Top Anchorage Tours: See Alaska’s Wild Side

Planning a trip up to Anchorage, Alaska? That is so exciting! You are definitely in for a treat. Between the soaring mountains, incredible wildlife, and some pretty fantastic glaciers, there’s honestly just so much to see and do. To make sure you soak it all in, like your favorite cup of coffee on a crisp morning, taking a guided tour is very a great idea. But with so many options available, picking just the right tour might be tricky, you know? It’s a good problem to have, I guess. Well, you don’t need to look any further – in this guide, we’re gonna chat a bit about some top sightseeing adventures that show you Anchorage and its beautiful surroundings. Each option I talk about gives like your perspective a unique peek at what makes this part of Alaska seriously memorable. Here you can book Anchorage Sightseeing Tour online.

1. Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise: See Towering Blue Ice

If the goal is to get close to Alaska’s awe-inspiring glaciers, a cruise of Prince William Sound should probably be very near the top of your list, to be honest. Several tour operators out of Whittier, which is about an hour outside Anchorage, provide day trips to see these icy giants. Now, I was lucky enough to go on one last summer, and the experience was simply outstanding, I can tell you! Gliding through the calm waters, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, that’s really magical stuff. Then there’s the glaciers – huge walls of ice that calve into the sea with a mighty roar. So, that’s a memory you’ll probably never forget. Look for cruises that include stops at places like College Fjord, where you might get to check out several glaciers in one go, like a glacier buffet. And keep an eye out for wildlife – I spotted sea otters, seals, and even some whales on my trip, it’s almost as if the wildlife is greeting you. This is such a memorable way to appreciate the gorgeous glacial landscapes that make Alaska unique, arguably. Book Glacier Cruise in advance to get better discounts.

What You Might See:

Massive glaciers and calving ice
Sea otters playing in the water
Seals lounging on ice floes
Humpback and orca whales (if you’re lucky!)
Breathtaking mountain scenery

2. Anchorage City Tour: The History and Culture Right Here

Want to learn about Anchorage’s background and see its sites? Then you need to find a city tour, really. This kind of excursion offers a comfortable and interesting way to learn about the area. You’ll swing by spots like the Anchorage Museum, where you’re able to soak up some Alaskan history and art. You might be taken to Earthquake Park, which tells a compelling story regarding the Good Friday Earthquake back in 1964. Local guides often share entertaining tales and city facts. Many tours go to the Alaska Native Heritage Center as well. This place gives insight into the lives and customs of Alaska’s native peoples. If you wish to get a simple overview of the area to get the lay of the land, a city tour might be your answer, probably. Very easy and fun too, actually. Also, to see what the region has to offer and get you energized to see even more, like that feeling when the morning finally hits after waking up too early in the morning, for example. Explore local museums and history center

Things to Look For in a Great City Tour:

Knowledgeable local guides
Stops at historical landmarks
Insights into Anchorage’s cultural background
Comfortable transportation
Maybe even a little local gossip, you know?

3. Flightseeing Tour of Denali National Park: Witness Majestic Peaks From Above

To view Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), which is North America’s tallest peak, in all its magnificence, it is highly recommended that you go on a flightseeing tour. This gives a totally unparalleled view, believe me. Even though the park is a few hours outside Anchorage, there are trips that depart from Anchorage-area airports. I mean, the experience starts once you leave the ground and begin soaring past the immense Alaskan landscape. Viewing Denali’s massive peaks covered in snow is breathtaking, seriously. It’s sort of that moment when you just gasp. You get a sense of the park’s vast size. Plus, pilots usually know the place inside out and can give helpful information about the glaciers, mountain formations, and maybe even the wildlife below. Landing on a glacier will make the experience a bit better too! Certain tour operators do that. It’s really something. If you’re up for an splurge for something unique and memorable, think about seeing Denali up high, I guess. This gives you an amazing Alaskan experience to appreciate and treasure, definitely! Book affordable Denali flightseeing tours.

Highlights of a Flightseeing Tour:

Unmatched views of Denali
Expert pilot commentary
Glacier landings (on some tours)
Panoramic vistas of the Alaskan wilderness
A total sense of the park’s scale

4. Wildlife Viewing Tour: Spot Bears, Moose, and More

Alaska is famous, and very rightly so, for its wildlife. So naturally, you’ll likely want to see some when you are here. Fortunately, several wildlife-centered trips set out from Anchorage, that’s actually pretty helpful. For certain trips, you get taken to the Kenai Peninsula. This place is famous for its varied animal populations. You could go to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, that is almost the place where you can meet rescued animals, such as bears, moose, and caribou, you know? A boat trip over to places such as Whittier may allow the visitors to spot sea otters and puffins. Other excursions take you hiking or driving into regions where moose roam, where the woods come alive with hooves hitting earth, almost. Keep your eyes open and keep your camera charged for some wildlife. This gives people a better knowledge of Alaska’s wild side, almost like glimpsing into another realm. Learn about wild animals and book a guide for a day.

What to Hope For:

Bear sightings (brown or black, possibly both!)
Majestic moose wandering around
Caribou grazing on the tundra
Sea otters and seals in coastal areas
Maybe even a glimpse of a wolf or lynx

5. Portage Glacier Cruise and Begich, Boggs Visitor Center

Want a quick and simple way of viewing a glacier? And getting amazing photo opportunities while you’re doing it? Then head about an hour south of Anchorage to Portage Glacier! Though the glacier isn’t visible from the roadside any more, taking the short cruise over Portage Lake brings you literally face to face with the icy end of the glacier. The M/V Ptarmigan tour boat will sail you to near enough to the glacier that you might reach out and touch it, though obviously, for safety reasons, it’s not recommended, or even allowed, perhaps. After your cruise, pop into the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, where you are able to find fascinating information regarding glaciers and the local ecosystem. You can view an informative film that dives in deeper too. This can be a great option for anyone trying to find something quickly, is it not? Or for people who have mobility concerns, being that it provides great glacial sightseeing without the long journey! Purchase affordable glacier cruise tickets.

Key Highlights:

A great scenic boat tour to Portage Glacier
Amazing photo possibilities of the glacier and surrounding area
Details of the glacier at the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center
Informative film about the glacier’s story and surrounding region
Comfortable and relatively quick tour from Anchorage