Destination Alaska

Planning to visit Denali National Park in 2026? This is my favorite national park, and there are some exciting and important updates to know this year. Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Amber, Public Affairs Officer in Denali, to discuss what visitors need to know and updates for visitors this coming year. 🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Denali: Denali NPS (offi...

Planning to visit Sitka, Alaska, in 2026? Whether you're planning to spend time there on an Alaska cruise or are planning an independent trip to do it on your own, there are some exciting and important updates to know this year. Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Sherry, who used to work at Visit Sitka, to discuss what visitors need to know and updates for visitors this coming year. 🗞️ Here ar...

Planning to visit Homer, Alaska, in 2026? This is one of many Alaskans' favorite places to visit in-state, and you're about to see why! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Silas, Marketing Director at Visit Homer, to discuss what visitors need to know and updates for visitors this coming year. 🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Whittier: Visit Homer (official site) V...

Planning to visit Wrangell, Alaska, in 2026? Not to be confused with Wrangell-St. Elias in Southcentral Alaska, this Southeast Alaskan community has the best of the region in one small, almost entirely crowd-free place. Join me as I sit down (virtually) with JR, Marketing & Community Development Coordinator with Travel Wrangell , and Jillian, local radio host and community member, to discuss w...

Planning to visit Whittier, Alaska, in 2026? Prince William Sound is waiting – but you wanna watch this first, I promise! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Kelly, president of the Whittier Chamber of Commerce and co-owner of Whittier-based Lazy Otter Charters to discuss what visitors need to know and updates for visitors this coming year. We also specifically discuss two important development...

So you wanna visit Valdez, Alaska, in 2026? Looking to escape the crowds – or maybe you're on one of the few, lucky cruise ships that will make port there this year? Whatever the reason, this video is essential info for traveling to Valdez this year. Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Faith from Discover Valdez to discuss what visitors need to know and updates for visitors this coming year. In...

Want to visit Unalaska or Dutch Harbor, in 2026 – or, well, ever?! This one's for you! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Katherine from the Unalaska Visitors Bureau to discuss everything you need to know to visit, including how to get there, main attractions and experiences, and much, much more! 🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Unalaska:  Unalaska Visitors Bureau...

Want to visit Talkeetna, Alaska, in 2026? This tiny community has something for everyone – not the least of which are insanely good views of Denali! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Marne from the Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce to discuss what visitors need to know to plan a visit – and what you need to know specifically about visiting Talkeetna this year. 🗞️ Here are some extra resources to...

Want to visit Skagway, Alaska, in 2026? This Southeast Alaska community has something for everyone, from history and culture to hand-crafted spirits and adventure. Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Wendy from Explore Skagway  to discuss what visitors need to know to plan a visit – and what you need to know specifically about visiting Skagway this year. 🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help...

So you wanna visit Seward, Alaska, in 2026? Or maybe you're starting or ending an Alaska cruise there? Maybe you're ticking off national parks and it's finally time for Kenai Fjords? Whatever the reason, this video is essential for travel this year. Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Liz from Visit Seward to discuss what visitors need to know and updates for visitors this coming year. 🗞️ Here...

Planning to visit Palmer in 2026 as part of an Alaska trip? You're gonna want to listen to this first! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Dylainie from Visit Palmer to discuss visiting this Alaskan community and what you need to know specifically for visiting this year. 🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to The Mat-Su: Visit Palmer (official website) Palmer Museum of H...

Want to visit Nome, Alaska, in 2026? Look at you, big explorer!! In this year's video, I provide a short introduction with a few updates about what's new in Nome in 2026, plus my own thoughts and photos after visiting in 2025. Additionally, I'm re-releasing the 2025 video I recorded with Shauntel from the Nome Convention & Visitors Bureau to discuss what visitors need to know to visit and what...

Planning to visit Palmer, Wasilla, Talkeetna, or somewhere else in the Matanuska-Susitna (aka Mat-Su) Valley in 2026 as part of an Alaska trip? You're gonna want to listen to this first! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Justin from The Mat-Su  to discuss visiting this region and what you need to know specifically for visiting this year. 🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your...

Curious about Kake, Alaska, and want to visit someday? This Southeast Alaska community is special; it gives you a look at modern Alaska Native culture that honors its heritage and traditions – and welcomes visitors to learn, engage, and enjoy! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Martha from Kake Tribal Tourism to discuss what visitors need to know to plan a visit to Kake – on your own, or on a...

Want to visit Juneau, Alaska, in 2026? This Southeast Alaska community is the capital – and also an epicenter of culture, cuisine, and much more. Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Kristi from Travel Juneau to discuss what visitors need to know to plan a visit – and a bunch of exciting new developments happening in 2026. 🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Juneau: Tr...

Want to visit Haines, Alaska, in 2026? This Southeast Alaska community is off the beaten path – but well worth a visit if it makes sense in your travel plans! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Reba from Visit Haines to discuss what visitors need to know to plan a visit – and what makes Haines special. (Spoilers: there's a lot!) 🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Ha...

Want to visit Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2026? Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Jerry from Explore Fairbanks  to discuss what visitors need to know and what's new in Fairbanks this coming year. Whether you want to visit in the Midnight Sun, Aurora, or Winter seasons, this video will help you get prepared for an unforgettable adventure in the Golden Heart of Alaska! 🗞️ Here are some extra resource...

Want to visit Anchorage, Alaska, in 2026? Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Jack from Visit Anchorage to discuss what visitors need to know and what's new in Anchorage this coming year, including new things to do, the increasing rise of cultural experiences, hotel updates, and more. 🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Anchorage: Visit Anchorage (official website) Vi...

In this episode, I'll tease some of the exciting new developments in the Alaska Seminar Series for 2026... Give it a quick listen, then go find the destinations you want to visit and listen to those episodes too! If you need help planning your Alaska trip, check out my Alaska trip planning options . Bon voyage!

Planning to visit Alaska in 2026 and want to ride the Alaska Railroad? This iconic train is a bucket list experience for railheads – but it's also a lovely way to explore Alaska! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Robin from The Alaska Railroad to discuss what visitors need to know about the different routes and updates for visitors this coming year. 🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help yo...

Want to visit Unalaska or Dutch Harbor, in 2025 – or, well, ever?! This one's for you! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Katherine & Trevona from the Unalaska Visitors Bureau to discuss everything you need to know to visit, including how to get there, main attractions and experiences, and much, much more! In the Q&A, Katherin & Trevona answer the following questions: What is the o...

Want to discover Denali, in 2025? This one's for you! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Vanessa from Discover Denali to discuss what visitors need to know to visit and what's new this coming year. Discover Denali supports the greater Denali area, including the gateway communities for Denali National Park, and many incredible tour operators that help visitors explore Denali. In the Q&A, Va...

On the heels of the news that President Trump has 'renamed' North America's tallest mountain, join me for a short episode exploring the different chapters and names this mountain has had – and what you should actually call it. Read more in my story: It's Denali. If you have an Alaska travel question you'd like me to address in a future episode, you can reach me at: Valerie & Valise (my blog) V...

Want to visit Nome, Alaska, in 2025? Look at you, big explorer!! Listen as I sit down (virtually) with Shauntel from the Nome Convention & Visitors Bureau to discuss what visitors need to know to visit and what's new this coming year. Nome is way off the beaten tourist track even by Alaska standards, and there are some important considerations when planning your trip – and some truly unique th...

Want to visit Sitka, Alaska, in 2025? Of course you do! It's my favorite city in Alaska; let me show you why... Listen as I sit down (virtually) with Tonia from Visit Sitka to discuss what visitors need to know and what's new in Sitka this coming year. There are some awesome new tours and experiences in Sitka that you'll want to add to your list – along with the popular things to do that you shoul...