Top Alaska Art & Culture - page 2

Discover the wildlife and native cultures of Ketchikan on this half-day nature excursion for your private party. Visit an old Native American village to learn about its culture and see the intricately carved totem poles. Learn about the edible plants of the region, see local wildlife such as salmon, whales, and eagles, and visit several of the area’s beautiful beaches.

If you’re looking for a unique experience that combines history with the great outdoors, book this Juneau Underground Peterson Gold Mine and Panning Experience. Go with a guide to the old mine and go on one of the only underground tours in all of Alaska—wearing a hardhat for safety. After learning about the mining done there, test your skills at gold panning.

Traverse Yukon and British Columbia with this guided group bus tour setting off from Skagway. Listen to your guide’s continuous narration along the way and enjoy plenty of stops at places like Pitchfork Falls, Tormented Valley, Tutshi Lake, the Yukon Sign, and more. See an Alaskan husky sled dog camp, listen to an informative Q&A session, and play with the puppies, including a ride on a summer sled dog cart.

At Heart of Alaska Tours, we believe the best way to experience Alaska is with someone who truly calls it home. We're a locally owned small business, not a large tour company running guests through a script. When you travel with us, you're not just another seat on a bus. We keep our groups small so we can share the places, stories, and experiences that made us fall in love with Alaska in the first place. Our guides have spent years exploring Alaska's backroads, trails, wildlife areas, and small towns. We know where to stop for the best views, where wildlife is often seen, and how to adapt each day to make the most of your adventure. We focus on authentic Alaska experiences, genuine hospitality, and personal service. There are no rushed schedules,—just unforgettable adventures led by people who are passionate about sharing the true heart of Alaska. Our goal is simple: to help you experience Alaska the way locals do and leave with memories that last a lifetime.

Cross into the Yukon on a small-group tour from Skagway, traveling the stunning White Pass with a locally owned, owner-operated experience led by a charming year-round resident guide. Enjoy a more personal, flexible approach you won’t find on larger bus tours. Walk across the Yukon Suspension Bridge and take in sweeping alpine views, rushing rivers, and historic Gold Rush routes along the way. With fewer guests, you’ll have time to explore, ask questions, and truly enjoy each stop. After the tour, choose to explore Skagway at your own pace or return directly to your ship. Tour Highlights Duration: Approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, including light walking Locally owned, owner-operated tour led by a year-round resident Small group size for a more personal experience Cross the U.S.-Canada border; passport required Scenic drive through White Pass with waterfalls and mountain views

While in Alaska, it can be hard to find activities for the whole family to agree on. This sled dog discovery tour in Juneau is the perfect solution—kids and people of all ages are sure to be excited to visit with the husky puppies. You’ll also learn from a musher all about dog sledding in Alaska and ride down a 1-mile (1.6-kilometers) track with a team of huskies, too.

Learn more about Indigenous Alaskan culture, past and present, with this small-group tour than you ever could from any old guidebook. See the local wilderness in a whole new light and hear the stories behind the totem poles in the area. Take a scenic tram ride up Mount Roberts, where you find things like a shop and a beer garden to explore, as well as incredible views.

See Alaskan wildlife on this whale-watching tour in Hoonah that takes you out onto the waters of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, where humpback whales arrive each year to feed before heading south for the winter. The Hoonah whale season is roughly May to September. From the boat, you may also spot orcas, seals, and sea otters.

Let an insider lead the way around Anchorage on this half-day, small-group tour of the city, featuring stops at must-see attractions including Ship Creek and Alaska Wild Berry Products. Gain a deeper understanding of local culture as you learn the history and folklore behind key Anchorage attractions. With both walking and driving components, you get to stretch your legs and rest. Sample reindeer sausage, smoked salmon, and other local treats.

Take in the coastal wilderness of southeastern Alaska from the water with this RIB adventure. Don a waterproof suit, goggles, and gloves and skirt the shoreline to marvel at the pristine coves, natural waterfalls, and the only fjord in North America. Stop to snap photos and spot wildlife plus savor the silence when the captain cuts the motor.

Explore beyond Fairbanks city limits—and enjoy an exciting but relaxing array of activities at the Chena Hot Springs Resort—on this small-group tour. Admire ice sculptures at the Aurora Ice Museum, unwind in the resort’s hot mineral springs, and upgrade to enjoy drinks or a meal on site. If the conditions are right, you can then cap off the experience with a northern lights viewing before returning to your hotel.

Discover the history and natural beauty of Skagway, Alaska and the Yukon in Canada on this half-day guided tour. Spot some of the incredible Alaskan wildlife before stopping to meet some of its more domesticated animals at Tutshi Sled Dog Camp. Enjoy some puppy therapy while learning about raising and training sled dogs from their handlers.

There are few options for public transportation in Ketchikan, Alaska—but this efficient sightseeing tour makes it easy to explore the area. Meet your guide at the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau near the ship docks and head out to see area highlights such as Ketchikan Creek, Herring Cove and we go to a walk to Rotary Beach

Immerse yourself in the Alaskan wilderness on a cruise through the Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward. Aboard a warm and spacious vessel, cruise past alpine and tidewater glaciers among the fjords and try your luck spotting wildlife like whales, sea lions, and birds. Enjoy a delicious lunch onboard and visit the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge for great views of seabird rookeries.

Set out in search of the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis during your time in Alaska on this nighttime excursion. Depart from Fairbanks after dark and venture deep into the forest in search of locations with little to no light pollution. If you find the colorful, dancing lights, your guide captures photos of your group so you can cherish the moments forever. Hotel pickup from downtown Fairbanks is included for convenience.

Try your luck spotting the northern lights inside a cozy countryside cabin, where you can wait for the lights to (hopefully) appear in the sky while saying warm and comfy. Located on a hilltop near Murphy Dome, the cabin has several windows offering 360° views of the night sky, giving you the best chance to see them. Your guide monitors the aurora and assists with photography and spotting.

Operated by Heart of Alaska Tours. Fairbanks City Highlight Tour stands out because it's led by passionate locals who know Fairbanks inside and out. Rather than just visiting popular landmarks, you provide an insider's perspective, sharing personal stories, lesser-known facts, and hidden gems that most visitors miss. Your small-group approach creates a personalized experience, making guests feel like they're exploring the city with a friend rather than just following a scripted tour.

Both the US and Canada have a rich history of logging and lumberjacking. Cheer on your favorite team as you watch Alaskan and British Columbian woodsmen chop, saw, roll logs, and throw axes as they compete in the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Then, join in the fun as you learn how to throw a double-bit axe for yourself, trying to best your fellow attendees.

Make the most of your time on land with this shore excursion of Canada’s Yukon Territory. Go through White Pass to the Carcross Desert, Emerald Lake, and Caribou Crossing, visit a dog mushing camp, and look for wildlife such as bear, moose, and caribou. Includes lunch

Pan for gold near a water wheel and salmon stream in Seward. You’ll learn the art of panning, discover your own Gold Rush experience and keep everything you find! Popular with families with children, this 1-hour experience is offered at various times throughout the day to easily fit your schedule.

Focus on the scenery of Tongass National Forest and Totem Park on this eco tour from Ketchikan. Traveling with a small group of just 11 people or fewer means you'll get personalized attention and plenty of time to ask questions of your guide. Follow your guide on a walk through the Alaskan rain forest and Totem Park, where you'll get views and photo ops of pristine creeks, ancient trees, and moss-covered ground. There's even a geo-caching scavenger hunt to keep kids interested and occupied.

Spend three hours exploring the scenic and remote Chichagod Island on this small group tour that showcases life on the tiny island. Learn from your local guide about the Alaskan wilderness and wildlife while you explore this island that's home to the largest concentration of bears on earth. With just 750 residents, you'll feel far off the beaten path on this tour that's perfect for nature lovers.

Skip the impersonal, large-group bus tour and explore Sitka on a small-group day trip to the city’s top landmarks, with a range of departure times offered to fit your schedule. Your guide, who navigates for you, brings you to four highly-rated attractions, including Fortress of the Bear, the Alaska Raptor Center, and the Sitka National Historic Park. All entrance fees are included for your convenience.

Go on an aurora hunt from Fairbanks and maximize your chances of seeing one of nature’s most spectacular light shows. Head out to a high-elevation lodge at Cleary Summit, ideally positioned for watching the lights dance overhead. Stay warm inside with floor-to-ceiling windows for easy northern lights viewing, or step outside for a closer look, while your guide helps spot the aurora and advises on photography.