10 Things to See and Do when Visiting Alaska

Whether you're heading to Alaska by car, train, plane, or cruise ship, there are all sorts of things to see and do in this great state. Alaska cruises are popular since they offer wonderful views of icebergs and wild coastlines, but some of the best adventures are only available once you step on land.

Here's a look at 10 things to see and do while visiting Alaska:

1. Fishing - Alaska is so famous for its rich fishing experience that over half of the fish consumed in the United States originate in Alaskan waters. Fishing in Alaska can be as simple as hopping off the trail to wet a line in the nearest lake, or as elaborate as chartering a boat or a float plane to a specific fishing area. Alaska boasts an amazing 627 species of fish that inhabit its 3 million lakes and 3000 rivers, all to be had by fly-fishing, saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and ice-fishing.

2. Kayaking - A popular addition to hiking, taking a guided kayak tour through Alaska's waterways is an unforgettable way to get close and personal with the beautiful natural surroundings. Paddling through rivers and lakes, you will see untamed coastal regions, wild rivers, granite mountain peaks and soaring glaciers, while getting a visit from the occasional sea otter and puffin. The mighty Yukon river is a popular kayaking and rafting point, with gold panning an interesting activity offered at a stop along the way.

3. Wildlife Viewing - As comedian Michael Moore says, the bald eagle is the mascot bird of the United States, yet you never see one in the lower 49. But go to Alaska, and you'll see plenty. Alaska is also home to polar bears, humpback whales, orca whales, gray wolves, grizzly bears, lynx, moose, and hundreds of other species.

4. Hiking - Alaska has an expansive network of trails that wind through the wilderness from city to city. There's a trail for every taste here, from a simple trip through the woods to a rugged trek up the side of a mountain that will challenge the brawniest explorer.

5. Playing in the Snow - It doesn't always snow in Alaska, and the winter is not always dark. But during that winter, you can choose to ski, snowboard, sled, skate, play hockey, and yes, even ride with a team of sled dogs. In fact, the legendary Iditarod - the great sled race - is run every year, and it's still one of the most physically challenging sporting events in the world.

6. Soaking up the History - Alaska's unique culture has roots from as far away as Russia and France and as close as the natives who still live there today. Participate in a blanket toss, attend an authentic Eskimo crafts festival, learn how to carve your own totem pole, browse the intricate Russian iconography, or visit the many cultural and historical museums.

7. Sight-seeing by Air - "Flight-seeing", as it's called, has become an enormously popular way to explore some of the less accessible parts of the Alaskan wilderness. Helicopter tours are available everywhere, taking you to the peaks of glaciers. Or you can charter one of the country's many "bush pilots" for a tour in a small aircraft that's just right for getting into and out of the dense wilderness.

8. Bike Tours - A great way to see the sights and keep fit at the same time, while not being as strenuous as a day hike or a river raft. Alaskan bicycle tours are organized around a theme, which may be to explore points of interest related to the gold rush or visit places important to Alaskan native heritage.

9. Whale Watching - Whales are the largest life forms on our planet, and they're all only too happy to come up for a picture in Alaska. Until you've experienced it, you can't imagine how thrilling it is to be right next to a creature so massive that its tail fins are bigger than your car.

10. Tour by Railway - Alaska was lucky enough to be settled largely in the same time period as when America was first laying railways everywhere. As a result, Alaska boasts an extensive network of train routes that wind their way through mountains and wilderness, across bridges, over mirror-clear lakes, and across open tundra. It is the best way to see that part of Alaska you can't see from the sea or road, while remaining in absolute comfort.