Things to do in Alaska

For many visitors, the highlight of an Alaska holiday is getting outdoors. The state is ideal for hiking, camping, kayaking, and climbing, with places like Denali National Park offering outstanding trails and wilderness scenery. The Kenai Peninsula is another favourite for paddling and camping, while Hatcher Pass is well known for alpine walks and climbing routes.

Wildlife spotting is another major draw. Bears are best seen in late summer when salmon runs bring them to rivers across the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak Island, while whales are commonly spotted along the coast. Alaska is also home to wolves, moose, caribou, and bald eagles, and fishing and hunting remain an important part of the state’s outdoor culture.

Tours are one of the best ways to experience Alaska’s scale and variety. Boat cruises through Kenai Fjords National Park are especially popular in summer, offering close-up views of glaciers and marine life. Visitors can also take scenic rail journeys between Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks, as well as flightseeing trips and wildlife excursions.

Winter brings a different kind of adventure. Skiing is popular at Alyeska Resort near Anchorage, while snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and dog sledging open up remote snowy landscapes. Fairbanks is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights, making winter a particularly memorable time to visit.

Alaskan activities: What to do at a glance

Outdoor activities: Hike in Denali National Park, kayak along the Kenai Peninsula, camp in remote wilderness areas, or climb alpine routes at Hatcher Pass.

Wildlife spotting: See bears during salmon runs, watch whales along the coast, and spot wolves, moose, caribou, and bald eagles across Alaska’s vast national parks.

Tours and cruises: Take glacier boat tours in Kenai Fjords, ride the scenic Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Denali, or enjoy wildlife safaris and flightseeing trips.

Winter adventures: Ski at Alyeska Resort, explore snowy landscapes by snowmobile or dog sledge, and watch the Northern Lights from Fairbanks and interior Alaska.

JOSHUA SALTER, Alaska expert at Journeyscape, says: 

“From my experience, the best trips to Alaska are the ones that combine different ways of exploring the state’s wilderness. Spend a few days hiking in Denali or kayaking along the Kenai Peninsula, then take a glacier cruise or wildlife tour later in the trip. 

“Encounters with animals are often the moments people remember; it could be seeing bears hunting salmon or spotting whales offshore. My advice is to plan a mix of outdoor adventures and guided experiences, as they help you appreciate just how vast and varied Alaska really is.”

For more information about visiting Alaska on holiday, explore our other guides and travel resources:

• Places to stay in Alaska
• Places to visit in Alaska