Things to do in Alaska
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Metal Art Class in Sitka: Make Your Own Alaskan CreatureA 2.5-hour metal art class in Sitka where you design and finish a custom steel animal—salmon, halibut, crab, eagle, bear or whale—using a plasma cutter, die grinder, mallet and propane torch. Mike, a third-generation shop teacher, guides the class from blank to finished piece, and the workshop picks you up from the cruise ship terminal. Minimum age 12; shipping of your finished work is available for an additional fee.Is it for me?This class suits anyone who wants to make something tangible and take it home—the 2.5-hour pace keeps it tight for cruise passengers, and the hands-on work with heat and tools means you'll remember the sparks and the weight of the mallet long after you leave Sitka.
Anchorage to Seward tour: Glacier walk & wildlifeA small group tour from Anchorage to Seward with certified guide, hotel pickup and luggage transfer includes entry to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a half-mile walk up Byron Glacier, and stops along Turnagain Arm for wildlife viewing. The tour runs six hours and ends at your cruise ship port or Seward hotel by 3 p.m., so timing aligns with ship departures and check-ins without overlap.Is it for me?If you're flying into Anchorage and need to reach Seward for a cruise departure or hotel check-in, this tour solves the transfer and fills the day with wildlife and glacier access at once—no separate car rental or driver to arrange, and the timing lands you in Seward by mid-afternoon.
Haines: Private Eagle Preserve Raft Trip & Wildlife PicnicYou’ll float through Alaska’s Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve with a local guide at your side, spotting bald eagles overhead and watching for bears or moose along quiet riverbanks. Enjoy riverside snacks and hot drinks before heading back to Haines — it’s peaceful, sometimes funny, always real.
Matanuska Glacier Guided Ice Walk with Professional GuideYou’ll step onto Alaska’s Matanuska Glacier with a local guide who keeps things safe (and fun), gear up against the cold, and walk across surreal blue ice fields. Expect crunchy footsteps, quick lessons on glacial science, snacks with new friends, and moments of real quiet that stick with you long after you leave.
Knik Glacier Helicopter Flight & Trek: AnchorageA helicopter flight and glacier trek near Anchorage combines 40 minutes of flying over the Chugach Range and braided river valleys with 45 minutes on foot across the Knik Glacier, one of Alaska's largest. You land on over 300 feet of ancient ice, trek past blue melt pools and deep crevasses, and in summer months can polar plunge into glacial pools at no extra cost. Micro spikes are provided; check in 30 minutes before departure, and note the 300-pound weight limit per seat.Is it for me?Book this if you want to land on the glacier itself and walk across the ice; other glacier tours view from the air or ground only.
Denali: Midnight Sun ATV Tour with Pickup & Local GuideYou’ll ride through Denali’s wild forest trails under the midnight sun, guided by locals who know every bump and shortcut. Expect hotel pickup, gear included, and plenty of stories along the way—plus that strange thrill of sunlight when your body says it should be night.
Anchorage to Whittier Wildlife Tour with Cruise TransferThis 3-hour guided tour departs Anchorage and travels the scenic Seward Highway to the Whittier Cruise Terminal, with a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see resident wildlife in open habitats. The driver narrates the history of Turnagain Arm, Portage Pass, and Whittier—from Indigenous settlement through English exploration to the gold rush and the town's unusual origins. Pickup is available from Downtown Anchorage or Anchorage Airport, and the tour ends at the cruise terminal so you board directly.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're flying into Anchorage and need to reach the Whittier Cruise Terminal—it combines the transfer with a stop at the wildlife center so you see resident animals and learn the region's history instead of sitting in a car for three hours with nothing to do.
Fairbanks: Guided Snowmobile Tour in Goldstream ValleyYou’ll feel the real Fairbanks winter on this guided snowmobile tour through Goldstream Valley—crunching over frozen creeks, learning from locals about dry cabins and dog mushing life, and laughing inside your helmet as you ride across wide-open snow. All gear’s included so you can just focus on that wild feeling of cold air and quiet woods around you.
Anchorage: Private 3-Hour Tour with Earthquake Park & Lake HoodYou’ll feel Anchorage’s wild edges on this private 3-hour tour: stand where history shook Earthquake Park, watch seaplanes skim Lake Hood, stroll Potter Marsh’s boardwalks, and catch glimpses of Denali if clouds allow—all with stories from your local guide and easy hotel pickup.
Chena Hot Springs: Northern Lights & Ice Museum Tour with PickupYou’ll soak in Chena Hot Springs under Alaskan stars, wander through glowing ice sculptures in the museum (Appletini optional), and—if luck’s on your side—watch northern lights dance overhead while your guide snaps photos for you. With hotel pickup included, it’s easy to just show up and let Alaska surprise you.
Salmon Fishing in Ketchikan: Private 4-Hour CharterA private 4-hour salmon fishing charter in Ketchikan includes a professional captain, all fishing tackle and bait, and whale and wildlife viewing along the Ketchikan coastline. Pickup and drop-off happen at the downtown cruise ship visitor center at berth 3, making it built for cruise passengers with limited time in port. A fishing license is available as an add-on at checkout.Is it for me?Book this charter if you're docked in Ketchikan with 4 hours to spend on the water—the guaranteed pickup and drop-off from the cruise ship visitor center means you fish without worrying about getting back to your ship on time. The private boat keeps it just your group, and the captain handles the positioning and timing so you're fishing in the best waters during the salmon run instead of arranging logistics yourself.
Matanuska Glacier: Guided Ice Walk & Lunch Day Trip from AnchorageYou’ll walk across ancient blue ice at Matanuska Glacier with a local guide, feel Alaskan wind on your face, and warm up over lunch with glacier views. Expect real stories from locals, time for photos, and moments you’ll want to remember long after you leave.
Mendenhall Glacier canoe paddle and hike: 5.5 hoursA 5.5-hour canoe paddle and glacier hike in Juneau starts at Mendenhall Lake with paddle instruction, then crosses toward Mendenhall Glacier while you watch for freshly calved icebergs and Arctic tern nesting grounds. After paddling past Nugget Falls, you exit the canoes and hike the rocky terrain to explore the glacier's edge—crevasses, ice fall and deep blue features—before paddling back across the lake. A professional guide, all paddling equipment, rain gear, boots, snacks and National Park fees are included; you'll need to be in strong physical condition and able to swim.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're in strong physical condition and comfortable paddling and hiking for a full morning—the 5.5-hour commitment and the 5-to-6-mile paddle plus 2-mile hike mean this is built for travelers who can sustain effort over several hours. Shared canoes with other guests keep the cost down and build the group energy that makes paddling across a glacier-fed lake feel like an expedition rather than a solo outing.
Arctic Circle Day Tour Fairbanks: Dalton Hwy & CertificateA 12-hour guided day tour from Fairbanks that crosses the Arctic Circle along the Dalton Highway, one of Alaska's most remote roads. You travel north through boreal forest and tundra, stop at the Yukon River and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline viewpoint, reach the Arctic Circle monument at 66°33', receive an official certificate, and return the same day. The tour includes a professional guide, air-conditioned vehicle, and pickup from your hotel; dinner at Yukon River Camp is available for purchase on the return leg.Is it for me?The 12-hour commitment means an early pickup and late return, which rules out other activities that day but gives you the full inland journey to the Arctic Circle and back without rushing the stops. If you're staying in Fairbanks for only one full day, this tour fills it completely; if you need flexibility for other plans, a shorter option would serve you better.
Salmon Fishing near Anchorage with Knik Glacier viewsA full-day salmon fishing activity from Anchorage takes you 1.5 to 3 hours north by van to productive fishing areas, where you'll cast with hands-on instruction from a guide and fish across from Knik Glacier. Hip boots, rod, reel and lures are provided; bottled water and a grill on board let you cook your catch fresh. Hotel pickup is included, and children from age 8 are welcome.Is it for me?Small groups keep the day personal and the fishing less crowded — this works well for families with kids old enough to cast and for anyone who wants real instruction instead of a cattle-pen experience. The 8-hour commitment and the drive north mean you're trading a full day for access to productive water and the chance to eat what you catch.
Fairbanks Highlights Tour: Pioneer Park & MuseumsThis five-hour Fairbanks city tour visits four distinct stops—Pioneer Park with its preserved Gold Rush-era buildings and the historic SS Nenana sternwheeler, the University of Alaska Museum of the North (home to Blue Babe, a 36,000-year-old mummified bison), the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center showcasing Interior Alaska's indigenous cultures, and the Santa Claus House in North Pole with its year-round Christmas experience. A local guide leads small groups and shares insider stories and lesser-known details most visitors miss. Hotel pickup is included, along with bottled water, museum entry, and an air-conditioned vehicle for the full route.Is it for me?Five hours is long enough to move through four distinct stops without rushing, but short enough to leave the afternoon open for other activities or rest. The small-group format and local guide mean you hear details and stories that a larger tour or self-guided visit would miss, which matters if you want to understand the Gold Rush history and indigenous cultures beyond what the signs alone convey.
Anchorage mystery tour: 20+ hidden locations, no two alikeRide & Roam is a guided sightseeing tour of Anchorage that takes you to one of more than 20 off-the-beaten-path locations around the city—glacier views, hidden trails, waterfalls—chosen on the day based on what the group wants to explore. The guide customizes the route to match your interests, so each tour is different. Air-conditioned vehicle and state park admission are included; the tour runs three hours and suits solo travelers and small groups alike.Is it for me?Pick this tour if you're arriving with a free afternoon and no car, or if you're staying in Anchorage without transportation—the guide handles the driving and the route, so you just show up and say what interests you. The customized stops mean you'll see places most visitors miss, and the three-hour window fits between other plans without eating your whole day.
Eagle River Trail Hike: Boreal Forest & FallsA guided hike through the Eagle River trail system in Chugach State Park covers 6 miles of boreal forest, salmon spawning streams and the historic Crow Pass, ending at Barbara Falls where you can walk to the base. A naturalist guide leads the day in English, pointing out the forest ecology, wildlife and seasonal berries and fungi; the tour includes a prepacked snack, day packs and trekking poles on request, and runs about 5 hours with transportation included. Children from age 8 are welcome, and the terrain is non-strenuous grade, though some sections are steep and hilly.Is it for me?The hike asks for about 4 hours of walking over 6 miles of uneven terrain with some steep sections, so it suits travelers with moderate fitness who are comfortable on rolling ground and can handle hills—not a flat stroll, but a pace most people manage without scrambling.
Sitka Whale Watch and Sea Otter Quest: 2-hour cruiseA 2-hour whale watching cruise in Sitka led by a live English-speaking guide, departing from Sitka harbor to search for whales, sea otters, sea lions, porpoises, harbor seals, brown bears, deer and bald eagles. The tour prioritizes wildlife viewing in a condensed timeframe, so you get an action-packed morning or afternoon without the full-day commitment. Snacks and hot beverages are included.Is it for me?You'll share a boat with other travelers and see wildlife in a few hours rather than a full day—pick this if your ship schedule or time in Sitka is tight.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Hike & Tongass Rainforest WalkYou’ll trek deep into Juneau’s Tongass rainforest with a local guide, crossing rocky trails and mossy woods before reaching a ridge overlooking Mendenhall Glacier’s wild blue ice. Expect muddy boots, hearty snacks at the viewpoint, and moments of quiet awe you’ll carry home long after your boots dry out.
