26 things everyone should do in Alaska, according to a local
Hike the Winner Creek Trail in the lush rainforest of Girdwood. It's a relatively easy point-to-point excursion, with a small metal hand tram to pull you hand-over-hand 100 feet above rushing Glacier Creek.
Check out Fairbanks, which is deep in the interior of the state and Alaska's second-largest city. Right above the Arctic Circle, it has true 24-hour daylight in summer, and spectacular Northern Lights displays in winter.
Take a midnight hike up Flattop — a popular and relatively easy hike in South Anchorage — to celebrate the Summer Solstice.
Eat pizza and drink house-made beer at Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria in Anchorage, which has Alaska-themed pies like "The Backpacker" and "Solstice."
Observe massive grizzly bears at Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park and Preserve. You can stand on a wooden observation deck as close as 10 yards from the bears (don't worry, it's safe). July and September are the best times to go, when the park is teeming with bears.
If real-life bear viewing is too personal for you, the park also supports a livestream of Brooks Falls at explore.org
Get a local to show you the ropes of dipnetting — a midsummer phenomenon on the Kenai River where fishermen and women can literally scoop 60 salmon out of the water with a single pull of their net.
Trek to the eerie blue caverns of the Mendenhall Ice Caves at Mendenhall Glacier, outside of Alaska's capital city of Juneau. The beautiful tunnels under the glacier's surface are caused by its rapid melting and receding, so they won't be around forever.
Grab a brewski at Alaska's first craft brewery, which was ahead of the national trend when it opened in 1986. Today, their signature Alaskan Amber and dozen or so other brews are available in 18 states — but the best place to taste it is the Alaskan Brewing Company's brewery and tasting room in Juneau.
Kayak around Eklutna Lake, a long, piercingly blue lake fed by a glacier of the same name. The natural reservoir provides most of Anchorage's delicious drinking water, and is popular for kayaking, mountain biking, and camping.
Experience Alaska's icy climate, even in the summer, by taking a cruise to Portage Glacier, just an hour from Anchorage. Glaciers are a common theme for any trip to Alaska — there are 616 officially named glaciers in the state, and as many as 100,000 in total.
Head to the tiny town of Seward, on the Kenai Peninsula, over the weekend of July 4th to watch the annual Mt. Marathon race. This insane run/hike has some of the best mountain runners in the world doubled over on their hands and knees on the way up, and whirling out of control on the steep downhill. The town's population of 2,754 swells to 10,000+ during Independence Day, and vendors fill the streets.
While in Seward, check out one of Alaska's five national parks. Kenai Fjords National Park spans over 1,000 square miles, mostly of ocean and the glaciers of the Harding ice field. Boat tours offer whale watching and wildlife viewing, and the chance to see a glacier "calving," as huge chunks of ice break off and crash into the bay below.
Observe the spindly "Dr. Seuss House" from a distance, as it lies on rural private property near the town of Talkeetna.
Flightsee — that's Alaskan for sightseeing by plane — around Denali, then land on Ruth Glacier to get a taste of what brave climbers will face on their way up the tallest peak in North America.
Run — or watch — the annual Mayor's Marathon, which takes place on the Solstice each year in Anchorage. It's not uncommon to have to pause to allow a moose or bear to pass!
Ride or walk the Coastal Trail, which starts right in downtown Anchorage and cruises 12 miles along the coast of Cook Inlet — perfect for killer views of Mt. Susitna.
Hop on over to the island of Kodiak for the scrumptious annual Kodiak Crab Festival, a celebration of the crabbing industry and the delicious, mighty King Crab.
Take a scenic drive on the Alaska Railroad down Alaska's Highway 1, which leaves Anchorage from the south and winds along Turnagain Arm and the Chugach Mountain Range.
See some monster cabbages (over 100 lbs) at the Alaska State Fair, held in Palmer late each summer. Alaska's nearly 24 hour daylight in the summer means one thing for farmers in the Matanuska Valley: bigger vegetables.
Go jet skiing, tubing, or waterskiing on Big Lake, Alaska's version of the beach.
Take a professional fishing charter in Homer, Alaska, a gorgeous fishing town with a host of quirky galleries and bakeries.
Instead of taking a cruise to Alaska, take the Alaska Ferry (or poor man's cruise), which is a more authentic way of seeing the southeast.
Get a taste of Alaska's gold rush roots by exploring the tiny town of McCarthy, and the abandoned mining town of Kennecott.
Understand why Alaskans can be such coffee snobs (they are) after drinking a cup of Kaladi Brothers coffee, an iconic local roaster, with locations throughout Anchorage.
A downtown Starbucks even went out of business because the Kaladi a block away took too much business.
Check out one of the best celebrations of Alaska's short summer at the Girdwood Forest Fair, an annual festival with food, homemade crafts, and live music in the woods of Alaska's premier ski town.
Take a running leap down steep sand dunes in Anchorage's Kincaid Park, and take in the views of the inlet from above.
Distract yourself from Alaska's dark winter at the annual Iditarod sled dog race, which has a ceremonial start in Anchorage before mushers brave over 1,000 miles of wilderness trails.
Treat yourself to a dinner of fresh-caught King Salmon, an Alaska special. It'll taste even better if you caught it yourself earlier that day.
Head up to an 1,800-foot summit with the Mt. Roberts Tramway in Juneau for amazing views of the historic town, the Gastineau Channel, and the surrounding mountains.
Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center, a few minutes south of Anchorage, to learn about the rich history Alaska had before joining the US in 1959, and about the native tribes that settled it.
Take in the awe-inspiring beauty of Denali National Park on a drive or bus tour. There's just one long, winding road that goes into the park, so be sure to reserve a spot early for views of alpine tundra, placid lakes, and the imposing mountains Alaska is known for.
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