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3 Must-See Attractions In Alaska, USA

Tucked away at the top of the continent, Alaska is the 49th US state and one of the most beautiful. Its scenery includes beautiful glaciers, fjords, wild mountain landscapes and plenty of wildlife, including moose, bears, caribou, bison, puffins and whales. In an effort to attract visitors again following the COVID-19 pandemic, Alaska is famously offering free coronavirus vaccines as an enticement. However, this unique state also has plenty if unusual attractions for the visitor, including the Aurora Ice Museum, the Glacier Gardens Rainforest and Kennicott Ghost Town.

1. Aurora Ice Museum, 17600 Chena Hot Springs Rd, Fairbanks

Photo Giant Chess Set by Channel City Camera Club/Flickr

Aurora Ice Museum is the largest year-round ice environment in the world. The museum, located at the Chena Hot Spring Resort, is the creation of champion ice carver, Steve Brice.

The exhibits consist of a winter wonderland of ice sculptures, depicting scenes from the polar region, including entire rooms crafted from ice. Here, visitors can see a giant chess set, igloos, knights jousting on horses, all lit up by ice chandeliers, featuring all the colors of the Aurora Borealis. Everything in the museum’s bar is crafted from ice, including the glasses themselves.

Photo of the Ice Bar by Jeff's Canon/Flickr

Originally, plans were to create an ice hotel, similar to those in Europe. However, it was decided this would be too ambitious, so they scaled it down to a museum. Visitors can enjoy tours throughout the day and thankfully, parkas are provided to keep them warm.

2. Glacier Gardens, 7600 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, Alaska

Photo Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventures/Facebook

On a greener and lusher note, Glacier Gardens in Juneau offer a rainforest adventure to visitors. The gardens were opened in 1998 by local entrepreneurs, Steve and Cindy Bowhay. Located in the heart of the Tongass National Park, Glacier Gardens is an Alaskan botanical garden paradise, where visitors will be taken on a guided tour of the beautifully manicured gardens in covered, rainforest adventure vehicles.

Photo Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventures/Facebook

The tour takes visitors into the old growth rainforest on Thunder Mountain, where panoramic views of Juneau await from 580 ft above sea level. Guests will also enjoy coffee or lunch at the Atrium and Rainforest Cafe to round off their visit.

3. Kennicott Ghost Town, Chitina, Alaska

Photo Forest Service Alaska Region, USDA/Flickr

Originally the world's richest copper mine, Kennicott is now a ghost town. Back in the day, Kennicott was a flourishing town, with shops, businesses, a rail connection and plenty of residents. However, the town was abandoned in 1938 when the copper deposits were mainly gone and the mine was shut down. Since that day, Kennicott has been completely deserted.

Photo Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve/Flickr

The remains of the town are located deep in the heart of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and give visitors a taste of Alaska’s historic mining era. However, a number of the buildings are still in use and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Experience Alaska this summer and enjoy visiting these unique attractions along the way.