12 Unforgettable Alaska Day Trips, One For Each Month Of The Year
By Megan McDonald|Updated on June 09, 2022(Originally published June 05, 2022)
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Megan McDonald
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Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
If you’re looking for a fabulous way to spend the day, we compiled a list of the very best day trips in Alaska for each month of the year. From soaking in hot springs during the coldest winter months to kayaking in Resurrection Bay, there’s no wrong way to spend a day in Alaska. See some epic glaciers, and observe nature in this magical place rich in the most interesting, jaw-dropping wildlife. Try out some of the day trips near me in Alaska this year, and see if they become your favorites, too!
If you’re looking for a day trip near me in Alaska during the coldest months, look no farther than the famous Chena Hot Springs. A quick hour’s drive outside of Fairbanks, you can soak in the springs, drink a martini out of a glass of ice at their Aurora Ice Bar, go dogsledding, or explore the trails on the resort. Be sure to watch as the aurora borealis dance overhead.
Come February, the snow is still falling in Girdwood, America’s northernmost temperate rainforest. That means hundreds of inches of fresh powder on Mount Alyeska during the winter season, making it one of the best day trips in Alaska. An easy 45 minute drive out of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, and you’re smack dab in the middle of this winter wonderland. Grab some friends and hit the slope on a sunny February day.
Head on out to Anchorage, Alaska in early March for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod! This amazing event brings in tens of thousands of people to cheer on the mushers as they begin the ceremonial start to the iconic race, the Iditarod. This is a fun day to see the dogs run all over Anchorage, and enjoy the good food and party atmosphere you’ll find everywhere downtown. Enjoy one of the most unique things to do around Anchorage.
Take a trip and spend the day hiking around Matanuska Glacier. This incredible experience is open to explore all year long, but April is extra nice. With longer days, plenty of sunshine, and still a touch of winter, you’ll love getting out and hiking or climbing this mammoth sheet of ice. Look up Glacier Tours on the Matanuska to book your guided trip out on this ancient ice! This is definitley one of the best getaway spots near me in Alaska.
For those who love to fish, May is known as "the month to catch King Salmon." The King Salmon runs tend to hit during mid May, the earliest part of our summer. Many flock to the Kenai River in Cooper Landing, Soldotna, and Kenai to get some fantastic fishing in and try to catch some of the most famous salmon in the world. Grab a rod or net, and pick one of the best getaway spots near me to fish for dinner!
Hop on one of the ferry services that cruise from Homer to Halibut Cove every day. This gorgeous little hideaway is right across the bay from Homer, and home to charming vistas of houses perched on boardwalks above the sea. Kayak in and out of the little coves, have dinner at The Saltry, and grab some artwork from a local artist on the boardwalk before you head back to Homer at the end of the day.
This summer, take the Kenai Fjords Boat Tours out to the stunning Fox Island. This beautiful little island is right in the middle of Resurrection Bay. Kenai Fjords Tours offers a stop off at this little piece of pristine wildness, where you can kayak through the coves, and dine on King Crab and Alaska Salmon, until you hop back on the boat in the afternoon to head back to Seward.
Hope is a charming old gold mining town that’s rich with history and stunning views. Fish in the river, hike through the mountains nearby or along the ocean, and eat at all the tasty restaurants in town. If you find you can’t bear to leave, throw up a tent at one of the many campgrounds in town, and enjoy the evening, too!
Welcome winter at the wonderful Eagle River Nature Center. A quick 40-minute drive from Anchorage, this gorgeous spot has tons of great trails that lead you out to boardwalks with panoramic views of the Chugach Mountains. Check out the leaves changing as you gaze at the termination dust crowning the mountains. Enjoy an afternoon exploring before you head into Eagle River for some great food.
There’s no better way to celebrate fall than to hang with the reindeer and grab a pumpkin, to boot. Williams Reindeer Farm is an institution, that has been around since 1987, and one of the most unique things to do around Palmer, Alaska. You can pet the reindeer, meet a moose, and get some goodies from their farm store. It’s the perfect autumn trip to get in before Halloween.
This wonderful animal wildlife center is open all year round, and in November you’ll beat the crowds and see the animals up close. View bison, musk oxen, playful bears, bald eagles, Arctic fox, and more. From September through May they offer free daily winter educational programs. Take the 1.5-mile loop through this center, and don’t forget your ice grippers in case it’s slick!
The month of December belongs to the small town of Talkeetna. The town comes alive during the holiday season with Winterfest, a month-long winter extravaganza. Kick-off the season with a Tree Decorating and Lighting Ceremony, followed by parade of lights, Wilderness Woman Competition, Bachelor Auction, and Taste of Talkeetna. Or grab your skis and check out one of their numerous cross-country ski trails.
Have you taken any of these amazing day trips in Alaska? What did you think? Will you be headed to any of these places in 2022/2023? Let us know in the comments below!
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Best Day Trips In Alaska
Carolyn Harmon|June 09, 2022
What is another one of the best day trips in Alaska? The Alaska Sea Life Center in Seward is a combined public aquarium with marine research, education, and wildlife response. This nonprofit center, primarily dedicated to marine research and education, is the only permanent marine mammal rescue rehabilitation facility in Alaska. Located on Resurrection Bay, engage in conversations with harbor seals, puffins, sea lions, and octopuses. If you are interested in learning about Alaskan wildlife, treat yourself to one of the most unique things to do in Alaska.
What are some unique things to do around Alaska? Mushing is one of the most unique things to do in Alaska if you don't live there. Sitting on a sled while flying through an Alaskan landscape, and being pulled by Alaskan sled dogs is something you don't want to miss. The Alaskans celebrate this activity every March with the 1,150-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race running from Anchorage to Nome. Other dog-sled excursions are available from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali, Girdwood, and Juneau, geared for people of all ages. Or try your hand at ice climbing. How do you get in shape for this activity? Routes are available all throughout the state.
Where is a day trip near me in Alaska? Pioneer Park, in Fairbanks, Pioneer Park was built in 1967, where history is alive and well. Old cabins from earlier times were relocated to this rustic place. This 44-acre Historical Theme Park is located in Fairbanks, Alaska, between the Chena River bike path and Airport Way. The park showcases Fairbanks' history through outdoor displays, museums, and activities including a historic sternwheeler, a miniature golf course, a carousel, an operational narrow-gauge train, the Bear Art Gallery, and Gold Rush-era artifacts.
