Five Amazing Day Trips: Alaska

Alaska is the ultimate bucket list vacation for U.S. travel, popular as a week-long cruise destination. Most travelers only see the southern portion of Alaska and its Inner Passage, Southcentral, and Southwestern travel regions. The state has over 20 national park units, extending north to the Interior and Arctic regions, many of which are only accessible by air or boat service. To truly experience the beautiful landscapes, amazing wildlife, and historical and cultural points of interest – it’s time for a road trip. This is one trip that you should personalize and is guaranteed to be unforgettable. Our day trip recommendations start in Anchorage and travel to nearby destinations to showcase the astonishing sights and grandeur of Alaska.

Here are five great day trip locations in The Land of the Midnight Sun:

Girdwood (The Outdoors)

Drive a short 40 miles southeast on the Seward Highway, following Turnagain Arm, to reach the town of Girdwood and the premier Alyeska Resort. This year-round destination is great for an overnight stay, but a day trip still allows visitors to discover the scenic landscapes of the valley, mountains, and hanging glaciers. During the summer months, take the scenic aerial tram to the top of Mount Alyeska, hike along the expansive nature trails, or book a mountain biking tour or lesson at the Bike Park. In the winter, the Alyeska Resort is Alaska’s largest ski area and only destination ski resort. The area receives over 650 inches of snow a year and boasts the longest double black diamond run in North America. The mountain also has wide open bowls and is perfect for skiers of all skill levels. After this day trip, a longer stay at the resort to enjoy all of its amenities will be on your bucket list!

Palmer (Tours & Experiences)

The small city of Palmer is a scenic 40-mile drive northeast from Anchorage along the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway. The small city is the location of two unique working farms that are definitely worth the trip. The Reindeer Farm has been in operation since 1987 and is home to 100 friendly reindeer, two Rocky Mountain elk, Dolly the Bison, Appa the Yak, and Rocky the Moose. The farm offers small group tours, which allow guests to get close to the reindeer and even feed them. Check the website before your visit— there are also special themed tours offered on seasonally, like the Haunted Barn at the Reindeer Farm. The other must-see farm in the area is home to a colony of eight musk oxen. The Musk Ox Farm offers interpretive walking tours to observe and learn about these fascinating Ice Age mammals. Check the events calendar when booking your tour— don’t miss the chance to “Run with the Bulls” or celebrate Octoberfest with your new musk oxen friends. These are two of the most highly rated and unique family attractions in all of Alaska!!

Seward (Parks & Recreation)

Kenai Fjord is the closest national park to Anchorage, located 125 miles to the south on the Kenai Peninsula. Known as “The Land Where Ice Lingers,” this special park encompasses 38 glaciers, including Bear Glacier (the largest) and Harding Icefield (the most famous). The park’s only road terminates just to the west of Seward at Exit Glacier, which is also a popular cruise terminal. To experience the beauty within Kenai Fjord, visitors have three options— boat, plane, or hike. For a day trip during the summer, book a narrated boat tour on Major Marine Tours to experience unforgettable views of the wildlife and natural surroundings. Regardless of the tour you choose, expect some of the best glacier viewing and whale watching in all of Alaska. We highly recommend the “all day” Northwestern Fjord Cruise to the Northwestern Fjord. This remote location allows for up-close views of glaciers, whales, and wildlife on a small vessel adventure cruise. Enjoy the day, you might only have a chance to see this special place once in your lifetime!!

Sutton (Tours & Experiences)

A two-hour drive north of Anchorage along the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway you’ll find the Matanuska Glacier, the largest glacier reachable by car in the United States. Arrive at the Matanuska Glacier Park for a guided ice trek and explore impressive ice formations along the 27-mile long glacier. MICA Guides offers a variety of summer tours, including the most popular Icefall Trek to see the best accessible features of the front glacier and great views of the icefall. The tours are suited for everyone and provide detailed instructions on how to use the equipment and proper crampon walking techniques. The professional service also offers excursions for advanced trekkers to more remote areas on the glacier and ice climbing adventures. For a bird’s-eye-view of the glacier and the spectacular blue pools, choose one of MICA Guides’ helicopter tours!!

Whittier (Tours and Experiences)

The small town of Whittier is located southeast of Anchorage along the Passage Canal, a gateway to Prince William Sound. Before reaching this beautiful destination, the 60-mile drive on the Seward Highway passes through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the second longest highway tunnel in the United States. Whittier is another popular cruise ship destination, with many companies offering scenic boat tours of the area. Spend the day aboard a Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise, where you will see at least 26 glaciers, plus spectacular waterfalls, enormous mountains, and a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, seals, whales, and sea otters. The pristine natural beauty of emerald green forests and cascading waterfalls is a result of 200 inches of precipitation a year. The boat stays in protected waters and the tour operator has a “no seasickness” guarantee on every cruise!!