Things to do in Girdwood

Enjoy an admission ticket that will grant you access to over 200-acres of animal enclosures and stunning nature. Take a self-tour of the scenic 1.5-mile loop, accessible by foot, by bike, or by car, while learning about the resident wildlife via interpretive signs at each animal habitat. Support the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, which is a non-profit sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) is located in Portage Valley and is surrounded by the breathtaking Chugach Mountain Range and Turnagain Arm Inlet. Venture through the AWCC’s 1.5 mile loop which is the perfect adventure for the winter months. Experience unique ways to explore the Center while enjoying the wildlife in the winter include gliding on your cross country skis, riding your fat bike, or utilizing AWCC’s complimentary kick-sled rentals. Relax on board your own vehicle with a picturesque 1.5 mile loop drive around the sanctuary. See orphaned and injured animals taken in by the AWCC that have now been given a forever home.

Discover the pristine beauty of Alaska’s Prince William Sound on a high-speed catamaran cruise from Whittier. Admire the sights of Blackstone Bay and keep a lookout for wildlife on a scenic cruise, while enjoying a tasty meal onboard. Start with pickup from a meeting point in Alyeska or Anchorage, or choose to make your own way to the meeting point in Whittier. Upon arrival, get checked in and then board the high-speed catamaran to set off on your adventure through Prince William Sound Cruise from this quaint seaside town of Whittier to glacier-filled Blackstone Bay, a dramatic deep-water fjord where two tidewater glaciers and several alpine glaciers await. Admire the panoramic views of spectacular glaciers flowing down from the mountains to the saltwater. Travel in comfort aboard a secure, modern high-speed catamaran. Learn a bit more about the area and hear local stories from the live onboard commentary from a Chugach National Forest Service ranger. As the captain navigates a path through the ice-filled waters, watch the dynamic tidewater glaciers closely as massive chunks of ice can calve (break off) at any moment and crash to the sea with a thunderous sound. Keep watch for marine wildlife and migratory birds along the way, including sea otters, harbour seals, bald eagles, kittiwakes, and migratory birds. Depending on the season, you may spot whales and bears feeding on the migrating salmon population. During the cruise, enjoy a delicious meal onboard the vessel. Select from the following options: • Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon Chowder served with oyster crackers, a fresh Julienne vegetable salad, a multi-grain roll, a cheddar cheese snack, a fruit snack, and a peppermint pattie. • Hearty Vegetable Chili served with oyster crackers, a fresh Julienne vegetable salad, a multi-grain roll, a cheddar cheese snack, a fruit snack, and a peppermint pattie. • No meal requested - Select this option if you are traveling with an infant or you have special dietary restrictions that cannot be accommodated by the above options. • Kids Meal (ages 2-11) featuring an all-beef hot dog, potato chips, a fruit snack, and a peppermint pattie.

Get up close to picturesque icebergs at Spencer Glacier Lake after your scenic train ride on the AK Railroad’s Glacier Discovery Train on the Spencer Glacier Float! Chugach Adventures’ was the original guide service at Spencer Glacier pioneering the area since 2001. Enjoy panoramic mountain & glacial views on a 7-mile scenic river float down the pristine Placer River. This trip is one of the most scenic glacier river trips in Alaska. A review from one of our guides: I love that I get to ride the train to a remote location, tour around dazzling icebergs, float the river from it’s glacier source…directly to a personal train pick up on the river bank in the wilderness. We have this amazing access to Alaska’s backcountry and I love being able to share this precious location to guests from around the world.

Begin your Alaskan adventure with a convenient pickup in downtown Anchorage. Then, embark on a picturesque drive along the Seward Highway, leading to an intimate encounter with Alaska's majestic wildlife at a premier conservation center. Here, you will have the chance to see bears, moose, elk, musk ox, caribou, and more, coming face-to-face with the animals that roam our vast landscapes. From there, we will visit Girdwood, a charming town nestled among towering mountains, for a culinary experience that tantalizes your taste buds with the best of local cuisine. But the adventure doesn't stop there; we will include a visit to one of Alaska's finest breweries, where you'll indulge in a curated beer sampling that showcases the rich flavors and innovative spirit of Alaskan craft beer. Our tour is designed for those who seek to immerse themselves fully in the beauty, culture, and flavors of Alaska, making it an unforgettable experience from start to finish.

Alaskan Trifecta – Bears, Alaska Railroad Trains, and Icebergs at Spencer Glacier. The tour begins at the Girdwood Train Depot. Take a shuttle to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for a guided & interpretive tour of the animals. The center is Alaska’s premier rehabilitation facility for injured and orphaned wildlife. Bears – AWCC Tour runs 1.5 hours and includes walking and driving options to view the animals. A gourmet sack lunch is provided with this tour. Once done with the AWCC, our guide will transport you back to board the Glacier Discovery Train where you will continue onto your next adventure at Spencer Glacier— the Spencer Glacier Float Tour—Get up close and personal to the ICEBERGS on this mellow float perfect for all ages. Our experienced and professional guides will row you right up to beautiful picturesque icebergs offering stunning panoramic views of the Spencer Glacier and surrounding mountains. Return via the Glacier Discovery TRAIN to Portage Station.

The Iceberg Kayak Morning Tour at Spencer Glacier is the most serene & consistently magnificent time to paddle. Kayak around icebergs and up close to the Spencer Glacier terminus face. Hike onto the moraine and get up close to the blue wall. Enjoy two Alaska Railroad Trains: The Coastal Classic & the Glacier Discovery Train, traveling through the most scenic Grandview & Tunnels sections of the AK Railroad. A perfect paddle for beginners or expert paddlers. There is no tidal influence at Spencer Lake and the morning tends to be the best time at Spencer Lake- calm, serene, and beautiful. The total iceberg kayak paddle distance is approximately 4 miles. Please let us know your experience level so that we can tailor your Alaskan glacier kayak tour to your party’s ability & ambition. A minimum of 2 guests is needed to book. A review from one of our guides: "This is one of my favorite trips. Mornings spent kayaking out on Spencer Lake are like no other time of day; the water is glass, the air is calm, and the ice is a brilliant blue in the early light. This trip allows time to really explore the Spencer Valley, and small groups mean that as a guide, I am able to connect more with each guest."

Day 1 Relax with pickup from your guide at your hotel before you begin your adventure. Depart Anchorage and head south to the Crow Creek Gold Mine to experience Alaska’s rich pioneer mining history. Pan for gold and walk the historic mining area before heading to the Alyeska Resort. Go up the tram and take in 360-degree views of snowcapped peaks and the scenic Turnagain Arm waterway awaits. Take a chance to shop in downtown Girdwood after lunch in the quaint town, then depart for Seward where you'll stay for the night. Your guide will interpret the history and landscape while stopping along the way at scenic turnouts. Day 2 After breakfast, enjoy your day in Seward, Alaska, and choose from the following activities (to be paid out-of-pocket): – Glacier helicopter tours to see sled dogs – Kenai Fjords ocean tour (guide-suggested, with Fox Island Dinner) – Sea kayaking – Glacier hiking – Ocean fishing day trip – River fishing – Guided day hikes – Ice climbing Day 3 Travel from Seward to Denali Eat a full breakfast, pack up, and say goodbye to the ocean and hello to the Alaska interior. Depart for the moderate hike to the Exit Glacier, just minutes from Seward. Then, head to the Bear Creek Weir (seasonally dependent) to see salmon running in the creek up close. Stop with your guide at scenic overlooks for pictures. See the Hurricane Gulch Bridge overlook and the Denali Viewpoint South. Take bathroom breaks and pictures before arriving in the small town of Healy to settle in for tomorrow's activities. Day 4 After breakfast, enjoy a day of activities in the Denali National Park area. Take the opportunity to spend the day on one of the many activities listed below before tucking in at the Denali Totem Inn (or similar). The activities below are to be paid out-of-pocket: – Denali National Park bus tour – Glacier flights into Denali – ATV adventures – Horseback rides – Jeep excursions – Nenana river rafting – Fly-fishing day trips – Wilderness sightseeing safari – River jet boat tour – Guided hiking Day 5 Leave Denali National Park en route for Anchorage after breakfast and one last experience: Visit the historical dog mushing team of Denali National Park. These dogs are still used for supplying the backcountry of the park in the winter. Depart for Anchorage to complete your 5-day tour after the sled dog presentation. Guests who would like to ride the train to Anchorage may do so from Denali or Talkeetna.