Top 10 Things To Do in Alaska in 2026

By: Int2Cruises travel expert

Alaska offers endless opportunities for adventure and exploration, such as cruising on the glacial waterways, witnessing its unique wildlife, including whales and bears, and enjoying exciting land activities such as dog-sledding and ice fishing. Alaska is also one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, thanks to its position under the ‘auroral oval’.

Being surrounded by the massive water bodies such as the North Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Bering Sea, and set in the far northern part of the American mainland, Alaska is a class of its own in terms of both on-water and shore-excursion experiences. Below is a list of the top things to do in Alaska.

1. Witness the Stunning Northern Lights

You cannot visit Alaska and miss out on experiencing the magnificent wonder of nature, i.e., the Northern Lights, also known as the 'Aurora Borealis'. Standing beneath the clear, dark skies, stunned by the spectacle, is truly an unforgettable experience.

Being one of the best locations to sight the Northern Lights, Alaska features several Northern Lights tours and remote accommodations that are perfect for viewing if you are visiting between late August and April. Fairbanks is the most reliable location for the same. Anchorage is also good, but less predictable. Make sure your itinerary includes the right accommodation and stays that offer the best Northern Lights experience during your time in Alaska.

2. Enjoy Cruising through Alaska Waterways

One of the most phenomenal things that draws people to Alaska is its iconic quintessential Alaskan coastal scenery, where you see spectacular towering glaciers crashing into the water, accompanied by unique wildlife, both marine and land, including otters, sea lions, bears, and moose. Also, because of the nature of the terrain in Alaska, there are inside passages with innumerable islands and rainforests offering plenty of options to explore at your heart’s content. On your cruise, you may spot orcas and humpbacks flamboyantly popping up from underwater if you are lucky. For the same, you can book classic big-ship and small-ship adventure Alaska cruises on your visit.

3. Explore the Vastness of the Alaskan National Parks

Speaking of wildlife, Alaska has several fantastic national parks that are home to some of the most unique wildlife. Take Denali National Park, famous for its mountaineering excursions bringing advanced mountaineers from afar, and you can witness Dall sheep, moose, and bears. Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is truly a natural wonder filled with coastal fjords, islands, and glaciers, which truly make it a spectacle. Some of the other popular national parks are Wrangell–St. Elias, Glacier Bay, Lake Clark, and Katmai.

Top national parks in Alaska:

• Denali National Park: home to the tallest peak in North America

• Glacier Bay National Park: incredible tidewater glaciers & whale watching experience

• Kenai Fjords National Park: massive icefield glaciers & hosts epic wildlife cruises

• Wrangell–St. Elias National Park: the largest park in the US + scenic glacier-volcano landscapes

• Katmai National Park: enjoy iconic brown bear viewing (at Brooks Falls)

• Lake Clark National Park: picturesque lakes & valleys, remote bear viewing

• Gates of the Arctic National Park: solemn Arctic wilderness

• Kobuk Valley National Park: home to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes

4. Enjoy Exhilarating Water Activities

Enjoy plenty of thrilling water activities since there is no dearth of water in the region. Enjoy kayaking as you glide through the water or take part in exhilarating raft adventures, all the while enjoying panoramic vistas of Alaska and its wildlife. Stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, and lake paddling are equally fun activities. The glacier run-offs and availability of a huge number of icebergs make it the perfect locus for innumerable water activities. Another popular activity among the locals is fishing for salmon, particularly ice fishing.

5. Adventure Land Sports & Recreation

One of the most beautiful things you can do in Alaska is hiking to enjoy the solitude of the Alaska wilderness. Also, camping near the glaciers is one of the most phenomenal experiences, unlike anything else in the world. Particularly during the aurora time during the winters, night dog-sledding would be an exciting adventure. Get on an exciting aurora photography tour so you don't miss out on anything. ATV & jeep excursions, gold panning, zipline, snowmobiling, skiing, fat-bike touring, and ice fishing are some of the most exciting activities. Visit the world-famous ZipRider at Icy Strait Point in Alaska which is the world's largest zip line!

6. Explore the Unique Culture, Art & History

Allow yourself to be immersed in the unique Native Alaskan culture on your Alaskan tour. Subsistence lifestyles, unique language, tradition, and food are what set the region apart. To experience the same up close, visit the popular Alaska Native Heritage Centre and Totem Heritage Centre, the famous Anchorage Museum, and the famous sites such as Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and Creek Street. So, make sure to explore these by yourself or hop on some nice historical tours and heritage trails to have the best time during your tour.

Top cultural attractions in Alaska

• Alaska Native Heritage Center

• Anchorage Museum

• Totem Heritage Center (Ketchikan)

• Sitka National Historical Park

• Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (Skagway)

• Creek Street (Ketchikan)

• Russian Bishop’s House (Sitka)

• Sealaska Heritage Arts Campus (Juneau)

• Alaska State Museum (Juneau)

• Iditarod Headquarters (Wasilla)

7. Try the Wild-inspired Alaskan Cuisine

The cuisine in Alaska is as distinctive as the landscape. Here you can savour delectable local seafood such as crab, salmon, and halibut. Non-vegetarians with eclectic choices are going to have a fantastic time trying out the moose stew, reindeer sausage, and the tender Alaskan king crab. Also, find top-class distilleries and breweries churning out superior quality drinks and beverages available at good coffee shops and cafés, promising an amazing time with your travel buddies.

8. Enjoy Soulful Relaxation, Wellness & Hot Springs

A major highlight of a tour to Alaska is enjoying relaxation at thermal spas and hot springs. Enjoy a complete rejuvenation of your body, mind, and spirit as you get a relaxing hot spring bath. Pro tip: combine hot springs relaxation on your stay with an Aurora viewing amenity to make it truly unforgettable. So, when you are booking a tour, vouch for retreats with relaxation packages for the best travel experience.

9. Iconic Scenic Journeys & On-road Adventure

Make your Alaska tour even more amazing by taking a road trip along its scenic highways, such as the Seward Highway and the Parks Highway. As for the rail routes, there’s the picturesque Yukon Route Railway and White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. You can also opt for various floatplane flights, which are best for bear viewing or remote access. Thus, to enjoy all of that, it is recommended to take transportation-based sightseeing options, such as road trips, ferry routes, and train tours. To have a more spectacular and bird's-eye view of Alaska, you get on helicopter tours.

10. Urban Exploration & Charming Alaskan Towns

Alaska is not just about nature and wildlife - it has some fantastic strolling venues, such as the famous historic districts of Creek Street and Ketchikan. Some of the local towns like Homer, Seward, and Talkeetna are known for their charm and feature local shops, art galleries, and coastal boardwalks. The Alaskan towns also host beautiful local festivals and community events that become major attractions here. You can also enjoy a nice urban dining experience while you are here.

Answer the Call of Alaska

Often referred to as the ‘Last Frontier Land’, Alaska has always been shrouded in mystery and evokes curiosity in the minds of travel enthusiasts. But, now having got a glimpse of what Alaska has to offer, you should be more than willing to make an enquiry for your Alaska vacation. From witnessing the unforgettable Northern Lights to enjoying exciting water activities like kayaking and rafting, the ‘Great Land’ has everything to liven up your adventurous spirit.