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IS THERE A WAY TO SEE EVERYTHING? CROSS GULF CRUISE Sailing through wild nature while enjoying the luxuries of a modern ship is an unforgettable way to explore Alaska. Most cruises go up the Inside Passage, and some sail across the Gulf of Alaska to Seward or Whittier. Along the way, they stop in ports like Ketchikan, the Salmon Capital of the World; Sitka, former capital of Russian America; Juneau, the historic state capital; Icy Strait, neighbor to the largest Tlingit village in Alaska; and Skagway, a charming waterfront town. Travelers customize their trips with excursions that suit their styles, from hiking in Tongass National Forest, sampling fresh seafood (or fishing for it!), ziplining above the rainforest, to flying out to see wildlife in their habitats. These cruises generally last about seven days, but many travelers maximize their vacations with a land tour before or after. THE GREAT CIRCLE DRIVE Rent a car or RV to explore Alaska at your own pace. Start in Anchorage, and head north to Talkeetna. This quaint town — some say it was the inspiration for Northern Exposure — is a starting point for Denali mountaineers. From here, visit Denali National Park and Preserve for a guided wilderness tour. Continue north toward Fairbanks and explore the town before taking a day trip to the Arctic Circle. On dark nights, look up: this is prime aurora-spotting territory. Begin your return trip by driving toward Delta Junction, Copper Center, and the awe-inspiring Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. Here, visit Kennicott and McCarthy. This early 1900s copper mining town has been partially restored and is fascinating to explore. Wrap up with a trip to Valdez, where you can catch the Alaska Marine Highway ferry to Whittier and a quick return to Anchorage. ALASKA WILDLIFE ADVENTURE From Anchorage, rent a car and head south to Seward. Take your time: stop to have lunch in Girdwood, fish in Cooper Landing, or explore the trails near Exit Glacier along the way. On a half-day glacier and wildlife viewing cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park, look for whales, otters, Steller sea lions and puffins. From Seward, drive west and south to Homer, a quirky town that's called the Halibut fishing capital of the world. Make the most of the trip – stop in Cooper Landing or Soldotna to fish the legendary Kenai River, or just to have lunch with a gorgeous water view. Take your car on the ferry to Alaska's garden island of Kodiak and explore the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, or book a flightseeing tour to Katmai National Park & Preserve, to watch the world-famous coastal brown bears in their natural habitat. Book ahead for a return seat on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry, or to save time, fly from Kodiak to Anchorage instead. The short answer is no. But you can get a pretty good introduction to the state with one of these popular trips. You can find dozens more itineraries at TravelAlaska.com/Trips