Alaska is technically one of the 50 US states — but also, compared to the other states, peculiar from a geographical point of view.
Alaska has a strong claim to be one of the most naturally beautiful US states, largely due to its relative lack of urban development.
This has left the area resplendent in pines and plains as well as enough open space for you to enjoy a clear view of them, not to mention cliffs and glaciers.
However, all of this only begins to explain why, if you love the natural world, you ought to pencil in a visit to Alaska.
You can get to Alaska by cruise ship
While there are — of course — many different ways to get to Alaska, one of the most exciting has to be traveling to it on a cruise ship.
The Points Guy says that, when you use this particular method of reaching the state otherwise known as the Last Frontier, “you can travel to Gold Rush towns, glaciers, Alaska Native heritage sites and natural areas brimming with wildlife in comfort, even luxury.”
It would ultimately be up to you which of the many cruise routes to Alaska you choose, but you can get an especially good deal by perusing the available options online.
Keep in mind that Imagine Cruising offers many Silversea cruises to Alaska at attractive prices.
There’s an impressive variety of scenery to admire
This is the case even just in the beautiful Alaskan town of Cordova, which provides awesome sights of snow-covered mountain peaks, large icebergs, and wildlife-rich vistas.
The Travel describes Cordova — which sits between Hawkins Island and Eyak Lake — as “the perfect spot for anyone who wants to feel like they’ve stepped into a beautiful landscape painting.”
Are you fond of hiking?
If so, you will find plenty of opportunities in Alaska to do exactly that. Culture Trip enthuses that, if you hike a glacier here, you will be able to enjoy not only “serious street cred” in the long term but also “some of the most incredible views (and photographs) of your life from your perch at the top, a sea of ice blocks floating all around you.”
Hiking opportunities also abound in many of Alaska’s state parks — including Denali National Park, which has Mount McKinley as its organic centerpiece.
Imagine ascending right to this mountain’s summit so that you can get a spectacular view of the the sun setting or moon rising.
Want to see the Northern Lights?
Alaska is arguably one of the best places in the world to view an aurora — that is, a natural light display in the sky.
However, you ought to be selective about when you attempt to see the Northern Lights during your time in Alaska.
It is advisable that you turn up at some point between September and April, as your best chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska would arise in the midst of winter, when the night darkness lasts for an especially long time before the sun pops up again.