Things to Do in Alaska

Looking for things to do in Alaska? This guide breaks it down city by city, covering everything from farmers markets and festivals to kayaking, museums, hiking trails, and scenic views. It’s a collection of favorite stops from Sarah, co-owner and office manager of Big Dan’s Fishing Charters. She helps guests plan unforgettable adventures every day—and now she’s sharing a few of her own go-to highlights from around the state.

Homer:

Bishop’s Beach is a great place to walk, explore the tide, and take in views of Kachemak Bay.
Stop by the Land and Sea Visitors Center for maps and local info.
Visit the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies to tour their museum or book a day or overnight trip to Peterson Bay with a hike to China Poot Bay.
The Pratt Museum features art, culture, and natural history from the Homer area.
About ten minutes before Homer, look for flags across from a hot pink coffee shop to find the Norman Lowell Art Studio and Gallery, a hidden gem of Alaskan art.
Wynn Nature Center offers an easy family hike with great views; it’s around $20 for a family pass.
Take a water taxi to Seldovia for about $79 per person. On the Fourth of July, the town hosts incredible festivities. It’s walkable, full of charm, and offers kayak rentals to explore the calm bay.
Switchback Trail is a short, scenic hike with great views. Check out all the hikes around Homer.
Visit the Homer Spit for local shopping, food, and seaside atmosphere.
Near the Spit shops, there’s a fishing hole where kids and adults can catch salmon, see sea stars, and maybe spot sea lions or otters.
Water taxi to China Poot Bay during negative tides for tide pooling.
The China Poot Lake Trail offers a peaceful hike nearby.
Stop at the Russian Village just before Ninilchik for a glimpse of Alaska’s Russian heritage.
Ninilchik also hosts the Salmon Festival from July 31 to August 2 with live music and a great local vibe.
Don’t miss the new Homer Harbor Fest in June!

Homer Spit Shopping © Homer COC

Sea to Tree Tour © Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies

Seward:

Alaska SeaLife Center is a great place to see Alaska’s marine life up close. Kids love it and there’s a playground just up the street, right on the beach. A campground is nearby if you want to stay a few nights. You can’t beat the view.
Ride with real sled dogs and learn about the Iditarod at Seavey’s Iditarod Sled Dog Tours. Starts at $69 per person.
Check out Stoney Creek Canopy Adventures to go zip lining through the treetops. $149 for adults, $119 for ages 10 to 14.
Kenai Fjords Tours are a must-do day trip for glacier viewing and whale watching. Around $149 and lunch is usually included.
Fox Island Kenai Fjords Trip is a shorter cruise that includes a stop at Fox Island for a salmon dinner. We’ve seen whales on this one too. Around $99.
Kayaking with Miller’s Landing is always a fun time. This great local company offers a variety of half-day and full-day kayak trips. Prices range from $69 to $129.
Bear Lake is a beautiful spot to kayak. Paddle over schools of salmon and enjoy peaceful water.
Miller’s Landing is a great beach area with hiking trails, shops to explore, and a kids’ park just down the street from the SeaLife Center. The Caines Head Trail starts nearby.
Exit Glacier is a short 2-mile hike one way to the glacier. Easy and accessible with different trail options. Free to visit.
Harding Icefield Trail is an 8-mile round-trip hike with steep elevation gain, about 1,000 feet per mile. A tough trek best for experienced hikers or adventurous kids.
Mount Marathon Trail is a very challenging and steep hike. It is not recommended for beginners. This trail has a special history. It began with a Fourth of July bet between two sourdoughs who doubted anyone could summit and descend in under an hour. The race lives on today as runners take on the same wild challenge each year.
Trail Lake Campground is located just before you get into Seward. This is a beautiful place to camp with options to kayak, canoe, or bike. Great for families. There’s a volleyball net, pavilion, and water access throughout.
Williwaw Campground – A peaceful spot surrounded by mountains, close to great trails and the Portage area. A solid base for camping and hiking.
You can also search for more local hiking trails in Seward or check with the visitor center when you arrive.

End of the Harding Icefield Trail © NPS

Exit Glacier View Point © Paige Calamari for NPS

Soldotna:

Every Wednesday is farmer’s market and music in the park at City Creek Park.
Subscribe to follow Soldotna parks and rec on Facebook for summer activities list
Johnson Lake is great for trout fishing and kayaking
Longmere Lake is fun for jet ski’s and kayaking. It’s a float plane lake so you can watch float planes take off throughout the day.
Diamond M Ranch has festivities for summer Solstice around June 22
City Creek park has the river festival June 11-12
Biking and walking trails at Tsalteshi trails
Fishing at Centennial Park is great with more than 650 feet of elevated boardwalk. There is also a little museum at the entrance that is free.
Go to the beach access in Kenai and stop at the park for the kids
Captain Cook Beach in Nikiski offers wide-open shoreline for beachcombing, wildlife watching, and scenic views of Cook Inlet, with nearby camping and hiking in Captain Cook State Recreation Area.
The Nikiski Pool is a community aquatic center featuring a lap pool, waterslide, hot tub, and open swim sessions. It’s great for families or anyone looking to relax or get some exercise indoors.
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is a must-see, offering incredible wildlife viewing and scenic beauty. While you’re there, explore its many hiking trails like Hidden Creek, Skilak Lookout, and Seven Lakes Trail.
Birch Ridge Golf Course on your way out of Soldotna heading north.
Clam Gulch Beach, just past Kasilof, is still open and great for camping, beachcombing, wildlife viewing, and enjoying Cook Inlet views. Clamming is currently closed, so check with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for updates before you go for clams.

Elevated boardwalk with Kenai River access © City of Soldotna

Eagle River:

If you’re in the Eagle River area and want an easy walk with a big reward, the South Fork Eagle River Falls is a solid choice at just 1.3 miles round-trip. It’s a laid-back path, perfect for a quick outing, and it ends with the beautiful “Barbara Falls”.
Eagle River is home to a great mix of walking and hiking trails. Another great spot to explore is the Eagle River Nature Center Trail System, where you’ll find everything from easy nature strolls to more moderate routes that wind through the Chugach Mountains.

Barbara Falls © Visit Anchorage

Hope:

Hope, Alaska may be small, but it’s full of charm and well worth the detour. On your way in, don’t miss the scenic rest stop just off the highway. It’s a great spot to stretch your legs, soak up mountain views, and take a quick walk on the nearby trail system. Once in town, you’ll find that Hope keeps it simple with a whole lot of history. The pace is slow, the locals are friendly, and the surrounding wilderness offers a peaceful break from the bustle of more tourist-heavy towns. It’s a good spot to grab a bite, enjoy the scenery, and step back into old Alaska for a bit.

Anchorage:

Thunderbird falls between Willow and Anchorage. Off the side of the road.
Enjoy a scenic view looking down toward Earthquake Park.
Alaska Zoo
On Turnagain Arm coming out of Anchorage there is a bird viewing area off Old Seward Highway
McGugh Park – hiking trail, picnic, viewing of waterfall, Turnagain Arm and sheep up on the hillside
Beluga Point is a great spot to try and see Beluga whales, especially during high tide.
Bird offers a scenic spot for bike riding, hiking, and walking, with trails that follow the shoreline and connect to the popular Bird to Gird Pathway.
You’ll see wood carvings off the side of the road past Bird, on your left.

Turnagain Arm © Nicole Geils for Visit Anchorage

Whittier:

Whittier is a tiny town on Prince William Sound, 60 miles from Anchorage. Big views, easy glacier access. Most people come for the 27 glacier cruise or 9 Glacier Cruise, both include lunch and epic scenery for $99+. You can also catch the Alaska Railroad here for a day trip to Seward or Fairbanks. A few restaurants and shops open in summer, and almost everyone in town lives in the same building. Unique, scenic, and totally worth the $13 tunnel drive.

Portage Glacier:

Just a short drive from Whittier, Portage Glacier is a must-see. Stop by the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center for glacier exhibits, a film, and lake views. You can also hop on the Portage Glacier Cruise, a one-hour boat ride across Portage Lake to the glacier’s face, just $39 per person.

There are several great trails in the area. The Trail of Blue Ice is a flat, easy path through the valley, ideal for biking or a mellow walk. The Williwaw Nature Trail is shorter and great for spotting salmon in late summer. If you’re up for a challenge, the Portage Pass Trail starts from Whittier and gives you an iconic view of the glacier and lake from above.

For camping and hiking, Williwaw Campground is one of the best in the area, surrounded by mountains, close to trails, and usually quiet enough to hear the creek.

Girdwood:

Ride the tram at Alyeska Ski Resort
Virgin Falls trail is a very short hike that is worth taking. It’s back in a neighborhood at the end of Timberline Drive.
Winner creek trail and any other trails that are behind the Alyeska resort.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (this is right before the turn off for Portage) on the right hand side. Drive through it for $30. Very cool for everyone.

Cooper Landing:

Cooper Landing offers a solid mix of good food and outdoor fun. The Princess Lodge is a great spot for brunch, lunch, or dinner. It’s a bit spendy, but the food and mountain views from the outdoor deck make it worth it. There’s a short trail nearby for a walk after your meal. For something low key, try river rafting with AK Wildland Adventures. It’s about $59 per person and floats you down the Kenai River with views of wildlife and fishermen.

The Russian River Falls hike is a local favorite, and there are campgrounds nearby. Just know the bear activity is high, so bring a trailer instead of a tent. Popular trails in the area include Skilak Lake, Crescent Lake, Skyline (very difficult), Fuller Lake, and Hidden Lake. Hidden Lake Campground is also a great place to stay, especially if you bring bikes.

Other things to do: fish on Kenai Lake, hike to Juneau Falls, stop by the small roadside museum, or try your luck at gold panning.