Welcome back to Travel + Explore + Play with SalleeJay!
Rainy Alaska Day
Walking through Earthquake Park
I know...I know. I've been MIA for a little while. But trust me—it was for a good reason. I'm back, and I have one of my favorite travel experiences to share with you.
I just returned from an unforgettable 36-hour adventure in Anchorage, Alaska, complete with an epic ride on the Alaska Railroad, a breathtaking journey to Seward, and a wildlife cruise through the stunning waters of Resurrection Bay. Spoiler alert: Alaska absolutely lived up to the hype.
Thirty-six hours may not sound like enough time to experience America's Last Frontier, but somehow Alaska managed to pack more beauty, adventure, and unforgettable moments into a day and a half than some destinations do in an entire week.
So grab your ticket and hop aboard this virtual caboose as I take you through every delicious bite, incredible view, and wildlife encounter from one whirlwind Alaskan adventure.
Day One: Rain, Comfort Food & Exploring Anchorage
I landed in Anchorage around 11:00 a.m. and headed straight to my hotel. Getting around was incredibly easy—rideshares from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) were affordable, convenient, and readily available.
After dropping off my bags, there was only one thing on my mind...
Food.
Not hungry.
STRAVING.
My first stop was 49th State Brewing, and despite a 45-minute wait thanks to the rain, brunch crowds, and soccer fans glued to the World Cup Finals, it was worth every single minute.
I'm a sucker for elevated comfort food, so I ordered the King Crabby Grilled Cheese—grilled sourdough loaded with a crab meat blend, Appenzeller Swiss, cream cheese, served alongside crispy brewpub fries and their famous Alaskan seafood chowder for dipping.
Excuse my French, but...
It was sooooooooooo freaking delicious.
Every bite was rich, buttery, cheesy perfection with sweet Alaskan crab taking center stage.
10/10. No notes.
With a full stomach and the rain finally letting up, I wandered over to the Anchorage Trolley Tours depot hoping to squeeze in a city tour before dinner. As luck would have it, they were boarding their Deluxe Tour in five minutes.
Clearly, the travel gods were smiling on me.
The 90-minute guided tour ended up being one of the highlights of my afternoon. We explored several iconic locations around Anchorage while our local guide shared fascinating stories about Alaska's history, culture, and wildlife.
Our first stop was the Ulu Factory, where I learned about the ancient crescent-shaped ulu knife—a tool Indigenous Arctic peoples have used for over 4,000 years for everything from food preparation to sewing. It's amazing how one simple design has remained so functional for thousands of years.
On our way to Earthquake Park, we made an unexpected stop to see one of Anchorage's hidden gems—a 2,800-square-foot underground home tucked beneath what looks like an ordinary driveway. Talk about a conversation starter!
Then we continued to Earthquake Park, where history and nature collide. Standing in the very place where the devastating 1964 Good Friday Earthquake forever changed Anchorage was incredibly humbling. Measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale, it remains one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded. The peaceful forest today gives little indication of the immense force that reshaped the landscape over sixty years ago.
But my absolute favorite stop?
As the largest floatplane airport in the world, it was mesmerizing watching planes gracefully land on the water before taxiing to their docks. Seeing dozens of seaplanes lined up against a backdrop of mountains made me realize one thing...
When I come back to Alaska—and I definitely will—a seaplane excursion is happening.
No questions asked.
After returning to the hotel to freshen up, it was time for dinner.
I chose Orso, an Italian restaurant with an Alaskan twist located in downtown Anchorage.
I started with the Fig & Walnut Salad before treating myself to one of the best seafood dishes I've had in a long time—the Orange Pistachio Halibut, featuring perfectly grilled fresh Alaskan halibut topped with pistachio pesto and an orange prosecco butter sauce, served alongside spinach almond couscous and asparagus.
And because vacation calories don't count...
...I finished with the tiramisu.
Another easy 10/10.
One of the most surreal moments of the evening happened after dinner.
As I walked back to my hotel around 10:00 p.m., the sun was still shining.
Not sunset.
Not dusk.
Daylight.
Visiting Alaska during the summer means experiencing nearly 20 hours of daylight, and it's every bit as wild as people say. Your body thinks it's lunchtime while your watch insists it's bedtime.
It's one of those uniquely Alaskan experiences that you simply have to witness for yourself.
Day Two: Riding the Alaska Railroad to Seward
The reason I booked this trip was simple:
I've always wanted to ride the Alaska Railroad.
I upgraded to GoldStar Service, and I can confidently say it was worth every penny.
Imagine panoramic glass-dome ceilings surrounding you while snow-capped mountains, rushing rivers, glaciers, forests, and wildlife glide past your window.
Then imagine stepping outside onto the open-air upper viewing deck—the only one of its kind in the world—where there isn't a pane of glass between you and Alaska's incredible scenery.
That alone made the upgrade worthwhile.
GoldStar passengers also enjoy full-service dining, complimentary soft drinks, and two adult beverages, making the entire experience feel less like transportation and more like a luxury excursion.
Honestly, I spent more time outside on the viewing platform than in my seat.
Photos don't do those views justice.
When we arrived in Seward, I boarded a shuttle to Resurrection Bay for my Kenai Fjords National Park & Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise.
The four-hour cruise doesn't follow a rigid route. Instead, the captain tracks real-time wildlife reports to maximize your chances of spotting marine life.
And they delivered.
We cruised past towering cliffs packed with nesting seabirds, watched Steller sea lions lounging on rocky outcroppings, spotted adorable sea otters floating effortlessly on their backs, and saw harbor seals resting peacefully along the shoreline.
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for.
Whales.
Watching these magnificent animals surface against the backdrop of Alaska's rugged coastline is something I'll never forget.
Every few minutes there was another "WOW!" moment.
Whale watching
Whether it was puffins darting across the water, bald eagles soaring overhead, or porpoises racing alongside the boat, Mother Nature put on an unforgettable performance.
It was peaceful.
It was exhilarating.
It was everything I'd hoped Alaska would be.
After the cruise, it was time to board the train back to Anchorage.
Thanks to the lingering summer daylight, I caught stunning views of glaciers and mountain peaks that I'd somehow missed on the morning ride. It felt like getting a completely different trip on the return journey.
Once the train rolled into Anchorage, I practically sprinted to my Lyft.
The timing couldn't have been more perfect.
I arrived at the airport at 10:45 p.m. and by 11:09 p.m., I was buckled into my seat headed back to Denver.
For once...the travel gods were absolutely on my side.
Final Thoughts
People often ask whether Alaska is worth the trip.
My answer?
Without hesitation—YES.
In just 36 hours, I experienced world-class dining, incredible local history, breathtaking mountain scenery, unforgettable train travel, and wildlife encounters that reminded me just how extraordinary our planet truly is.
And the best part?
This trip barely scratched the surface.
I still have glaciers to hike, seaplanes to fly, dogsleds to ride, northern lights to chase, and countless miles of Alaska left to explore.
If Alaska has been sitting on your bucket list waiting for "someday," let this be your sign.
Book the ticket.
Take the train.
Eat the seafood.
Stay outside a little longer.
Watch the whales.
And let Alaska remind you that some of the world's most extraordinary places are still wonderfully wild.
Until the next adventure...
Keep exploring. Keep collecting passport stamps. Keep saying yes to experiences that make your soul feel alive.
Because life isn't measured by the number of days we live—it's measured by the moments that leave us completely speechless... and Alaska gave me more than I could count.
Until next time,
Travel. Explore. Play.
— SalleeJay
P.S - Special shoutout to Lena for the photo’s & great company! This trip is a core memory! THANK YOU!