Decide which season you'd like to travel in, and exactly how much time you have. Alaska has Artic temperatures, with relatively short, cool Summers between long, cold Winters. During the Summer, temperatures can be as low as 34F, or 1C, and the lowest recorded Official temperature is -80F, or -62C, in January 1971.
Plan how to travel. The simplest way to get to Alaska is by plane, with regular flights landing at the recently refurbished Ted Steven's Anchorage International Airport. This is the shortest way to travel from most states, with an average flight from New York to Alaska taking nine and a half hours. A more scenic way to travel is by Alaskan ferry. This runs frequently through the Summer months, picking up tourists from Washington and Canada and taking them through the amazing Alaskan scenery. The third method is by train. Usually used for cargo, during the tourist season the train collects passengers from Canada and Skagway and takes them into Alaska.
Create your itinerary. The Denali National Park is a very popular tourist location. It is home to natural wildlife such as grizzly bears, eagles, falcons, lynx, fox, wolverines, coyotes and wolves, alongside Black bears, moose and sheep. There are also fantastic views of Mount McKinley on clear days. Entrance to the park costs $10 per person, or $20 per vehicle, and allows entry for 7 days. The coastal towns are very picturesque, and a short day cruise will allow you to view the water and it's wildlife at it's very best, with regular sightings of whales and sea lions recorded.
Book in advance wherever possible because most activities fill up quite fast. You will also need to book accommodations. The Visit Alaska website (See Resources) offers a list of places to stay, including hotels, cabins and campsites, and has a section dedicated to special offers too. It also has the option to view package deals, which include activities, flights and accommodation, and book these online too. Make sure you have transport, accommodation and activities booked.
Prepare for the trip. Due to the cold and often unpredictable weather, waterproof snowsuits are advisable, as well as comfortable, waterproof shoes. To get good views and photographs of wildlife, binoculars and zoom lenses for your camera are must-haves. An Alaskan map or tour guide can be helpful for suggesting places to visit and eat, and currency. Alaska uses the dollar, but close to Canada you may find most places accept Canadian currency too
