My Takes on the "Classic" Alaska Tours

Seeing whales breach, hearing glaciers calve as the ice falls into the ocean, petting baby huskies, walking on glaciers, and flying around Denali are what people think of when they think of Alaska. Here are my takes on what do to and where to do it (if you should do it at all) on your trip up to AK. This list is in no particular order, but I did rank them on a scale of 1-10.

Whale Watching 8/10

Seeing humpbacks breach or orcas hunt is one of the coolest experiences I've had in Alaska. I've been lucky enough to witness this both from a large tour boat and from a tiny sea kayak. This is an activity anyone can sign up for and enjoy.

Where to go:

1. Seward, specifically in mid July, will be your best bet to see Humpbacks and Orcas. This time of year the Humpbacks are known to bubble net feed. Look up what that is if you don't know. It's awesome. I went with Major Marine Boat Tours but if you want to sea kayak as well as see whales, Liquid Adventures is the way to go.

2. Prince William Sound from Whittier or Valdez is also a good bet although not as good as Seward. Stan Stephan's out of Valdez does basically the same thing as Major Marine does in Seward.

Dog Sledding 6/10

The Experience: Get a taste of Alaska’s official state sport! You can choose a helicopter or flightseeing tour to a dogsled camp on a glacier for a once-in-a-lifetime run through icy landscapes, or visit a summer kennel for a wheeled cart ride through the lush Alaskan forest.

Good to Know: Summer glacier dog sledding is weather-dependent and a premium experience. Summer kennel tours are more accessible and just as fun for dog lovers.

Where to go:

There's dog sledding tours all over. Husky Homestead in Denali or getting in a Helicopter in Seward to see the dogs is what I'd do.

3. Sea Kayaking 7/10

There's a lot of coast line in AK. You can get on a boat and paddle around tide water glaciers or start right off the dock for a quick and more affordable scenic paddle. Getting on a boat is my personal preference, it kills two birds with one stone. You get a boat tour and a paddle all in one day, maybe saving you from doing an exclusively whale watching tour. Sea kayaking is really easy and anyone can sign up. Most of these tours are designed for older tourists. Call the kayak company or do some research if you're looking for a more aggressive day of paddling (Or even doing an overnight camping trip).

Where to go:

1. The Columbia Glacier with Pangaea Adventures out of Valdez

2. North Western Fjord with Liquid Adventures out of Seward

3. Kachemak Bay with True North out of Homer

4. Glacier Hiking & Ice Trekking 9/10

The Experience: Strap on a pair of crampons and step onto a river of ice. With an experienced guide leading the way, you’ll explore the surreal, blue-hued world of a glacier, navigating through crevasses, moulins (glacial mills), and crystal-clear pools. You may have seen glaciers in the Lower 48, but those will look like ice cubes compared to the glaciers up in Alaska.

Good to Know: This is a very physical activity. You need a moderate fitness level. Tours are available from various locations, including Matanuska Glacier, Spencer Glacier, and on guided hikes from Seward.

Avoid the Matanuska Glacier, it's kind of a scam.

Additional note: if you're feeling real adventurous try ice climbing. This sport may not be for me but I can see how awesome it is to get deeper into the glacier or interact with it on a different level than just walking.

Where to go:

1. The Root glacier in McCarthy with Kennecott Wilderness Guides

2. Exit Glacier in Seward with Exit Glacier Guides

3. Knik Glacier out of Anchorage (ew)

5. Flightseeing 11/10

I love small bush planes. I've flown around Denali and have flown into a remote lake in Lake Clark National Park. If you have the money, this type of trip is worth it. Such an incredible way to see the peaks and landscape of Alaska, but also a great way to get really, really, remote to do some insane adventuring.

Where to go:

1. Literally anywhere. Any bush plane in Alaska is a good time. I think this depends on what you're into. If you only have the budget for one trip and are into back packing or packrafting, use the plane to land somewhere remote and hike/paddle back to civilization.

2. Denali. This is the classic. Seeing North Americas tallest peak is an unreal experience. Fly out of the Denali area instead of Talkeetna for better odds with weather. Go in June or July.

3. Katmai bear viewing tours. Fly into Katmai National Park to see Brooks Falls. Go in August or September.

4. Harding Ice field in Seward or the Bagley Ice Field out of McCarthy. Ice Fields don't exist in the lower 48 the way they do in Alaska. They don't look real and my brain can comprehend it. Seeing them will make you really think about what the earth looked like during the last ice age.

6. Gold Panning 1/10

You don't need to do this.

7. Fishing ?/10

This depends entirely on if you like fishing or not. Catching Halibut out of Homer or catching a wild Alaskan salmon are iconic. I will say there's nothing like catching your own dinner and cooking it over a camp fire. This activity might be the most time of season dependent out of all of the activities on the list. Do you research for what your want to catch and when they come in or when you're even allowed to fish for that species.

Note: Get your fishing license. Also you can book a tour or just go buy a rod and reel and do it yourself.

Where to go:

1. Homer for Halibut fishing with Fox Fire Charters

2. Kenai River out of Coopers landing for Salmon or Trout