My husband was born and raised in Alaska and a lot of his family still lives there, so this one is personal. I have been twice to visit them, in May 2010 and March 2019, and in 2026 I sailed the Inside Passage.
This guide covers when to go, whether to cruise or do a land trip, the places worth knowing and how I would plan a first trip.
Alaska at a glance
- Main season
- Mid-May to mid-September
- Warmest, longest days
- June and July
- Northern lights
- Late August to April, best around Fairbanks
- Cruises sail from
- Seattle, Vancouver, Seward or Whittier
- First trip
- A 7-night cruise, plus 3 to 5 nights on land if you can
- Great for
- Families, couples, multigenerational trips, wildlife lovers
What Alaska is like
Alaska is huge, and most first trips cover two very different parts of it. Southeast Alaska is the Inside Passage: small coastal towns, glaciers, forests and fjords, most of it only reachable by boat or plane. Juneau, the state capital, has no road connecting it to the rest of the country.
Southcentral and the Interior are the road and railroad side: Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula, Talkeetna and Denali. A cruise is the easiest way to see the Inside Passage, a land trip is how you see Denali and the Kenai, and a lot of people do both.
Why I know Alaska
Cindi Sanden, owner of Awaken Travels
I have visited my husband's family in Alaska twice, first in May 2010 and again in March 2019. The March trip was 10 days in Anchorage, Girdwood and Talkeetna, where I took a plane trip and went snow machining. When my husband first said he wanted to go to Alaska in the winter I was not a fan of the plan. But I have to say I had an amazing time. I have also been to Seward.
In 2026 I sailed the Inside Passage round trip from Seattle. The route took us to Ketchikan, Juneau, Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Wrangell and Victoria, BC, and I made it ashore in every port.
Having family there also means I know people on the ground who help me find good local guides.
- Alaska Certified Expert (ACE), Gold, Travel Alaska
- Anchorage Wild Expert, Visit Anchorage
When to go
Summer: mid-May to mid-September
The main season, when the cruise ships sail and most tours, lodges and train routes run. June and July have the longest days and the warmest weather, and they book up first.
May and September
The shoulder months, with fewer people and cooler days. May is usually drier. September brings fall color and more rain.
Winter
Winter is for the northern lights, snow machining and dog sledding. Aurora season in Fairbanks runs from late August to late April. The days are short and a lot of summer tours are closed, but if you dress for it, it is a completely different trip.
One thing people don't expect: you won't see the northern lights on a summer cruise. The nights are too bright.
Cruise, land or both
Inside Passage cruise
Glaciers and small coastal towns without packing and unpacking. Round trips from Seattle or Vancouver are the simplest. Only a limited number of ships can enter Glacier Bay each day, so if it matters to you, check the itinerary before you book.
Best for: First-timers, families and multigenerational groups.
One-way Gulf of Alaska cruise
Sails between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier, near Anchorage. It sets you up to add land days on the Alaska end.
Best for: Anyone who wants to see Denali too.
Land trip or cruisetour
Anchorage, Seward and Kenai Fjords, Girdwood, Talkeetna and Denali, by car, by train or as a cruise and land package. The Alaska Railroad connects Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks.
Best for: Wildlife lovers and travelers with 10 days or more.
Places worth knowing
Ketchikan
Totem poles, Creek Street and the gateway to Misty Fjords.
Juneau
The capital, with Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching and the Goldbelt Tram up Mount Roberts.
Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier
Scenic cruising days in front of huge tidewater glaciers.
Sitka
Tlingit and Russian history, and sea otters in the sound.
Icy Strait Point
A Native-owned port near Hoonah, known for whale watching.
Seward
Boat tours into Kenai Fjords National Park for glaciers and wildlife.
Talkeetna
A small town that is the jumping-off point for flightseeing around Denali.
Denali
The national park, with bus tours into the park for wildlife and mountain views.
How I would plan a first trip
For most first-timers I would start with the Inside Passage and add land if there is time:
- 1A 7-night Inside Passage cruise is the easiest first trip.
- 2With more time, add 3 to 5 nights on land: Anchorage, Seward for a Kenai Fjords boat tour, and Talkeetna or Denali.
- 3Pick a ship and route that includes Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier if glaciers are the main reason you are going.
Two tips
- Book the excursions you care about early. The small-group tours in each port fill up in summer.
- Pack layers and a real rain jacket. The weather can change fast, even in July.
Common Alaska questions
What is the best month to go to Alaska?
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June and July for the warmest weather and longest days. May and September for fewer crowds.
Is it better to cruise or do a land trip in Alaska?
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A cruise is the easiest way to see glaciers and the Inside Passage towns. A land trip is how you see Denali and the Kenai Peninsula. If you have 10 days or more, do both.
Can you see the northern lights on an Alaska cruise?
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Not usually. Cruise season is in the summer, when the nights are too bright. For the northern lights, plan a trip between late August and April, ideally around Fairbanks.
How many days do you need in Alaska?
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Seven days covers a cruise. Ten to fourteen days lets you add a real land portion.
How do I get to an Alaska cruise from Chattanooga?
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You will fly to Seattle, Vancouver or Anchorage, usually with one connection. I plan for you to arrive the day before the ship sails, so a late flight doesn't cost you the cruise.
Is there an Alaska travel agent near Chattanooga?
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Yes. Awaken Travels is based in Soddy-Daisy, just north of Chattanooga, and I am an Alaska Certified Expert (Gold). My husband was born and raised in Alaska, and in 2026 I sailed the Inside Passage round trip from Seattle.