There are endless ways to experience Alaska
that are worthy of any bucket list. For starters, you can get up close and personal with glaciers, see the northern lights, or enjoy the taste of freshly-caught, wild fish. Life is best lived when you fill it with unforgettable experiences—and those are pretty easy to come by in Alaska, where there are plenty of breathtaking parks and unique communities with their own unique cultures and histories. But with so many options, where to start?
To help you brainstorm, Jerry
, the super app that helps you find savings on car insurance
, is here with 25 things you can do in Alaska that you have to add to your bucket list. (Oh, and before your visit, it never hurts to make a plan to keep your visit to Alaska as sustainable
as possible.) 
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Outdoor activities for your Alaska bucket list
1. Get up close and personal with Mendenhall Glacier
Where:Tongass National Forest (Juneau)
Why: Get a sense of what Maggie Rogers meant in her song “Alaska” when she sang, “I was walking through icy streams that took my breath away… over glacial plains.” Start at the visitor center
in Juneau, then explore the hiking trails
that wind around the glacier for an up-close experience of this ancient Ice Age relic. Before you head out, though, make sure you read up on risks and safety tips
, as well as how to avoid causing harm to its ecosystem. How much? $5 per person May through September to enter the visitor center
2. Explore the Upside-Down Forest of Glacier Gardens
Where: Tongass National Forest (Juneau)
When: May through October
Why: Not far from Mendenhall Glacier, you can witness the whimsy that is Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventures
. A guided tour will take you through manicured botanical gardens, where upside-down trees hold mosses and flowers in their above-ground roots and old-growth rainforest. How much? $28.30 for adults, $16.75 for kids ages 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under
3. View the continent’s highest peak at Denali
When: Year-round (services are more limited in winter)
Why: Denali National Park and Preserve
consists of six million acres of land—and that includes the mountain with the tallest peak in North America (more than 20,000 feet!). 4. See the sand dunes of Kobuk Valley
Why: Sand dunes aren’t typically what you’d expect in an Arctic environment, but with the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes at Kobuk Valley National Park
—which were left behind by Ice Age glaciers—that’s exactly what you’ll find. (Also, if you prefer to avoid crowds, you might enjoy knowing that this is one of the least-visited national parks.) 5. Cross the Kuskulana Bridge
Where: Kuskulana River, McCarthy Road
Why: The historic Kuskulana Bridge
, constructed in 1910, is a single-lane bridge that stretches 525 feet and hangs more than 238 feet above a rocky river gorge. The view from the bridge can be breathtaking—and a little anxiety-inducing. Be mindful of other traffic if you visit. 6. Take a scenic drive along Seward Highway
Where: Anchorage to Seward
Why: The Seward Highway spans more than 120 miles and offers breathtaking views of the sea and mountains. The road’s winding path, along with its tendency to get heavy tourist traffic, can also make it one of Alaska’s more dangerous roads, so bring your best responsible driving practices and a good car insurance
policy along! 7. Tour the Kenai Fjords
Where: Kenai Fjords National Park (Seward)
When: Year-round (most popular from June to August)
Why: As you’ve finished your Seward Highway scenic tour, head to nearby Kenai Fjords National Park
to experience Harding Icefield, home to almost 40 glaciers. 8. Take a ride on the Alaska Railroad
Why: Crossing the state by train on the Alaska Railroad
is a great way to experience the breadth of Alaska’s wilderness. Different routes during different seasons offer many diverse and memorable experiences. How much? Varies depending on the route
9. See the northern lights
Why: If seeing the aurora borealis is on your bucket list, Alaska is one of the best places to witness it. They’re most visible away from city lights in the Interior and Arctic regions of Alaska. Many recommend the Fairbanks
area as a great place for northern lights viewing, especially if you’re hoping for a tour. The meals that should be on your Alaska bucket list
10. Salmon at Alaska Fish House
Where: 3 Salmon Landing, Ketchikan, AK 99901
When: 11am-6pm Sun-Thurs, 11am-8pm Fri-Sat
Why: Alaska’s your place if you’re looking to try fresh, wild-caught salmon. You’ll find plenty of fantastic salmon dishes throughout the state, but The Alaska Fish House
in Ketchikan is a popular destination. Plus, if you go on their fishing excursion
, you have the option of having a chef cook your own catch! 11. Crab of all kinds at Tracy’s Crab Shack
Where: 432 South Franklin St., Juneau, AK 99801
Why: Salmon is far from the only fresh-caught seafood you’ll be able to find in Alaska. Tracy’s Crab Shack
menu offers several different Alaska-caught king crabs. How much? Crab cakes as low as $10.95, Alaskan Brown King Crab $78/lb.
12. Reindeer dog at Red Umbrella Reindeer
Where: Corner of W 4th Ave. and E St., Anchorage AK 99501
When: 10am-10pm Sun-Tues, 10am-3:30am Wed-Sat
Why: If you’re looking for some fast, filling Alaska street food to take with you on the go, try a reindeer dog from Red Umbrella Reindeer
with their signature “Boss Sauce.” They offer plenty of toppings to keep things interesting, and they serve veggie dogs, too. 13. Try Glacier Brewhouse just for the halibut
Where: 737 W. 5th Avenue, Suite 110, Anchorage, AK 99501
When: 4pm-10pm Sun-Thurs, 4pm-11pm Fri-Sat; weekend brunch/lunch 11am-3pm Sat-Sun
Why: Try just about anything on the Glacier Brewhouse menu and you’ll understand why diners call it one of the best places to eat in Anchorage. You’ll find Alaskan-caught options like halibut, cod—which make a great fish and chips—and of course, salmon.
14. Pick your own edible wild Alaska berries
When: Late summer to early fall
Why: Alaska’s rife with more than 50 types of edible wild berries, and it’s legal to pick them on some (but not all) public lands
. Know what to look for to avoid poisonous berries as well as other safety tips
before trying it yourself. 15. Berry Cobbler at Sheep Mountain Lodge
Where: 17701 W Glenn Hwy (Mile 113.5), Glacier View, AK 99674
Why: Speaking of berries, if you’re lucky, visiting Sheep Mountain Lodge
in the fall might score you a cobbler made with fresh Alaskan blueberries. 16. Dinner and a movie at Bear Tooth Theatrepub
Where: 1230 W 27th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99503
Why: If you’re looking for a memorable experience to pair with Alaska food, try Bear Tooth Theatrepub, where you can order items made from local Alaska ingredients as they’re available and locally-brewed beer to enjoy with a movie.
How much? Movies start at $7/person, food and drink vary
Only-in-Alaska experiences for your bucket list
17. View Goose Creek Tower (aka the Dr. Seuss House)
Why: This house looks like an enchanting storybook creation that’s come to life. It was originally supposed to be just a two-story cabin, but its owner made use of a creative burst and his background in engineering to add about a dozen or so additional stories. It’s important to know this home is privately owned and monitored and is not open to visitors. One of the best ways to see it is to book a ticket on the Alaska Railroad and keep your eyes peeled for it as you pass through Talkeetna.
18. Deliver your Christmas list directly to the North Pole
Where: 101 Saint Nicholas Dr., North Pole, Alaska, 99705
When: 10am-6pm daily (with exceptions)
Why: Located about 14 miles from Fairbanks, the Santa Claus House
gets millions of visitors every year. You can mail postcards to friends and family from the trading post and even meet Santa’s reindeer in person. How much? Reindeer tour starts at $7.95/person
19. Visit the Burial Spirit Houses at Eklutna Historical Park
Where: Eklutna Village Rd, Chugiak, AK 99567
Why: At Eklutna Historical Park
, you can learn about the history and culture of the Dena’ina Athabascans, who have lived in south-central Alaska for more than 1,000 years. One of the park’s most well-known sites is the graveyard made up of Burial Spirit Houses, which combines burial traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Dena'ina Athabascan people. Guided tours have typically been offered weekdays from summer through fall. 20. Explore what remains of Treadwell Ghost Town
Why: This former mining town is a combination of mysterious, creepy, and gorgeous. While not all ghost towns are open to the public, Treadwell is part of a park managed by the city of Juneau and the Forest Service. A walking trail
takes you through the area, and informational signs along the way give you the rundown on the area’s history. 21. Meet sled dogs in training at Husky Homestead
Why: Preparing huskies for athletic feats like the Iditarod is a year-round effort at Husky Homestead,
but the public can get an inside look at the process during summer and early fall by making a tour reservation. How much? $49/person for children ages 3-12, $59/person for adults
22. Celebrate Fur Rondy in Anchorage
Why: The Fur Rendezvous
, often referred to as the “Fur Rondy,” is an annual winter festival in Anchorage, which started up in the 1930s and predates the Iditarod. Winter sports, Native culture, and one-of-a-kind events abound. 23. Watch the Iditarod kick off
Where: Starts in Anchorage
When: First Saturday of March
Why: The traditional Iditarod route spans an astonishing 1,000 miles—one of the easiest and most accessible places to experience it is by watching the ceremonial start
in Anchorage. 24. Take a ferry to Halibut Cove
Why: Halibut Cove
is a quiet, remote community that’s tucked into Kachemak Bay State Park and most easily accessible by water. A ferry from Homer can bring you to Halibut Cove, where you can kayak in and around the coves, admire local art, and enjoy fresh-caught fish at a local restaurant. How much? The cost of a ferry ticket to get there!
25. Go flightseeing for a better view of Alaska’s landscapes
Why: The nature of Alaska’s landscape can make it difficult to navigate by car—to get a better view of its natural wonders, some visitors take to the skies. Some companies can take you on plane or helicopter rides to get a bird’s eye view of Alaska, one example being at Denali National Park
. Live your best life with affordable Alaska car insurance
Did we mention that Alaska can be a difficult state to navigate? Some places are only accessible by air or water, while other roads can be remote, rugged, winding, or all the above. All that can be a little anxiety-inducing, but Jerry
can bring you some added peace of mind by helping you find the right car insurance before heading out on your trip. The process is quick and easy, too! It only takes about a minute to start comparing customized quotes from some of the nation’s top car insurance
providers. From there, you can pick the coverage you need at the best available rate. On average, Jerry users save more than $800 per year on car insurance! That leaves you with plenty more time and money to draft your own Alaska bucket list.
“Jerry
was fast and easy to use. Their customer service was so helpful in helping me navigate the situation my state is dealing with. Now I’m saving an extra $100 every 6 months!” —Tony C.
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