Planning a trip to Alaska can be a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors. The state is so large and there are so many wonderful things to do and see. However, with careful planning with your travel advisor, visiting the Last Frontier can be easier than you think. So, here are 10 things you should consider seeing or doing when visiting Alaska for the first time.

1. Glacier and Wildlife Tour

When most people think of Alaska, they think of the majestic glaciers and beautiful wildlife. There is certainly no shortage of these to see. One of the more popular areas to see glaciers and wildlife will be aboard a Kenai Fjord National Park Glacier and Wildlife Cruise. These half-day cruises will give you the opportunity to experience glaciers up-close while also being on the lookout for otters, whales, sea puffins, and more.

2. Ride the GoldStar Dome

A good way to take in the breathtaking views of Alaska is while riding the rails, specifically the GoldStar Dome train so you can get full 360-degree views while you sit back, relax and just be in awe of such beautiful scenery. The GoldStar Dome service runs between Anchorage and Seward as well as Anchorage and Fairbanks.

3. Take a flightseeing tour

From helicopters and seaplanes, a flightseeing tour is one of the best ways to experience parts of Alaska that you would not be able to access otherwise. There are plenty of options that depart from Anchorage year-round. A word of caution though, flightseeing tours are very dependent upon the weather. So, if it’s a very windy or foggy day, then the tour will not be able to take off. Therefore, have a backup plan for the day just in case.

4. Check out the Northern Lights in Fairbanks

One of the most mystical sights in the world is the Northern

Lights, and Fairbanks, Alaska, is one of the best places for viewing. While the northern lights occur throughout the year, the best time to see them will be between the months of August and April when less daylight leads to darker evening skies.

5. Take a dog sledding tour

Have you wanted to experience the thrill of dog sledding through the Alaskan forest? Well, you can with various outings from Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, Girdwood and Juneau. In addition to going for a ride, you can visit the kennels to see how the dogs are trained and even get to cuddle up with one of the cute puppies. Just remember when you fall in love with these little puppies, you can’t take them home with you!

6. Visit Denali

Upon your first visit to Denali, you’ll quickly realize why it stands proudly among America’s public lands. Within its six million acres you’ll find abundant wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, not to mention Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. Remember, the best way to get there is aboard the Alaska Railroad, where passengers routinely spot eagles, moose and bears. Be sure to book your reservations for one of the lodges in the park early!

7. Go wildlife viewing

Alaska is known for its wildlife. Whether you want to go specifically bear viewing, caribou viewing, eagle viewing, moose viewing, polar bear viewing, salmon viewing, or visit a wildlife park, there are plenty of options.

8. Visit a museum and learn about the culture

Yes, Alaska is known for its wildlife and landscape, but there is so much history and culture in this wonderful state. Alaska has 160 museums, so knowing which one to visit can be a bit of a challenge. Whether it’s about art, aviation, fishing, heritage, mining, and much more, be sure to let your travel advisor know what you are interested in so he/she can recommend a couple of museums for you to choose from.

9. Enjoy some time fishing

Do you fancy saltwater or freshwater fishing? Well, you are picking the right state. Alaska is known for its salmon and trout fishing in addition to saltwater fishing out in the ocean or taking a fishing expedition out in the remote parts of the state. The summer months are the best time to visit if fishing is on your to-do list. Don’t worry about the fishing license as you can easily purchase these once you get to Alaska.

10. Try your hand at gold mining and panning

Relive the gold rush era of the 1800s and try your hand at panning for some gold. You will find that almost every major town in Alaska has gold mining as part of its history. While gold prospecting isn’t allowed just anywhere, you can on certain pieces of public lands. Even though you aren’t going to get rich, there are several tour options available to help you have a little fun with the experience.

As you can see from this list, there are plenty of things to do in Alaska. So, now is the time to contact your travel advisor (me) and discuss what’s on your adventure list so I can help you get the most out of your trip to The Last Frontier. Start by scheduling a consultation today!