Things to do in Alaska
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Helicopter and Glacier Paddle Boarding in Alaska: PrivateA 3-hour private helicopter and paddle boarding adventure on Knik Glacier Pools in Alaska combines aerial views of mountains, glacial rivers and waterfalls with stand-up paddle boarding in massive ancient glacier pools. You'll wear a dry suit and personal flotation device, practice water entry and exit with your guide, and paddle out across the glacial lake. The experience includes an experienced guide, lunch, and all necessary gear; check in one hour before departure at Alaska Glacier Lodge.Is it for me?The 3-hour time frame means you can fit this into a day trip from Anchorage if you arrange transport separately, but it's a full morning or afternoon commitment — book this if you want a complete helicopter and water experience without splitting it across two separate outings.
Frozen waterfall hike Chugach State Park: Barbara FallsThis is a guided hike to Barbara Falls in Chugach State Park, where the waterfall freezes solid in winter and sits minutes from the trailhead. You follow the South Fork Eagle River, stop to photograph the 25-foot cascade with its icicles and ice bridges, then walk back through spruce and birch forest while the guide explains the boreal ecosystem and points out wildlife. The tour runs 3 hours total, includes microspikes for icy ground, a granola bar, and a live guide in English; children are welcome from age 6.Is it for me?This is a guided walk, not a solo hike, so you get a naturalist pointing out the forest ecology and wildlife you'd otherwise miss. Book it if you're new to Alaska and want to see a striking frozen waterfall without committing a full day, or if you're visiting with children and need something brief but memorable on icy terrain.
Seward: Kenai Fjords Glacier & Wildlife Cruise 6 HoursYou board at the Seward terminal and spend six hours on the water through Resurrection Bay and into Kenai Fjords National Park, passing seabird rookeries in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and approaching a tidewater glacier up close enough to hear ice calving. Lunch and captain's commentary are included; you bring layers and binoculars and book your vegetarian meal in advance if needed.Is it for me?Book this if your cruise schedule allows a full six-hour excursion and you want glacier and wildlife viewing without arranging separate transport from Seward—the boat departs and returns from the cruise terminal, and the timing is built around the tour, not around your ship's schedule.
Salmon Fishing Charter in Ketchikan: 4-Hour Fishing ExperienceA four-hour salmon fishing charter in Ketchikan puts you on a 28-foot boat equipped with a large fishing platform, roomy cabin and private marine toilet, where you fish for King, Coho, Chum and Pink Salmon under the guidance of a live English-speaking guide. Rain gear is provided; a fishing license is available for purchase at the boat in cash. Children from age 6 are welcome, and the boat is fully wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?Four hours is long enough to work multiple fishing grounds and hit the tides when they move salmon, but short enough to fit into a cruise port morning or leave the afternoon free for other Ketchikan plans. If you want a full-day fishing experience or a halibut-only charter, combination options are available at booking.
Anchorage Winter City Tour: 25 miles, wildlife, and SnowEllaAnchorage's Winter City Tour is a three-hour guided route through the city covering 25 miles of landmarks, wildlife viewing, and cultural stops. You'll meet SnowElla, the 25-foot snow lady; visit Lake Hood to photograph seaplanes; stop at Earthquake Park to learn about the 1964 quake; taste reindeer sausage and smoked salmon; and sit down with an Alaskan pilot for coffee at Rust's Flying Service. A live English-speaking guide leads the group through each stop, handling the driving while you take photos and ask questions.Is it for me?At three hours, the tour fits into a morning or early afternoon without eating the whole day, leaving you time to explore on your own or visit museums afterward. If you want to see Anchorage's winter character and its aviation heritage without renting a car or building an itinerary, the fixed route and included guide handle both.
Ketchikan Halibut Fishing Charters: Private Boat for Your GroupA four-hour private fishing charter in Ketchikan where you fish for halibut, King salmon, Coho, Pink and Chum salmon on a boat equipped with top-line electronics and a comfortable cabin. All fishing gear, soda, water and snacks are included; the crew works within your timeline so the trip fits your group's pace and experience level.Is it for me?Book this charter if your group wants to fish together without sharing the boat with strangers—the private setup means you control the pace and the crew adapts to whether you're learning or chasing a specific catch.
Turnagain Arm to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center shuttleThe Turnagain Arm Shuttle is a guided drive from Anchorage to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, combining a scenic route along one of Alaska's most dramatic highways with a one-hour visit to a 200-acre sanctuary for orphaned and injured wildlife. The shuttle departs on a fixed schedule from the gift shop and returns the same way, making it a direct option for travelers without a car. Dall sheep and Beluga whales are visible from the road; the center itself holds bears, moose, bison, wolves and other native species in enclosures designed to replicate their natural habitats.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying in Anchorage without a car—the shuttle runs on a fixed schedule from the gift shop and includes a scenic drive along Turnagain Arm, giving you wildlife viewing plus landscape time in one outing.
Seward to Anchorage: Wildlife Tour & Glacier Views with PickupYou travel from Seward cruise port to Anchorage with a local guide, stopping at Exit Glacier, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Turnagain Arm, Potter Marsh, and Earthquake Park. Your luggage stays secured in the vehicle while you explore each stop. The journey takes four to five hours and includes water, snacks, and drop-off at the airport or downtown hotel.Is it for me?Book this if your cruise ends in Seward and you're flying out of Anchorage the same day—it turns the transfer into a final tour instead of dead time, and the luggage stays in the van so you're not managing bags between five stops.
Private Halibut and Salmon Fishing Charter in KetchikanA private fishing charter in Ketchikan pairs you with an experienced captain and a fully equipped boat to fish for halibut and salmon in the waters surrounding Alaska's Salmon Capital. The captain meets you at the cruise ship dock, explains USCG safety procedures, and takes you to the fishing grounds with all tackle and poles provided; you choose between a 4-hour salmon charter, a 5-hour halibut trip, or a 6-hour combination of both. Fishing licenses are your choice to purchase beforehand or add at checkout.Is it for me?Choose the 4-hour salmon charter if you're short on time between ship departures; the 5-hour halibut trip if you want to focus on one species and have a full morning; or the 6-hour option if you want to fish for both and don't need to rush back to the dock. The captain times the return around your ship's schedule, so confirm your all-aboard time when you book.
Matanuska Glacier Anchorage: Glacier Hike & Wildlife DriveYou drive two hours from Anchorage through wildlife country, stop for coffee halfway, then spend two to three hours hiking on Matanuska Glacier with microspikes and a guide who photographs the day for you. The hike is moderate, covers two to three miles with little elevation change, and includes all gear and guide gratuities. You return to Anchorage in the evening.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to walk on Alaska's largest glacier without arranging your own transport or gear — the van, the microspikes, and the guide's knowledge of where to step are what make a moderate hike on ice feel manageable in a single day.
Matanuska Glacier Hiking from Anchorage: Guided Ice TourYou're picked up from your Anchorage hotel and driven two hours through mountain scenery to Matanuska Glacier, where local guides outfit you with ice clamps and lead you across canyons, caves and ice walls on a beginner-friendly hike. Lunch overlooks the Matanuska River on the return drive, with stops for photos and wildlife spotting. The whole day takes ten hours and includes all fees.Is it for me?Book this if you want to walk on a glacier without arranging your own transport, equipment rental or a guide — the pickup, clamps and local expertise come as one package, and the small group size means you're not competing for space on the ice.
Mendenhall Lake kayak tour: Paddle to the glacierA guided kayak tour on Mendenhall Lake puts you in a two-person kayak paddling across iceberg-studded water toward Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls, with a live guide who teaches proper technique and points out native wildlife. The tour operates under a limited U.S. Forest Service permit that keeps group size small; life jackets, rain gear, and snacks are included. The 3.5-hour outing is grouped by paddling ability so beginners and experienced kayakers travel at a comfortable pace.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to paddle among icebergs and stand (or float) in front of Mendenhall Glacier's face—the limited Forest Service permit keeps the group small and the water uncrowded, which is what makes the experience feel like you've found something few travelers get to see.
Ketchikan ocean kayak tour: 3 hours on remote Alaskan waterA boat-launched kayak tour in Ketchikan where you paddle tandem kayaks on remote Alaskan water for three hours with a local guide, Tim, who adjusts the route daily based on conditions and wildlife. The boat transports you to the kayaking site, supplies all gear, and returns you to town with time to catch your cruise ship. Snacks and a weather layer are included; the tour runs rain or shine and welcomes paddlers of all experience levels.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to paddle actual Alaskan coastline instead of following a fixed route—Tim changes where you go each day based on the water, wind and wildlife, which is what makes the paddling feel like exploring rather than checking off a list.
Anchorage All Around City Tour: Winter Sightseeing by CarThe Anchorage All Around City Tour is a 3.5-hour guided sightseeing tour by private vehicle that reaches the hardest-to-access attractions scattered across Alaska's largest city. The tour includes the Ulu Factory, Earthquake Park, Lake Hood, Alaska Wild Berry Products with its 3,000-pound chocolate waterfall, and the Alaska Native Medical Center's collection of Native art from over 227 federally recognized tribes. A live English-speaking guide drives you to each stop, leaving the city center walkable on your own afterward.Is it for me?Book this if you're without a car—it reaches the far corners of Anchorage that are hard to access on foot, leaving your afternoon free for downtown's walkable attractions.
Fairbanks City Highlights: Golden Heart Tour with Museum EntryThis half-day guided tour of Fairbanks covers three major attractions—the University of Alaska Museum of the North, the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Viewpoint—plus a stop at Santa's North Pole shop, all in an air-conditioned vehicle with a live English-speaking guide. Admission to the museums is included; pickup is arranged before the tour departs.Is it for me?The five-and-a-half-hour commitment means you can fit this into a morning or early afternoon and still have the rest of your day free—it's built for first-time visitors who want the main Fairbanks stops without spending the whole day on a single tour.
Anchorage to Girdwood: 45-Min Airport & Hotel TransferYou're picked up at Anchorage airport or downtown, grouped with other travelers heading south, and dropped at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood after forty-five minutes. The shuttle tracks your flight, includes all fees and taxes, and arrives at the resort main entrance—no rental car, no parking, no winter driving to manage. Book in advance and reconfirm the night before.Is it for me?Book this if you're arriving at Anchorage airport or staying downtown and want to reach Girdwood without renting a car or driving the Seward Highway yourself—the shared shuttle removes the logistics and the fatigue, and forty-five minutes of scenery is part of the trip, not a chore to get through.
Ketchikan Halibut and Salmon Private Fishing CharterA private fishing charter in Ketchikan puts you and up to five other anglers on your own vessel with a licensed captain for five hours, targeting halibut, salmon, lingcod, rockfish, Pacific cod or Dungeness crab depending on what you want to pursue. You choose the focus—fishing only, wildlife sightseeing, or a combination—and the captain adjusts the route and technique to match. Fishing gear, rain jackets, bibs, boots and gloves are provided; an Alaska fishing license is optional at checkout.Is it for me?The boat departs from Ketchikan harbor with pickup included, so you don't need a car or a ride arranged—the captain meets you at the dock. If you're staying in town without transportation, this settles the logistics and gives you five hours to focus on fishing instead of getting there.
Dog Sledding in Alaska: 10-Mile Wilderness RideThis 2-hour dog mushing experience near Fairbanks takes you 10 miles into the Alaskan backcountry on a sled pulled by race-trained huskies. You meet the dogs and puppies at the kennel, learn to ride from experienced handlers, and travel over tundra, forest and frozen lake trails in a small group. Arctic gear is provided; coffee and snacks are included.Is it for me?Most dog mushing tours in Alaska run as shared-group rides with fixed schedules and larger groups. This one keeps the group small and intimate, which is what makes the kennel tour and the quiet time on the frozen trails feel like access to the real working world of Alaskan dog sledding instead of a staged performance.
Sitka kayaking with sightseeing cruise and wildlife guideSitka kayaking combines a sightseeing boat ride with a guided paddle through Sitka Sound, part of the Gulf of Alaska. You board a custom-built inflatable vessel at the cruise port dock, cruise to a floating base camp while the captain scans for whales and wildlife, then receive instruction on ocean-going two-person kayaks and paddle in groups of up to six kayaks through protected bays and inlets. The tour runs 3 hours total and includes all equipment, rain gear, life jackets, a snack, and a professional guide who leads the paddle and identifies marine life along the way.Is it for me?You paddle the kayaks yourself in a small shared group (up to six kayaks), led by a guide who handles pacing and instruction—this suits anyone wanting to be on the water doing the paddling rather than watching from a boat, with no experience required and all gear provided.
VIP Alaska Wildlife Tour from Anchorage: Private GroupA private VIP tour from Anchorage takes groups of up to five through Turnagain Arm and Chugach State Park to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a rehabilitation facility for injured and orphaned animals. The tour runs 3 to 4 hours with a live guide in English or Spanish, hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water included. The center's animals—bears, moose, bison, wolves and others—are part of conservation efforts to return wildlife to natural habitats, and the scenic drive shows seasonal forest colors and ice formations of ancient glaciers.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Alaskan wildlife and scenery without joining a large group—the five-person limit means more time with the guide and closer access to the animals at the conservation center.
