Alaska has a way of making everything else feel small. The glaciers, the mountains, the wildlife, all of it reminds you just how vast and wild this part of the world really is. After years of planning Alaska cruise tours for our clients, our advisors have narrowed it down to the experiences that consistently leave the biggest impression. Here are our five favorites.
1. The Glass Domed RailcarThere is something almost cinematic about riding through Alaska in a glass domed railcar. The oversized windows curve up and over your head, framing mountains, forests, and coastline in a way a bus window simply cannot match. Wildlife sightings, waterfalls, and dramatic elevation changes unfold right outside the glass while you stay warm and comfortable inside. This is one of those rare travel experiences that photos never quite capture. You have to be sitting in that seat, watching Alaska scroll by above and around you, to understand why we call it a must do.Travel Tip: Even though the seats are very comfortable and roomy, we really enjoyed stepping outside in the open air car to take in the scenery and fresh air. Be sure to step outside and really tiek in the views!
2. Juneau and the Mendenhall GlacierJuneau surprises a lot of first time visitors. It is actually a large island, and there is far more to do here than the average port stop allows time for. Guests looking for an easy, guided experience often book a tour out to the Mendenhall Glacier. Those wanting more independence rent a jeep and explore at their own pace. Bicycle tours are another favorite, winding through the landscape before ending at the foot of the glacier for a view worth the ride.For guests who want something truly unforgettable, we recommend the helicopter excursion. Guests are fitted with spiked boots, flown to the top of the glacier, and given the chance to walk across the ice itself. Standing on a glacier that has been forming for centuries is not something most people get to say they have done, and it is consistently one of the most talked about excursions we book.Personally, we opted for renting a Wrangler Jeep equipped with an iPad on the dash. This was a great way to learn about the area we were driving by or the areas we were visiting during our day of exploration.
3. Ketchikan and a Float Plane RideKetchikan is a charming small town, and a walk down Creek Street for a bit of local shopping is a great way to spend an hour. But if you want to see the region the way it deserves to be seen, we always point our clients toward a float plane ride. The plane lifts off from the water and carries you up into the mountains, landing on a remote lake tucked into the hillside. From up there, and from the shoreline once you touch down, you will get some of the best photographs of your entire trip. It is a short excursion that delivers a lifetime of bragging rights.ENCHANTED SUGGESTION: We selected Island Wings Air Service and they were simply amazing! This was definitely the highlight of our vacation. They offer a couple of different tours and we opted for the Misty Fjords tour. Breathtakingly Beautiful!https://www.islandwings.com/
4. The White Pass Railway in SkagwaySkagway earns a spot on this list for more than one reason, starting with the White Pass Railway. This scenic train ride winds through the surrounding countryside, and many cruise excursion packages include it as part of a full day adventure. The views along the route rival anything else you will see in Alaska, and the ride itself feels like stepping back into the region’s frontier history.
5. Skagway’s Gold Rush CharacterWhat we love most about Skagway is how authentically it has held onto its past. Walking down Main Street feels like walking through a preserved piece of history. There is a building constructed almost entirely from driftwood, still standing as a reminder of how resourceful early settlers had to be. The Red Onion Saloon, once a brothel during the Gold Rush era, now welcomes visitors with its original character intact. Down the street, a jewelry and watch shop has operated since the town’s earliest days.Close your eyes for a moment while you are there, and it is easy to picture the miners and prospectors who once filled these same streets, coming in from the gold fields for a hot meal, a drink, and a bit of entertainment after a hard day’s work. Few towns in Alaska preserve that era as genuinely as Skagway does.
Ready to Plan Your Own Alaska Adventure?An Alaska cruise offers more incredible experiences than any one blog post can cover, and the right itinerary depends on what kind of adventure you are looking for. Our advisors have firsthand experience with these excursions and can help you build a trip around the moments that matter most to you.
Reach out to us at Vacation@EnchantedDestinations.net or visit EnchantedDestinations.net/contact/ to start planning your Alaska cruise today.
