What to Do in Alaska: Top Tours for First-Time Visitors
Planning your first trip to Alaska? Whether you're arriving by cruise ship or exploring the Inside Passage towns on your own, these top 10 tours are absolute must-dos. From iconic dog sledding to breathtaking wildlife encounters, this guide covers unforgettable excursions in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Seward, and beyond. Each tour has been hand-picked for its unique experiences, cultural value, and stunning views. Explore Alaska's glaciers, spot whales and bears in the wild, learn about the Gold Rush, and dive into local traditions. Featured Tours (in order): 10. Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise (Seward) A stunning marine wildlife cruise through a national park, with options for 4-hour or 7.5-hour tours: https://alaskashoretours.com/tours/seward/water_boat/4-hour-kenai-fjords-wildlife-cruise?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=blog-content&utm_content=20251001--first-timers https://alaskashoretours.com/tours/seward/water_boat/7.5-hour-kenai-fjords-national-park-cruise?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=blog-content&utm_content=20251001--first-timers 9. Wildlife Safari and Bear Viewing (Skagway) Get off the beaten path to search for black bears in the wilderness: https://alaskashoretours.com/tours/skagway/wildlife_bear-watching/wildlife-safari-and-bear-viewing?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=blog-content&utm_content=20251001--first-timers 8. Cultural Culinary and Lumberjack Show (Ketchikan) Celebrate Alaska's rich culture through storytelling, cuisine, and entertainment: https://alaskashoretours.com/tours/ketchikan/cultural_local-food-and-drink/alaskan-cultural-culinary-and-lumberjack-show?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=blog-content&utm_content=20251001--first-timers 7. Mendenhall Lake Kayaking Adventure (Juneau) A peaceful paddle across a glacial lake—great for active travelers: https://alaskashoretours.com/tours/juneau/water_kayak/mendenhall-lake-kayaking-adventure?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=blog-content&utm_content=20251001--first-timers 6. Yukon Discovery Tour (Skagway) Journey through historic Gold Rush territory into Canada’s Yukon: https://alaskashoretours.com/tours/skagway/sightseeing_bus/yukon-discovery?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=blog-content&utm_content=20251001--first-timers 5. Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour (Ketchikan) Meet real crab fishermen from Deadliest Catch and explore Alaska's fishing culture: https://ketchikanshoretours.com/tours/ketchikan/wildlife/bering-sea-crab-fishermens-tour?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=blog-content&utm_content=20251001--first-timers 4. Dog Sledding on a Glacier (Juneau) Choose between the iconic helicopter glacier dogsled or a more budget-friendly sled dog experience: https://juneaushoretours.com/tours/juneau/flightseeing_helicopter/helicopter-and-dogsled-glacier-excursion?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=blog-content&utm_content=20251001--first-timers https://juneaushoretours.com/tours/juneau/recreation_dog-sledding/juneau-sled-dog-discovery?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=blog-content&utm_content=20251001--first-timers 3. White Pass Summit Train Excursion (Skagway) Ride the historic narrow-gauge railway with epic mountain views: https://skagwayshoretours.com/tours/skagway/sightseeing_train/white-pass-summit-excursion?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=blog-content&utm_content=20251001--first-timers 2. Misty Fjords Seaplane Tour (Ketchikan) Fly over glacier-carved fjords and dramatic wilderness by seaplane: https://ketchikanshoretours.com/tours/ketchikan/flightseeing/misty-fjords-flightseeing?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=blog-content&utm_content=20251001--first-timers 1. Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Tour (Juneau) Guaranteed whale sightings plus a visit to Alaska’s most famous glacier: https://juneaushoretours.com/tours/juneau/wildlife_whale-watching/whale-watching-and-mendenhall-glacier-tour?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=blog-content&utm_content=20251001--first-timers Subscribe for more Alaska travel tips, cruise guides, and tour recommendations! Timestamps 00:00 Intro: Must-Do Alaska Tours for First-Time Visitors 00:37 Kenai Fjords Glacier Cruise - Seward 01:20 Wildlife Safari & Bear Watching - Skagway 01:57 Culture, Culinary and Lumberjack Show - Ketchikan 02:35 Mendenhall Lake Kayaking - Juneau 03:07 Yukon Discovery - Skagway 03:47 Bering Sea Crab Fishermen - Ketchikan 04:27 Helicopter & Dog Sledding - Juneau 04:56 Sled Dog Discovery - Juneau 05:09 White Pass Train 05:53 Misty Fjords Flightseeing 06:40 Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier 07:15 Start Planning Your Alaska Cruise!