The Last Frontier is often the first place people want to visit once they experience wanderlust! Alaska’s majestic wilderness creates perfect opportunities for adventure, exploration, and bonding with travel companions. If you have your sights set on Alaska or are interested in Alaskan fishing for your next vacation, this rundown of the best things to see and do will both inspire and prepare you to start planning your trip.
Popular Outdoor Activities in Alaska
Alaska’s outdoor activities feel limitless. Generally, it’s best to stick with guided tours if you’re inexperienced with the Alaskan wilderness. One of the best things to do in Alaska is to visit one of the state’s 15 national parks. Of course, the most popular attraction in Alaska is Denali National Park. Measuring in at more than 20,000 feet high, Denali is the tallest peak in America. Other popular national parks offering mile after mile of exploration include Wrangell, Glacier Bay, Katmai, Kenai Fjords, and Gates of the Arctic. A cruise that explores the Tracy Arm Fjord is another memorable activity to put on an Alaskan itinerary. With glacier views gliding by, tourists are often treated to sightings of seals, bears, and mountain goats during excursions. There’s also Alaskan fishing tours available.
Family Activities to Experience in Alaska
Many of the best activities for families in Alaska revolve around discovering animals and wildlife in safe settings. At a popular attraction called Husky Homestead just outside of Denali, visitors get to tour the real-life home where Iditarod champs are born and trained! Other fun attractions for families that showcase Alaska’s vibrant wildlife include:
- The Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward.
- The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Girdwood.
- The Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka.
- The R.G. White Large Animal Research Station in Fairbanks.
- The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage.
- The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
- The Davidson Glacier’s viewing spots for sea lions and whales.
For families chasing a little northern magic, the Running Reindeer Ranch in Fairbanks offers an incredible opportunity to take a walk with real-life reindeer in a boreal forest. For travelers coming in the winter, there’s no shortage of opportunities to enjoy sledding, skating, snowboarding, skiing, and other cold-weather activities. In the summer months, ATV tours allow visitors to cover more terrain. Of course, many families prefer to leave land behind for a while to enjoy amazing glacier views on day cruises departing from Juneau, Seward, Valdez, and other popular coastal Alaskan towns.
Unforgettable Experiences for Tourists
People from around the world visit Alaska specifically for the purpose of fishing in its crisp and wild rivers. Alaskan fishing excursions offer exceptional opportunities to fish for halibut, king salmon, and sockeye salmon. Generally, the Kenai River is considered the best river for fishing excursions in Alaska. The Agulukpak River, Naknek River, and Copper River Delta are also popular for fishing. For those who prefer dry land, guided Alaska hiking tours allow visitors to trek the rawest stretches of backcountry near the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Anchorage, Wrangell, and beyond. Some excursions even utilize floatplanes to access remote areas that aren’t served by roads!
