SamAlaska. The Last Frontier. This state is one of a kind in so many ways, and consider yourself lucky if you’re able to travel to this beautiful land. However, I do not recommend you travel to Alaska with zero knowledge. As someone who has lived and worked in Alaskan tourism, here is everything I think everyone who plans to travel to Alaska should know before they go to ensure the best experience!
1. Know what you want to do and when you want to go.
If you have specific activities in mind for when you travel to Alaska, you better make sure you go during the right time of year.
Alaska’s main tourism season is from June-August. If, like most people, your bucket list consists of hiking, wildlife viewing, and flight-seeing, this is the time of year you will want to plan your travels.
My personal favorite time to be in Alaska is in July. This is peak wildlife season, and also when all of the wildflowers bloom! The whales have all migrated to our waters, and the bears are all filling up on salmon. Alaska is at its most beautiful in my eyes during this time of year.
2. Be prepared for the weather.
In Alaska there is a saying: there is no bad weather, just bad clothing.
I assure you that Alaska is definitely not known for beautiful weather. In fact, a lot of popular tourist towns are in temperate rainforests. So prepare for rain! Lots of it. Waterproof shoes and a good rain jacket are absolute essentials.
Additionally, a lot of Alaska’s best adventures are weather dependent. Consequently, there is a chance some of your activities will be canceled, postponed, or altered in some way. While I do not wish this upon you, I do encourage you to expect things to not go according to plan. The best thing you can do for yourself is be flexible in your schedule, as it will make the experience the best that it can be, even with any hiccups you may hit along the way.
3. Alaska is bigger than you think. Everything is at least 2 hours away.
When planning your trip to Alaska, keep in mind that no two towns are close together. A lot of your trip is going to be consumed with merely traveling from one destination to the next. That’s why you should make the most out of every stop you make! And the best part is that roadtrips in Alaska are some of the best you can experience. Every part of Alaska is beautiful and unique in its own way. Its beauty is sure to keep you captivated every minute of your drives.
4. Be prepared to safely encounter wildlife. And be prepared to not see any wildlife.
Alaska is a dream location for wildlife lovers alike. Land, sea, and sky, Alaska has iconic wildlife all over. A majority of this wildlife includes large mammals, which can be a danger to humans. Grizzlies, black bears, and even moose can all be incredibly dangerous animals (even though they look cute and cuddly).
Before you set out for Alaska, I encourage you to do a bit of research on wildlife safety. Even if you aren’t venturing into the wilderness, you never know when or where you may come across wildlife. And knowing how to protect yourself and having the right tools can be a life or death matter.
On the other hand, keep in mind that the wildlife in Alaska is indeed wild. No one controls what they do or where they go. There is a chance you won’t see any wildlife on your trip, and there is also a chance you will see everything! I went 5 months living in Alaska before I even saw a bear (this was devastating for me). So while the wildlife is definitely one of the best parts about Alaska, don’t be surprised if you aren’t able to find any.
5. Roadtripping isn’t the only option for your travels.
When people think of traveling Alaska, the first thing that comes to their mind is a roadtrip. And rightfully so. It’s a great way to see the state in all of its glory and have the flexibility and freedom to stop where ever and whenever you please. However, if roadtripping is not appealing to you, know that there are other options for traveling the state.
From cruises, to the Alaska Railroad, and the Park Connector Bus, there are many options for getting around the state. While these don’t offer as much flexibility, and you must keep in mind that some places aren’t accessible by public transport, they are still great options! There is a perfect way of traveling the state for every individual.
6. If you go on the off season, almost everything is closed.
Alaska is one of the places that I encourage people to not stray from the tourist season.
If you travel off-season, it is going to greatly limit the experiences available to you. A lot of trails and notable landmarks are inaccessible and/or dangerous in the off-season. Additionally, in seasonal towns, a majority of the businesses are only open during these few months of the year, thus limiting your experience.
I have seen a lot of people travel the far distance to experience the beauty of Alaska, only to be disappointed that their top bucket list item can’t even be checked off. While you might save some money, I promise it is not worth missing out on so many once in a lifetime opportunities.
7. Bring binoculars!
If wildlife is one of the main reasons to travel to Alaska, then I highly recommend you purchase or rent a good pair of binoculars for your trip. Wildlife is in fact wild, and they need to be treated as such. This includes keeping an appropriate distance from them as to not disturb them. This often leaves a lot to be desired for a lot of wildlife viewing.
But, with a good pair of binoculars, your wildlife viewing will be exactly what you envisioned. Instead of seeing white dots scattered in the ocean, you will be able to see every individual puffin. You can take in the detail of bald eagles feathers, and the spotted pattern of harbor seals.
Binoculars take the experience in Alaska to another notch, and you know that you left nothing to be desired.
8. Everything is expensive.
Alaska is expensive. Food. Accommodation. Transportation. You name it, and its expensive. This is one of the reasons many people struggle to make their way to Alaska, as it typically does come with a fairly high price tag. But if you are able to save up the money, I promise every penny will be worth the adventure!
9. Wander off the beaten path.
Alaska is full of beautiful views and stunning landscapes. And the tourist towns are rightfully popular, as they are all unique in their own ways. But I really encourage you to (safely) wander off the beaten path during your time in Alaska. You may be amazed what you find if you accidentally take the wrong turn.
10. The Northern Lights are not visible all year.
If you travel to Alaska with the hopes of seeing the northern lights, chances are you are going to be let down. The northern lights are not visible all year in Alaska. In fact, they are only visible when it is primarily dark out, with the highest chances of seeing them being the three months of winter.
