Best Things to Do in Alaska

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Alaska is vast and more than just a few cruise ports. While cities and ports are interesting in themselves, they are excellent base camps for exploring the wild beyond. For Alaska’s top activities and attractions, I compiled my top 11 things to do in Alaska that make your vacation memorable.

#1 See and Hear Glaciers

Get up close to a towering glacier. Listen for the cracking sound that builds to a thunderous rumble as brilliant blue ice shears off the face of the glacier and crashes into the water below. 

#2 Find Moose

Even in the heart of the Anchorage, moose are as likely to be seen on the downtown city streets as they are in the parks. But there a few locations known for moose. The Chugach Mountains, Potter Marsh, and Kincaid Park are all great for moose sightings. Moose prefer the areas along rivers, streams, and marshy clearings. They are the most active in the morning and evening hours.

#3 Ride the Rails

Alaska offers some of the world’s most scenic rail journeys. Glass-domed windows in the rail cars offer unobstructed views of Alaska’s beauty. Some railways even include open-air observation platforms, so you are truly immersed in the great outdoors. Experiencing your Alaska vacation by railway, allows you to travel along the coast and further inland through the mountains to take in some of Alaska’s most amazing wildlife and wilderness along the way.

#4 Go Flightseeing

Flightseeing is an unforgettable way to explore the magnificence of the Last Frontier. Personalized flightseeing tours by floatplane, fixed-wing plane, or helicopter allow you to visit breathtaking areas of Alaska not accessible by any other means. On flightseeing adventures, you can experience glacier landing, fly-in fishing, or soaring over the mountains for wildlife viewing.  

#5 Fish Ship Creek

Alaska fishing is the stuff of legends and Ship Creek is local salmon stream right in downtown Anchorage! This stream is packed with king and silver salmon every summer. Platforms along Ship Creek give you best view of the salmon filling the waterway on their trip upstream.  But if you’re eager to put a line in the water, pick up your fishing license and rent some gear at a nearby sporting goods store. Then throw on a pair of hip waders and reel in an Alaskan salmon!

#6 Whale Watching

View of these mighty mammals are best in the summer when the whales are near Alaska shores feeding. Beluga whales chase salmon runs returning to local rivers and streams. These white whales are easily spotted at Bird Point and Beluga Point turnouts alongside Seward highway. Humpback, gray, and orca whales also swim the rich waters of Resurrection Bay and Prince William Sound.

#7 Pan for Gold

Relive Alaska's gold rush era and try your luck at panning for gold on your Alaska vacation. Crow Creek and Indian Valley mines are sites of gold strikes at the end of the 19th century. Learn the “Art of Gold Panning” and then with a pan and a little patience, take a shot at finding flakes of Alaskan gold.

#8 View Northern Lights

The Northern Lights are seen swirling in Alaska’s skies, from September through April. The shimmering auora can be incredibly bright, multi-hued, and fast moving. The best displays are viewed during clear, dark skies. Fortunately, there are plenty of locales away from city lights with prime auroa viewing in Alaska. Eklutna Tailrace, Knik River Valley, Girdwood, and Glen Alps are all popular spots for a night of viewing the Northern Lights.

#9 Dog Sledding

Iditarod mushers welcome visitors to their kennels year-round. Learn about raising and racing sled dogs. Cuddle with a whole litter of Huskie puppies - the future Iditarod champs.  See and feel the strength, energy, and passion that these 4-legged athletes have when you hop on a dogsled cart on the Iditarod National Historic Trail.

#10 Taste Alaska

Local fare includes everything from wild salmon, halibut, and king crab to more unique Alaskan specialties. Try reindeer sausage or even birch syrup tapped from trees each spring. Anchorage also has more than a dozen breweries all proud of Alaska’s pure water supply.

 

#11 Visit National Parks

Your Alaska vacation is not complete without exploring the national parks. Two national parks are most alluring. Glacier Bay National Park has the most beautiful active glaciers in the state. It boasts the most visitors of all the national parks in Alaska. Denali National Park is home to North America’s tallest peak and abundant wildlife. Try Horseshoe Lake trail near the visitor’s center for a quick hike the whole family will enjoy.

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