Ice Climbing, Bear Watching, and Northern Lights: The Best Things to Do in Alaska
Looking for the perfect place for adventures? If you are heading to Alaska, you simply cannot go wrong. America’s Last Frontier offers visitors an endless number of unique adventures.
From whale watching in summer to glacier climbing in autumn, this destination will not disappoint. There are so many fun things to do in Alaska that it’s difficult to pick just a few of them! Not to mention the inland areas, mountains, and fjords, are all thrilling to explore on Zodiac safaris.
If you are up for a wildlife challenge, you’ll have ample opportunities on your trip to Alaska is to spot “the big five.” This would be wolf, grizzly bear, moose, caribou, and Dali sheep!
A trip to Alaska is a must! So, what should you do on an Alaskan holiday? Whether you are looking for total solitude or want to get up close to wildlife, here are some of the best attractions and exciting things to do in Alaska.
Whale watching in Alaska
One of Alaska’s most popular attractions is whale watching. Every spring and early summer, whales migrate into Alaska’s fresh waters and put on a show.
Watch beluga whales, humpback whales, and killer whales. Each year, they gather in large numbers. From all major ports, whale-watching excursions take you to famous Alaskan sites like the Arctic Strait or Kenai Fjords National Park.
Bear watching
Whether you are in the south or the far north, you will live among wildlife. Bears are especially abundant in Alaska. Both black and brown bears, always on the hunt for salmon, roam Alaska’s lush landscapes and rivers in spring and summer.
If you want to go bear-watching, choose one of the state’s huge national parks or forests. Denali is iconic, while the Tongass National Forest in the southeast also has plenty of great bear-watching spots.
Alaskan Seafood
Alaska is a seafood lovers’ paradise – and few places in the world deliver as much – with endless varieties of fresh fish, such as halibut, crab, and of course, salmon. In fact, there are only seven types of seafood indigenous to Alaska. This includes lingcod, rockfish, halibut, wild king salmon, coho salmon, Alaskan spot prawns, and smoked black cod. No trip would be complete without a traditional salmon bake offered by tours and restaurants throughout Alaska.
Northern Lights, Alaska
In Alaska, the Northern Lights are found in the Far North. Green and yellow lights are particularly popular here in autumn and winter, as they are especially bright on shorter days. So, if you have decided that the northern lights are on your list, you need to head north.
Fairbanks and the surrounding area are the most accessible destinations, as your chances of seeing the phenomenon increase as you go further north.
Alaska cruises
Everything in Alaska is huge, from the 90-pound cabbage grown in the Matanuska Valley to the coastline, which is longer than all the other U.S. states combined.
Cruise across Alaska and sail past the icy beauty of some of the world’s most spectacular glaciers, or rent a bike and pedal along Anchorage’s coastal trail to admire the rugged forests and endless ocean. Discover the magic with an Alaskan cruise of your choice!
Shore excursions
Alaska is home to 17 of North America’s 20 highest peaks, more than 100 000 glaciers, three million lakes, six 640 miles of coastline, 33 904 miles of shoreline, and more than 70 potentially active volcanoes.
In addition to being one of the few places where you can see the Northern Lights, Alaska is also home to iconic places like Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Glacier Bay. From Alaska’s majestic beauty to its stunning wildlife diversity, this is a truly unique destination.
A cruise is just the start of your Alaskan holiday. Alaska’s absolute magnificence can only be fully experienced on an Alaskan shore excursion. Tours can usually be chosen based on your preferences and can be value, activity, or adventure based to suit your personal travel style and budget.
Kayaking in Alaska
Alaska, especially its southern regions, is best explored by boat. However, if you want to see all the fjords, hidden islands, and bays, you will need to give up your cruise ship or charter yacht and paddle.
Sea kayaking is one of the most popular Alaska activities for tourists and locals alike. The stunning scenery is endless! On Prince William Sound, kayakers can explore fjords, climb glaciers and admire spring waterfalls.
Gold Panning
Experience what it was like during the Alaska gold rush era. The Alaskan gold rush began in the Klondike region in 1896 in Canada’s Yukon Territory. This spawned the search for gold in Alaska, with strikes in 1898 in Nome, and 1902 in Fairbanks. These strikes transformed both Nome and Fairbanks into major Alaskan cities.
Today, you can recreate the excitement and adventure through gold panning experiences located near Anchorage at Crow Creek Gold Mine and Indian Valley Mine. Fairbanks offers gold panning tours at both Gold Daughters and Gold Dredge 8 – with interactive mining museums.
There are also a number of interesting places to explore on the pass, including hidden beaches in the Tongass National Forest and wildlife around Haines.
You could spend a whole year exploring Alaska because there is so much to see and do. The state is so vast and boundless, and there is always a new adventure to try.
However, if you are only planning a short trip, one of these ideas will help you discover a unique side of Alaska and give you memories that will last a lifetime.
(Original Publish Date: September 13, 2022)
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