Here's Why Alaska Has Just Been Named One of the World's Most Incredible Places

But Alaska‘s true superlative may just be its beauty. A trip to the state means being surrounded by mountains, glaciers, pines, cliffs, and plains as far as the eye can see. Lonely Planet recently voted Alaska the number two region in the world for travelers to visit, and, as the beautiful photos below illustrate, it’s not hard to see why.

Many of the most beautiful facets of Alaska fit perfectly with “bucket list“-worthy activities. Ever wanted to hike a glacier? Not only will you get serious street cred thereafter, you’ll also get some of the most incredible views (and photographs) of your life from your perch at the top, a sea of ice blocks floating all around you.

If you’ve dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights, Alaska has some of the best aurora viewing in the world. Make sure to come between September and April, the closer to the dead of winter the better to up your odds of catching the lights in the (long) dark of the night.

If you love hiking, Alaska has more beautiful state parks than you can count, including the famous Denali National Park, with Mount McKinley towering in the middle.

And if your idea of a good vacation is simply watching a beautiful sun set or moon rise, you would be hard pressed to find a better place than Alaska.

So pack your bags, and your camera, to experience Alaska’s incredible beauty up close and personal.