Talk about a tall tale! Alaska is home to 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the U.S., making it one heck of a monumental vacation destination.

Alaska is also big — like, really, really big. In fact, it’s bigger than Texas, California and Montana combined, and it boasts about 100,000 glaciers, which cover some 3% of its land area.

The human element here is just as noteworthy: Alaska’s cultural heritage includes 229 federally recognized Indigenous tribes (Indigenous people make up about  20% of the population), and the region's storied history could make even the most disinterested student sit up and take notes. 

So it's no wonder that this heady blend of natural grandeur and cultural richness draws adventurers, history buffs and nature lovers alike to its pine-studded shores. But where to begin? What is the best way to see Alaska for the first time?

In short: a vacation with Princess Cruises. As the #1 Alaska cruise line, Princess serves as a spectacular gateway to the state's most jaw-dropping destinations, offering onboard comforts and luxuries, immersive excursions, and exciting cruisetours to explore even deeper. Here, we highlight 13 of the best places to visit in Alaska for those who have never been.

For your first time in Alaska, why not start big, with one of the tallest mountains in the world? Denali National Park is home to Denali itself (formerly known as Mount McKinley), the highest peak in North America. The surrounding park spans more than 6 million acres, giving wildlife plenty of room to roam — and get photographed. Monumental rocks, expansive tundras, pristine rivers and animals of all shapes and sizes make Denali National Park a fitting microcosm to represent the untamed essence of Alaska.

One of the best ways to experience Denali is through the Primrose Ridge Denali Natural History Tour. This guided Princess® excursion gives you an in-depth look at the park’s landscapes while filling you in on the essential culture and history of the region. As you travel, you'll hear stories from local Indigenous perspectives and get much more than just a glimpse of Denali’s breathtaking scenery — all without the need for strenuous hiking.

Once your day in the park draws to a close, retire to Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge®. Located just a mile from the park's entrance, this retreat is the perfect spot to unwind during a cruisetour. With comfortable accommodations and stunning views, the lodge keeps you immersed in Denali’s majestic surroundings even after your tour ends.

What’s the best place to visit in Alaska? For first-time visitors, Glacier Bay National Park has to be high up on the list. Often considered the crown jewel of the Alaska cruise scene, this park is home to one of nature’s most magnificent ice shows — and you get a front-row seat. Enjoy a deckside view as you sail among and between colossal ice floes, including Margerie Glacier, which stretches 21 miles long. Keep an eye out and you might catch sight of glacial calving as huge chunks of ice break away and plunge down into the blue waters, demonstrating some of nature's most impressive displays of raw power.

But the glaciers aren't the only stars of the show. Glacier Bay is teeming with wildlife, adding a flame of life to the otherwise brisk landscape. During the eight or so hours your ship moves through the bay, keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales, sea otters, bald eagles and more. And if you're lucky, you might even spot a pod of orcas on the hunt. A day in Glacier Bay has the potential to rival any land-based wildlife safari, and it’s all from the comfort of your luxurious Princess® ship.

Kenai Fjords National Park is where Alaska’s wild side truly shines — think: massive glaciers, rugged fjords and diverse marine wildlife. For Princess cruisetour guests, the Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise brings you face-to-ice with this remarkable spectacle. You’ll glide past the sheer cliffs of Resurrection Bay, keeping an eye out for playful sea life and active glacial surfaces ready to break away at a moment’s notice.

After your day at sea, Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge® (which you'll enjoy on one of Princess' award-winning cruisetours) lets you continue your adventure on land. Located in Cooper Landing, this cozy retreat offers excursions like the Explore Historic Seward tour, where you can dive into the history and charm of one of Alaska’s oldest communities before taking a drive up to Exit Glacier or even hitting the ice with an Iditarod dogsled team. Whether you’re cruising the waters or exploring on land, Kenai Fjords and the surrounding areas promise an experience that’s as wild as it is wonderful.

Holding 40% of the state's total population, Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city — and once you experience it for yourself, you’ll understand why so many people have chosen to call it home. Anchorage brings together Alaska’s trademark frontier wilderness and juxtaposes it against the urban backdrop of a modern and bustling city. It's a combination that produces some amazing opportunities for exploring culture, history, wildlife, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing and more — if it’s fun and informative, there’s a good chance you can find it in or around Anchorage.

For Princess guests, Anchorage is the perfect home base for an excursion that explores some of Alaska's most impressive treasures, like the Chugach National Forest and Tony Knowles coastal trail. Don’t miss the Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise — an epic day trip that takes you past dozens of tidewater glaciers — or the Anchorage Trolley Tour, where you can relax and get acquainted with the city's beautiful neighborhoods and lovely scenery. See the city that many consider the cultural heart of Alaska.

Fairbanks is known as the Golden Heart City, and it’s not just because of its rich association with the Klondike Gold Rush — it’s this northern city’s warm and welcoming spirit that makes it shine. For Princess guests, the Fairbanks Highlight Adventure is a must-do. The tour takes you to the city’s most iconic sights, including the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the festive Santa Claus house in North Pole Alaska (because Christmas really should be a year-round thing).

Fairbanks is also a key staging point for other Alaska adventures. Check out the Chena Hot Springs & Ice Museum excursion, where you can admire the world's largest year-round ice environment before taking a dip in natural outdoor hot springs. Make like the gold rush hopefuls of yore as you try your luck panning for gold. Explore the Chena and Tanana rivers aboard a powerful sternwheeler riverboat. Or, fly like an eagle high above the Arctic Circle. See the sites, enjoy the culture and get ready to leave your heart in Fairbanks; this city offers enough of Alaska’s pioneering spirit to captivate any first-time visitor.

Tucked away like a real-life Shangri-La, Juneau is no fairy tale. Nestled between the Gastineau Channel and the Coast Mountains, the city is completely isolated from the North American road system — if you want to get in, you go either by air or by sea. This hasn’t stopped a thriving city from springing up around Juneau’s ports, and today, this urban center is more than just Alaska’s state capital; it’s a hub of adventure. From exploring Mendenhall Glacier to embarking on a thrilling whale-watching tour guided by knowledgeable experts in marine biology, Princess guests have the opportunity to see Juneau in ways that few ever get to.

Want to elevate your experience? The Juneau Tram on Your Own excursion lets you ascend Mount Roberts the easy way, offering a bird’s-eye view of the city and its stunning natural surroundings. Those craving even more excitement can take the fast way down from the Eaglecrest Lodge ski area with the Alaska Zipline & Axe Throwing Adventure. Or, catch your breath with a relaxing tour through Overstreet Park and into the Glacier Garden Rainforest botanical garden.

Formerly a Russian settlement and the capital of Russian America, Sitka is now a picturesque glimpse into Alaska’s storied past and bright future. Located on Baranof Island along the Alaska Panhandle, the destination offers visitors fascinating insights into its culture — a unique blend of Russian and Native Tlingit influences. It's a vibrant tapestry of history and tradition unlike anything you’ll see along the mainland. 

For a fresh perspective of the island, hop on the Sitka Bike & Hike Tour, which lets you explore the rugged Northern landscapes on two wheels. Pedal through lush forests, then hike along Thimbleberry Creek, where a surging waterfall and tranquil lake provide the perfect backdrop for a scenic stop. Afterward, your bike ride continues to Whale Park, a seaside spot where you can spy on the local marine life through powerful viewing scopes. Other Princess excursions in Sitka include opportunities to explore Alaska’s art, food, history and more.

Take a walk on the docks and catch the Ketchikan fever. The “Salmon Capital of the World,” Ketchikan is often the first stop for many Alaska cruises, making it a natural addition to this list. Known for its dynamic Alaska Native culture and unique city design, Ketchikan invites visitors to walk through its past during the Historical Ketchikan & Creek Street Walking Tour. This guided trek takes you along Creek Street, a former red-light district turned charming boardwalk, allowing you to stroll, dine and shop above the rushing, fish-filled waters below.

As you explore, your guide will share tales of Ketchikan’s colorful past, from its days as a bustling fishing hub to some of its more notorious history. Keep an eye out for the salmon running upstream and eagles perched high above.

Haines, with its spiderweb of fjords and vast wilderness, is an adventurer's dream. The Best of Haines Highlights excursion introduces you to the town’s storied past at Fort Seward, a site rich with military history from the days when the whole world flocked to Alaska for the chance to find gold. Your journey then leads you to the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, where you’ll witness the world’s largest gathering of bald eagles in their natural environment. Haines’ ethereal scenery and incredible wildlife encounters make it an unforgettable stop.

When you visit Katmai National Park, you’ll bear-ly be able to contain your excitement! This is because Katmai is a wilderness haven where bear-watching dreams come true. The Katmai National Park Cruisetour offers a deep dive into the heart of one of Alaska’s premier wildlife conservation areas. Along the way, you’ll witness bears living their best lives in their natural habitat — just the thing to help your first trip to Alaska stay with you forever.

Wrangell-St. Elias is a colossal wilderness area and the largest national park in the U.S. Here, unstoppable glaciers grind up against unyielding mountains in a contest of opposing forces that has the power to reshape the continent. Overlooking this astounding landscape is Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge®. From here, you can embark on excursions like the Kennicott Explorer Tour, which takes you deep into the history of the region’s copper mining days. If exploring the park is your goal, this lodge is the perfect base camp.

Beautiful, remote and immersed in Alaska’s culture, Talkeetna is an exciting launchpad for countless adventures into the shadow of Denali, but it's also worth a visit in its own right. Princess guests staying at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge® can easily shuttle into Talkeetna, a lively town with deep roots in Alaska mountaineering. From there, the Talkeetna River Float Trip offers a tranquil way to enjoy the awesome scenery — drift along serene waters while soaking in spectacular views of Denali and the surrounding wilderness.

Cruise ships making their way along Alaska’s southern coast have long used the Inside Passage as a protected waterway to shield them from the rough open seas. But as ships thread their way between islands and fjords, the pristine views of Alaska’s coastline make this area as much a destination as a route. All Princess Alaska cruises sail this iconic passage, treating guests to unmatched views of icy glaciers, misty forests and inquisitive marine life. It’s a serene and sublime journey, where whale sightings and glacier views are part of the everyday magic.

The locations we listed here are only the beginning. Alaska is boundless; it offers so much more. Ready to experience the beauty of the Great Land for the first time? There's no better way than with Princess Cruises. Sail through eye-opening landscapes, witness incredible wildlife and visit iconic destinations like Glacier Bay and Denali national parks — all from the comfort of an incredible Princess ship. Book your Alaska cruise or cruisetour today and embark on a trip that will stay with you for a lifetime!

And don’t forget the essentials: Be prepared for your first Alaska cruise experience with this Alaska cruise packing list.