Juneau at $307 RT

The Last Frontier, made simple!

Its vast size and untamed wilderness can make Alaskan trips seem a little daunting, but they don't have to be. Enter Juneau: closer to the lower 48 than other cities, full of hotels and restaurants, and absolutely, jaw-droppingly gorgeous. If you want to see what Alaska's all about, this is the perfect place to start! 

The summer cruise ship rush will have ended by this time, so you'll get to really feel that quiet natural beauty. I highly recommend the East Glacier trail — this lush, waterfall-lined route takes you along the famous Mendenhall Glacier. Think moss-covered pine trees and creeks that glow icy blue.

You'll need your rain gear for these dates, but who am I kidding? DC residents can handle a little drizzle :-)