Alaska Discovery: Denali, Glacier Bay & a Holland America Cruise

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Explore Fairbanks and Denali National Park

This is Denali (formerly officially known as Mount McKinley), the highest mountain peak in North America.

The journey begins in Fairbanks, where travelers board the historic Sternwheeler Discovery. Part river cruise, part introduction to life in Alaska's Interior, it's the kind of experience that immediately grounds you in the place you're visiting.

From there, the landscape gets bigger.

In Denali National Park, the focus shifts from people to wilderness. This is where the Alaska many travelers imagine suddenly becomes real: sweeping tundra, distant peaks, and the possibility of spotting wildlife in their natural habitat. Unlike a zoo or scenic overlook, Denali asks you to slow down and pay attention.

Ride the Alaska Railroad from Denali to Talkeetna

This image captures the Denali Star Train, which is the flagship passenger train of the Alaska Railroad.

Every Alaska trip has a few standout moments. On this one, the luxury domed rail journey from Denali to Talkeetna is a strong contender.

There's no rush to get from point A to point B. Instead, you're watching rivers, forests, and mountain scenery roll past from glass-ceiling railcars while expert guides share insight into the landscapes outside your window. It's transportation, sure. But it's also one of the best sightseeing days of the trip.

And then there's Talkeetna itself — a small town with outsized Alaska character and iconic views of Denali.

Discover Alaska's Coast on a 7-Night Holland America Cruise

This image shows a premium Vista-class cruise ship. It is pictured here navigating through the icy waters of a tidal glacier destination in Alaska (such as Glacier Bay National Park or the Hubbard Glacier), surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains.

Just when you think you've figured Alaska out, the tour shifts from interior wilderness to the coast.

Board a 7-night Holland America cruise and spend the next week experiencing Alaska from the water. Sail past Hubbard Glacier. Cruise through Glacier Bay National Park. Explore the Gold Rush town of Skagway, Alaska's capital city of Juneau, and Ketchikan, known for its fishing heritage and colorful waterfront. Then settle into the Inside Passage, where forested islands, dramatic shorelines, and wildlife sightings become part of daily life onboard.

The Best Way to Experience Alaska by Land, Rail, River, and Sea

Whether you’re seeing Alaska from a sternwheeler, a national park road, a domed railcar, or the deck of a cruise ship, each experience adds another layer to the story. And maybe that's the best way to celebrate a milestone year in America: not by revisiting what you already know, but by exploring one of the country's most extraordinary places from every angle.