THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Alaska – 2023 (with Photos)

Not sure what to do on your next vacation? Check out this list of the top 15 activities in Alaska, USA that you won’t want to miss! From strolling around and exploring parks, all the way up through sightseeing tours and historical landmarks – we’ve got something for everyone. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!

The Best Thing To Do in Alaska

Tongass National Forest

• Address: Juneau, AK 99801, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (6263)
• Phone: +1 907-225-3101
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Sunday: Closed

Top 15 Things To Do Alaska, USA

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

• Address: Mile 79, Seward Hwy, Girdwood, AK 99587, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (4518)
• Phone: +1 907-783-0058
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Tuesday: Closed

  Wednesday: Closed

  Thursday: Closed

  Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Reviews:
  Such a great place I went on a van tour. You can drive yourself and even walk through. If you drive through there are plenty of turnouts to pull over into and park so you can walk around to see the animals in that area. The animals look well cared for in the sanctuary. I saw so many beautiful animals it was lightly raining and was in the afternoon so some animals were under the cover of the open sheds. But just to see them at all is so wonderful. The restrooms were clean, the gift shop staff was super helpful. They had food options outside. I wish I had a little longer to look around but being on a tour you have only so long to look around. I will definitely go back on my next trip to Anchorage.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Stacie M. (4 months ago)

  Wasn’t in the plan but stopped in anyway. Was very cool experience. Unlike zoos, you can tell the animals are happy. Very active. You can drive or walk the property. We walked and enjoyed it. Be sure to stop to see the brown bears a few times, they were playful and very active, doing something different each time we went.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Joel Collishaw (10 months ago)

  Absolutely an amazing spot to see a lot of Alaskan species. Wood Bison, Moose, Elk, Caribou, Lynx, Porcupine, Grizzly Beat, Wolves, and Black Bears are all here and are treated well. We went here on a tour and loved it so much that we went back after a few days to make some donations and to see some more of the animals. They have a very nice gift shop as well. Some of the handcrafted knives were incredible!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Jesse Sade (6 months ago)

  Reviewing this place on our second visit! Establishment recognized legal working service dog both times (no pets allowed). We loved the little food carts outside with items such as mac and cheese, reindeer sausage, chicken wraps. Hot and ready. Just grab and pay for it!
  The animals are kept in such natural environments. We especially loved the bear exhibit as you can walk through it above on a bridge! Saw both bears both visits even with dense vegetation.
  Many people bring their cameras for some great wildlife photos.
  Was reading this place also helps rehabilitate and release wildlife as well. So true gem for Alaska!
  Highly recommend supporting them and taking your family for a visit!
  Someone told me even in the winter when it shows, it is beauitful to visit!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Candace Mosteller (6 months ago)

  The family and I had a great time walking around enjoying the animals. We had seen the show Alaska Animal Rescue and it was so much fun seeing some of the animals that were featured. (Artemus the musk ox was one of our favorite! ) Staff was helpful. Only complaint would be that the gift shop was highly overpriced.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Matt Vigil (7 months ago)

Santa Claus House

• Address: 101 St Nicholas Dr, North Pole, AK 99705, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.4 (4141)
• Phone: +1 907-488-2200
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Reviews:
  Its Santa’s spot in North Pole. So make a point to stop by and grab some true holiday cheer that only Santa and the Sweet Shop’s delicious candied treats can deliver.

  I also heard my behavior while I visited has bumped me up a ☆ on Santa’s list. My risk of coal is further lessening by the day after I send my loved ones their North Pole swag we picked up from the Santa House gift shop. We also made sure we got that Christmas card family photo knocked out early for 2022.

  Santa, please add a ☆ for my efficiency.

  And follow me for more quality reviews of America’s great businesses to learn who has been naughty or nice to me.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Dan Ford (9 months ago)

  Christmas in September? WHY NOT!?! We are off season so only got to look at the reindeer and shop the gift shop but that was so much fun! Many gifts purchased, not for Christmas but just souvenirs. Great shop if you are looking for something new to add to your Holiday decor or just everyday gift items.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Sheila Wyatt (4 months ago)

  Fun place. Santa Clause and Mrs Clause are really there and have kind things to say to all. Nice North Pole gift shop and lots of sweets. Yes it is highly commercialized but what did you expect. It’s still fun to see.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Garry Kepes (6 months ago)

  This is basically a huge store. If you’re thinking of going to another attraction, this one could be skipped. They offer kits to have Santa send a letter with extras to the kids but I bet it can be ordered without driving out. Reindeer Academy was closed for the winter (3/2022) but it’s still basically a little place there kids can say they saw Santa’s Reindeer and met Santa at the North Pole (make sure Santa isn’t taking a day off).

  ✭✭ By Michele W. (10 months ago)

  Very “cool” 😉 to have visited the Santa Claus House in North Pole Alaska! Santa wasn’t there when we visited, but you can find his days & hours on their website and get photos with him. Lots of great gift & souvenir options inside along with a food/drink station towards the far right side of the main entrance!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Terry Twentyten Hight (11 months ago)

Denali National Park and Preserve

• Address: Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (3530)

Alaska SeaLife Center

• Address: 301 Railway Ave, Seward, AK 99664, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (2974)

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

• Address: Alaska, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.9 (2941)

Kincaid Park

• Address: 9401 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (1984)

Kenai Fjords National Park

• Address: Alaska, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.9 (1490)

Alaska Native Heritage Center

• Address: 8800 Heritage Center Dr, Anchorage, AK 99504, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (1275)

Alyeska Pipeline / Viewing Point

• Address: 1671 Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99712, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (1008)

Sitka National Historical Park

• Address: Sitka National Historical Park, 103 Monastery St, Sitka, AK 99835, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (994)

Museum of the North

• Address: 1962 Yukon Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99775, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (880)

Totem Bight State Historical Park

• Address: 9883 N Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK 99901, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (710)

Anchorage Museum

• Address: 625 C St, Anchorage, AK 99501, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (653)

Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary

• Address: 116 Wood Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (575)

Aurora Ice Museum

• Address: 17600 Chena Hot Springs Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.3 (482)

That’s it for our list of the best things to do in Alaska! If you have any arguments or additional information, please leave a comment. We love to hear from our readers too!