34 Best Things to Do in Alaska (2026)
Updated January 2026
Alaska’s vast wilderness offers epic adventures: towering glaciers, massive national parks, abundant wildlife, and the tallest peak in North America. From hiking and flightseeing to bear viewing and northern lights chasing, here’s a curated list of top experiences.
Top Highlights
- Explore Denali National Park
Spot grizzlies, moose, and Dall sheep around North America’s tallest mountain. Bus tours or flightseeing recommended. - Whale Watching
May-Sep: Humpbacks in Kenai Fjords or Southeast; year-round orcas possible. - Trek Mendenhall Glacier (Juneau)
Hike or helicopter to this accessible tidewater glacier; ice caves form intermittently (check safety). - Visit Kennicott Ghost Town & Wrangell-St. Elias
Explore abandoned copper mine in America’s largest national park; hike Root Glacier. - Chase the Northern Lights
Best in Fairbanks (Aug-Apr); clear skies and solar activity key. - Glacier Cruise in Kenai Fjords
From Seward: Calving tides, marine wildlife, dramatic fjords. - Bear Viewing at Katmai (Brooks Falls)
Watch grizzlies feast on salmon (July peak); fly-in day trips or overnight. - Relax on Homer Spit
Fishing, Salty Dawg Saloon, views across Kachemak Bay.
More Adventures
- Hike endless trails (e.g., Hatcher Pass).
- Fish salmon/halibut charters.
- Flightsee glaciers and peaks.
- Dog sled (summer on glaciers).
- Visit remote parks like Kobuk dunes or Gates of the Arctic.
Best time: Summer (Jun-Aug) for wildlife/hiking; winter for aurora/skiing. Pack layers, bear spray, bug net. Questions? Comment below!