City-Based Day Tours

From Two Hours to an Extra Day In & Around Alaska's Cities

Enhance your Alaska vacation with a city-based day tour, from active adventures to historical and cultural tours, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing.

Alaska is so big that sometimes the best way to get perspective on it is to get up in the air. Flightseeing tours are among the most popular type of day tours in the state and take visitors over ice fields, fjords, and mountaintops. Wildlife viewing is also extensive – as in grizzly bears, humpback whales, and moose. Glacier and wildlife viewing day cruises are found in most coastal communities and are a great way to see marine wildlife, glaciers, and gorgeous coastal scenery. City tours show off the local flavor, while rail tours offer a comfortable experience of Alaska’s magnificent scenery.

Active Adventure Day Tours

You don’t have to be an experienced outdoorsman to enjoy Alaska’s active lifestyle. Popular tours include sea kayaking, canoeing, or rafting; hiking in state and national parks; trekking atop a crystal-blue glacier; sport fishing for the world’s finest salmon and halibut; and dog sledding, or mushing with the state’s premier canine athletes. These tour types are offered at various levels and are accessible to almost everyone.

Historical and Cultural Day Trips

Alaska Native cultural centers and tours highlight the indigenous peoples unique to the area, including dance performances or demonstrations of traditional practices, like totem carving. Alaska historical tours take visitors back in time to experience significant events like the Klondike Gold Rush, the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, or life in a salmon cannery in the early 1900s. Many combine Alaska Native and non-Native cultures in informative tours that bring Alaska’s history to life.

Whatever Alaska city you are traveling to or flying in or out of, an Alaska day tour will round out your Alaska travel experience.

 

Browsing Over 100 City-Based Day Tours

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Turnagain Turnaround Tour

On this Anchorage day tour, travel with a small group along Turnagain Arm, one of the most scenic drives in Alaska. Your driver will pick you up from your Anchorage hotel and take you south along the Seward... Browse itinerary

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Katmai and Brooks Falls Bear Viewing

Fly from Anchorage to one of Alaska’s most famous bear viewing destinations, Katmai National Park and Brooks Falls!  Depart Anchorage early on a scheduled flight to King Salmon (approximately 1.5 hours).  On arrival, a local representative will transfer... Browse itinerary

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Chinitna Bay Bear Viewing

Depart from Anchorage by wheeled plane for a 90-minute scenic flight southwest over Cook Inlet toward the Chigmit Mountains. Enjoy spectacular views of the Alaska and Aleutian Mountain Ranges and two active volcanoes – Mt. Redoubt and Mt.... Browse itinerary

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Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Hike

This Juneau day trip begins paddling across Mendenhall Lake in 8 or 12-person canoes.  Take in the awe-inspiring Mendenhall Glacier ahead and the blue icebergs of all shapes and sizes.  Upon reaching the beach near the glacier’s edge,... Browse itinerary

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Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

On this exciting day cruise from Seward, hop on this unforgettable glacier and wildlife boat trip into Kenai Fjords National Park! This Alaska national park boasts abundant wildlife, alpine and tidewater glaciers, and breathtaking scenery. As you cruise... Browse itinerary

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Wilderness Excursion Jetboat Tour

This day tour from Talkeetna treats you to a scenic journey aboard a 15- to 52-passenger jetboat on the Susitna River. It will allow you to experience wildlife, folklore, and historical artifacts. Conditions permitting, enjoy the panoramic view... Browse itinerary

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Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike

This active outdoor Juneau day trip begins with a 3-mile moderate to challenging hike through the Tongass National Forest along Mendenhall Lake.  The trail includes 800 feet of elevation gain, rocky, uneven, and slippery terrain.  Once you leave... Browse itinerary

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Bear Viewing Homer

Bear Viewing Expedition from Homer

Enjoy a scenic 1.5 hour flight in a float plane from Homer into the true Alaskan bush, flying past expansive glaciers that clothe towering mountains and steaming volcanoes. After landing, you and your group will hike 3–5 miles... Browse itinerary

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Juneau Helicopter Glacier Trek

On this Juneau day trip, board a helicopter to go flightseeing while traveling to a remote glacier. Then enjoy a 2-hour guided glacier hiking trip and learn how to use the glacier trekking mountaineering gear properly. Learn to... Browse itinerary

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Columbia Glacier Cruise

This Valdez day tour with a glacier and wildlife cruise through Prince William Sound features a visit to Columbia Glacier. On board, you can view Prince Williams Sound’s diverse wildlife, including sea lions, sea otters, and whales. Learn... Browse itinerary

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Redoubt Bay Bear Viewing (Half Day)

Depart Anchorage on a half-day bear viewing trip to Redoubt Bay Lodge. Redoubt Bay is one of the most straightforward and accessible locations for bear viewing from Anchorage. You will travel by seaplane for a one-hour flight along... Browse itinerary

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Glacier Discovery Train and Guided Walk

This Anchorage day trip departs in the morning on the Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery train for a 3.5-hour ride along Cook Inlet’s spectacular Turnagain Arm to Spencer Glacier in the Chugach National Forest.  Upon arrival at Spencer Lake,... Browse itinerary

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Glacier Discovery Rail and Raft Trip

This Anchorage day tour starts with a southbound tour aboard the Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery train—the 3.5-hour train ride tours along Cook Inlet’s scenic Turnagin Arm and the Chugach National Forest.   On arrival at Spencer Glacier, the Alaska... Browse itinerary

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A person with trekking poles hiking along an alpine trail in Alaska

Alpine Classic Guided Hike from Anchorage

This classic “Alpine Classic” guided Alaska hiking tour is the ideal Anchorage day trip for active adventurers, featuring hearty athletic challenges, rewarding sights, and a lasting payoff. You and your Alaska hiking guide will experience the thrill of... Browse itinerary

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Glacier & Wildlife Flightseeing Tour

Enjoy a day tour from Anchorage with flightseeing from Lake Hood over the majestic Chugach State Park! You will soar above the expansive Knik or Triumvirate Glacier on your flight, rimmed with spectacular hanging ice formations. With a... Browse itinerary

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Discover Denali Flightseeing

This scenic flight from Anchorage to Denali National Park takes you within six miles of the 20,320 ft—Denali summit, North America’s tallest mountain. Fly by float plane, plane on skis, or even wheels (depending on lake / ice... Browse itinerary

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Fairbanks Highlights Tour

This guided “Fairbanks Highlights” day tour brings you to the best attractions of the Alaskan city of Fairbanks. During the tour, you will visit the Morris Thompson Cultural Center, where you will find exhibits about Fairbanks and Interior... Browse itinerary

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Bird Creek ATV Backcountry Tour

Access Alaska’s backcountry on an ATV day tour out of Anchorage or Girdwood! To begin your day trip, you’ll drive to Bird Creek, located on the Seward Highway between Anchorage and Girdwood, and an area with a maze... Browse itinerary

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Gates of the Arctic Air Adventure

This flightseeing trip from Fairbanks in the evening takes you to the Gates of the Arctic National Park and the Arctic Region.  You will first fly from Fairbanks to Coldfoot, 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle.  During... Browse itinerary

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Arctic Circle Summer Drive Adventure

Tour the Dalton Highway, Alaska’s “ice road” to the Arctic Circle, on a fully-guided Alaska road trip. As you depart Fairbanks, you will drive alongside the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Further up the rugged highway, visit the Arctic Circle Trading... Browse itinerary

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Fairbanks Winter Dog Sledding Tour

This Fairbanks tour is full of dog sledding adventure and fun. Experienced guides showcase their Alaska sled dogs and share insights into Alaska’s unique dog mushing lifestyle and popular winter sport. Then spend 1-hour on the trails! Learn... Browse itinerary

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Root Glacier Hike with Kennecott Mill Tour

On this day tour out of Kennicott-McCarthy, experience the best of Kennicott’s history and landscapes on this hiking and sightseeing combination tour!  First, enjoy a spectacular half-day hike on the Root Glacier, searching for deep crevasses, shimmering blue... Browse itinerary

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Tracy Arm Fjords Glacier Cruise

On this Juneau day trip, you’ll cruise through some of Alaska’s most picturesque fjords and glacier viewing. Tracy Arm is one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets, rivaling other, better-known Alaska attractions. Hundreds of seals and pups laze on the... Browse itinerary

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Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure

This Alaska ATV day tour from Denali is fun, exciting, and scenic for both novices and experienced ATV riders. You will ride your All Terrain Vehicle along trails surrounded by Denali National Park at speeds up to 30... Browse itinerary

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Denali ATV Side-by-Side Adventure

This Denali National Park guided ATV day tour is fun for everybody, whether an experienced ATV rider or a novice. On this all-terrain vehicle tour, you will ride along trails near Denali National Park in a side-by-side ATV... Browse itinerary

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Hurricane Gulch Train Excursion

On this Talkeetna day tour, ride the Alaska Railroad on one of America’s last “flag stop” trains on the Hurricane Turn Train—the train route threads from Talkeetna along the Susitna River and through the Indian River Canyon. The... Browse itinerary

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Ice Fishing Day Tour from Fairbanks

Today you will be picked up from your Fairbanks hotel for a full day of guided Alaska lake ice fishing.  Learn traditional Alaska Native skills and techniques for ice fishing from experienced ice fishing guides.  While catching fish... Browse itinerary

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Anchorage Winter Photo Safari

If you’re going to be in Anchorage this winter, a photography day tour is a fun experience for amateur to avid photographers alike to learn about Anchorage’s many attractions! This 4-hour sightseeing tour with your camera is a... Browse itinerary

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a snowy boreal forest landscape, with the snow-capped mountain of Denali in the background

Winter Adventure to Denali

Travel to Denali National Park on a fall or winter adventure! This guided tour departs from Fairbanks and travels south through the Tanana Valley along the Parks Highway. Your guide will share areas of interest and stop at... Browse itinerary

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Resurrection Bay Kayaking Tour

This kayaking tour from Seward is a fun and adventuresome way to explore the spectacular beauty of Resurrection Bay!  Your kayaking tour starts with a transfer from Seward Small Boat Harbor to Lowell Point, where you board your... Browse itinerary

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Wilderness Dogsledding Ride & Tour

This Seward  day trip provides an Alaska dog sledding “insider’s tour.” Tour Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey’s Iditarod Racing Kennel, meet famous sled dogs, cuddle adorable puppies, dress up as an Iditarod musher, and take in the spectacular Alaskan... Browse itinerary

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Exit Glacier Ice Hike

During this guided glacier hiking tour from Seward, Alaska, you’ll follow a scenic hiking trail through an alpine valley to Exit Glacier which is a mixture of back-country and on-trail trekking (about 1.5 – 2 hours). The elevation... Browse itinerary

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a sled dog team pulling a family in a cart during the summer

Experience Seward & Real Alaska

Learn about Seward’s fascinating history and the Iditarod Trail while enjoying the beautiful scenery on this Seward summer day trip. You’ll travel to 2017 Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey’s sled dog kennel, where you can meet famous dogs, cuddle... Browse itinerary

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Denali Express Flightseeing

This 45-minute Denali flightseeing day tour via a small bush plane from the Denali Park Entrance lets you experience Denali National Park from a bird’s eye view and experience Mt. Denali from the air. Fly along the snow-capped... Browse itinerary

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Denali Heli-Hiking Tour

This Denali area heli-hiking day tour from the Denali National Park Entrance allows visitors to experience the backcountry of Alaska with a brief helicopter flight followed by a guided hike through Yanert Valley. A naturalist guide will lead... Browse itinerary

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two Jeeps on a remote highway, with Denali and spruce trees in the background

Denali Highway 4×4 Jeep Excursion

This guided Denali Highway Jeep, 4×4 day tour, allows you to explore the scenic Denali Highway, just south of Denali National Park. Since driving the Denali Highway is prohibited by most rental vehicle companies, this exclusive excursion provides... Browse itinerary

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Grand Denali Flightseeing from Talkeetna

Your day trip from Talkeetna transports you by bush plane on a flightseeing adventure circling Denali, North America’s tallest mountain. The Denali Flyer route explores the south side of Denali, including the Kahiltna Glacier, the famous west buttress,... Browse itinerary

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Denali Flyer Tour from Talkeetna

This Denali flightseeing tour from Talkeetna by bush plane is an extended version of the Denali Experience Tour. In addition to covering that entire flight route, you will fly to the remote western end of Denali National Park.... Browse itinerary

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Talkeetna River Fishing (Half Day)

This Alaska fishing half-day tour from  Talkeetna takes you by jet boat to the best fishing holes on the Talkeetna River. Talkeetna is located at the confluence of the Talkeetna, Susitna, and Chulitna Rivers, offering a few possible... Browse itinerary

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Talkeetna Lakes Evening Hiking Tour

On this evening hiking tour from Talkeetna, explore Talkeetna’s best hiking trail with an experienced and informative naturalist guide. A new beauty scene unfolds around every turn on this 3-mile moderate hiking trip. Look for loons and kingfishers... Browse itinerary

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Shoup Glacier Kayaking Tour

This Valdez kayaking tour to Shoup Glacier offers an intimate experience at one of Prince William Sounds’ many calving tidewater glaciers. This day trip is perfect for both beginner and experienced kayakers. Climb aboard a motor boat for... Browse itinerary

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Columbia Glacier Kayaking Tour

On this Valdez day tour, search for wildlife such as whales, sea otters, and sea lions as you cruise for two hours to the Columbia Glacier by water taxi. This is Alaska’s second-largest tidewater glacier. Since the early... Browse itinerary

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Meares Glacier Cruise from Valdez

This Valdez day tour takes you on a 110-mile glacier cruise through the majestic waters of Prince William Sound to Meares Glacier. On board, you can spot and photograph Prince William Sound wildlife, including sea otters, harbor seals,... Browse itinerary

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a group of people in a raft in front of a tidewater glacier

Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip

This Juneau day trip is a perfect and gentle introduction to Alaska rafting.  This Juneau float trip begins with a scenic drive to Mendenhall Lake, where you will suit up in appropriate rafting gear and board your 8... Browse itinerary

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Whale Watching Cruise from Juneau

Your Juneau whale-watching adventure begins with a narrated transfer from the Juneau cruise ship pier (downtown Juneau) to Auke Bay. Here you will board the state-of-the-art jet boat, custom designed for Juneau whale watching, with large windows and... Browse itinerary

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Backcountry Jeep & Canoe Safari

On this exciting tour out of Ketchikan, fill your senses with adventure and excitement as you take control of a 4-wheel drive Jeep Wrangler and wind your way up old rugged logging trails to scenic overlooks. Then grab... Browse itinerary

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Ice Climbing on Root Glacier

For those traveling to the Kennicott-McCarthy area to visit Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and want to find a fun Alaska day tour, enjoy this introduction to ice climbing! Root Glacier offers the perfect venue for people of all... Browse itinerary

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Root Glacier Hike (Full Day)

On this glacier hike day tour out of Kennicott-McCarthy, enjoy all the benefits of the half-day hike but with additional time to explore the Root Glacier’s dynamic features.  After “lunch with a view,” the possibilities are endless.  You... Browse itinerary

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a pool of water atop a glacier

Root Glacier Hike (Half Day)

On this half-day glacier hiking out of Kennicott-McCarthy, depart Kennicott hiking down a two-mile trail built in the 1920s as a wagon road.  Along the way, stops will be made to discuss glaciology and local geology and enjoy... Browse itinerary

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Halibut Fishing in Homer (Half Day)

Enjoy fishing in Kachemak Bay from Homer, known as the “Halibut Capital of the world,” This half-day fishing charter reaches nearby fishing grounds for halibut.  This Homer fishing adventure is recommended for families or those who only have... Browse itinerary

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Kachemak Bay Glacier Lake Hike

In the morning, travel by water taxi from Homer across Kachemak Bay to Glacier Spit in Kachemak Bay State Park. Join your Alaska guide for a hike to Grewingk Glacier Lake. Your guide will identify and allow you... Browse itinerary

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Kachemak Bay Eagles Nest Kayaking Tour

Homer, Alaska, is surrounded by picturesque mountain peaks, remote fjords, and abundant wildlife, making Homer’s Kachemak Bay a premier destination for sea kayaking. This half-day kayak trip provides a short but wonderful introduction to kayaking and to this... Browse itinerary

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Anchorage Dog Sledding Tour

This Anchorage day tour puts you in the Alaska dog sledding driving seat. After a scenic drive north to Talkeetna and dog mushing country, you will arrive at an Iditarod champion sled dog kennel and get an introduction... Browse itinerary

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Anchorage Aurora Quest Tour

This aurora borealis photo tour from Anchorage is designed to maximize fun and opportunity for those fascinated with Alaska’s northern lights. The 4-6 hour tour to photograph the aurora’s lightshows will begin with a pick you up at... Browse itinerary

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Iditarod Starting Line Event

On this day tour from Anchorage, experience the official start of the world-famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Every year hundreds of people line the streets of Willow Lake just north of Anchorage for the start of this iconic... Browse itinerary

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Chena Hot Springs Summer Day Tour

Travel 60 miles west of Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs Resort.  Chena Hot Springs Resort is internationally known for its natural mineral hot springs.  During your 4-hour visit at Chena Hot Springs, enjoy a guided Ice Museum tour... Browse itinerary

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A Journey Above the Arctic

Fly north from Fairbanks on a one-hour evening flight to above Alaska’s Arctic Circle. Land along the Yukon River at the Athabascan village of Fort Yukon. Upon landing, meet your local host, who will spend the evening with... Browse itinerary

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people sitting at a table eating dinner and enjoying a dinner theatre show

Cabin Nite Dinner Theater

Enjoy old-time Alaska as you enjoy a popular dinner theater performance in Denali National Park set in an authentic Alaska log-paneled roadhouse. Join heroine Fannie Quigley and an unforgettable cast of characters in this true-to-life Alaska Gold Rush... Browse itinerary

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