It might be cold right now but summer is just around the corner. For some, an Alaska cruise is the perfect way to see the state for the first time. However, I'm hooked now and dream of returning soon to spend some time fishing, exploring, and learning more about what it means to be in Alaska. There is no better time to visit Alaska than during the summer when the daylight hours are long and the weather is warm!

There is no better way to spend a summer day than fishing in one of our picks for the best fly fishing in the USA! Whether you are a beginner or an experienced fisherman, there is a spot for you on our list. While there are legendary fly fishing spots in Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming - even less iconic spots closer to home can offer an amazing experience. The important thing to remember here is that this is a chance to relax, connect with nature, and spend some time disconnected from the rest of the outside world. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best fly fishing places in the United States as well as why we love fly fishing when it comes to planning a great guys trip.

Are you thinking about an Alaska cruise this year but are overwhelmed with all the options? You are not alone and that's why we've come together with our blogger friends to prepare some tips to help!

We’re kicking off our effort to help highlight and support tourism destinations that we love with a conversation about different aspects of Alaska Tourism featuring some of our favorite blogger / influencer friends. You can join us here on the blog - don’t forget to scroll down for the giveaway! - as well as on social media as we post photos and discussion questions with some of our favorite Alaska tourism destinations and tour operators.

Alaska is a special destination for many Americans. It’s more than just lush green forests and glaciers, there’s something special and unique about the culture too. I can’t wait to visit America’s last frontier again and I hope that we can preserve its uniqueness … even if that means preserving aspects of it that would potentially raise more money.

At this point it unfortunately appears that cruising isn't going to happen this year, at least not for the big ship from Holland America Line, Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival. However, that isn't the end of the story. There are a surprising number of ways that you can still make Alaska your summer destination and maybe even make it better than other years when the ports and waterways are filled with cruise ship visitors. Luckily, there are small ship cruises like UnCruise Adventures, airline discounts from Alaskan Airlines, and some great lodges and rail tours to try. Or, you can just go and rent a Jeep and explore on your own! Here's why Alaska still makes a great choice to visit this year.

Alaska is a pretty distinct place with it's own unique native culture that often blends with a heritage of miners, gold seekers, and other colorful folks seeking a future in America's Last Frontier. Whether these words are Alaska slang, native Alaskan words that have made their way into English or phrases that combine the two, Alaskans use some of the most beautiful as well as most colorful words that you will hear anywhere on your travels. 

Icy Strait Point, Alaska isn't the most well-known cruise port in Alaska, but it is quickly becoming a must-visit destination for cruisers visiting Alaska. In fact, based on what I've been reading since first introduced to it a year ago by our friends at Norwegian Cruise Line, it might just be the destination that draws you back to Alaska after you've checked the state off your travel bucket list.

As more cities, states and countries take steps to pass adult-use marijuana legislation, more cities, states and countries are seeing an increase in tourism from travelers 21-and-up who want to experience legal weed. Weed tourism is a new and exciting industry that is boosting the economies of some overlooked corners of the world. If you are eager to plan your next vacation — and you love indulging in the good green herb — you should consider visiting one of the following top weed destinations.

There are some destinations that are on your bucket list because of how far away and exotic they are. Others are limited by temperature and timing. While there's no shortage of tours designed to showcase the Northern Lights, I like this one since it's about more than just going there. Instead, The folks at Gondwana Ecotours are working to create a unique experience that focuses as much on the destination as the people and their personal stories.

Valentine's Day is obviously an annual excuse to focus on love and romance, the reality is that any time of year is a great excuse for a romantic getaway. When it comes to the best vacation spots for couples, there's a lot of great options and it is really up to you to make sure it is the perfect fit for the two of you. Here's our picks for some of the most romantic destinations to take your wife this year!

Unlike some cruise destinations in Alaska, Ketchikan is a destination that is thriving beyond simply cruise tourism. Luckily for cruise visitors, this means that there is a diverse selection of awesome cruise excursion options ranging from exploring Native American culture to hiking and outdoor adventures, as well as obviously fishing for salmon! Ketchikan after all is the "Salmon Capital of the World"!

 Skagway Alaska is one of the most popular cruise ports in Alaska and while it is a town - the area is also a National Park known as the "Skagway: Gateway to the Klondike". This is due to the port's proximity to White Pass where thousands of miners would journey on their way to the gold fields. Today though, the town of Skagway is a fun place to go and explore both the rich - and sordid! - gold rush history as well as the amazing natural beauty offered by the surrounding territory. What makes this all even more unique is that Skagway was one of the original Alaskan cruise ports - dating back to 1923 so there's that history and culture as well!

Ever take a bunch of photos on vacation only to review them later and realize you didn’t capture much? Pictures from the beach are ruined by too much glare from the sun, photos near outdoor monuments and landmarks are either too dark to make out or riddle with shadows, and the few good pictures you managed to get have your family looking like blood-thirsty vampires with red eyes. It’s the absolute worse to find out that what you thought were great shots turn out to be a bunch of duds.

Juneau is the capital of Alaska and one of the largest cities in South East Alaska. One of the things that makes this city pretty unique is that the Mendenhall Glacier is located not far from downtown and unlike other spots in Alaska, you can actually see it without having to book an expensive excursion. However, there's a lot more to do in the area, so let's take a look at some of our picks for the top things to do in Juneau.

Visiting a brewery is one of the best ways to learn about a culture and community - or at least one of the most fun ways. That's why I was so excited to visit Alaskan Brewing Company's brewery in Juneau on a recent visit to the city. Since 1986, they've been developing creative beers that serve a local / regional audience but also serve as ambassadors of Alaskan culture to the lower 48!

In the more than nine years since I created ManTripping.com, I've written a ton of posts talking about the "top mancation ideas". It's also the most frequently asked question when I talk with media about men's travel trends. Surprisingly, it's often women and my female friends who are the most interested in the answers - often because they are planning a trip for their partners and want to do something special that they will love. While mancations are by definition a male group activity, increasingly couples and friends are seeking out experiential travel instead of buying possessions. In other words, instead of a gold watch to celebrate retirement guys are celebrating with an incredible man-friendly adventure vacation.

Unfortunately though, I've never actually had quantifiable answers to provide and everything has been extremely subjective. To help solve this problem, in partnership with the men's influencer network #MenWhoBlog, I commissioned a survey based on six of the top mancation types that come up regularly on my site. Frankly though, I was a bit surprised by the results since an Alaska Cruise and Land Tour came in as the #1 pick!

Fishing is the perfect opportunity to unwind, take in beautiful scenery, and do something you enjoy either by yourself or with a group of friends or family members. If you visit the same fishing spot quite often, a change of location can be good for you. It may seem like a difficult task to find that ideal fishing spot that has everything you're looking for, but there are many great areas available right in America.

It’s important to think about some cool ideas to do together as a father and son. While some of these Father-Son Trip ideas are better for dads to take their kids. some are better for adult relationships. One thing is constant. That universal constant is that these are inter-generational trips that will provide an opportunity for a father and son to bond outside of the normal day-to-day experience. Conversations will happen, skills will be learned, hugs will be had, and at the end of the experience, both parties will have had an incredible experience that only the two of them share.

Quality time is crucial for creating memorable experiences during these trips, enhancing the bond between father and son.

The possibilities seem endless when it comes to planning the ultimate outdoor adventure boys trip and there are plenty of reasons to do it. As we look back on the craziness of the past few years, sometimes you only need one reason - to celebrate simply being alive.