Unique Things To Do In Alaska: Know The Top Attractions
Published on: Jun 11, 2022
Last updated on: Apr 16, 2025
The last time we did the Alaska vs Texas size comparison, I gave a glimpse of Alaska as the most happening tourism destination in the USA. I also shared how Alaska has been going strong in terms of tourist footfall for the last few years.
Exotic wildlife, quaint small towns, snow-covered mountains, icy-blue glaciers! Alaska has everything my travel dreams are made of. Also, Alaska is making a great comeback after the COVID-19 disaster.
In fact, Alaska Economic Trends 2025, shared by the government of Alaska, acknowledges that tourism in Alaska is flourishing.
Again, cruise tourism is going to take center stage in the tourism landscape, with the number of cruise passengers anticipated to reach more than 1.8 million in 2025.
So, smitten by the beauty and the tune of Denver’s “I dreamed of Alaska so far away” in my mind, I thought of creating an account of the most unique things to do in Alaska and every other thing you need to know before planning a trip.
What is The Best Time To Visit Alaska?
The best time to visit Alaska will change based on the kind of experience you want. However, mid-June to mid-August is the high season for a trip to Alaska.
Furthermore, May to early June and late August to September are the shoulder seasons.
These months are also ideal for various adventurous things to do in Alaska, including a visit to the Denali National Park.
Again, late September to April is the low tourist season in Alaska.
So, let’s find out the best time to visit Alaska for various activities.
| Months | Why Are They Suitable For A Trip To Alaska? |
|---|---|
| Late May to June | • Great weather conditions • Temperature ranging between 50-70 degrees F • 24 Hours of Sunlight • Midnight Sun watching in June |
| Mid-August to Mid-April | • Ideal for watching the Northern Lights* • Great for Fairbanks backcountry tours |
| May to September | • A trip to Denali National Park • Great for a cruise trip |
| Mid-May to September End | • Fishing |
| December to March | • Watching snow • Cross-country skiing • Snowmobiling • Snowshoeing • Dog sledding |
| May to September | •Bear spotting • Watching Salmon Run • Visiting Denali National Park, one of the top things to do in Alaska in May • Visiting the Ghost Town of Portlock Alaska |
| April to September | • Spotting humpbacks and gray whales |
****Visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center website to stay updated on the exact time of the Northern Lights***
Top 10 Things To Do In Alaska: The Ultimate Guide
From an Anchorage railway trip to a wildlife tour in Kachemak Bay, Alaska offers the most versatile experiences for tourists.
So, here, I have curated the most exotic things to do in Alaska on your next trip.
1: Anchorage-Seward Railroad Trip
Anchorage is the first town you will get to hear about after reaching Alaska.
So, Take a train ride on the Alaska Railroad and find yourself awestruck with some amazing scenery along the 4-hour train ride from Anchorage to Seward.
Furthermore, you can reserve your seating beforehand. Also, if you cancel the booking at least one day before the journey, you will be eligible for a 90% refund.
Moreover, the train will depart from Anchorage Depot at 6:45 AM and arrive at Seward Depot at 11:20 AM. Further, the return trip from Seward Depot will start at 6 PM, and the train will reach Anchorage at 10:15 PM.
Furthermore, as the journey begins, you travel through the Turnagain Arm, a marvelous waterway in the northern Gulf of Alaska.
The whole journey takes approx 14 hours and 30 minutes.
Along the way, you will explore Chugach mountains, rugged coastline, backcountry wilderness, glaciers, waterfalls, and river canyons.
Important Info
- Departure Venue: Anchorage Depot, 411 W 1st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA.
- Perks: Onboard narration by Alaskan tour guide, optional snack bar, and dining.
- Fare: Adventure Class: $129.00 for adults and $65.00 for children aged 2-11 years, Goldstar: $266 for adults and $156 for children aged 2-11 years.
Other Things To Do In Anchorage
- Talkeetna & Denali Flightseeing.
- Fly-In-Bear Viewing.
- Hatcher Pass Scenic Drive.
- Fly-In Fishing.
- Rafting At Spencer Glacier.
- Turnagain Arm & Girdwood.
2: Watching The Northern Lights & Bathing In Hot Springs In Fairbanks
People often end up in Fairbanks when they wonder what is there to do in Alaska.
If you’re one of those persons who have landed in this town and are looking for things to do in Fairbanks Alaska, why not witness the magical stories written by the Northern Lights?
Trust me, it’s absolutely enchanting, and it’ll double your Alaska fun in an unimaginable way.
While waiting for the Northern Lights to appear, you can relax at the Chena Hot Springs and check out the Ice Museum. While anticipating the Northern Lights spectacle, unwind at Chena Hot Springs and explore the Ice Museum. For an extra dose of excitement, consider joining Arctic Dog Adventure Co. on their Tolovana Hotsprings Tours. Experience a dog sled journey to a secluded hotspring and spend the night under the mesmerizing Northern Lights.
The Aurora Borealis is a must see in Alaska, and your tour guide will take you to the best places to view the lights with warm beverages in hand.
It may not be perfect as a bachelor party destination, but it’s ideal for a honeymoon couple, and the whole trip will take about 10 hours.
Important Info
- Departure Venue: Pick up from addresses within the Fairbanks or North Pole city limits.
- Perks: Local guide. Hotel pickup and drop-off hot springs, Aurora Ice Museum.
- Fare: $198.03 per adult.
Other Things To Do In Fairbanks
- Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum.
- Running Reindeer Ranch.
- McKinley Explorer.
- University of Alaska Museum of the North.
- Chena River State Recreation Area.
- Angel Rocks Trail.
3: Kachemak Bay Wildlife Tour
Homer is one of the most inviting towns in Alaska. Further, a visit to Kachemak Bay in Homer is one of the most exciting things to do in Alaska in summer.
The tour takes only 2 hours to complete, so you’ll have plenty of time to fill the rest of your day with other activities and tasty Alaskan dishes.
Kachemak Bay is famous for spotting beer and other wild animals. Further, it is great for outdoor activities such as kayaking and hiking.
Moreover, you can go fishing at the Kachemak Bay State National Park.
Other Things To Do In Homer
- Beer Viewing.
- Exploring the Halibut Cove
- Exploring Seldovia
- A Visit to the Norman Lowell Studio & Gallery.
- Visiting Pratt Museum.
- Visiting Bishop’s Beach Park.
4: Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
Okay, Google ‘What are the best things to do in Seward Alaska?’ The Kenai Fjords National Park is bound to top the list.
As you step on this 95-meter-long cruise, you’ll explore some of the best jagged icy cliffs along the fjords, calving glaciers, and Kenai Peninsula.
A seasoned captain will tell you all about the wildlife you’re likely to explore in this 6 hour journey.
If you’re looking for some cool things to do in Alaska, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most popular Alaska attractions.
Other Things To Do In Seward
- Seward Boat Harbour.
- Holgate Glacier.
- Alaska SeaLife Center.
- Resurrection Bay.
- Wilderness Dog Sled Ride.
- Mt. Marathon.
5: Denali National Park
Denali National Park is one of the best Alaska tourist attractions. As you hike along the trails, you’ll come across bear, dall sheep, moose, and wolf tracks!!!
It will take a long 3 hours to complete seeing the national park. The NPS rangers will also be able to guide you if you lose your track midway in the forest, which means you can complete the tour even without a guide.
Other Things To Do In Denali
- Husky Homestead.
- Eielson Visitor Center.
- Denali Visitor Center.
- Park Road.
- Nenana River Whitewater Rafting.
- Tundra Wilderness.
6: Grizzly Falls Ziplining Expedition
The ziplining expedition in Skagway town is a must-do in Alaska for adventure lovers.
You have walked through the dangerous trails of Denali forest and have come face to face with the moose and bears, but now you want some adrenaline rush.
So, in this zip-lining expedition, you’ll zoom through the glacial waterfalls at the Tongass National Rainforest.
It is the longest zip-lining experience that takes 4 hours, and you can even have fun in this experience with your children who are aged above 6.
Important Info
- Departure Venue: Alaska Excursions, 2 Mile Klondike Highway, Skagway, AK 99840.
- Perks: Round-trip transportation, traveling in customized Unimog, scheduling the experience anytime you want.
- Fare: $$239.99 per adult and $194.99 for children up to 12 years.
Other Things To Do In Skagway
- Ocean Raft.
- White Pass Summit.
- Skagway Shore Excursion.
- Chilkoot Horseback Adventure.
- Yukon Dog Sledding.
- Jewel Gardens.
7: Juneau Whale Beach
If you are looking for some unique things to do in Alaska, this unforgettable half-day tour should be on your itinerary.
Further, it will only take 4 hours and 30 minutes to relish this experience. Moreover, you’ll journey in a well-heated boat with large windows and will stop at Marine Park, Alaska Tales, and Downtown Juneau.
Other Things To Do In Juneau
- Whale Watching.
- Alaska State Museum.
- Garden Tours.
- Bear Viewing.
- Dogsled on a Glacier.
- Mt. Roberts. Tramway.
8: Ketchikan RainForest Ecotour
The Ketchikan RainForest is one of the best things to see in Alaska, and if you’re looking for things to do in Alaska in summer, why not tour this forest on an electric bike?
There’s a paved bike path in the Tongass National Forest, and you can complete the tour of the lush forest of Southeast Alaska in 4 hours.
Moreover, if you’re lucky, you may encounter some seals, porpoises, sea lions, and humpback whales on your way back to the hotel.
Other Things To Do In Ketchikan
- Totem Heritage Center.
- Totem Bight State Park.
- Potlatch Park.
- ATV Tour.
- Snorkeling.
- Flightseeing.
9: Exploring The Matanuska Glacier
Alaska vacation ideas will remain incomplete if you don’t explore the Arctic beauty at Matanuska Glacier.
This glacier is near the Matanuska Valley, and it is a 1-hour drive from Palmer.
Once you completely immerse yourself in this frozen landscape, this tour will take 8-9 hours to complete.
Moreover, from icy caves to icy wildlife, this glacier walk helps you feel the poetry of Earth even in the coldest of things!
So, you travel approximately 250 miles on this hike, so it’s better to leave early in the morning.
Other Things To Do In Palmer
- Independence Mine State Historical Park.
- Bodenburg Butte.
- Musk Ox Farm.
- Reindeer Farm.
- Knik Arm Tour.
- Pioneer Falls.
10: Cruising Through The Hubbard Glacier In Wrangell
How can you go all the way to Alaska and miss out on the incredible experience of cruising through Hubbard Glacier in Wrangell?
It is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. Moreover, it regularly sloughs off icebergs as tall as 10-story buildings.
Furthermore, the choppy water may prevent your boat from navigating the glacier from closer proximity. Still, the picturesque beauty of white snow and turquoise ice looks beautiful even from a vast distance.
Other Things To Do In Wrangell
- Wrangell Museum.
- Anan Creek Bear Observatory.
- Petroglyph Beach.
- Mt. Dewey Trail.
- Stikine River.
- Shakes Island.
So, are you ready for an unforgettable experience in Alaska? Get, set, go!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Ans: A scenic drive through the Alaska highway, Denali National Park, the Alaska Railroad, and the Kenai Fjords National Park are some of the best things to do in Alaska. Even if you plan the trip for a short time, you shouldn’t miss out on these things.
Ans: You can head for some dog sledding experience at the North Pole and pump your adrenaline with the zip lining experience at the Grizzly Falls. The mystical beauty in Hubbard and Matanuska Glacier will be enough to feed your wanderlust spirit.
Ans: Buying farmed seafood or fish in general, should be avoided in Alaska. You shouldn’t drink wine that isn’t from Alaska or shouldn’t eat hotdogs because they may not be safe for your health, and you don’t want to fall sick on your trip.
