I’m a solo traveler who visited Alaska. Here are 4 activities I’d recommend to other first-time visitors.

I traveled solo to Alaska.

Over the years, I’ve watched many of my friends and family members go on weeklong cruises to Alaska.

As a solo traveler, I thought a cruise would be the best way to see the state. However, I didn’t want to spend my entire trip on a boat and decided to make my own itinerary instead.

Here are four activities I recommend to those visiting Alaska for the first time.

Take advantage of the views on the Alaska Railroad.

The views from the train were gorgeous.

During my trip, I loved talking a ride on the Alaska Railroad, which just celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023.

Since I was staying in Anchorage and wanted to see Kenai Fjords National Park, I took the train from Anchorage to Seward and back.

If you have the means to splurge a bit, I recommend opting for the GoldStar service, which featured glass-dome ceilings and incredible panoramic views of Alaska.

Cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park.

The views from the boat were incredible.

Taking a boat ride through Kenai Fjords National Park is a terrific option for anyone who doesn’t want to spend their entire trip on a boat. I loved seeing the fjords and watching the playful sea lions and orcas.

Our ship even stopped for lunch on Fox Island. Although there isn’t much exploring to do on the small island, it was nice to get off the boat and warm up with some soup and salad.

Take a flightseeing tour to Denali.

Even though I didn’t get to see Denali, I saw many glaciers and mountains.

I knew booking a flightseeing tour to Denali was a gamble because of how weather-dependent the activity is.

When I arrived at the office, though, I was disappointed to find out the cloud cover would prevent us from seeing Denali, the tallest mountain in North America.

However, the pilots had a backup plan, and I still got to see lots of gorgeous glaciers and breathtaking snow-covered mountains.

Check out the wildlife at Potter Marsh.

I enjoyed observing the birds at Potter Marsh. 

If you’re looking to enjoy some fresh air and see different species of birds, Potter Marsh is the place to go. I loved walking along the wooden boardwalk and having close-up views of the wildlife.

Although there are tours of Potter Marsh, I’m glad I drove myself and could take my time soaking in my surroundings.