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Top 5 things to do in the state of Alaska
The Alaskan tourism industry is worth more than $949 million a year, making it the state’s second largest private industry. For good reason, a multitude of tourists enter the state of Alaska each year to enjoy the breathtaking beauty and unique experiences that only this state can offer. So what do these people find to do in the state of Alaska that can’t be done anywhere else in the world? Here is a list of the top five Alaskan attractions:
•Glaciers. Much of the Alaskan terrain consists of gorgeous, formidable glaciers and ice fields which cover over 5% of Alaska’s land surface. This natural beauty can be seen from many top tourist destinations of Alaska including Juneau, Valdez, Seward, Anchorage and the Matanuska Valley, or can be reached by helicopter, bus or foot.
• The Inside Passage. Since many of the most beautiful Alaskan destinations are accessible only by boat, cruises to these destinations have become very popular. Between the Alaskan mainland and its islands, lies an intriguing waterway best known as the inside passage. From the waterway of the passage, one can look upon some of the most magnificent natural scenery to be found such as coastal rainforests, deep blue fjords and tidewater glaciers. Also to be found in the passage are numerous species of wildlife including humpback whales, sea lions and seabirds.
• Native arts and culture. Throughout the state of Alaska, there are numerous native cultural attractions including museums, heritage centers and the annual Eskimo Olympics.
• Wildlife. No matter which part of Alaska you visit, you are bound to see an abundant and diverse selection of wildlife. The most frequently seen animals in Alaska are Moose, bear, mountain goat and caribou. If you take one of the many cruises offered, you may even have the opportunity to see humpback whales, dolphins, sea otters, and seals. Alaska also has an abundant variety of birdlife including bald eagles, hawks, owls, songbirds and waterfowl.
• Mining towns and Historic Sites. Alaskan history is rich with stories of gold strikes and gold rushes. In fact, many of the Alaskan civilizations that can be visited today sprang up as a result of gold fever. Some of these towns have been left much the same way that they were in the height of their glory and have proven to be very popular tourist destinations. In these towns, visitors learn about golden history of the mines that supported the towns and are sometimes given the opportunity to pan for gold themselves.
So which of these top Alaskan destinations is your favorite? Don’t worry if you can’t pick just one. With seemingly endless daylight during an Alaskan summer, you can find the time to do all of them.
Alaska glacier cruises.
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