Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska are each beautiful states, and they also are wildly different. From the Arctic Circle to the dry fossil beds of the Oregon plateau, the Pacific Northwest is a wonderful adventure to explore.
The Pacific Northwest of the USA is an incredible place to explore, whether it be for hiking, a luxurious resort or great beer. Between the National Parks and the beaches, the rain forest and the Columbia Gorge, what’s not to love? The PNW as we call it, includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho and (I think) British Columbia.
If you’re looking for information to plan a trip to Olympic National Park or if you think a brisk beach trip is a great idea, we’ve got you covered. Looking for mountain goats on Mount Rainier? We can help with that too!
And don’t forget Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge. Endless waterfalls, wine country and even more National Park sites make Oregon a treat to explore. Check out our road trip plans all around the Pacific Northwest for great travel ideas.
Visiting Kodiak, Alaska is one of the best ways to experience bears, but it’s also full of things to do and beautiful beaches. We’ve put together a great guide for planning a trip to Kodiak including how to see bears, kayaking, hiking and museums in town. This is one of the coolest destinations in Alaska and far too many people overlook it.
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Juneau, Alaska is more than a cruise ship destination, but actually has some wonderfully unique things to do that make for an unforgettable Alaska trip. From crabbing to hiking on glacier, flightseeing to early mornings exploring, see what we recommend for the best activities in Juneau for a different type of visit.
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Homer, Alaska has so many fun things to do besides being the Halibut Capital of the World. From beautiful hiking and beaches to museums and wildlife watching, we’ve put together an easy guide to choosing activities and planning a trip to Homer, AK.
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Visiting Glacier Bay National Park and the town of Gustavus needs to be on everyone’s Alaska bucket list. With so few visitors, this part of the Inside Passage is often overlooked and is actually one of the prettiest places to visit on your own. You can see some of it on a cruise ship, but visiting on land is special with few few people, and that’s why I love Glacier Bay National Park.
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This Alaska itinerary is amazing as you visit Glacier Bay National Park, Homer, Kodiak Island and Katmai National Park. Details for transportation and incredible things to do and wildlife to watch for, including epic bear viewing in Alaska. Download the full itinerary and suggestions for where to stay along the journey.
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Alaska has thousands of glaciers and you can visit lots of them. We’ve put together 25+ Alaska glaciers that you can access by hiking, boats, flightseeing and even driving up to, including tour recommendations to get close to the ice. See what our favorite glaciers in Alaska are and how to add them to your trip.
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Visiting Sitka, Alaska means all kinds of interesting things to do, from the totem pole trail at Sitka National Historical Park to the chance to do cold-water snorkeling. We have great recommendations and an itinerary for spending 1 to 3 days in Sitka, whether you’re traveling independently or as part of a Southeast Alaska cruise.
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They may not be famous, but McCarthy, Kennicott and Wrangell-St Elias National Park are FULL of great things to do and adventures for every age. While everyone knows the image of the iconic Kennecott Mill, did you know that there are glaciers to explore here too? And you can go rafting right from the end of a glacier too! See what activities you can plan for and where to stay when you visit Wrangell-St Elias NP and the Copper Valley.
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Valdez, Alaska is loaded with things to do on the water and outdoors. This beautiful small town on Prince William Sound is full of activities for every energy and skill level, including glacier kayaking, whale watching, hiking and museums. See what we recommend and when is the best time to visit Valdez.
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Doing a road trip in Alaska can be very easy and run of the mill, but this is a unique plan that takes you off the beaten path to some towns that a lot of visitors overlook or just haven’t even heard of. This is a different Alaska summer road trip than most people have done, and it’s an adventure you’ll love to tell people about when you get home. Road trip highlights include McCarthy, Valdez, Copper Center and lots of opportunities for glaciers and whitewater rafting.
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Sailing with the Boat Company is an expedition through the Tongass National Forest and Inside Passage. This luxury experience is part adventure and part activism, as the Boat Company is the only non-profit cruise operator in the world. See what you can expect on board and what sort of daily activities you’ll experience on the Mist Cove (or other ship), including all the fishing you can handle (which is included).
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Do you want to experience Southeast Alaska independently, not on a cruise ship? We’ve got a great 10 day itinerary for seeing Ketchikan, Juneau and Haines vis the Alaska Marine Highway and other methods of transportation. Things to do and budget are included.
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Visiting Anchorage, Alaska in winter might seem crazy but it’s actually tons of fun and absolutely beautiful. See what it’s actually like to travel to Alaska in the winter months, including all of the great things to do in the Anchorage area. It’s an unforgettable trip and worth planning!
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Have you wanted to visit Alaska in the winter but weren’t sure if you should? You SHOULD! We’ve answered all the questions about visiting Alaska in winter from how to pack to where to go, temperature concerns to fun things to do in limited daylight. Check it out and start planning your own amazing Alaska winter trip today!
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If you’re not sure if you should be based out of Juneau or Anchorage for an Alaska trip, we’ve got answers and the simple things to consider to decide where you should make your hub for a great Alaskan adventure. And remember, you can always go back to the other option for a future trip…
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Visiting Haines, Alaska is a totally different sort of trip with lots of things to do and so much wildlife to see. We’ve put together activities and sights enough for at least three days of fun, likely five days and suggestions for how to plan this adventure.
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There are so many things to do in Ketchikan, Alaska than you can fit into a single day from a cruise ship. We have the full scoop on planning a trip specifically to Ketchikan and a great plan to have a fun visit to Southeast Alaska.
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Exploring Alaska’s Inside Passage without a cruise ship is a fun, beautiful adventure that no many people get to experience. See how you can get from port to port on your own, what sights and activities you’ll find, and even a great itinerary for your trip to Southeast Alaska.
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Planning a weekend trip to Seattle is a fun and easy getaway to the Pacific Northwest. We’ve picked our favorite things to do and unique Seattle sights to see, including food and dining recommendations.
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Fairbanks in winter is a trip you have to take with your family or friends. Experiencing the Alaskan cold, the Northern Lights and fall in love with sled dogs is all a part of embracing this awesome winter destination. Try our one-week Fairbanks winter itinerary for a complete experience.
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This two week Alaska itinerary is great for visiting the National Parks, Homer, Seward, Anchorage, Palmer and Fairbanks. See the things to do, hiking spots and great tours for an epic Alaskan road trip.
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Travel to Alaska takes some planning, so we’ve put together our best tips for packing, making an itinerary and being prepared for all sorts of weather. From when to visit Alaska to that sweet spot between seasons, see everything you need to know for a visit to AK.
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This 7 day Alaska itinerary is perfect for seeing epic wildlife, national parks and enjoying some of the most beautiful hikes around. From Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula and Denali National Park, this Alaska road trip will show you amazing sights and experiences.
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The Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge is a great home base for enjoying the town of Talkeetna, exploring Denali State Park and having an adventure in the Alaska wild. See what the lodge is like and what things to do you’ll find in the Talkeetna area of Alaska.
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Visiting Juneau from a cruise ship or on your own is a great way to experience Southeast Alaska. Take a look at all the great things to do downtown and around Juneau to immerse yourself in nature and the Native Alaskan culture.
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The Seward Windsong Lodge is THE place to stay for experiencing Kenai Fjords National Park and the best of Seward, Alaska. From comfortable Alaskan rooms to really good dining at the lodge, it’s a top pick for where to stay in Seward.
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The wildlife in Kenai Fjords National Park is precisely why people make the journey to Alaska. From humpback whales and sea otters to moose and porcupines, these are the best tips for what wildlife to watch for and how to get the best photos during your visit to the Kenai Peninsula.
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Visiting Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska should be on everyone’s wildlife adventure bucket list. From amazing humpback whales and orcas to watching glaciers calve off into the fjords, it’s incredible. Guide to boat tours, hiking and planning Kenai Fjords NP.
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The UnCruise Wilderness Legacy is an amazing way to do an family Alaska cruise. Engaging kids in nature and taking in astounding wildlife and views, this small ship cruise on the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay National Park is unique and unforgettable.
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Olympic National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Washington State and a little tricky to visit. Our guide to hiking, beaches and where to stay at Olympic NP will help you plan a unique, memorable visit to this gem of a place.
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