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Alaska is an expansive wilderness just waiting to be explored. Full of adventure and experiences that most people rarely have the chance to experience. I’m in the process of planning an Alaskan trip for my 40th birthday next year and one of the first things I made sure to do was to write down a list of experiences that I couldn’t miss! Check out these 5 ‘must have’ experiences for your Alaskan vacation.
See a glacier
Some of the United States’ most impressive glaciers can be found in Alaska and many are easily accessed by foot, water, or air. Popular choices include: Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, Exit Glacier near Seward, Kenai Fjord National Park, Portage Glacier, and a tour of 26 different glaciers (!) in Prince William Sound out of Whittier. Take a cruise past a tidewater glacier and witness the calving of icebergs…hike on the ice for a close up view of these incredible frozen rivers…or see the full extent of the glaciers from the air.
Meet a sled dog
What’s better than cuddling with a whole pack of cute sled dog puppies? Alaska offers a great opportunity to see these incredible canine athletes at work. There’s even a sled dog kennel at Denali National Park, where the dogs haul freight during the winter months. During the summer you can head out in wheeled training carts. Or, if snow is a must, you can take a helicopter tour to a glacier for your dogsled ride. Be aware, not all sled dog experiences are created equal–some have much better standards of animal welfare than others. (Look for a future post on how you can evaluate a sled dog experience as a tourist.)
Eat fresh, local seafood
For a resident of a landlocked state like me, the opportunity to eat fresh, local seafood is an opportunity not to be missed! Salmon, halibut, crab, oysters, scallops…. You’ll find a plethora of amazing seafood options. To make sure you’re getting the freshest product available, check out this chart of seafood seasonality in Alaska. (Bad news…the main season for King crab is in the winter…which means that most of the King crab available in the summer season is frozen.)
Appreciate the wildlife
Bald Eagles. Bears. Moose. Wolves. Whales. Puffins. Alaska is home to a wide variety of amazing wildlife. And you don’t have to go far to see it! For additional incredible animal experiences, check out the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka, the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, or the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage. These facilities rehabilitate injured wildlife and provide educational opportunities for visitors. (And for a great introduction to these organizations’ work, check out the TV show Alaska Animal Rescue for free on Disney+ or for purchase on Amazon. Just make sure to clear your schedule because you won’t want to stop watching once you start!) If a whale watching tour is on your list of things to do, make sure to check out our blog post on Responsible Whale Watching before booking!
Learn about indigenous culture and local history
Home to many indigenous peoples and their rich traditions…and the backdrop to an sometimes colorful history, Alaska offers tons of opportunities for learning along with fun. From cultural presentations and native art…to preserved gold rush buildings at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and a ride on a historic railway in Skagway…and more!
