10 Amazing Alaska Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive In 2025

Alaska is a fantastic place to visit if you are hoping to enjoy time outdoors or touring historic and cultural sites. Two cities in Alaska enjoy the presence of an international airport: Anchorage and Fairbanks. From these cities, guests can wander into town to enjoy museums or take short drives into nature to enjoy hiking trails or time on the water. From popular museums such as The Anchorage Museum to the impressive migratory flocks that stop in Fairbanks, there is a blend of indoor and outdoor activities that you can plan to do. In just minutes to at most two or three hours, you can arrive at any one of these amazing destinations.

Anchorage

Matanuska Glacier (1 hour 56 minutes)

Anchorage is the first of two cities in Alaska that enjoys the presence of an international airport, attracting visitors from throughout the world. For anyone visiting, there is plenty to do, but some of the most popular destinations are the glaciers that stand not too far from the city. A nearly two-hour drive will take you to the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site and a view of Matanuska Glacier itself. Guests will find trails that wind their way to various viewing platforms that provide a magnificent view of the glacier. These sights can be enjoyed throughout the year, though guests will find different things to do depending on when they visit. Summer is perfect for hiking and river rafting, while winter attracts those who love skiing or snowshoeing.

Portage Glacier (1 hour 19 minutes)

If you want a view of the beautiful glaciers surrounding Anchorage without traveling too far out of town, then Portage Glacier is a closer destination that still boasts incredible views. An interesting part about any visit to the glacier is that there are multiple ways to enjoy a view of it. Many people prefer to take a day cruise, which brings guests within just a few hundred feet of the glacier’s face. A different option on the water includes kayaking, since guests to the area can launch non-motorized craft from the north side of Portage Lake. However, you can also enjoy a view from the countryside. Nearby Portage Pass provides a direct view of the glacier, and traveling on foot will lead you across incredible vistas before taking you back down to the shores of the lake.

Alaska Zoo (Within the city)

Your day trip does not have to take you far if you want to enjoy a view of some of the area’s wildlife. The Anchorage Zoo can be visited in just minutes. Exhibits feature animals from throughout the Arctic North, such as polar bears and seals. You can also find some of Alaska’s well-known residents in the brown and black bears that call the zoo home. Eagles, snow leopards, and even tigers can also be seen on the grounds. Depending on when you visit, you can also enjoy some of the themed events hosted at the zoo, such as Zoo Boo, a Halloween event when guests can find candy stations, pumpkin carving contests, face painting, and more.

Anchorage Museum (Within the city)

Yet another nearby destination for day trippers is The Anchorage Museum, a home for exhibits displaying objects of art, history, and culture. Cultural exhibits are diverse, with some exhibiting the artwork and dances of the local Latino community, while others showcase murals highlighting the indigenous Dena’ina people. Other exhibits tell the story of how diverse cultures and peoples have come together to create modern Alaska. However, visitors will find even more to do, such as viewing the stars through a visit to the planetarium or enjoying Alaskan cuisine at the Muse restaurant. The Anchorage Museum invites people to visit throughout the year and enjoy its many attractions.

Nike Site Summit (37 minutes)

Any lover of history, and particularly those interested in learning more about the critical period of the Cold War, may want to visit the Nike Site Summit. Located just a little over half an hour outside of Anchorage, this site was once one of the defenses that the United States maintained against potential nuclear bombing. At the height of the Cold War, when the U.S. feared a nuclear attack by the Soviet Union, sites like the Nike Site Summit served as a defense network that would sound early warnings of any incoming attacks. While you cannot simply walk onto the grounds, guided summer tours of the facility can be arranged through the Friends of Nike Site Summit. These tours provide interesting insights into how the base operated for over 20 years as staff did their part to guard this distant region of the country.

Fairbanks

Aurora Ice Museum (1 hour 12 minutes)

Fairbanks is the second major city in Alaska that enjoys access to an international airport, and incoming visitors will not lack for things to do while they are in town. One of the first areas to consider visiting would be the Aurora Ice Museum, located just a little over an hour outside of town. A part of the larger Chena Hot Springs Resort, guests do not have to stay overnight if they want to enjoy a view of the amazing ice sculptures kept at the museum. The resort enjoys icy conditions throughout the year, and the museum itself was created from 1,000 tons of ice and snow. The managers of the Chena Resort keep the ice chilled throughout the year so that visitors can enjoy these sights even during the summer. Tours are led throughout the day and last for 45 minutes.

Museum of the North (Within the city)

If you would prefer to spend your day trip inside Fairbanks, then the Museum of the North offers guests a chance to view multiple collections and exhibits covering different fields of research. The exhibits are diverse. Some visitors may prefer exploring the museum grounds and viewing the artwork outside, while others may be intrigued by the history of gold mining in Alaska. Yet other guests might prefer to see some of the satellite imagery that has been taken of the state and see how these images help researchers better understand changes in climate. Guests can enjoy any part of the museum they prefer with guidance from the museum’s audio guides and mobile app. There is something for everyone at the Museum of the North.

Chena River State Recreation Area (54 minutes)

Anyone who appreciates the great outdoors may consider visiting the Chena River State Recreation Area. Open year-round and covering 397 square miles, day trippers can arrive in under an hour. Afterward, there are plenty of hiking trails to cross and fishing to be done in the nearby Chena River. Although the park is open throughout the year, it particularly comes alive during the winter, when the park hosts legs of two dog sled races that zip along the Chena Hot Springs Winter Trail. Guests can also look forward to seeing all kinds of wildlife, from beavers along the park’s various ponds to moose grazing along the grass plains. Whether you are visiting during winter or summer, this is a fantastic place to take a trip during the day if you want a refreshing time outside.

Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge (Within the city)

If you love bird watching, then a visit to Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge might be in order. Conveniently located within the city, the refuge plays host to the migratory waterfowl that annually stop to rest in the area. Birds of all kinds make their homes in the refuge throughout the year. However, the annual migration of geese, plovers, and pintails depends on this place as a stopping point before their final destination at their nesting sites further north. Visitors can spot these flocks along with local wildlife such as squirrels, hares, and red foxes that call the refuge home. Guests are welcome throughout the year to walk along the many trails that cross the area.

Denali National Park and Preserve (2 hours 4 minutes)

Perhaps the most well-known park in all of Alaska is Denali National Park and Preserve. Although it is two hours outside of Fairbanks, this destination is worth the trip. Visitors will find many campgrounds where they can enjoy an afternoon meal at the many picnic tables, then enjoy the various trails that wind their way around the park. These trails cross the base of the mountain, shift along the creeks, and encircle Horseshoe Lake. Of course, from almost anywhere in the park, there are gorgeous views of Mt. Denali itself, and guests can enjoy the sight while cycling the park roads or fishing from the ponds. Considering its size and how much there is to do, Denali National Park is an amazing destination if you want a packed day outdoors.

So Much To See And Do

Whether you are enjoying the natural sites of the majestic Mt. Denali or learning more about the region’s history during a tour at The Anchorage Museum, there is plenty to see and do while you are in Alaska. Notably, day tripping is easy in this part of the country, with museums and parks to be found in plenty. There is no need for long drives or packing up for an overnight stay while you are visiting. If you are coming to Alaska, do not hesitate to tour one of these notable destinations for your day trip!