Alaska's amazing Seward Highway is a once-in-a-lifetime trip

Chugach State Park is the country's third-largest state park. It also happens to be the state of Alaska's favorite state park. There are various units in the park, and the Turnagain Arm unit contains more than a few scenic points where you can pull off the Seward Highway and take in the views. Beluga Point at mile marker 110.5 is great for spotting whales, Windy Corner at mile marker 106 has incredible views of Dall sheep on the hills, and the park's headquarters at Potter Section House State Historic Site, a former Alaska Railroad worker camp are some of the highlights here.

Within the lush Chugach National Forest is Portage Glacier, another gem to visit before it disappears forever. You used to be able to spy it from the Begich/Boggs Visitor Center, but now a boat ride across the lake is required to spot the receding ice sheet, which you can book a tour to. If you're lucky, while you're visiting, you can watch a chunk of ice break off and crash into the lake below... it really gives you a sense of how powerful glaciers can be.

Take a rare break from winding through the mountains to take in the view from atop them with the Alyeska Tram Ride. It's a quick but awe-inspiring three- to seven-minute ride to the top of Mt. Alyeska. You can see hanging glaciers, moose and bears, towering spruce forests, snow-capped peaks, and more. At the top, the observation deck is the perfect place for a picnic, a hike to a glacier, a berry-picking excursion, or even paragliding.

A rugged road trip calls for rib-sticking grub, which is exactly what you'll get at Turnagain Arm Pit BBQ. With succulent ribs, pulled pork, smoked brisket, flavorful sausage, deep fried wings, and BBQ staples like collards, banana pudding, and sweet tea, you might forget for a moment that you're in Alaska, not the South!

Indian Valley Mine National Historic Site is a cute little tourist attraction that has deep roots in the past. The cabin that houses their gift shop is one of the oldest buildings on the Turnagain Arm, and it's also got a little museum on site as well. You can also experience panning for gold, like the earliest settlers in Alaska did, and take in the views as you relax right at the edge of the coast.

Once you reach Anchorage, you'll find even more excitement. If you're looking for a reliable restaurant where you can get a cold drink, good food, and have a relaxing but fun time, the Moose's Tooth is for you. They serve up innovate and delicious pub grub, along with mouth-wateringly fun pizzas. Taco, chicken Rockefeller, gyros, and more inspire their pie options, and since they have a brewery onsite, you can wash it all down with a fresh pint of something a little different.