Sitka, Alaska

Sitka is where the Alaska Purchase happened… where the papers got signed and Alaska became part of the U.S. Sitka is not only historic, but huge — it’s actually the largest city-county in the country, larger than NYC. Unlike New York, Sitka is low on population, but jam-packed with amazing views of snow-capped mountains, lush green forests and Sitka Bay, itself dotted with an array of tiny islands.

• Explore the coast of the volcanic St. Lazaria Island, from the relative comfort of a speeding ocean raft.
• Cast a line and try your hand at reeling in a local salmon or halibut.
• Scope out some wildlife, like the Alaska brown bear or Sitka black-tail deer, on nearby Kruzof Island.