Alaska

Alaska is the bucket-list summer trip: tidewater glaciers, Denali, whales and bears, and a light that lasts almost all night in June. There are two great ways to do it — a cruise up the Inside Passage (the easiest, most scenic first-timer option) or a land trip flying into Anchorage and driving to Seward, Denali, and the Kenai.

Getting there from Hawaiʻi

In summer, there’s often seasonal nonstop service between Honolulu and Anchorage (ANC) on Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines — about 6 hours. Outside the summer window you’ll connect (usually through Seattle). Many visitors fly into Anchorage and cruise out, or cruise from a West Coast port and fly home — compare both flights and cruises:

When to go

• Summer (mid-May–early September) is the season — long daylight, open roads, wildlife, and nearly all the cruises and tours run then.
• June–July is peak (warmest, busiest, priciest); May and September are shoulder — fewer crowds, better deals, still gorgeous.
• Winter is a different trip entirely — northern lights and snow, but most tours and cruises are closed; go only if the aurora is the goal.

What to do

• Glaciers — a day cruise out of Seward (Kenai Fjords) or Whittier gets you right up to calving tidewater glaciers and sea otters.
• Denali — the national park and the mountain itself; take the park bus and watch for bears, moose, and caribou.
• Wildlife & water — whale watching, salmon fishing, and bear viewing are the signature Alaska experiences.
• Cruise ports — Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway on the Inside Passage, each with glaciers, hikes, and history.

Getting around

On a cruise, the ship is your hotel and transport — easy and all-in-one. For a land trip, a rental car (or the Alaska Railroad) connects Anchorage, Seward, and Denali; distances are long and gas is spread out, so plan your days and fuel stops.