Things to do in Alaska
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Ketchikan Zipline & Canopy Ropes Course: Rainforest AdventureYou get picked up at the Port of Ketchikan, geared up in a forest pavilion, and sent into the canopy on eight ropes and seven ziplines strung between 650-year-old cedars. You swing, balance, and glide 45 feet above the ground, with one zipline taking you out over the water to a platform suspended above the inlet. All safety gear is included, and the schedule is timed so you're back at your ship before it leaves port.Is it for me?Book this if you're docked in Ketchikan with a few hours to spare and want something more active than a walking tour—the port pickup and fixed schedule mean you don't have to arrange transport or worry about missing your ship, which is what makes a full rainforest course possible in a short port day.
Sitka: Fortress of the Bear, Raptor Center & Totems Small Group TourYou’ll watch rescued brown bears play at Fortress of the Bear, stand eye-to-eye with eagles at Alaska Raptor Center, and wander among old-growth trees and Tlingit totems in Sitka’s national park — all with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Expect laughter, muddy boots, maybe some rain, but definitely moments you’ll carry home.
Skagway: White Pass Summit & Yukon Suspension BridgeYou drive from Skagway into the Chilkoot Mountains, stop at scenic overlooks along the White Pass, walk out onto the Yukon Suspension Bridge above glacier-fed water, and learn the Gold Rush and natural history of the area. Hotel or cruise pickup is included, the bridge admission is covered, and you're back within three hours—ideal if your ship is in port for the afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you're docked in Skagway for the afternoon and want to see the White Pass and Yukon territory without arranging a separate driver or paying extra for bridge entry—the fixed three-hour window is designed to fit a cruise schedule.
Seward Whale Watching Cruise: 8.5 hours, small groupYou board at 8:30am from Seward Harbor and spend 8.5 hours cruising Northwestern Fjord with a small group, watching glaciers calve and scanning for whales, sea lions, and seabirds. The captain narrates and adjusts the route based on wildlife sightings. Lunch, binoculars, and all fees are included; you return by 5pm.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see Northwestern Fjord and its glaciers without the crowds of larger cruise ships — the small-vessel format and 8.5-hour window are what make the remote stops and flexible wildlife routing possible.
Seward: Dog Sled Ride, Husky Kennel Tour & Puppy CuddlesYou’ll feel the energy of real sled dogs pulling you through Alaska’s forest trails near Seward, then tour a working kennel with local guides who live for this sport. Cuddle husky puppies (if they’re around), sip hot coffee, and laugh along as you see what life is really like behind the scenes of dog mushing.
Anchorage: Matanuska Glacier Hike & Ice Walk from DowntownYou get picked up from your hotel, driven two hours to Matanuska Glacier with mountain views along the way, then spend two hours hiking across the ice with guides, spikes, and helmets provided. Lunch at a glacier-view lodge is included in the price, and you're back in Anchorage by late afternoon. The only thing not covered is the actual meal itself — you buy that at the lodge.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to walk on actual glacier ice without arranging your own transport or equipment — the pickup, the spikes, the helmets and the guides are all handled. Plan for a full day out and a moderate hike on uneven terrain; that's what makes two hours on the ice possible.
Skagway: Lynn Canal Raft Tour & Wildlife SightingsYou board a Coast Guard-style motorized raft and spend two hours racing through Lynn Canal's hidden coves, waterfalls, and wildlife zones while your captain cuts the engines for quiet moments and photo stops. Everything you need—exposure suit, goggles, gloves, ninja mask—is provided. The boat is designed for rough water, the captain knows the area intimately, and the pace is fast enough to feel like an adventure without leaving you exhausted or soaked.Is it for me?Book this if you want the speed and thrill of a real adventure boat without the long logistics—the operator handles everything, knows exactly where to go, and you're moving the whole time instead of waiting around a dock.
Ketchikan Sea Kayaking: Eagle Island from PortSea kayak tour from Ketchikan port to Eagle Island in Tongass National Forest, with van pickup, guide, equipment and safety briefing included. The paddle takes three and a half hours through protected waters where bald eagles, humpback whales, orca whales and starfish are common. Children from age 8 are welcome; maximum height 6'6" and weight 230 pounds.Is it for me?Paddle through Clover Pass's protected waters where wildlife actually appears—tandem kayaks keep you moving without fighting the ocean, so you spend your port hours exploring instead of watching from a boat.
Skagway & Yukon Suspension Bridge Tour: Gold Rush historyA guided van tour from Skagway crosses into Canada to explore Gold Rush sites, the Klondike Highway, and the Yukon Suspension Bridge spanning the Tutshi River in remote British Columbia. The tour includes pickup and drop-off at the cruise ship docks, multiple photo stops, and a live guide narrating the history of the region. A valid passport is required, as the route leaves the United States and enters Canada.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Gold Rush history and remote Canadian wilderness without arranging your own transportation or worrying about timing—the guide handles the narration, the route covers the major landmarks, and the ship pickup means you're back on schedule.
Skagway tour with puppies, suspension bridge & White PassA guided tour from Skagway that climbs the Klondike Highway into British Columbia and the Yukon, stopping at the White Pass summit, a working sled dog camp where you meet and play with puppies, and the Yukon Suspension Bridge with its river views and historical markers. The tour includes pickup at the cruise ship dock, narration from a live guide, and entry to all three main stops—the only operator combining all three in a single afternoon. A valid passport is required, as the route crosses the U.S.-Canada border twice.Is it for me?Pickup at the cruise dock means you don't need a car or have to arrange your own transport—the tour collects everyone and handles the border crossing, so you can spend your port day on three major stops instead of choosing between them.
Willow Alaska: Dog Sledding with Iditarod Huskies & Denali ViewsYou’ll meet real Iditarod huskies in Willow, Alaska and help harness your own team before gliding through snowy trails with Denali peeking out ahead. Warm up after your dog sled ride with hot drinks and snacks in a cozy cabin — there’s something about those moments that just sticks with you.
Anchorage: Knik Glacier Helicopter Tour & 3 LandingsYou fly 30 minutes up the Knik River Valley, then land three times across the glacier system: once on alpine terrain for the full view, once at a 100-foot ice wall where calving happens, and once on the glacier itself where you can walk and explore for 30 minutes. The whole tour takes 2 hours and includes the helicopter flight, all fees, and a guided glacier hike. Wildlife sightings (moose, bears, sheep) are possible but not guaranteed.Is it for me?Book this if you want to land on a glacier and explore it on foot without spending a full day arranging logistics — the 2-hour format fits a single morning or afternoon, and the three separate landings give you real time on the ice rather than a quick pass overhead.
Glacier View Wildlife Tour Anchorage: Bears & GlaciersThis 7-hour guided tour from Anchorage combines wildlife viewing at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center with glacier scenery and scenic driving along Turnagain Arm, one of the most dramatic routes in the United States. Hotel pickup is included, and the guide provides binoculars, snacks and water throughout the day. A seasonal walk to Byron Glacier (late May through September) lets you step onto snow and see the glacier's runoff up close.Is it for me?The tour leaves from your Anchorage hotel, so it works whether you are renting a car or not — the guide drives the scenic route, handles the timing at each stop, and knows where the wildlife shows up. If you are staying in the city without a vehicle, this is how you see bears, glaciers and Turnagain Arm in a single day.
Denali Park Nature Walk with Expert Naturalist: 3 HoursA three-hour guided walk through Denali National Park's boreal forest with a certified naturalist guide who answers any question about plants, animals, ecology and geology. Your guide carries bear spray and holds Wilderness First Responder certification. Trekking poles are included; pickup is arranged. The walk moves at an easy pace suitable for all fitness levels, and children from age one are welcome.Is it for me?Small groups keep the pace conversational and let your naturalist answer questions without rushing; this walk suits anyone who wants to understand how Denali's forest actually works, not just pass through it.
Alaska Glacier Day Tours: Portage Glacier Cruise & WildlifeYou get picked up from your Anchorage hotel, driven down one of America's top scenic highways with stops along Turnagain Arm, then cruise to within 300 yards of Portage Glacier with a Park Service ranger on board. After that, you walk through the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see bears, moose, and wolves in a refuge setting. A shuttle returns you to your hotel by evening, with photo stops included on the way back.Is it for me?A good fit if you want the main Anchorage glacier and wildlife sights in one day without renting a car or planning the logistics yourself—the fixed schedule and included transport are what make fitting the glacier cruise, the scenic drive, and the wildlife center into a single outing possible. Plan for a full day out from morning to early evening.
Ketchikan: Lighthouse, Totems & Eagles Boat Tour with SnacksYou’ll glide past Ketchikan’s weathered mills and forested islands by boat, hear legends behind Alaska Native totems at Totem Bight State Historical Park, spot eagles near Guard Island Lighthouse with binoculars in hand, and taste local alder-smoked salmon plus hot chocolate supreme. Expect moments of quiet awe mixed with laughter — it lingers long after you’re back on shore.
Ziplining in Ketchikan: 8 lines through rainforest canopyZipline through eight lines and suspension bridges across Tongass National Forest canopy near Ketchikan, suspended 135 feet above ground among spruce, hemlock and cedar trees. Groups stay under nine people so guides can watch each participant closely. The activity runs 3.5 hours and includes all equipment and an air-conditioned vehicle to the site; closed-toe shoes are required and you must weigh between 70 and 250 pounds and stand at least 57 inches tall.Is it for me?You operate the ziplines yourself across eight lines and suspension bridges—this is not a ride where a guide does the work for you. It suits anyone comfortable with heights and with the physical effort of zipping, crossing bridges and rappelling, and who wants to move through the rainforest canopy rather than observe it from the ground.
Juneau eBike Rainforest: Mendenhall Glacier & Old Growth ForestYou ride an electric-assist bike along a dedicated coastal lane with Mendenhall Glacier views, then walk into old growth rainforest to a private beach. The e-bike's pedal assist means you control the effort—steep sections flatten out, and you cover more ground than you would on a regular bike. Pickup from Juneau, training included, and the whole experience fits into three hours.Is it for me?This works well if you want to see the rainforest and glacier without arranging your own transport or worrying about steep terrain—the e-bike's pedal assist is what makes it possible for mixed ages and fitness levels to ride the same route together.
Icy Strait Point whale watching tour: Guaranteed sightingsA small-group whale watching tour at Icy Strait Point carries up to 24 passengers on a 2.5-hour cruise through waters where humpback whales, orcas, sea lions and sea otters are sighted on every departure. The boat is fully enclosed and heated, with windows all around so no seat is blocked from the view. Transfers to and from your ship are included, and the tour is timed to get you back before your ship's all-aboard time.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to watch whales from a protected boat where every seat has a window and you stay warm and dry. The guaranteed sighting promise and fixed return time mean you can commit to the excursion without worrying about missing your ship or going home empty-handed.
Willow, Alaska: Summer Dog Sledding & Iditarod Training TrailsYou ride a two-person cart pulled by a trained dog team across private Iditarod training trails near Willow for 1–2 miles, then meet the dogs in an open yard, tour the kennel, and walk to a pavilion overlooking Denali for a hands-on look at winter racing gear and sleds. Snacks and rain gear are provided, and the whole experience is built around questions — there's no script, just a family operation that knows their dogs and their trails.Is it for me?Book this if you want to experience sled dogs in their working environment without the winter travel logistics — the family operation handles everything, and the two-person cart keeps the experience intimate and real.
