Visiting Alaska for the First Time: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re visiting Alaska for the first time, get ready for an unparalleled experience. Alaska’s vast landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage will leave you breathless.

From hiking through old-growth forest looking for bears in the company of a Tlingit guide to marveling at the rugged beauty of Denali National Park, new adventures unfold every day.

Nothing beats the thrill of seeing your first whale up close, or watching vast chunks of ice calving off a glacier with a thunderous roar. As you plan your big adventure, prepare to be amazed by the extraordinary beauty of the 49th state.

Things to Know For Your First Visit to Alaska

Mendenhall Glacier

Alaska is a vast state, so you need to adjust your expectations about where you’ll visit. The most popular area is the Inside Passage, a relatively narrow strip of land hemmed in by jagged mountains, the whole coastline dotted with islands.

Juneau, the state capital, is here, as well as popular destinations such as Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka, and Seward. Beyond the Inside Passage, you could extend your visit to Anchorage, Denali National Park, and as far north as Fairbanks.

Alaska’s season is short. Everything opens up in late April, and by early October, summer is well and truly over as the first snows appear on the mountains. So think carefully about what you want to see.

Bear

In spring, wildflowers will bloom and animals will be emerging from hibernation. The salmon runs in June and July are a great time for bear-spotting, as bears come down to the streams to feast. Conversely, forest trails may be closed during this time as there are so many bears around.

Humpback whales arrive in Alaska in May and begin migrating back to warmer waters by September. Why the excitement about humpbacks, specifically? Because they’re the most active whales and are fascinating to observe, whether they’re “bubble feeding”, tail slapping, or breaching right of the water.

Fall in Alaska can be a beautiful time to visit as the trees change and animals are fattening themselves up for winter. You can pick up end-of-season bargains in some of the craft shops and galleries in fall, too.

Kayaking in Alaska

The weather in Alaska is unpredictable, but activities continue regardless. So if you’ve booked a kayaking tour, it will go ahead even in mist and rain. As locals love to tell you, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

If you want to buy souvenirs in Alaska, always look for the “Made in Alaska” mark. This way, you are supporting local artisans and buying locally made products, not cheap imports.

Insider Tips for First-Timers to Alaska

Flightseeing tour

When you’re visiting Alaska for the first time, the best strategy is to spend as much time as you can outdoors, even if it’s cool and wet. Of course, there are glorious days in Alaska in spring, summer, and fall, but this isn’t the place to choose if you’re looking for a warm sunshine vacation. So pack wisely and dress for drizzle, and you’ll barely notice a cooler day.

There’s no need to dress up in Alaska. People here are rugged and live amid nature that can throw out any kind of weather. Being warm and comfortable is more important than looking fashionable.

Mendenhall Glacier

Plan your trip to Alaska with consideration. It’s worth choosing what excursions you want to do in advance as activities do get fully booked in peak season.

In some places, it’s easy enough to do your own thing and public transportation is available—you can take a bus in Juneau to the Mendenhall Glacier, for example—but for the big ticket activities like whale watching, flightseeing, and husky driving over a glacier, it’s better to book ahead.

Whale-watching in Alaska

If you’re traveling as a family—and Alaska is a great family destination—think of tours that will interest kids and teens. Younger children may not have the patience to sit on a whale-watching boat for ages in the cold, waiting for a distant blow or splash.

But they might enjoy a family kayak trip at Mendenhall Glacier, or a hike through Tongass National Forest with an eagle-eyed guide who makes it fun. Few kids can resist a zipline, but children under a certain age will need an adult to accompany them, so brace yourself.

Tracy’s King Crab Shack, Juneau

Make time to try some Alaskan food. Fresh, wild salmon is spectacular, and multiple tours include a salmon bake in the wild. A feast of king crab claws dripping in butter is worth indulging in, too.

Berry cobbler with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream is delicious as a dessert. You’ll find artisan bakeries and coffee shops in most towns, as well as craft beers to try.

Finally, always remember that the wildlife here is wild; this is not a zoo. If a trail is closed because of bear activity, follow the rules. Don’t go on solo hikes unless you’re properly equipped. Animals, however cute, can be unpredictable, whether you’re admiring a moose, a wolf, or a herd of sea lions.

What to Pack for Your First Trip to Alaska

Denali National Park

The best advice for Alaska first-timers is to pack layers. The weather really can change from cold and rainy to blazing sunshine within minutes. You’ll need breathable layers that can be peeled off—and put back on again—when required.

Zip-off pants are a great idea, as are lightweight fleeces and wicking tops. Pack a decent and robust waterproof jacket and a good, waterproof pair of walking boots. For travel in the early and late season, early May and September or October, gloves and a fleece hat are essential.

Sunblock is important, even if you imagine Alaska to be a cool place. The sun can still be strong, and there’s a lot of reflection off the water. Polarizing sunglasses are ideal for the same reason. Pack insect repellent containing DEET, as mosquitoes can be a pest.

Fairbanks

A day pack is always useful; you could be out for long periods of time, and you’ll need something to carry all those layers in. If you’re bringing a camera, which you should, bring a dry bag to protect it from rain.

Binoculars are helpful, too, especially if you’re spotting wildlife. A reusable water bottle is a good idea, as it will help you reduce your environmental footprint.

Read: What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise

Wildlife in Alaska

Humpback whale

Spotting wildlife is one of the biggest thrills in Alaska. Watching bears fish for salmon and foraging on log-strewn beaches will take your breath away. So, too, will observing humpback whales breaching, leaping right out of the water and landing with a mighty splash.

There will be wildlife encounters in Alaska wherever you look. Along the Inside Passage, the coastal stretch between northern Canada and Alaska, you could see dolphins, as well as pods of black-and-white orca, some of which are here year-round.

Humpback whales arrive in May, migrating from the warm waters of Hawaii. Some of the best places to spot them are around Juneau and Icy Strait Point.

Sea lions

You could also see rare white beluga whales along Turnagain Arm, south of Anchorage. Other marine creatures to look out for include sea otters, which can often be spotted in family groups, rafted up and floating on their backs, which is an enchanting sight.

You’ll see harems of Stellar sea lions, often hauled out on the rocks in Kenai Fjords National Park.

Fortress of the Bear, Sitka

Spotting bears in the wild in Alaska is a matter of being in the right place at the right time, but a sighting is not guaranteed.

If your dream is to observe Alaskan bears and you’re in Sitka, pay a visit to the Fortress of the Bear. This is a nonprofit rescue facility and sanctuary dedicated to the rehabilitation of orphaned and injured bears—particularly the endangered Alaskan brown bears.

Once you enter this “fortress,” you can safely observe bears living inside spacious outdoor enclosures. Fortress of the Bear also engages in public education initiatives to inform people about the lives of the state’s bear populations and the many challenges these apex predators face.

Bald eagles

Bald eagles are a common sight in Alaska; there are large numbers around Juneau, Icy Strait Point, and Sitka. If you want to see these majestic birds up close, pay a visit to the Alaska Raptor Center outside Sitka. Here, injured eagles and other birds of prey are rehabilitated with the aim to release them back into the wild.

If you include a visit to Denali National Park in your Alaska itinerary, your bucket list will most likely include the Big Five: grizzly bear, moose, caribou, wolf, and Dall sheep.

Cultural Highlights of Alaska

Athabascan Village, near Fairbanks

Wildlife aside, Alaska has a fascinating human history and has been inhabited by Indigenous groups for some 14,000 years. Alaska Natives are very much involved in tourism today as hosts and guides, and your trip will include chances to learn more about their lives.

Hoonah is an Alaskan Native community on Chichagof Island predominantly inhabited by the Tlingit people. A visit here will give you a chance to discover the allure of Tlingit traditions through mesmerizing storytelling, intricate totem pole carving, canoe-building, Native arts, and other fascinating Tlingit customs.

Sitka National Historical Park

Delve deeper still into Tlingit traditions at Sitka National Historical Park and learn about the Battle of Sitka, which was a conflict between the Tlingit and invading Russian forces that took place in 1804.

The park also features one of the world’s largest collections of totem poles, exhibited along the Totem Loop Trail. Cultural demonstrations featuring traditional Tlingit activities like carving, weaving, storytelling, and dance performances are on offer, too.

Totem Bight State Historical Park, near Ketchikan

At Totem Bight State Historical Park near Ketchikan, you can have a glimpse into the art and culture of the Tlingit and Haida people who inhabit the Inside Passage. Close to Ketchikan, this 11-acre park, set in the lush Tongass Forest, houses a collection of recreated totems, as well as a Clan House.

Much further north, near Fairbanks, you can visit an Athabascan village on the Chena River. The Athabascan people have made the interior of Alaska their home for millennia.

On a visit, you can engage with the local community, learn about Athabascan traditions, and gain insights into their long heritage through authentic crafts, storytelling, and dance performances.

Chilkoot Trail, near Skagway

Then there’s the more recent human history of Alaska, namely the Klondike Gold Rush, which centered around the town of Skagway in the late 1800s.

Take a guided tour or hike around the historic downtown, watch the engaging movie at the Visitor Center for an in-depth look at those heady days, and trek along part of the challenging Chilkoot Trail.

One of the best things to do in Skagway is to ride the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway for a taste of the beautiful but harsh terrain the prospectors had to tackle.

Things to Do in Alaska for First-Timers

Explore Denali National Park

Denali National Park

Alaska is all about the mountains. This means you’ll want to include a trip to Denali National Park when visiting Alaska for the first time.

The park is dense with evergreen forests and a vast tundra wilderness, creating a pristine natural landscape that makes visiting here one of the best things to do in Alaska.

Moose

Denali National Park is also the location of the tallest peak in North America, which will provide scenic grandeur to your rambles through the park if it reveals itself from its shroud of cloud.

Head off on a tundra wilderness day trip, venturing deeper into the Arctic range by land, or even helicopter, where you could encounter the iconic “Big Five” species: grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep.

Get Close to Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier

One of the best places to visit in Alaska for first-time adventurers, without a doubt, is Mendenhall Glacier and Mendenhall Lake.

This meeting point between the glacier and lake in the Mendenhall Valley is easy to reach from downtown Juneau, as the glacier is only about a 20-minute drive northwest of the city.

Start your visit at the excellent Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, located on the southern shores of the namesake lake. Then marvel at the incredible sight of this enormous ice formation as it slowly edges into the water.

Mendenhall Lake

You can also spot wildlife in the area, including eagles and bears, or dive into the science of glaciology at the visitor center, where you’ll learn more about what makes this ecosystem tick.

A guided tour by foot or kayak will bring you even closer to the gigantic flowing ice field, letting you appreciate its frozen splendor firsthand. There are well-marked trails of varying length in the park.

See Animals Up Close at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

If this is your first trip to Alaska, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, established in 1993, is a sanctuary you’ll want to call upon—especially if you’re an animal lover.

The center, snuggled away in the picturesque Chugach Mountains, southeast of Anchorage, is a haven for orphaned and injured wildlife. You can take part in guided tours led by the expert staff here, who will teach you more about the center’s activities concerning Alaskan wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.

Elk

During your visit, you’ll encounter remarkable creatures like bald eagles, brown bears, elk, great-horned owls, lynx, reindeer, wolves, and other species.

Admire the Beauty of Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park, on the Kenai Peninsula in southern Alaska, is a unique habitat brimming with fjords, glaciers, and rugged coastal landscapes.

As one of the best places to visit in Alaska, this is also the location of the Harding Icefield, one of the largest in the United States, which feeds glaciers flowing toward the sea.

Kenai Fjords National Park

Inside Kenai Fjords National Park, you can go for trail hikes to check out the forested fjords and lofty glaciers, spot diverse marine wildlife like dolphins, sea otters, humpback whales, and orcas, and of course gaze in awe at the exquisite ice formations.

Aside from boat trips, you can also kayak in Alaska for more wildlife and glacier viewing opportunities, offering you intimate encounters with the park’s local fauna and pristine habitats.

Shop for Crafts on Creek Street, Ketchikan

Creek Street, Ketchikan

First trips to Alaska usually mean a stop in Ketchikan, which means a visit to Creek Street.

Once upon a time, at the height of the fish canning era, Creek Street was a notorious red-light district. These days, the boardwalk, mounted on stilts, is a pretty, lively spot filled with craft shops and galleries.

Creek Street, Ketchikan

Browse for souvenirs and artwork here. The elevated boardwalk, adorned with colorful buildings, will also provide you with some lovely views of Ketchikan Creek, along with the woodlands butting up against the walkway.

Creek Street is also a great spot for photography, especially during the salmon runs when these fish swim upstream to spawn.

Dolly’s House Museum, Ketchikan

Visiting Dolly’s House Museum is one of the best things to do in Ketchikan, which will give you a glimpse into the less salubrious times of the town.

The nearby Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, which focuses on the region’s history, indigenous cultures, and natural ecosystems, is worth a visit as well.

Follow the Trails in the Tongass National Forest

Tongass National Forest

If you’re a tenderfoot—a newcomer—to Alaska’s pristine shores, a visit to Tongass National Forest should, without a doubt, be added to your travel itinerary.

Tongass National Forest’s diverse landscapes encompass ancient rainforests, alpine meadows, glaciers, and rugged coastlines.

Known as “America’s climate forest,” these woodlands lock away carbon and act as a vital conservation area, creating a gorgeous natural ecosystem that should be safeguarded for generations to come.

Bear

The forests here will offer you fishing opportunities in the lakes, rivers, and saltwater passageways, as well as glacier viewing and the chance to observe wild animals in their natural habitats.

Hikers will love the forest’s many scenic trails. Tongass, north of Ketchikan, encompasses approximately 17 million acres of protected islands and mainland forests, which means there’s plenty of elbow room for all—whether you’re talking about humans, bears, moose, or other species.

Hike on Mount Alyeska

Mount Alyeska

One of the best places to visit in Alaska for the first time is Mount Alyeska, located in Girdwood, southeast of Anchorage.

After the snow melts, especially during the summertime and early fall, Mount Alyeska is a great spot for hiking in Alaska, as well as mountain biking along wide, picturesque trails.

Trekking opportunities galore are here for all skill levels, from beginner-friendly paths to more challenging routes for experienced hikers.

Alyeska Aerial Tramway

Even if you don’t want to hike, you can still enjoy the amazing vistas by riding the Alyeska Aerial Tramway, which is only a seven-minute trip to the top. From the summit, you’ll be treated to incredible panoramas of the jagged Chugach Mountain range.

Ride the Mount Roberts Tramway

Mount Roberts Tramway

Another vertical ride you’ll want to consider while you’re in Alaska is the Mount Roberts Tramway, which is one of the best things to do in Juneau.

Hop on this precipitous tramway to get to the top of Mount Roberts, offering you a stunning overlook across Juneau and the Gastineau Channel, hundreds of feet below.

Mount Roberts

Once you reach the top of Mount Roberts, besides the awesome views, you may get to see some wildlife, like bald eagles and black bears. You’ll have access to several different family-friendly mountaintop hiking trails as well.

Check out the Mount Roberts Nature Center for insights into the local flora and fauna. And if you need a rest, enjoy some tasty Alaskan food at the summit’s restaurant, which comes with outstanding views of the surrounding region.

Marvel at the Hubbard Glacier

Hubbard Glacier

Alaska has hundreds of glaciers, but if it’s your first visit, you’ll want to get as close to one as possible. Join a Hubbard Glacier cruise and you’ll be able to see this towering wall of ice from the water, as it looms 350 feet high in many places.

Hubbard Glacier is a showcase for Mother Nature, filled with magnificent displays of blue ice crashing into Disenchantment Bay.

Hubbard Glacier

A boat trip out to this icy behemoth will treat you to calving blocks of ice, and also let you catch sight of different types of wildlife, including harbor seals, sea lions, otters, and whales.

Ride the White Pass and Yukon Route Scenic Railway

White Pass and Yukon Route Scenic Railway, near Skagway

Skagway is inextricably linked to the Klondike Gold Rush. It’s from here that thousands of prospectors departed, carrying supplies through treacherous conditions over the White Pass, the first stage of their journey to the Yukon gold fields.

You can retrace their steps with a ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, which climbs up to 2,888 feet, the vintage train clattering over narrow bridges, through dense forest, and along steep ledges.

You will catch glimpses of the original narrow trail and the poignant Dead Horse Gulch, where tragically, more than 3,000 horses and mules died. The journey is narrated all the way, so you’ll learn a lot about those heady, lawless days.

Fly Over the Forest at Icy Strait Point

Alaska is all about thrills, and you won’t find more of an adrenaline rush than the Zip Rider at Icy Strait Point. There are six parallel wires here, so you can “race” friends and family as you fly at speeds of up to 60 mph.

Mountain Top Gondola, Icy Strait Point

Your adventure begins with the ascent on the Mountain Top Gondola, with dazzling views of distant Glacier Bay and Icy Strait coming into view as you get higher. At the launch platform, you’ll be kitted out in a safety harness and clipped onto the wire.

Then you’re off, flying high over the spruce and hemlock forest, the wind whistling in your ears. The descent only takes around 90 seconds, but you’ll be on an incredible high afterwards.

When to Visit

Exit Glacier, near Seward

When you’re visiting Alaska for the first time, the optimum months are June, July, and August. Around this time, you’ll have 18 hours of daylight, with temperatures ranging from 63°F (17°C) in June to 65°F (18°C) in July.

This is a time for trekking on glaciers and soaring over Alaskan mountains in a float plane. Back at ground level, seals are nursing their pups, and you could be lucky enough to spot bear cubs.

July is peak time for salmon spawning, and where there are salmon, there will be bears, making this a great month for bear-spotting.

Mendenhall Glacier

Of course, Alaska is beautiful at any time. If you prefer to vacation in spring, come in May for the wildflowers and sightings of the first migratory whales. Fall brings spectacular colors and the first snow dusting the mountains, although rainfall increases.

Visiting Alaska for the First Time FAQs

Alyeska

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