Traveler’s Guide to Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is the bustling heart of south-central Alaska and is home to nearly half the state’s population. Use Anchorage as your base camp for your Alaskan adventure, but be sure to spend a few days in town. With an international airport and an array of first-rate hotels, museums and restaurants, Anchorage is as comfortable as any American city, but is situated in the shadow of the Chugach Mountains and is surround by the arms of the shining Cook Inlet.
Activities
- ACVB Log Cabin Visitor Information
- If you still find yourself at a loss for something to do, stop by the ACVB Log Cabin Visitor Information center. Its distinct sod roof makes it easy to spot in the heart of the downtown shopping district.
- Alaska Native Heritage Center
- The Alaska Native Heritage Center in northeast Anchorage strives to preserve Alaska Native culture. One of the richest experiences to be had in Anchorage, the ANHC is as interactive as visitors want it to be. Visitors can participate in classes or learn on their own in the indoor museum. Outside, visitors can appreciate scale models representing different types of Alaska Native homes. Expect light to moderate activity.
- Anchorage Museum of History and Art
- Everyone experiences Alaska differently. Lucky for the rest of us, some truly gifted artists and historians have seen fit to capture and interpret their impressions of the Great Land. Located in downtown, the Museum is great anytime, but especially on a rainy day. Expect light to moderate activity.
- Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum
- Flying enthusiasts need to be sure and visit the AAHM. Located midtown at Lake Hood, this museum reinforces the role airmen played in the taming of Alaska. Enjoy the old bush planes, the stories, and the flight simulator!
- The Alaska Zoo
- A stroll through the modest, wooded grounds of the Alaska Zoo is by far the easiest way to ensure you get to see emissaries of Alaskan wildlife. Good for one or two hours between activities. Expect light to moderate activity.
- Downtown Bicycle Rental, Inc
- Working in conjunction with the Flattop Mountain Shuttle, Downtown Bicycle Rental, Inc. offers not only a variety of bikes, but also hike/bike combination packages that ensure a full and active day. Expect moderate to intense activity.
- Flattop Mountain Shuttle
- Flattop Mountain is easy to identify and easy to hike. Use the Flattop Mountain Shuttle to ride from downtown Anchorage to the trailhead, hike the most popular trail in Alaska, and then ride the shuttle back downtown. Expect moderate to intense activity.
- Coastal Trail Rentals
- Now located in downtown Anchorage, Coastal Trail Rentals offers a variety of bicycles and equipment to help you make good use of the city’s seemingly endless trails. Expect moderate to intense activity.
- Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
- The highlight of the Anchorage trail system, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail begins downtown and skirts the bluffs on the western edge of the city 11 miles to Kincaid Park. This trail is used by walkers, cyclists, skiers, and equestrians and is an excellent place to look for moose, seabirds, and beluga whales.
- Point Woronzof
- A popular stop on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Point Woronzof overlooks the Cook Inlet. While certainly not a peaceful place, the Point has a charm all of its own: jets are constantly passing just overhead.
- Kincaid Park
- Located in southwest Anchorage, its 20 miles of hiking and biking trails Kincaid Park showcases a harmony between city and wilderness. The park offers great views of Turnagain Arm at the end of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.
- Delaney Park Strip
- The southern border of downtown Anchorage, the Delaney Park Strip showcases what 19 hours of sunlight can do for flora. During the summer this park is home to thousands of large, vibrant flowers.
- Ship Creek
- One block north of downtown, Ship Creek is a hotspot for inner-city fishing. Try your hand at landing a salmon in the shadow of a skyscraper or just enjoy a peaceful stroll on the surrounding trails. Expect light to moderate activity.
- Anchorage City Trolley Tours
- See the city in one sitting aboard the charming trolleys of the Anchorage City Trolley Tours.
- SegTours of Anchorage
- If you are looking for something different then check out SegTours of Achorage. Guides lead groups around the city on segways. Most all who try it agree it is a fresh, fun way to see Anchorage. Expect moderate activity.
- Horse Trekkin Alaska
- Great for both summer and winter visitors, Horse Trekkin Alaska offers trail rides, sleigh rides, and even “The Great Alaskan Date Night” romance package. A must for equestrians. Expect moderate activity.
- Seavey’s Ididaride Sled Dog Tours
- Fantastically fun and tremendously informative, Seavey’s puts you behind the power of a sled dog team at their location in Girdwood (40 miles outside of town). In Anchorage, however, dog lovers should catch their WildRide Sled Dog Show. Expect light to moderate activity.
- Rust’s Flying Service
- Rust’s Flying Service taps into the heritage of airmen in Alaska. Rust’s offers flightseeing, bear viewing, fly-in fishing and more. Expect moderate activity.
- Cyrano’s Theater Company
- Take in a show downtown at Cyrano’s Theater Company. Visiting this staple in the Anchorage art scene is a smart way to start an evening on the town. Expect light activity.
- Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary
- Just minutes outside of Anchorage, Potter Marsh is marvelous refuge for seabirds. A very accessible 1,550 ft. of boardwalk ensure that the whole family can safely watch for bald eagles and arctic terns. Expect light to moderate activity.
- Chilkoot Charlie’s
- Nightlife. Iconic Chilkoot Charlie’s comes equipped with 3 stages, 3 dance floors and 10 bars. This Alaskan institution is an unforgettable experience. For the young at heart, not the faint of heart. Expect light to moderate activity. Their slogan is "We rip off the next guy and pass the savings on to you!"
- Darwin’s Theory
- Nightlife. Darwin’s Theory is a locals bar, but feel free to stop in for a drink or two. Free popcorn. Expect light activity.
- Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
- Beer lovers looking for something to do should stop by the Midnight Sun Brewing Co. in the south of Anchorage. Tours do not require a reservation and are, as always, free. Expect light to moderate activity.
- Trek Alaska
- Trek Alaska provides experienced guides who lead small groups of adventurers on 3-9 day backpacking trips through the humbling grandeur of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Expect intense activity.
- Planet Earth Adventures, LLC
- Planet Earth Adventures mixes things up by leading small groups on a variety of Alaskan adventures that often end in the comfort of a lodge. Among there packages is a multi-day sea kayaking trip.
- The Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
- Planning on being in Anchorage in the off-season? Don’t let snow on the ground stop you from getting out and getting active. The NSAA promotes the great sport of Nordic skiing for people of all skill levels. Expect moderate to intense activity.
- Alyeska Resort
- Alyeska Resort rises above the town of Girdwood, 40 miles south of Anchorage. The drive along the Seward Highway is spectacular, but the real heart-pounding excitement starts atop any of the 73 ski runs and doesn’t stop until you’re seated for a well-earned meal at the mountain-top restaurant, Seven Glaciers. Expect moderate to intense activity.
- Hilltop Ski Area
- You don’t need to leave town to enjoy the slopes. Hilltop Ski Area is good way to satisfy your craving for skiing and offers great views of Anchorage and Mt. Susitna. Expect moderate to intense activity.
- Alpenglow at Arctic Valley
- Located just north of Anchorage, the Alpenglow Lodge at Arctic Valley is wonderful retreat summer or winter. Arctic Valley provides a backcountry feel in a family-friendly environment. Expect light to intense activity.
