MAIN Travel USA Alaska

Way back in 1867, Alaska was under Russian control when it was purchased by the U.S. by Secretary of State William Seward. It was he who arranged for more than $7 million dollars to pay for the huge frozen land mass, ridiculed by the popular press at the time as "Seward's Folly".

It was some 30 years later, however, when the famous Alaskan Gold Rush of 1896 attracted more than 30,000 people to the state to seek their fortune.

Today, Alaska remains a gold mine for tourists, starting with a major summer cruise destination to the Alaska Inside Passage featuring jaw-dropping scenic stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Tracy Arm.

2024 Alaska Travel special events and festivals

Just up ahead, check out our 2024 Alaska travel calender featuring memorable events and major festivals happening on the throughout Alaska this year -- with dates, locations and official links for more information. Happy travels!

Crab is king at the 2024 Kodiak Crab Fest.

May 23 - May 27, 2024 Kodiak Crab Festival Kodiak, AK - It's an entire weekend of crab-o-rama at this annual festival including the big parade on Saturday, along with more than 60 vendors, an art show, kids' activities, and more.

June 16 - June 22, 2024 Nalukataq Whaling Festival
Barrow, AK - This combination spiritual observance and festival includes a polar bear plunge into the icy water of northern Alaska, plus a blanket toss and native dancing.

August 16 - September 2, 2024 Alaska State Fair
Palmer, AK - Get your fill of carnival rides and games, fair food, entertainment, and more.

What else to see in Alaska

Other popular attractions within the 663,000 square mile expanse that is Alaska? They include Denali National Park, (home of Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in America) Wrangell St. Elias National Park (at 13 million acres the largest in the US) and Glacier Bay National Park covering more than 3 million acres.

Alaska is also a haven for adventure travelers, attracted year-round by acres of (so far) unspoiled wilderness and, for the truly adventurous, the annual Iditarod dog sled race in March.

Denalli National Park is home to forest, snowy vistas, and Mt. McKinley, America's highest peak.

also see -> Souvenir Shopping Alaska's Inside Passage

Alaska Wineries & Vineyards

Kid-friendly Anchorage:

For family-friendly attractions in Alaska, nothing beats Anchorage for a wide variety of fun activities.

Head to downtown Anchorage to the Anchorage Imaginarium, an interactive science museum for kids of all ages or, just south of downtown, spend an afternoon at the Alaska Zoo featuring grizzlies, polar bears, moose, and other native wildlife.

For a whole day of fun-till-you-drop activity, also don't miss the H2Oasis Water Park, ("a tropical island in the last frontier") with indoor water rides aplenty and featuring a wave pool and the Master Blaster water coaster.

also see -> Christmas in Alaska

More about Alaska travel around the Web:

TravelAlaska.com - The comprehensive guide to Alaska featuring guides to the state's regions, cities & towns, state parks, with maps and photo gallery, video clips. Also check out the trip planner offering a food and hotel guide, travel tips and kid-friendly attractions.

Alaska State Parks - The complete picture including travel facts, information, history and lore surrounding each of Alaska's expansive public park areas including those on the Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound, Kodiak and more, with cabin rental fees, park admission, safety tips, related links.

Fairbanks Alaska Visitor Information - Local hotel owner offers a nifty guide to the area including news & updates, event calendar, local and nearby attractions, trip planner, budget travel ideas, food and lodging, and don't miss the Fairbanks Live! webcam. Cool.

Travel Juneau.com - What's doing in Juneau with an event calendar, maps & pictures, fun facts, directory of tours, boating & camping facilities, dining and hotels

Explore North - The entire region covered including Alaska, the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Faroe Islands with an extensive directory to lodging & hotels, tours, cruises, history and lore.