The best way to experience Alaska is to fly to Anchorage, Which is the largest city.To avoid all the tourist traps, get yourself a nice rental car and start driving.Drive south from Anchorage down the Seward highway which is one of the top 10 best drives in the usa.about 100 miles from Anchorage is Seward, a small fishing town on the water.Spend at least a couple days there and go on a salmon fishing charter. You will love catching silvers!!Than drive north again past Anchorage, to Denali park.On your way you will see Mt Mckinley (The tallest mountain in North America) Than stay for a few days in Denali, you can hike, white water raft, etc. Its Beautiful.Than depending on your time/budget, from there you could drive the rest of the way to Fairbanks ( about 100 miles north)Theres a million things to see and do here in AK.The best time to come would be from late june to late July.
I lived in Alaska for 12 years and here is my advice-Juneau is a great touristing place. The weather in the summer can be reasonably warm, aulthough it rains alot. However, it is beautiful there. Lots of cruise ships come in there. They also have Mendenhall glacier, where you can even go for a swim. (it s not too cold) that would be a gorgeous place to kayak.AVOID Kodiak island, and any place too far north. Unless you like cold weather.Southeast Alaska would be a good place to go if you are like me and like hiking and not too cold of weather. (Juneau is in Southeast Alaska)Have fun and good luck! If you go hiking, do not get eaten by bears!