Alaska’s glaciers are among the most breathtaking sights on Earth. Picture this: towering walls of ancient ice with massive chunks calving into the sea with a thunderous crash. There’s Margerie Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park that’s 21 miles long and famous for its bright blue color or the Hubbard Glacier in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park that’s 76 miles long. If you haven’t gotten your fill of ice from the glaciers, don’t miss the sprawling ice fields. Ice fields such as the expansive Harding Icefield provide a dramatic backdrop of shimmering blue ice stretching as far as the eye can see.

Give yourself a front row seat to the best glacier views with a kayak tour from Princess. You’ll sit at the base of the glacier with the best spot in the house for calving and spotting seals on the icebergs.

Alaska is home to the tallest peak in North America: Denali, towering at 20,310 feet. Surrounded by Denali National Park, the mountain is a magnet for hikers, climbers and photographers looking for some of the best views in the state. If you’re looking for more mountains, Alaska is home to 17 of the 20 tallest peaks in the U.S., so it’s a dream destination for mountain lovers. 

See the mountains the way they’re meant to be seen with a Denali heli-hiking experience that lets you scale Denali and see the mountain range from above. You’ll be soaring over breathtaking valleys and hiking through lush green brush with your expert Princess guide.

It’s probably already on your bucket list, and Alaska can help make your dream come true. The aurora borealis, or northern lights, often dances across the Alaska skies in magical greens, purples, blues and reds. To increase your odds of seeing the aurora, head to Fairbanks and other interior regions during the fall and winter months — and don’t forget to pack warm clothes for your nighttime adventure. 

Stay warm and cozy in a comfortable yurt while seeing the best show the north has to offer on a Princess tour. You’ll have a perfect view of the northern horizon, and your guides will handle all the logistics of tracking the lights for you.

Alaska’s coastal waters are alive with some of the most fascinating marine life in the world. Humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, harbor seals and playful sea otters are commonly seen throughout the Inside Passage, especially during peak whale-watching season from late spring through early fall. 

Head out on a Princess excursion from Juneau and get ready to see whales popping up in the water all around you. About 65 humpbacks and orcas head to this nutrient-rich bay every summer in such numbers that sightings are guaranteed during peak season.

Brown bears fishing in rivers, black bears roaming forested trails and elusive polar bears in the Arctic north are among the state’s most iconic residents. Plus you have roaming moose and caribou, often spotted near lakes, valleys and open tundra. Then there are also the Dall sheep — white mountainous sheep with massive horns that Denali National Park helps protect. 

Want to see the great land animals of Alaska up close but safely? Head out on a Princess wildlife safari where we’ll take you out to look for bears, seals, moose and more.

For birdwatchers, Alaska is a paradise. The state hosts more than 500 bird species, including the colorful puffin and the powerful bald eagle, which is especially common in coastal regions. You’ve got seabird colonies on cliffs and islands and warblers, sparrows, flycatchers and jays in the forests. Make finding the best birds of Alaska easy by going on a bird watching tour with Princess. We’ll help you look for gulls, ducks, seabirds, ravens, eagles, jays, woodpeckers and more.

Alaska’s vast wilderness is a haven for hikers and nature lovers. Wherever you go in Alaska, the trails are well worth your time. For example, hike four to six miles to Mendenhall Glacier with Princess, and you’ll wind through a temperate rainforest, pass cascading waterfalls, cross flowering meadows and finish at a stunning blue glacier. Or head out into the wilderness on a trek with a Princess guide across private Native American-owned lands where you’ll climb a peak — keep your eyes peeled for whales breaching in the distance. You might also see brown bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles.

One of the best ways to see Alaska is to get on the water, whether it’s a lake, river or the sea. Head out on a tandem kayak to see lush green Tongass National Forest — the largest national forest in the country — and maybe spot a few bald eagles diving for their lunch. Or hop aboard an ocean raft to get a one-of-a-kind view of the Lynn Canal, which is the deepest and longest fjord in North America. You’ll see waterfalls and hidden coves — and keep your camera ready because you might catch a glimpse of seals, whales, sea lions, eagles, sea birds and mountain goats.

Dog mushing is Alaska’s official state sport and a beloved tradition that you can get a glimpse of, even in the summer. Visit the Musher's Camp ™ for a summer ride through the forest pulled by Alaska Huskies, some of whom have competed in world-renowned races like the Iditarod and Yukon Quest. Or if you’re feeling really adventurous, you’ll love dog sledding on top of the famous Mendenhall Glacier with stunning views of the ice all around you.

Alaska is a paradise for seafood lovers, with wild-caught salmon, flaky halibut and succulent king crab to enjoy. Whether grilled, smoked, or served in chowder, these delicacies reflect the bounty of Alaska’s cold, pristine waters. You don’t have to leave your cruise ship to taste fresh Alaska seafood either! Princess Cruises offers top-tier cuisine onboard where you can try herb crusted salmon, lemon drizzled scallops and creamy clam chowder from Alaska.

Beyond seafood, Alaska offers a variety of distinctive flavors and dishes to try. You won’t want to miss the legendary reindeer sausage, which is made out of reindeer meat. It’s a restaurant favorite and a great street food delicacy. Don’t forget to try sweet birch syrup, tapped from native trees, or the wide array of wild berries like salmonberries, blueberries and cloudberries.