Summer (June to July)Alaska is located so far north that your chances of seeing the northern lights in the summer months are basically zero. If your main goal in visiting Alaska is to see the aurora, be sure to plan your trip several months before or after June 21st (the summer solstice) each year.
Alaska's InteriorRain is less likely during a visit in July and August so waterproof outer wear may not be necessary. A light jacket, scarf or sweater for the evenings is advisable. Pack short-sleeved shirts and shorts for daytime and long-sleeved shirts and pants for later in the day.
1. Alaska Gets Six Months of 24-Hour Sunlight and Darkness. Barrow is one of Alaska's northernmost cities and gets complete darkness for two months out of the year. During the summer, the sun doesn't completely set in Barrow from early May until the end of July.
Below zero in June, snow in JulyAlaska can be a cold place in summer. Snow has fallen in Alaska at lower elevations in every month of summer.
In Anchorage, all days between June 8 and July 5 have 24 hours of daylight or civil twilight. Fairbanks has more than 70 days with 24 hours of daylight or civil twilight.
Put it all together, and we peg June 15 - July 15 as the best time to visit Alaska. It's then you'll find the best weather, the most daylight, and the accessibility of summer activities Alaska is known for (like wildlife viewing, hiking, and glacier tours).
Over 500 humpback whales make Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage their home during the months of summer in the land of the midnight sun. Best Time To See Blue Whales: Blue whales can best be seen in the northern and eastern portion of the Gulf of Alaska in July and August.
Daily high temperatures are around 67°F, rarely falling below 60°F or exceeding 75°F. The highest daily average high temperature is 68°F on July 20.
Anchorage, mainly because it has more interesting scenery and walking trails, and it also gives you quite a few more options since it is 10 times the size of Fairbanks. Fairbanks pleasantly surprised me though, and if you're into touristy things, it does have enough to fill a day.
But it's much easier to get a view of Russia view by heading out into the Bering Strait to one of America's weirdest destinations: Little Diomede Island.
Crime in the U.S. state of Alaska is exceptionally high and is present in various forms. Crime rates in Alaska are among the highest in the U.S.
As the 49th State, U.S. residents don't need a passport to go to Alaska, but as of October 1, 2020, you will need a REAL ID. REAL ID compliant identification includes a state-issued REAL ID, U.S. Passport, military ID, or other form of compliant ID.
“When it comes to wildlife, Alaska is famous for salmon, moose, caribou, bears, whales, bison, puffins, jellyfish, etc. When it comes to scenery, Alaska is famous for glaciers and fjords, mountains, and more lakes, rivers, and waterways than one could dream of.
The best time to visit Alaska is between mid-June and mid-September. The warmer weather and long days make this a particularly pleasant time of year, with temperatures around the mid-to-late teens.
There are more active glaciers and ice fields in Alaska than in the rest of the inhabited world. The largest glacier is the Malaspina at 850 square miles. Five percent of the state, or 29,000 square miles, is covered by glaciers.
Unspoiled Alaska: The 7 Most Beautiful Places to Visit
- Denali National Park. First view Denali, North America's tallest peak, from Wonder Lake, where The High One is jaggedly reflected in the still waters.
- Katmai National Park and Preserve.
- Matanuska Glacier.
- Kodiak Island.
- Tatshenshini-Alsek River.
- Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.
- Wrangell St.
The northern lights occur all four seasons of the year, although they are harder to see under the Midnight Sun. The Interior (especially Fairbanks) and Far North regions are considered the best in Alaska for northern lights viewing, although the aurora can be spotted anywhere in Alaska.
Is it expensive to live in Alaska? Yes, overall Alaska is one of the more expensive states to live in in the entire United States of America. Due to our location, and the necessity of shipping or flying everything in, our costs of goods and services is much higher than the average state.
The cabins are managed by a variety of public agencies, and most cost about $30 to $75 per night; a few are even free.
A typical 7-day Alaska vacation costs around $3000 per person—a little over $400 per day.
| Per Person Double Occupancy | Cruise | Independent Land Tours |
|---|
| Meals | | $300 - $500 |
| Excursions | $800 - $1200 (5 excursions) | $1000 - $1500 (7 excursions) |
| Total | $2000 - $4200 | $2400 - $4000 |
Cost of Living in Anchorage
| Restaurants | Edit |
|---|
| Milk (regular), (1 gallon) | 3.87$ |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | 3.57$ |
| Rice (white), (1 lb) | 3.14$ |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 3.08$ |
When is Northern Lights season? There is no official season since the Northern Lights are almost always present, day and night. Caused by charged particles from the sun hitting atoms in Earth's atmosphere and releasing photons, it's a process that happens constantly.
Best Time to See the Northern Lights in AlaskaAlaska's northern lights season is between mid-September and late April, peaking in March, though it's a season defined more by its long, dark nights than by solar activity.
Yes, you can see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, from Anchorage - but not in the summer. The aurora actually occurs all year long, but the sky needs to be clear and dark to see it. Views are best from September to April. Winter is the prime viewing time.
IMO Anchorage is well worth a day or two. There are a ton of really great activities: hiking, museums, fishing, dining, arts/crafts, scenery all within the city.
Because Juneau is smaller (just under 33,000 residents, compared to Anchorage's 300,000), it's pretty obvious when a cruise ship (or two or three) full of passengers gets to town. The number of visitors can be overwhelming. Anchorage, on the other hand, is bigger and can absorb visitors without oversaturating.
#4 Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is also its least safe. The city's violent crime rate of 13.10 per 1,000 is over 3 times higher than the national rate, and its property crime rate of 49.28 per 1,000 is over twice as high as national levels.
Kincaid Park, Potter Marsh and the Chugach Mountains are all good bets for sightings. Moose tend to be most active in the morning and evening hours, sitting out the warmest part of the day in shady, forested areas. Keep a sharp eye out, you might spot one on even driving around during a sightseeing tour.
15 Amazing and Free things to Do in Anchorage
- Alaska Public Lands Information Center. Start your camping or fishing trip off right with a visit to the Alaska Public Lands Information Center.
- Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.
- Campbell Creek Science Center.
- Ship Creek salmon viewing.
- Disc golf.
- Alaska Trooper Museum.
- Anchorage Museum.
- Music in the Park.
- Reindeer Sausage. Native Alaskans have preserved game meats for decades.
- Anything Salmon. With such an abundance of wild salmon, it's not hard to see why the pink fish makes the list of quintessential Alaskan dishes.
- Kaladi Brothers Coffee.
- Fish and Chips.
- Berry Cobbler.
- King Crab Legs.
Best things to do at night in Anchorage, AK
- Anchorage Museum. 2.7 mi. 178 reviews.
- Anchorage City Limits Music Cafe. 3.0 mi. 4 reviews.
- Koot's. 1.9 mi. 122 reviews.
- Century 16 and XD. 0.9 mi. 70 reviews.
- Alaska Native Heritage Center. 6.4 mi. 60 reviews.
- Regal Tikahtnu IMAX & RPX. 5.5 mi. 78 reviews.
- Dave & Buster's. 2.3 mi. 129 reviews.
- Shockwave Trampoline Park. 3.3 mi. 14 reviews.
