Looking for things to do in Alaska?
Whether you’re just in town for a visit or you’ve recently moved to Alaska, we’ve researched and compiled a wide variety of activities to keep you entertained while you’re in the last frontier.
Some people may assume that the uninhabited wilderness of Alaska doesn’t come with a lot of tourist attractions, but this isn’t true – from beautiful national parks to the bustling city of Anchorage, there’s plenty to see and do while you’re in Alaska.
15 Things to Do in Alaska
Not sure where you should visit? Check out the list of fifteen things to do in Denali National Park, Kenai, or even things to do in Fairbanks below.
Kenai Fjords National Park
If you want to see some of the best sights in Alaska, you’ll want to check out Kenai Fjords National Park, which includes many of the Kenai Peninsula’s fjord-saturated coastlines. Some of the highlights in Kenai Fjords National Park include over 700 miles of the barren coastline and Harding Icefield.
There are plenty of ways to explore Kenai Fjords National Park, including:
Through a boat tour
Kayaking in Kenai Fjords
Hiking through the Harding Icefield
Using the Exit Glacier near the Alaska Highway to enter in Kenai Fjords
However, you may not be able to visit this national park all the time – depending on the time of year, the National Park Service may close off the Exit Glacier during the wintertime or if there’s a safety risk.
Denali National Park
Denali National Park includes North America’s tallest summit, Mount McKinley. However, even if you’re not interested in hiking to the top of the mountain, there are still around six million acres of tundra, river valleys, and glacier-like mountains to see. Depending on where you end up, you may even have a shot at catching sight of the famous Alaska Peninsula brown bear, which is native to the state.
Denali National Park is also home to several other animals, including the Sled Dog Kennels, where you can walk through the dog park and talk to rangers about how the sled dogs protect the national park.
Still, as big as it is, getting to Denali National Park can be a challenge – there’s only one road that leads into the park, and only park-approved buses can venture beyond Savage River.
Alaska Native Heritage Center
If you’ve had your fill of the great outdoors and you’d like to learn more about Alaska’s culture, there’s no better place to go than the Alaska Native Heritage Center just outside of Anchorage. The center includes information about the eleven major cultural groups in Alaska as well as hands-on activities to learn about their music and art.
The Alaska Native Heritage Center does include the Hall of Cultures, which features cultural exhibits and local vendors with handmade artwork and craftsmanship. The Gathering Place is also at the Heritage Center and features Alaska Native dancing and storytelling.
The Alaska Highway
Constructed during WWII, the Alaska Highway runs close to 1,400 miles and passes through the Yukon Territory and the Delta Junction near Fairbanks. While it was originally meant for military purposes, tourists and locals alike use the Alaska Highway to travel across the state.
If you’re in the mood for an Alaska road trip, the Alaska Highway is definitely a good place to start – you’ll cross through the Rocky Mountains, and there are plenty of gas stations, motels, and shops located on the route at varying intervals.
Keep in mind that as long as it is, the road conditions on the Alaska Highway can vary – while many stretches are paved and in great condition, you could see a few stretches that are gravel or in need of repair.
Inside Passage
Although it may not offer the same tropical weather as a Caribbean cruise, you can take a boat through Alaska’s famous Inside Passage, which is a coastal route that both boats and ships travel along.
The coastal route stretches for over 1,000 miles, and along the way, you’re likely to see some of Alaska’s most beautiful species: orcas, whales, seals, sea lions, eagles, and even bears.
If you’re taking a cruise through the Inside Passage, you can also stop off at some of the state’s major towns near the route – such as Skagway or Ketchikan.
Iditarod National Historic Trail
Iditarod National Historic Trail in Alaska’s only scenic Historic Trail, but it does total over 2,300 miles through Nome and Seward. This trail is a favorite for avid hikers, and while it’s mainly used during the wintertime or for dog sled races, some hikers may also revisit sections of it during the summertime as well.
There is a composite of other trails that run this route, including the popular Crow Pass Trail in Chugach State Park.
Mendenhall Glacier
Just north of Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier is one of Alaska’s most famous glaciers, and it connects to the Juneau Icefield, which is a 1,500-mile remnant from the Ice Age. Located nearby is Mendenhall Lake, where you can kayak or boat along the water – although you may need to wait until the summertime to get out on the water.
There are several trails that run along the glacier, and if you end up on one of them, you’re sure to get close to waterfalls, salmon streams, black bears, and even bald eagles that fly overhead.
Even if you’re not interested in hiking near the Mendenhall Glacier, you can always check out the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, which overlooks the glacier and the water below.
Totem Bight State National Historic Park
After the tradition of totem poles began dying out in the 20th-century, the US Forest Service began a project in 1938 to salvage this art, and recreate these totem poles. Today, that project makes up Alaska’s Totem Bight State National Historic Park, where there are fifteen different totem poles that you can see.
This park is currently one of the most historic spots in the country, and along with the impressive totem poles that it houses, you’ll also find a community house on the property as well as the lush rainforest.
University of Alaska Museum of the North
If you find yourself near Fairbanks, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to check out the University of Alaska Museum of the North. The museum focuses on Alaskan art, and it includes over a million different historical artifacts that hold significance to the state’s origins.
There are two different ways you can explore the museum as a visitor: you can book a customizable tour to walk you through the building’s highlights, or you can go at your own pace without a guide.
Even if you’re not a history buff, architect fans may appreciate the design of this museum. The exterior features clean curves and sleek lines that resemble the landscape of Alaska.
Alaska Railroad
Also called the “Backbone of the Last Frontier,” the Alaska Railroad is more than just a crucial part of Alaska’s history that helped shape Anchorage – it’s actually still an essential mode of transportation. The railroad stretches from Seward to Fairbanks, and it services more than half a million passengers per year.
Some of the most popular places to take the Alaska Railroad include:
Depending on the time of year you visit, you may also be able to gain access to one of the Railroad’s special event rides, such as their kids’ Halloween Train.
Running Reindeer Ranch
You may not get to ride in Santa’s sleigh, but at Running Reindeer Ranch, you can get an exclusive look at real-life reindeer in Fairbanks, Alaska. On one of the ranch’s guided walking tours, you’ll stroll through the Boreal forest and watch the reindeer interact with the group.
If a guided tour isn’t enough, you can always enroll in the Reindeer Yoga class that the ranch offers or even stay in comfortable lodging on the ranch. Running Reindeer Ranch even allows bookings for weddings if you’d like to get married among these arctic furry friends.
Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary
Located in the Tongass National Forest, you don’t want to miss Alaska’s lush Rainforest Sanctuary, which is famous for its salmon habitat, totem carving, raptor exhibits, and historic lumber mill.
The Sanctuary is operated by Kawanti Adventures, so while you may not be able to do a lot of hiking on your own, you can take a three-hour guided tour through the dynamic scenery of the Rainforest Sanctuary.
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
For vintage car fans, the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum has a world-class collection of antique automobiles as well as several other historic exhibits to check out. The collection includes vehicles from Victorian times all the way through the Art Deco period.
The oldest vehicle in the collection is the Hay Motor Vehicle from 1898, although it includes 95 pre-World War II automobiles and several rare models.
A fun fact about this museum is that these vehicles aren’t just for display – all but three of their models are actually drivable, and as long as the weather permits, you might see a staff member take one for a spin.
Aurora Ice Museum Fairbanks
If you’re interested in seeing ice all year round, the Aurora Ice Museum in Fairbanks is the world’s largest year-round ice environment. Finished in 2005, the Ice Museum uses over 1,000 tons of ice to create stunning sculptures and structures – although you may need a jacket if you’re planning to visit this museum.
Throughout the year, the Chena Hot Springs Resort complex that it’s located on keeps the ice museum at a chilly 25-degrees Fahrenheit, even in the heat of the summer.
Part of the museum’s name, Aurora, refers to the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights – depending on the time of day you take a tour, you may be able to get an eye-catching look at the northern lights. In fact, the entire resort, Chena Hot Springs, is known for its historic and beautiful Aurora Borealis sightings.
Anchorage Museum
As the biggest city in Alaska, you don’t want to miss the Anchorage Museum in the heart of the frozen north. The Anchorage Museum sits on the cultural lands of the Dena’ina people and includes art, music, and historical artifacts related to the history of Anchorage, and the State of Alaska.
Before you go, you may want to check out some of the Anchorage Museum’s current and upcoming exhibits – while they do have a few permanent exhibits, the museum also regularly filters through temporary exhibits as well.
If you want, you can walk through the museum on your own, schedule a guided tour, or even attend one of the classrooms or workshops that take place at the Anchorage Museum.
Alaska Zoo
You don’t need to hike through the great wilderness to get a look at some of Alaska’s native wildlife. The zoo has a wide variety of species, such as:
Although you should be able to see the habitats of any of these animals when you go to the zoo, not all of them may be active throughout every part of the year – so, plan your visit wisely. Their site even includes a polar bear camera, which features live footage of the polar bear habitat all throughout the day and night.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason why people call Alaska the “Great North,” or, “The Last Frontier.” The untamed wilderness of Alaska may not provide the same nightlife you’d find in New York City or Los Angeles, but Alaska does offer a way to connect with nature that you won’t find anywhere else.
The glacier-riddled National Parks are perfect for hiking or boating, but if you’re not quite that outdoorsy, you can also visit the Anchorage Museum, the Museum of the North, or even the Fountainhead Antique Automobile Museum. There are so many things to do in Alaska you will need to come back.
