1. From Anchorage: Matanuska Glacier Full-Day Tour
Experience the beauty and awe of the Matanuska Glacier on a full-day trip from Anchorage. Drive the Glenn Highway up the Matanuska Valley along the Matanuska River. The glacier is 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Anchorage, so there are vast open vistas to enjoy along the way when the weather is clear. At the glacier office, check in, and take advantage of the warm, indoor restrooms before heading out. Then drive to the glacier house, where the initial view of the glacier is breathtaking. There you will load onto the sleds and enjoy a slow, safe ride out to the magnificent blue ice, a trip that lasts for 2 hours. After you leave the glacier, the lunch spot is seconds away. Glacier burgers, grilled ham and cheese, hot chocolate, and other comfort foods are on the menu. Relax and take a nap with the background of Alaskan music or chat on the way back to Anchorage. This tour is a full eight hours and operates snow or shine. If the weather in Anchorage is poor, the area near the glacier is usually acceptable. Other tours may say they are an experience of a lifetime, but this one truly is.