Alaska, a state on the cusp of its own centennial in 34 years, boasts attractions and events reaching their 100-year milestone in 2025, positioning it as one of the best places to travel in the United States. Among these landmark celebrations is the Serum Run, the heroic 1925 sled dog relay from Nenana to Nome, immortalized annually by the iconic Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. This thrilling event draws crowds of visitors and locals alike, lining the 1,000-mile route to witness the prowess of top mushers and their canine teams.
Anchorage, serving as the vibrant starting point for the Iditarod, welcomes the Wildbirch Hotel. This brand-new boutique hotel, Anchorage’s first major lodging in two decades, is set to open in early 2025. With 252 thoughtfully designed rooms and collaborations with local artists, the Wildbirch offers guests unparalleled views of the Iditarod’s exhilarating commencement.
Another Alaskan treasure marking its centennial is the breathtaking Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Established as a national monument in 1925, this park is a sanctuary of towering mountains, dramatic coastlines, and abundant wildlife. Crucially, it is the ancestral homeland of the Huna Tlingit people. In a remarkable collaboration with the National Park Service, the Huna Tlingit are revitalizing suppressed oral histories and cultural traditions. A testament to this is the construction of the Xúnaa Shuká Hít tribal house, the first permanent clan house built on these shores since glacial activity destroyed villages over 250 years ago. The Huna also steward Icy Strait Point, a premier cruise destination in southeast Alaska. In 2025, Icy Strait Point will be a highlight on itineraries like Princess Cruises’ 22-day Ultimate Alaska Solstice voyage, departing from San Francisco in June and maximizing the extended daylight of the summer solstice to explore Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, and College Fjord.
For travelers seeking immersive wildlife encounters, the Native-owned Kodiak Brown Bear Center on Kodiak Island provides exceptional guided bear viewing experiences. Here, in a verdant landscape, small groups observe the world’s largest brown bear subspecies in their natural habitat. The summer of 2025 will see the opening of a new wellness center at KBBC, perched on a scenic bluff. Alongside this, new six-day fly-fishing programs on the Karluk River will be offered. Evenings offer tranquil retreats to wood cabins with lake views, complemented by a communal Banya-style steam bath, known as maqiwik by the Alutiiq people.
Accessibility to Alaska has been significantly enhanced by Alaska Airlines, with the addition of a daily nonstop flight to New York in 2024, complementing existing services to San Diego, Nashville, and Portland, Oregon. This expanded connectivity makes experiencing these Best Places To Travel In The States even more convenient.
Plan Your Alaskan Adventure:
Direct flights to Anchorage are available from numerous cities globally, positioning you perfectly for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race start. From Anchorage, a brief 3-hour and 15-minute flight will transport you to Gustavus Airport (GST), the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. Alternatively, the Alaska State Ferry offers scenic voyages to Gustavus. For a comprehensive Alaskan exploration, consider Princess Cruises’ Ultimate Alaska Solstice voyage, commencing in San Francisco in June.
