Alive with the hum of high-energy adventure, Vancouver is a sophisticated cityscape on the edge of British Columbia’s wild interior. This multicultural city offers a bit of everything: big city buzz, sky-high mountains and Pacific beaches. If you’re a history buff you can view First Nations artifacts at the Museum of Anthropology. Take little ones to meet over 50,000 aquatic creatures at the Vancouver Aquarium, or get a bird’s eye view of old-growth forest at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Horseshoe Bay salmon fishing… Granville Island paddle boarding… Grouse Mountain’s aerial tram— discover loads of outdoor adventure in Vancouver, from the bay to the backwoods.

Sitka truly offers the best of Alaska. Its small-town appeal stems from a unique blend of Russian, Tlingit and American history. Its snow-capped peaks and volcanic Mount Edgecumbe pose among the state’s most postcard-worthy scenes. And its rare wildlife astounds, from Saint Lazaria Island’s orange-beaked puffins to Alaska Maritime Refuge’s 40 million seabirds. This is off-the-path Alaska, where you can kayak Sitka Sound alongside swimming sea otters or fly-fish for the world’s biggest halibut. Whether it’s hiking Baranof Island trails or listening to tribal stories passed down for generations, in Sitka the midnight sun never sets on adventure.

You can’t get to Juneau easily without a sprint by air or by sea. But once you arrive you’ll find majestic views and rich culture in every corner. With its snowcapped mountains, misty rainforests, massive glaciers and bounty of wildlife, Alaska’s remote state capital is the perfect place to dive into nature. Framed by Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts, the city’s picturesque downtown area offers centuries-old bars, boutique shops and historic landmarks. For a taste of the local culture, visit the historic district and the Alaska State Museum. And for outdoor thrills, you can take your pick of activities ranging from whale watching in Auke Bay Harbor to tundra trekking over Mendenhall Glacier, and even try your hand at gold panning in Last Chance Basin.

Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage— a gateway to the wild landscapes and seascapes of Misty Fjords National Monument. The canned salmon capital of the world, it’s a hub for fishing and outdoor sports. It’s also home to three tribes of Northwest Coast Native Americans, making it a great place to get a taste for the local culture. You’ll see it in the colorful, hand-carved totems that line the city’s streets and parks, and in the unique stilted homes that cling to Deer Mountain’s slopes. If you want to get up close and personal with nature, venture into the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States. Or head to Ketchikan Creek Waterfall for amazing views of downtown Ketchikan and a glimpse at the yearly salmon runs.

Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage— a gateway to the wild landscapes and seascapes of Misty Fjords National Monument. The canned salmon capital of the world, it’s a hub for fishing and outdoor sports. It’s also home to three tribes of Northwest Coast Native Americans, making it a great place to get a taste for the local culture. You’ll see it in the colorful, hand-carved totems that line the city’s streets and parks, and in the unique stilted homes that cling to Deer Mountain’s slopes. If you want to get up close and personal with nature, venture into the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States. Or head to Ketchikan Creek Waterfall for amazing views of downtown Ketchikan and a glimpse at the yearly salmon runs.

Day at sea

Alive with the hum of high-energy adventure, Vancouver is a sophisticated cityscape on the edge of British Columbia’s wild interior. This multicultural city offers a bit of everything: big city buzz, sky-high mountains and Pacific beaches. If you’re a history buff you can view First Nations artifacts at the Museum of Anthropology. Take little ones to meet over 50,000 aquatic creatures at the Vancouver Aquarium, or get a bird’s eye view of old-growth forest at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Horseshoe Bay salmon fishing… Granville Island paddle boarding… Grouse Mountain’s aerial tram— discover loads of outdoor adventure in Vancouver, from the bay to the backwoods.