For a massive state, Alaska has a high concentration of activities within a day's drive of its major city, Anchorage. And with longer days of sunlight returning in April, that's a fine time to visit.
If you head south along the Seward Highway, you'll hit the wildlife-rich Kenai Peninsula. Around 125 miles along is the town of Seward, where you could walk the first mile of the original Iditarod Trail and visit the Alaska SeaLife Center (800-224-2525,
www.alaskasealife.org
). Kenai Fjords National Park (907-224-2132,
www.nps.gov/kefj
) is a rocky coast filled with spruce trees, poster-perfect waterfalls and an ice field. Continue for another 100 miles to visit the town of Homer, where commercial fisherman live harmoniously with artists.
Prince William Sound is the place to see glaciers -- among them the popular Portage and Byron glaciers and the aquamarine Columbia Glacier, which is five miles across and often gives birth to massive icebergs with a deafening crash.
April is considered winter at Denali National Park, 240 miles north of Anchorage. While taking the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage would be romantic, the train only operates northbound on Saturdays and southbound on Sundays until early May. You can drive 15 miles into the park, but then the park road is closed, and the usual shuttle buses and motor coach tours aren't available until May. With the right pair of snowshoes or skis, you could cover some scenic territory along that main road. Check in with the ranger station in the town of Talkeetna. Info: 907-683-2294,
www.nps.gov/dena.
More info: 800-862-5275,
