An Alaska Honeymoon With Unforgettable Views and Adventures

Planning an Alaska honeymoon offers a unique and unforgettable experience, distinctly different from the typical tropical getaway. The state is big on natural beauty and adventure, making it one of the best honeymoon destinations in North America.

Expect a majestic landscape filled with scenic mountains, expansive glaciers, serene fjords and an abundance of wildlife. Depending on the time of year you visit, your experiences can range from the midnight sun of summer, providing endless daylight for adventures, to the magical northern lights in winter, creating a romantic backdrop like no other.

From cozy honeymoon accommodations to things to do together, consider this your travel guide for a romantic getaway in Alaska.

Alaska Honeymoon Tips in this article:

• Best Time to Visit Alaska
• Alaska Honeymoon Planning Tips
• Best Alaska Honeymoon Hotels & Resorts
• Things to Do in Alaska for Couples
• What to Pack for a Alaska Honeymoon

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Best Time to Visit Alaska

June through August is the warmest period in Alaska, which is when you'll find the best weather. To the outsider, Alaska may conjure up images of the tundra, but it's a huge state. Though it tends to be cooler, it offers plenty of green space and temperatures tend to peak in the mid-70s during the summer months.

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You can find snow bunnies and sled dogs out and about during the long winter, which extends from October through March. Coastal temperatures typically stay above 20 degrees, but areas like Fairbanks fall below zero. In other words, it's not for the faint of heart—and summer is the most comfortable time to explore the area.

Best weather: June and August.
Festival highlights: The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in early March is a world-famous event, drawing visitors and competitors from around the globe. The Alaska State Fair, held in Palmer at the end of August through early September, showcases Alaska's agricultural bounty alongside concerts, rides, and exhibits. Summer solstice festivals celebrate the longest day of the year with various outdoor events and activities, particularly in cities like Fairbanks and Anchorage.

Alaska Honeymoon Planning Tips

Alaska's beautiful landscape gives honeymooners plenty of time to take in Mother Nature—and not just by sitting back and enjoying the view. Active couples can kayak, take a ride in a floatplane and go whale watching. Small towns boast a special kind of charm, and the opportunities to see the famed Northern Lights make the trip bucket list-worthy.

When planning your honeymoon in Alaska, consider the remoteness of destinations and the potential need for internal flights or boat transfers to reach certain areas. You'll also want to be prepared for unpredictable weather by packing layers and waterproof gear. Planning ahead is important no matter what kind of honeymoon you're envisioning—especially for booking excursions and accommodations in popular areas.

An Alaskan honeymoon is for couples seeking adventure amidst nature's grandeur. As long as that's what you're looking for, you can't go wrong. Here are a few basics to keep in mind before you buy plane tickets.

Entry requirements: For US citizens traveling domestically, entry into Alaska requires no passports or visas. Depending on which state you live in, you might need a REAL ID or REAL ID-compliant document if you're planning a honeymoon after May 7, 2025.
Language: English, but there are approximately 23 distinct Alaskan native languages spoken as well.
Location: Alaska is the northernmost and westernmost state in the United States, located on the northwest extremity that borders British Columbia and the Yukon.
Currency: USD.
Flight time to Alaska: From Seattle, direct flights to Anchorage (Alaska's largest city) typically take around 3.5 hours.
Getting around: Due to Alaska's vast size and remote areas, getting around can involve a combination of air travel (small planes are commonly used for accessing remote locations), car rentals, the Alaska Railroad, buses and ferries.

Pro tip: Invite a honeymoon planning expert to help you with your Alaska itinerary. You can browse travel agents near you on The Knot Marketplace.

Best Alaska Honeymoon Hotels & Resorts

Accommodations in Alaska vary from rustic lodges with natural hot springs to luxury resorts with stunning views and first-class amenities. Many of these places offer honeymoon packages that include special touches like champagne on arrival, private tours and romantic dinners.

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Homer Inn and Spa

An Alaska honeymoon will involve a good deal of walking, but Homer Inn and Spa is a place to kick your feet up in maximum comfort. A stone's throw from Homer Spit, rooms have balconies with Kachemak Bay views. After a long day of hiking, hit the on-site sauna to relax and unwind.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Talkeetna Chalet Bed & Breakfast

Set on a hilltop, Talkeetna Chalet Bed & Breakfast combines a rustic-chic ambiance with modern amenities. Three dog-friendly cabins come with a tiled shower and kitchenette, and the spacious guest suites with private entries are comfortable and secluded.

5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge

The lone accommodation on remote Fox Island, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge truly feels like a world away. Located 12 miles from Seward, the lodge is accessible by boat and is the perfect location for whale watching. The main lodge's large windows allow guests to see Halibut Cove, where humpback whales and sea lions sometimes come out to play. Guests can stay in one of eight secluded cabins surrounded by a wooded area, a pebble beach and a lagoon.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Hotel Captain Cook

Hotel Captain Cook is a popular spot to stay in the heart of downtown Anchorage. Rooms boast a diverse range of views, from the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet to downtown. Fitness fanatics will find this place heavenly. The athletic clubs offer Peloton bikes, a swimming pool and equipment, plus a sauna and hot tub for recovery purposes.

4 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Four Points by Sheraton Juneau

Located in the heart of Juneau, Four Points by Sheraton offers easy access to local shops and restaurants. The rooms also feature ocean vistas and it's close to the stunning Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.

4 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Pro tip: If you're looking for a unique accommodation that'll provide you more privacy (or lower prices), consider booking a romantic Airbnb or VRBO in Alaska.

Things to Do in Alaska for Couples

You'll find natural beauty at every turn during an Alaskan getaway, and there are many opportunities to try things for the first time. From hiking around scenic mountains to whale watching and catching a halibut, each area offers something distinct. But that's not all. Alaska boasts a few of the most romantic restaurants in the US so make a reservation for an extra special meal or two.

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Visit Anchorage

Anchorage gives honeymooners the best of boast worlds: a gorgeous glimpse of Mother Nature and a walkable downtown. Chugach State Park is set on nearly 500,000 acres of land and is full of hiking trails and glaciers. Downtown Anchorage has trendy cocktail bars, restaurants and unique shops. Every weekend from May through September, visitors and locals flock to the open-air Anchorage Market to peruse booths from more than 100 vendors.

Whale Watch in Seward

The opportunities for day trips are seemingly endless in this seaside city on the Kenai Peninsula. It's a prime location for whale watching and halibut fishing. Seward is considered the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, a hub of glaciers, ice fields and wildlife. A tour guide can point out the most beautiful vistas as you cruise by in a boat or fly over the area in a helicopter. Chugach National Forest's breathtaking landscape includes 500 miles of hiking trails, the stunning Prince William Sound and several salmon and trout streams.

See the Northern Lights

These colorful bands of light have inspired many artists and writers. The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are best viewed in Fairbanks from August to April when fewer hours of daylight give way to darker night skies. During the winter months, Alaskans and visitors enjoy experiences like dog sledding, snowmobiling, or skiing.

Visit Chena Hot Springs

Speaking of the Norther Lights, one of the best spots to see them is at Chena Hot Springs, which is also home to an ice museum.

Hike in Denali National Park

An astounding 6 million acres is devoted to Denali National Park, which is larger than the entirety of New Hampshire. It's so sprawling, you can't even see the tallest peak in North America, the 20,310-summit of Denali. Hiking, dog sledding and mountaineering are popular activities, and couples don't have to remain land-locked. Kayaking and whitewater rafting are also options.

Take a Floatplane to Talkeetna

This small village has a population of less than 700. It's located at the foot of Denali, and it's brimming with charm. Take a floatplane ride over a glacier, raise a pint glass at Denali BrewPub, and experience the thrill of ziplining all in one stay.

Eat Seafood in Homer

Homer is a delightful city set on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. Get a taste and feel for local life by visiting the Homer Spit, a strip of land protruding out into Kachemak Bay. Couples will find seafood restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops and galleries. For more time in nature, visit Kachemak Bay State Park. Alaska's first state park features ocean and glacier vistas and is a good place to spot a bald eagle.

Explore Juneau

Alaska's capital is a wilderness paradise mixed with a business scene full of local character. Nugget Falls, a dramatic cascading waterfall in Tongass National Forest, is a sight to see. If you can take your eyes off of it, you may glimpse a bald eagle. Whale watching, glacier adventures and canoe paddles are also fun activities. When it's time to refuel, you'll have no problem finding a local seafood restaurant. Juneau is also a good home base for a day trip to Glacier Bay National Park.

Ride the Tramway in Girdwood

Girdwood, an Alaska resort town, is home to several hiking trails and glacier vistas. The Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway is an easy way to get an overview of the land—literally and figuratively. Soar more than 2,000 feet above the ground as you take in the mountains and hanging glaciers for a ride under seven minutes. Seven Glaciers Restaurant is a prime spot for an upscale romantic dinner, where the seafood is rivaled only by the stunning views.

What to Pack for an Alaska Honeymoon

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Even if you're taking your Alaska honeymoon in the summer, you'll want to make sure your packing checklist will prepare you for a range of climates. If traveling by cruise ship, keep in mind breezes can be cooler while at sea. Pack items you can layer, like sweatshirts and cardigans. Having plenty of warm socks in your honeymoon luggage will add to the coziness of a wilderness lodge, too.

You'll be doing a decent amount of hiking and walking. Comfortable and sturdy shoes and hiking boots will keep feet protected. Sunscreen, a raincoat, sunglasses and an umbrella will ensure you're ready to go, rain or shine.

Stylish clothes for more upscale restaurants are nice to have, too—an Alaskan vacation isn't just about roughing it. The state isn't known for its beaches, but some hotels have pools and hot tubs. Pack a swimsuit if you plan to take a dip.

Brittany Barber contributed to this article.