The Best Alaskan Tour Packages In Southcentral Alaska

Alaska is a big place! In fact, it is bigger than Texas, California, and Montana all combined. It is home to 17 of the nation’s tallest mountains, two-thirds of the nation’s national parklands, and a stunning 100,000 glaciers. With all this space, it makes sense to divide the state into five distinct regions, each with its own personality, features, and attractions. Today, we’ll explore Southcentral Alaska, where more than half of the state’s population lives. Anchorage is located here, and many of the best tours in Alaska depart from this big city.

The Gateway To Alaska Adventure

Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city. It’s located in the south-central part of the state, on Cook Inlet. While it is known for its cultural sites, the city is also a jumping-off point for some of the best Alaska group tours in nearby wilderness areas and mountains, including the Chugach, Kenai, and Talkeetna. There are a variety of things for visitors to do in Anchorage, including shopping, restaurants, and cultural attractions. For a look at some of the best tours in Alaska, keep reading!

• Anchorage Museum – if you’re into history, there’s no better place to learn about Alaska’s unique heritage than with a trip to the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. This is the state’s largest museum and offers a comprehensive overview of Alaskan history, art, culture, and science to guests. Many Alaskan tour packages will offer visitors a day-long tour of these Anchorage attractions.
• Alaska Native Heritage Center – this center offers an in-depth look at Alaskan Native life. Visitors can watch traditional dances, listen to traditional stories, and meet artists who practice traditional native crafts. The center offers a small and intimate setting, which offers visitors the chance to join in for a truly unique and hands-on experience.
• Alaska Museum of Science and Nature – Alaska features a unique geological, cultural, and ecological history, unlike any other state in the Lower 48! Many Alaska group tours include a stop at this museum, which showcases the unique science of Alaska, from prehistoric times to the present.
• Alaska Zoo – if you want to see wildlife, but are unsure about venturing into the backcountry, you can see an amazing selection of native animals at the Alaska Zoo. The zoo is dedicated to promoting the conservation of Arctic and sub-Arctic species through educational programming, research, and community engagement. The Zoo offers visitors an Early Bird Breakfast Tour or a Wild VIP Zoo Experience for those who want a unique experience.
• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center - the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is home to a variety of Alaskan species, including bears, bison, moose, elk, musk oxen, and lynx. Visitors can learn about each animal species from knowledgeable staff during one of the best tours in Alaska, and learn how the center works to rehabilitate animals and reintroduce them to life in the wild.

Exploring The Outdoors In Seward

Easily accessible from Anchorage, Seward is located at the stopping point of both the Alaska Railroad and the Seward Highway. It is also a port of call for many Alaskan cruises, both large and small. The town is small, with only 2,700 full-time residents, but it is a great place for visitors to set up a base if they are looking to get outside to kayak, hike, fish, or view whales and glaciers.

While most of the visitors arriving in Seward come to explore Kenai Fjords National Park or to take advantage of the area’s outdoor recreation opportunities, Seward has a lot to offer! The Small Boat Harbor area is a popular attraction, and features shops, tour companies, restaurants, and lodging tucked in along the harbor. Seward’s Downtown area is located 1.5 miles south of the harbor and features even more shops, restaurants, and hotels for weary travelers embarking on Alaska group tours. Of course, if you visit Downtown Seward, don’t miss the Alaska SeaLife Center! This popular attraction is the only facility in Alaska that combines a public aquarium with marine research, education, and wildlife response. It is also the only permanent marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation facility in the state. Many Alaskan tour packages will include a stop at the Center for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Some of the best tours in Alaska start in Seward, and include one or more of these outdoor activities:

• Charter fishing
• Kayaking
• Dogsledding
• Flightseeing tours
• Hiking
• Glacier and wildlife cruises
• Guided Half or full-day trip to Kenai Fjords National Park

If you’re not into Alaskan tour packages, Seward offers plenty of solo adventure for visitors. One of the most popular outdoor sites is the Seward Waterfront Trail, which travels alongside the shore of Resurrection Bay and offers visitors stunning views and the chance to see sea lions, eagles, sea otters, and even whales!

Alaska Group Tours In Talkeetna

Located at the junction of three major rivers, Talkeetna is an old mining town that has kept its history alive with renovated miners’ cabins serving as lodging, shops, and restaurants for the city’s tourists. The Alaska Railroad provides daily service to this funky outpost in the summer, and weekly in the winter. The town is also the staging area for more than 1,000 climbers to attempt to summit Mount Denali each year. But don’t worry – if you aren’t in peak shape, there are still plenty of activities for you to participate in during your visit.

• River sports – it’s easy to find Alaskan tour pages that feature guided river rafting, boat tours, or sport fishing in Talkeetna. In fact, some of the best river sports can be found in this town.
• Hiking tours – explore the countryside surrounding the town on a guided hiking tour. The Alaska group tours departing from Talkeetna feature something for everyone at all fitness levels.
• Flightseeing tours – take off from Talkeetna Airport, within walking distance from the downtown area. Get an overview of Mount Denali on one of the best tours in Alaska!
• Jet boat tours – travel the rapids in the safety and comfort of a covered boat, and stop at old miners’ and trappers’ settlements to learn how early settlers lived off the land.
• Outdoor markets – shop for unique gifts crafted by local artisans at outdoor markets during the summer or visit art galleries filled with unique Alaska gifts.

Whether you visit Anchorage, Seward, Talkeetna, or all three, some of the best tours in Alaska start in these South Central Alaskan cities. Come for the museums, the wildlife, or the outdoor adventure. But whatever you want to see or do, know that there are Alaskan tour packages to suit everyone.