As someone who’s lived in Alaska for over 35 years, I see why tourists love traveling here. From the beautiful national parks to opportunities to see the northern lights, the state has something for everyone.
However, as a local, I often see tourists make the same mistakes — like expecting to drive everywhere or forgetting that some activities are seasonal.
These are the six most common mistakes I’ve seen tourists make when visiting my home state.
Thinking Alaska is small and drivable
I’m always surprised by how many visitors think Alaska is small. In reality, Alaska is so big that if you split it into two states, each half would be bigger than Texas. You can easily spend hours driving from one large community to the next.
However, Alaska has a shockingly limited road network for such a huge state. If we say a community is “off the road system,” it means you can’t drive there — instead, you’ll have to catch a plane or a boat.
Not learning the local vocabulary
In Alaska, we have a lot of local lingo that can be helpful to know. For example, if someone says they’re going outside, they’re not just leaving the building — they’re leaving the state.
To us, outside means “Outside” with a capital “O,” which is anywhere that’s not Alaska.
Another thing to remember is that we don’t typically use road numbers for our highways (no matter what your GPS tries to tell you). Instead, we use the names of highways.
Forgetting that some attractions and activities are seasonal
Some of the biggest attractions in Alaska are available for only a few months of the year.
Two big ones to keep in mind are bear-viewing season, which typically peaks with the salmon runs in July and August, and aurora-viewing season, which runs from roughly late August to late April.
Missing out on Alaska Native culture
The umbrella term for Alaska’s Indigenous people is Alaska Native. Most towns have at least one cultural center where visitors can learn about Alaska Natives in that region.
These facilities are part visitor center and part museum, and they offer a celebration of Native traditions and culture. I always recommend tourists take the time to explore these centers.
Expecting the wildlife — or the weather — to be predictable
Alaska tour guides often field sincere questions like “When are the moose scheduled to show up?” That makes sense in a controlled environment like a zoo, but Alaska’s wildlife is, well, wild — so they come and go whenever they like.
Our weather does pretty much the same thing, so if you’re determined to hide inside until the rain and wind stop and the sun comes out, you’ll miss out on a lot.
Dressing in layers can help visitors stay comfortable, no matter what the weather is doing. I recommend lighter layers in the summer and heavier layers in winter, but a weatherproof outer layer is always a must.
Trying to do too much in one trip
People traveling to a new location often feel pressure to visit as many destinations as possible. But if you never take a minute to enjoy just being here, you’re missing out on a big chunk of the Alaska experience.
Plus, having a little flex time in your schedule helps accommodate when excessive wind, rain, or rough seas keep you from doing planned activities. I recommend giving yourself two or three days in a community before moving on.
This story was originally published on July 26, 2024 and most recently updated on June 13, 2025.
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