If you’re looking to get the most out of your summer, then one of the best hotels in Alaska is the place for you. Since it is so far north of the equator, it never gets fully dark during the summer. The further north you go, the more sun you’ll get, even at midnight. This means vacation activities are not limited by the time of day. The U.S.’s largest state boasts 57.5 million acres of wilderness to explore, but with some exciting city life as well. The population of the entire state is only 710,000, but almost 40 percent of Alaskans live in or around Anchorage.
Best Hotels in Alaska
The city is the place to spend your nights and enjoy a bit of civilization. Just be sure to book your Anchorage hotels early, as summer is the most popular tourist season. The Copper Whale Inn is an excellent choice for visitors looking for a more quaint, cottage feel. It is situated a brief walk away from Oscar Anderson House Museum and features idyllic landscaped gardens. If you’re looking for a bit more of an upscale experience, try the 4-star rated Hotel Captain Cook located in the heart of downtown Anchorage. Luxury amenities abound in this hotel, featuring 15 retail stores and very spacious rooms.
Alaska has more coastline than the other 49 states combined. One of the more popular activities for those looking for a great workout is paddle boarding. The waves don’t get too high in areas like the Turnagain Arm and it is not far from an assortment of Anchorage hotels. The bore tide is strong in Turnagain which means that people can paddle surf, or paddle board, for quite some time by riding the tide.
You can also go white water rafting in the nearby Matanuska River. During winter, temperatures are too cold for this, but by summer, the 60 to 70 degree weather is warm enough to brave the rapids. The water, however, is still cold even if the weather isn’t. That is only to be expected from a river which starts inside a glacier.
Along the Cook Inlet beaches, a popular post-Memorial Day activity is clamming. On many beaches like Deep Creek, Whiskey Gulch and Clam Gulch digger can take home up to 60 clams a day. This makes for a fresh dinner for campers in the area. All you need is a bucket and a shovel, so it’s a cheap tourist activity as well, but it does take some skill to catch them before they dig into the sand again.
Even though it’s summer, there are still glaciers in Alaska. Visiting one of these rivers of ice is a summertime favorite, since winter is generally too cold to enjoy prolonged outdoor activity. In the warmth and endless daylight of Alaska’s summer, you can pack a picnic and eat next to a glacier at one of Alaska’s many state parks, including Glacier Bay National Park, Wragnell-St. Elias National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park.
No matter what you like, you can find it in Alaska, especially outdoor activities. You don’t have be extremely adventurous to have a good time. From simply hiking and taking in the pristine northern frontier of America, to enjoying a luxurious meal at a fine restaurant and restful stay at the best hotels in Alaska, this may be the summer fun you’re looking for.
