I’ve lived in Alaska for 21 years. Here are 11 of the biggest mistakes I see first-time visitors make.

Some vacationers attempt to do an excessive amount of in a single journey.

Alaska is large. It is one-fifth of the dimensions of the decrease 48 — the contiguous United States — and bigger than California, Montana, and Texas mixed.

Although it is technically attainable to go to the entire main spots alongside the highway system over seven to 10 days, doing so will possible depart you exhausted and feeling such as you did not expertise a lot of something. So except you are planning an prolonged keep, give attention to exploring a single area.

If you wish to see southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage, e-book a cruise or use a mix of planes and ferries to journey between cities. Go for lodging on the Kenai Peninsula if you wish to come house with recent halibut and salmon or get a detailed take a look at glaciers and sea animals.

Anchorage has a thriving arts and tradition scene, wonderful choices for eating and buying, a well-maintained citywide path system, and easy accessibility to Chugach State Park. It will possibly additionally function the beginning and stopping level for adventures north or south.

If you wish to go to Denali Nationwide Park, then make Fairbanks — a couple of two-hour drive away from the doorway — your house base to discover the inside. And anticipate to principally journey by airplane if you wish to go to Kodiak or Valdez and take a look at the Arctic.