Activities – My Alaska Trip

Brown Bear at Alaska Wilflife Conservation Center Girdwood Alaska

Visiting the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: a Fun Animal Sanctuary Visit near Anchorage

Visiting the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is an easy, fun activity to add to a trip to Anchorage or Seward. An animal sanctuary full of native wildlife species, this is a great activity to ensure you get to see bears and moose in Alaska. See what to expect and how best to explore (on foot or by car?).

Alaskan Brown Bear in Russian River Kenai Peninsula Alaska

Where to See Bears in Alaska: Top Spots and Best Times

Seeing bears in Alaska is a bucket list experience for a lot of people, and they're some of the most amazing wildlife to watch. Whether you're planning a trip to Katmai or Lake Clark National Park or if you're driving yourself through Alaska, we have recommendations for where to see bears, when to see them, and guided experiences for the best wildlife viewing and bear safety in Alaska.

Catching Sockeye Salmon with Copper River Guides on the Klutina River Copper River Alaska

Salmon Fishing with Copper River Guides – an Alaska Bucket List Experience

Fishing for Copper River salmon is an Alaska bucket list activity and few get to do it. Getting out on the Klutina River with Copper River Guides is a great way to experience the sockeye or king salmon fishing that the Copper River Valley is known for. Full details about what to expect and how to make the most of your fishing trip in Copper Center, Alaska.

Full Taylor Family Whitewater rafting Lions Head on Matanuska River with NOVA Alaska Guides Chickaloon Alaska

Whitewater Rafting the Lion’s Head on the Matanuska River with NOVA Alaska Guides

Whitewater rafting the Matanuska River near Anchorage is a great adventure that's fun for both experienced rafters and newbies. With Class III and IV rapids, rafting the Lion's Head section feels both intense and safe when you're rafting it with NOVA Alaska Guides out of Chickaloon, Alaska.

Sitka National Historical Park: Beautiful Totem Pole Trails and Museum

Totem poles and Tlingit culture are at the heart of visiting Sitka National Historical Park. When you come to Sitka, this should be at the top of your list of things to do. With thoughtful exhibits and a wonderful totem pole trail through the forest, this is an iconic Alaska site not to miss. It's educational and beautiful, and worth your time.

Beautiful Birds at the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka – a MUST!

The Alaska Raptor Center is more than a place to see bald eagles in Sitka, but it's a complete rehabilitation center and sanctuary. See what you can expect with a visit to the Alaska Raptor Center, including guidelines for visiting and getting up close with the many birds of prey.

Interior of Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka Alaska 1

Sitka’s Sheldon Jackson Museum: Alaska’s Best Indigenous Artifact Collection

The Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka has one of the best, most thoughtfully curated collections of Alaska Native art and artifacts. A part of the Alaska State Museums, the Sheldon Jackson is a must-visit no matter how much or how little time you have when you visit Sitka.

Brown Bears at Fortress of the Bear Sanctuary Sitka Alaska 4

Sitka’s Fortress of the Bear – the Unique Bear Sanctuary You MUST Visit

Fortress of the Bear in Sitka, Alaska is a unique sort of sanctuary. Located just outside of town, getting to learn about black and brown bears and then see them up close is a special experience. See what you'll find at Fortress of the Bear and how to add it to your time in Sitka.

Aquarium Touch Tanks in Sitka Sound Science Center Sitka Alaska 2

Visiting the Sitka Sound Science Center and Salmon Hatchery

The Sitka Sound Science Center is an easy addition to your trip to Sitka. Walking distance from everything downtown, visiting the science center includes exploring the aquarium touch tanks, learning about the waters of Southeast Alaska and even a salmon hatchery tour.

Mountains off Chilkat River Haines Highway Haines Alaska 1

Exploring the Haines Highway: Beautiful Things to See and Do with Your Own Car

The Haines Highway and surrounding roads out of Haines, Alaska are beautiful and fun to explore on your own. If you're visiting Haines with your own vehicle, drive yourself beyond town to experience the Chilkat River Valley, Chilkoot Lake and more.

Exterior of the Hammer Museum Haines Alaska 2

The Haines Hammer Museum: One of the Most Unique Museums in Alaska

One of the most unique museums we've been to, the Hammer Museum in Haines is a great addition to a quirky trip through Southeast Alaska. See what you'll find and how to make this a fun stop with kids when you're in Haines, AK.

Taylor Family with Chilkat Tlingit Blankets in Sheldon Haines Museum Haines Alaska 1

Visiting the Haines Sheldon Museum, a Beautiful Tlingit Storytelling Collection

The Haines Sheldon Museum is one of the best museums in Alaska for telling the story of indigenous Tlingit culture and history, including amazing art and artifacts. See what you'll find at this unique, well curated museum in Haines, Alaska.

Log Rolling Competition at Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines Alaska 4

The Southeast Alaska State Fair: Haines’ Biggest Summer Event

The Southeast Alaska State Fair is one of the best summer events in AK. Happening every July in Haines (and sometimes in the first week of August) the SE AK Fair is full of contests, a carnival, logging / lumberjack games and more.

The Anchorage Museum: Beautiful Art and Alaska Native Culture

The Anchorage Museum is a great place to experience both Alaskan art and Alaska Native culture. The combination of history, local Alaska art and a Smithsonian collection of Native Alaska exhibits make it an ideal addition to your time in Anchorage.

Winter sauna on Knik River with Adventures by True North AK Palmer Alaska 3

Alaskan Sauna and Cold Plunge Experience on the Knik River in Palmer

Doing an Alaskan sauna and cold plunge in the winter is such a unique and special experience. It may sound crazy to jump in the Knik River when it's 0 degrees outside, but the whole experience is fun, unusual and comes with some great health benefits too. See what our experience was like doing the sauna and cold plunge in Palmer, AK in the winter.

Taylor Family Winter Kayak Tour with Adventures by True North AK Palmer Alaska 16

Winter Kayaking on the Beautiful Knik River: Yes! You Can Kayak a Winter Wonderland!

Cold weather winter kayaking near Anchorage is definitely something you need to plan for when you visit Alaska in the off season. It's a beautiful experience unlike anything you might expect you can do during the limited daylight and extreme cold temperatures. See what to expect and if this kayaking tour is a good option for your Alaska trip.

Taylor Family on chair lift at Skeetawk Ski Resort at Hatcher Pass Palmer Alaska 1

Skiing at Skeetawk Resort, the Small Non-Profit Ski Area in Palmer

The Skeetawk Ski Area in Hatcher Pass is a great addition to visiting Anchorage or Palmer in the winter. Being a non-profit skiing destination for Alaska locals and visitors, this affordable ski day is easy and fun, with onsite rentals and a chill atmosphere.

Taylor Family Cross Country Skiing at Basecamp Adventures Borealis Basecamp Fairbanks Alaska 4

12 Awesome Things to do in Alaska in the Winter – for visitors

Winter in Alaska means tons of fun things to do that you can't really do any other time of year. We've picked our favorite Alaskan activities for the winter months and ordered them by budget. Take our recommendations to plan your own visit to AK during the most beautiful (and cold) time of year!

Taylor Family at Tlingit Exhibit in Southeast Alaska Discovery Center Museum Ketchikan Alaska 4

Ketchikan’s Southeast Alaska Discovery Center: Exceptional Museum Experience

Visiting the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is a great addition to spending time in Ketchikan. Here you'll be able to learn all about the many environments and ecosystems, as well at the culture of the Tlingit people of Southeast Alaska. This is the perfect place to begin exploring Ketchikan.

Northern Lights Aurora Borealis at Chena Hot Springs Resort Fairbanks Alaska

My FAVORITE Northern Lights Experience: the Chena Aurora Tour

The Chena Aurora Tour is my favorite Northern Lights experience in Fairbanks. See what it's like when you head out on a late night Aurora Borealis adventure from Chena Hot Springs, including northern lights photography tips.