Things to do in Alaska
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Ketchikan: Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise with Eagle SightingsYou board a small-group whale-watching boat in Ketchikan and cruise through the Tongass National Forest, watching for humpback whales, bald eagles, and harbor seals. The tour includes live narration, a stop to watch eagles feed near Metlakatla Island, time at Walden Rocks to see seals, snacks, coffee, tea, binoculars, and blankets. Meet 30 minutes before departure at the Berth 2 Visitors Center downtown.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to see Alaska's marine wildlife without arranging your own boat or timing—the fixed departure time and 90% whale sighting rate mean you spend your port hours on the water instead of planning logistics.
Fairbanks: Arctic Circle & Northern Lights with Dalton HighwayYou drive the remote Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle in a small group (under 8 people) with a local guide, stopping at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Viewpoint, the Yukon River crossing, and the Arctic Circle Campground. You receive a personalized certificate, have chances to photograph the Northern Lights if conditions allow, and return to Fairbanks the same day. Hotel pickup and drop-off within Fairbanks, coffee and tea, and all stops are included; the full 12–14 hour tour requires being able to enter and exit the van with minimal assistance.Is it for me?Book this if you want to reach the Arctic Circle from Fairbanks without arranging your own transport or navigating the remote Dalton Highway alone — the guide, the fixed schedule, and the small-group format handle the logistics so you focus on the drive and the lights.
Ketchikan: Clover Pass Kayak Eco-Tour & Wildlife SightingYou’ll paddle through calm waters north of Ketchikan with a local guide, spotting sea lions, bald eagles, and tidepool creatures along rainforest shores. Enjoy small-group company, learn about Tongass Forest life, and finish with smoked salmon snacks before heading back—still damp but grinning.
Juneau: Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Combo TourYou’ll watch humpback whales glide through Alaska’s Inside Passage from a heated boat with wide windows, then ride out to Mendenhall Glacier for walks along icy trails or down to Nugget Falls—all with local guides who know their stuff. Expect real wildlife moments, salty air, and just enough time at each stop to feel you’ve really been there.
Anchorage: City Tour with Salmon Tasting & Reindeer SausageYou’ll taste wild smoked salmon and reindeer sausage, watch float planes land on Lake Hood, sample chocolates at Alaska Wild Berry Products, and hear real Anchorage stories from your local guide. Expect laughter, unexpected flavors, and maybe even a moose sighting—plus all the little moments that make Alaska feel close.
Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour from KetchikanThe Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour from Ketchikan is a three-hour cruise aboard the Aleutian Ballad, the vessel featured on Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch, where you observe commercial fishermen at work in the calm waters of the Inside Passage. A live guide walks you through what the crew catches—king crab, box crab, octopus, rockfish and prawns—held briefly in a tank for observation before release; sea lions, porpoise and wild eagles often appear along the route. Raincoats and ponchos are provided; children from age 5 are welcome, and the tour stays in protected waters with no rough seas.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see commercial fishing in action without the open ocean—the calm Inside Passage waters and the working crew make it accessible for families with young children and anyone who prefers to stay out of rough seas.
Denali Flightseeing Tours from Talkeetna: Ruth Glacier LandingYou fly within 6 miles of Denali's summit, descend into the Ruth Amphitheater and Great Gorge, and if you book the glacier landing option, you touch down on the Ruth Glacier itself for a walk on the ice. Hotel pickup, headsets, and live pilot commentary are included. The whole flight is 1 to 1.5 hours depending on which option you choose.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see Denali up close without a multi-day trek—the plane does the climbing for you. Plan for the full experience with pickup and check-in: you're looking at roughly 2–3 hours total from hotel to airport and back, with 1–1.5 hours in the air.
Guided Snowmobile Tour near Fairbanks: Alaska Pipeline & WildlifeA 1-hour guided snowmobile tour near Fairbanks takes you across the Alaska Pipeline and through snow-covered forests on new Ski Doo luxury touring snowmobiles with heated handgrips and electric start. You arrive 30 minutes early for a safety briefing and practice riding, then trails are chosen based on your ability. The tour operates in all weather and includes all outer gear, heated helmet, neck gator, gloves and boots; a valid driver's license is required, and the minimum age is 5 years old.Is it for me?You're in the driver's seat for the full hour—practice time and terrain chosen for your skill level mean complete control whether you're a first-timer or seasoned rider.
Kenai Fjords Cruise from Seward: Whales, Glaciers & CalvingA 7.5-hour cruise from Seward into Kenai Fjords National Park travels 130 miles roundtrip through Resurrection Bay to two active tidewater glaciers where you watch for calving, then past the Chiswell Islands or Cape Resurrection to see Steller sea lion colonies and thousands of nesting seabirds. The boat departs at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 5:00 p.m., with onboard naturalist narration, a heated cabin with reserved seating, binoculars, and a deli sandwich included. The cruise operates in all weather and travels into open Gulf of Alaska water, so it is not recommended for anyone prone to motion sickness.Is it for me?At 7.5 hours, this cruise takes most of your day, which is what makes the 130-mile roundtrip and two separate glacier stops possible—a half-day Resurrection Bay cruise covers less ground and fewer glaciers. Book this one if you have a full day free and want to see active calving and open-water wildlife; if your schedule is tighter or motion sickness is a concern, the shorter bay cruise is the better fit.
Fairbanks: Northern Lights Chase & Mobile Aurora Lodge TourYou’ll chase real-time Aurora forecasts from Fairbanks in a heated van with a local guide, warm up at a mobile lodge with campfire dinner and drinks, and get pro photos under Alaska’s wild sky. Expect laughter around the fire—and maybe a moment alone with just you and those swirling lights.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Trolley Tour from Cruise PortYou board a trolley at the cruise ship dock for a narrated 30-minute ride to Mendenhall Glacier, then spend two hours exploring the visitor center and trails on your own before returning with the same guide. The tour is timed to your ship's re-boarding window, includes round-trip transport from the port, and operates regardless of weather. Book with your ship details to lock in your return time.Is it for me?Book this if you're on a cruise ship and want to see Mendenhall Glacier without arranging a separate car or worrying about missing your departure—the fixed schedule and port-to-port timing take both off your hands.
Alaska Helicopter Tour & Knik Glacier Landing 60 minsYou fly 30 minutes over the Mat-Su Valley to the Knik Glacier, land on the ice, and spend 30 minutes hiking across it with spikes and your pilot as guide. The tour runs 60 minutes total, includes all fees, and works year-round — though winter landings are beside the glacier rather than on top due to snow. Arrive 45 minutes early or risk a shortened tour.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Alaska's scale from the air and actually stand on a glacier without arranging your own helicopter or guide — the fixed schedule and included spikes handle both the logistics and the safety details.
Anchorage wildlife and glaciers tour: Bears and mooseThis half-day tour from Anchorage combines wildlife viewing at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center with glacier sightseeing in Portage Valley, led by a professional guide. The itinerary includes a one-hour visit to the sanctuary, stops at Beluga Point and three named glaciers, and a walk through rainforest; pickup is downtown across from the Hilton. Winter weather may alter the Portage Valley portion, and the full route involves roughly 40 minutes of walking.Is it for me?You've just landed in Anchorage or have a free half-day and want to see Alaska's most famous animals and glaciers without renting a car or buying separate tickets—the guide handles the route and timing, the entry fee is built in, and you're back downtown by early afternoon.
Fairbanks: Arctic Circle Day Tour & Dalton HighwayYou drive 200 miles north on the Dalton Highway with a local guide, stop at the Yukon River and Finger Mountain, reach the Arctic Circle Monument for photos and a walk, and return to Fairbanks with an official certificate and a full day's worth of images. Hotel pickup and snacks are included, and groups stay under 9 people so the guide can actually talk to you.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Fairbanks who want to reach the Arctic Circle without arranging their own transport or navigating the Dalton Highway alone. Plan for a full 12-hour day — that's what makes the 200-mile round trip and the time at the monument itself possible in one outing.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls by Blue BusYou get roundtrip narrated transport from the cruise terminal, two hours to explore Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls on your own, and Visitor Center entry with exhibits included. The self-guided format means you choose whether to hike, photograph, or linger at the viewpoint, and the return timing is built around your ship's departure window.Is it for me?A good fit if you're docked in Juneau and want to see Mendenhall Glacier without arranging your own transport or worrying about timing back to the ship. The self-guided format means you set the pace, and the return is timed around cruise departures so you're not rushed.
Denali Park Zipline Adventure: 7 Ziplines & Suspension BridgesYou’ll start your Denali Park zipline adventure with a bumpy off-road ride before strapping in to cross six sky bridges and soar on seven ziplines high above Alaska’s forest and tundra. With local guides cheering you on—and a heart-pounding dual racer finish—you’ll leave with shaky legs and big grins.Is it for me?Skip the logistics and arrive ready to clip in—hotel pickup and professional guides handle everything so you go straight to the ziplines.
Ketchikan Electric Bike and Rain Forest Hike: Small-Group EcotourThis 4-hour ecotour combines an electric bike ride along the "road to nowhere" with a guided hike through Tongass National Forest in Ketchikan. You pedal to the trailhead on a scenic coastal route, then walk a maintained trail beside an active salmon stream, past a waterfall and beach overlooks where black bears and marine mammals sometimes appear. The tour stays under 10 people, includes roundtrip transport from the cruise docks, and ends with smoked salmon and vegan snacks at the marina.Is it for me?You have a few hours between ship arrival and departure and want to see the rainforest without renting a car or building an itinerary yourself. The small group, included transport and fixed route mean the day holds together without negotiation—you show up, ride, hike and eat, and the guide handles the rest.
Juneau Tour: City, Douglas Island & Mendenhall Glacier ViewsThis guided bus tour of Juneau covers downtown highlights, crosses to Douglas Island, and stops at Homestead Park and Brotherhood Park over 90 minutes with an experienced guide. Park fees are included, and the tour runs year-round with weather-dependent glacier views from the final stop.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're arriving by cruise ship and want the key Juneau landmarks without arranging separate transportation—the guide handles the stops and timing, and you get the downtown context and photo moments in a single 90-minute loop.
3 Hour Off-Road Denali Tour in Climate-Controlled Fat TruckA 3-hour guided off-road tour near Denali National Park in Healy, Alaska, in a climate-controlled SHERP fat truck that climbs steep mining trails to vista points. You ride in a heated, enclosed cab with noise-reduction headsets, a live English-speaking guide, and hotel pickup from select properties; the tour varies by trail and weather conditions year-round.Is it for me?This is a shared guided tour in a vehicle, so you're riding with other travelers and following the guide's route and pace. Choose it if you want to explore off-road terrain without driving yourself or arranging transport to the trailhead, and if you prefer a heated, enclosed cab over an open-air ride.
Juneau: Whale Watching Tour & Tracy’s Crab Shack ComboYou’ll watch for whales in Juneau’s wild channels with a local guide who actually knows their names, then dig into fresh crab at Tracy’s Crab Shack—messy hands encouraged. Expect laughter with strangers, sea air in your hair, guaranteed whale sightings (in season), plus easy pickup from port so you don’t miss a thing.
