't as hard as Hawaii! People go there all the time, right?

Well, let's get right to it then. 

Here are some of my top reasons why you should visit Alaska for your next dream vacation:


- Scenery
- Wildlife
- Glaciers
- Scenic drives and no traffic
- Whale watching cruises
- Midnight Sun/Northern Lights

Scenery

Many visitors venture to Alaska to see the jaw-dropping scenery of unspoiled nature, majestic mountains, glaciers, fjords, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, and the National Parks. They offer cruises that go along the Inside Passage to see the remote villages with picturesque backdrops. Some cities, like Sitka, are only accessible by water or air also! It is very remote and you could not experience the views like this anywhere else.

Wildlife

Alaska is one of the best places for wildlife spotting. They are also well known for having a lot of bald eagles in comparison to states on the mainland. It would be absolutely incredible to see so many magnificent bald eagles flying overhead. Cruising on Alaska's waters gives you so many opportunities to see seals and sea lions on the water and even bears and whales from a distance.

Glaciers

Margerie Glacier in Glacier Bay, Alaska

Have you ever seen a glacier in person? I know I would love to! The Alaska Almanac estimates that the state has about 100,000 glaciers. Glaciers are defined as a “body of snow and ice that moves”. They form when snow, ice, and rock debris move from higher elevations eventually creating layers of packed snow. Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier is the most accessible one. It really would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

 

Scenic Drives and No traffic

License plates in Alaska say, “The Last Frontier”, and when you are there, it feels exactly like that. You can drive down the Seward Highway for some beautiful scenery, and stop for pictures every 10 minutes. No traffic to tell you not to! The mixing of wildlife, mountains, oceans, and greenery form so many perfect photo ops.

 

Whale watching cruises

This is not just for senior citizens! Whales are humongous, and in Alaska, you can get incredibly close. You can drive down to the Kenai peninsula for a great spot for whale watching. Many boat tours are available, and most include whale watching, meals, on-boat entertainment, and the potential to see calving (parts of a glacier breaking off into smaller pieces). Here are some options for cruises you could purchase from Royal Caribean's website!

Midnight Sun/Northern Lights

Northern lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

Last but not least, let's talk about the midnight sun. Due to Earth’s tilt, the Sun is up a lot longer in the Alaskan summer. While you are there around this time of the year, you can experience about 18 hours if not more of daylight. If you go in the winter and experience the opposite, there is the amazing benefit of being able to see the Northern Lights. I have always wanted to see the Northern Lights and can't wait until I finally have the opportunity! Here is a link to learn more about Alaska's sun cycle and the shortest days of the year for them, from alaska.org!

Those are just a few of the many reasons why I think you should visit Alaska next time you go on a major vacation. As a busy student myself also, I would be absolutely ecstatic to arrive there, take in all the views, and relax. I can't wait to get there one day soon!

Before you go, make sure to check out this article I found from thetravel.com for even more reasons why you should visit Alaska. Happy Travels!