Things to Do in Anchorage Alaska
Alaska offers some truly eccentric experiences for true enthusiasts of quirkiness. From Iditarod racing to Kincaid Sand Dunes, here are some of the best Things To Do In Anchorage Alaska.
Ascend Flattop Mountain is a scenic hiking trail offering breathtaking panoramic views. Tent City was also located here during railroad construction work.
Visit the Alyeska Resort
Alyeska Resort provides an elegant gateway into classic Alaska excursions, easily reached on your own or with the assistance of its concierge. Choose to hike a mountain trail, try fly fishing or even take an Antarctic glacier tour (the Alyeska has ramps and elevators to assist guests who require it). In addition, our concierge can set up any number of activities nearby such as dog sledding, heli-hiking or whale-watching day cruises for you – you won’t be short of opportunities at Alyeska Resort!
Girdwood, where the Alyeska hotel resides, offers year-round outdoor enthusiasts an ideal escape. Take a walk along Winner Creek Trail or ride a hand tram up Mount Alyeska – each will give stunning views of glaciers, Turnagain Arm, and alpine tundra. Or be daring and sign up for one of the world’s busiest floatplane bases and book yourself onto an exciting flightseeing excursion from our airstrip; chances are good you will spot wildlife from above!
Alyeska’s restaurants go above and beyond traditional ski resort fare, focusing on locally sourced ingredients. Treat yourself to delectable Kodiak scallops, braised boar or king crab at Seven Glaciers Restaurant served with local beers or wines; or stop into Koladi Brothers Brewery Midnight Sun Brewery 49th State Brewing Company for some tasty beers and wines.
Take a Helicopter Tour
Anchorage offers many opportunities to discover Alaska’s wild landscape, from kayaking among icebergs or watching brown bears in their natural environment – one of the top things to do! One hour from downtown Anchorage you could be kayaking among icebergs or watching brown bears roam free in their habitat.
An ideal way to experience this landscape is via helicopter tour. Not only is this faster than driving or taking public transit, but you get to see much more than from inside a car can do – plus being enclosed by clear plexiglass ensures even those prone to motion sickness don’t experience problems during their adventure!
Another fun way to experience the scenery is on board a snowmobile. Winter offers ample opportunity for this activity, with several tour companies providing half and full day options allowing riders to travel through creeks, trails and wilderness features for an unforgettable journey.
If you want to explore Alaska’s history and culture, make your way to Anchorage Museum. This enormous exhibit displays everything related to Alaskan land, people and culture; making it unquestionably the premier museum in Alaska.
Head down 4th Avenue for an entertaining way to spend your day, and check out the chocolate waterfall! Watch as more than 3,000 pounds of the sweet stuff cascade down a 20-foot waterfall – it will remind you of Willy Wonka’s factory…only this one’s real!
Trains offer another classic method for exploring Alaska, with the scenic railway route between Anchorage and Seward being one of the most stunning in all of North America. Here you can take in all of Alaska’s breathtaking landscape while relaxing for four hours comfortably!
Go Ice Climbing
Anchorage serves as a gateway into Alaskan wilderness, offering easy access to mountains, glaciers and wild beauty. However, Anchorage also boasts plenty of indoor activities that will keep you warm and entertained – here are our recommendations:
Alaska Wild Berry Products offers the perfect sweet treat – their 20-foot chocolate waterfall made of over 3,000 pounds of melting cacao goodness is sure to please the sweetest tooth without ever leaving town! Don’t miss this enthralling spectacle that is sure to satisfy even your craving for sweet treats!
Eklutna Glacier is one of Anchorage’s must-see sights, with a gorgeous crystal-blue lake at its base providing the ideal place for paddling and taking in the incredible views. But to truly experience it’s sheer power, sign up for a guided trek along its ice walls – step into crampons and use ice tools to traverse its vertical features – it is truly exhilarating! You will carry with you fond memories of success that come with conquering such feats; feel accomplished satisfaction from climbing over such feats will stay with you forever!
If you want to discover Alaska’s distinct Indigenous cultures, visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center. This world-class museum shares stories of Dena’ina Athabascan people as well as Alaska in general; providing an invaluable introduction for anyone visiting this beautiful state.
Alaska trips wouldn’t be complete without taking a scenic drive along the Turnagain Arm and Portage Glacier Road, with stops along its breathtaking highway that include Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel as well as opportunities to capture towering mountains, cliffs, Dall sheep, and shimmering glaciers – you won’t get tired of this extraordinary Alaska scenery!
Go Snowshoeing
Anchorage’s winter wonderland provides endless outdoor activities suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Hike Flattop Mountain for breathtaking views over Cook Inlet and Chugach Range or choose an easier trail from Glen Alps Parking Lot at Chugach State Park that are more accessible for rewarding views of Anchorage.
No matter your experience or level, Anchorage mountains and trails await discovery on foot with guided excursions designed specifically to your preferences. Take advantage of an expert local guide’s insider knowledge for accessing hidden viewpoints and wildlife hotspots!
Winter offers its own set of opportunities for sightseeing and adventure, such as taking the Alaska Railroad train to scenic locations outside Anchorage. Or explore Girdwood or Portage Valley for classic Alaska scenery with snow-covered trails, or experience Alaska’s legendary bore tide at Turnagain Arm; where shallow and narrow water creates waves up to 6 feet high when moving along its coastline.
Anchorage offers many exciting bike tours to take in its landscape. Choose your half or full day ride based on difficulty for an amazing journey through mountains, glaciers, coastal views – you might even spot a moose!
Visit Anchorage’s Alaska Native cultural center if you want to gain more insight into its unique heritage and people. Watch dancers perform, meet carvers and artisans, listen to stories from traditional elders, and watch as dancers perform in this historic and intimate setting.
Go for a Sunset Cocktail
Anchorage offers an exciting entertainment scene to match its breathtaking terrain. Savor an Alaska-grown cocktail at a craft brewery or laugh it up at an evening comedy show, then dance under the midnight sun at an outdoor summer music festival or take in a screening at a dinner theater – there’s always something happening here!
Anchorage Museum is Alaska’s premier museum and one of the top tourist destinations. Here, world-class exhibits provide a primer for Alaskan culture and history; for more in-depth exploration visit the third floor which holds rotating Smithsonian-quality Alaska Native artifacts; or stop by Alaska Native Heritage Center which gives an intimate look into different Alaska Native groups’ traditions through dancing, stories, carvers, and artists in a small and friendly setting.
Eklutna Native Village can offer an engaging cultural experience. Home to Dena’ina Athabascan people and a Russian Orthodox church, Eklutna provides a fascinating mix of traditions that reflect both Alaskan indigenous heritage and Russian influence. Don’t miss the colorful spirit houses built according to Dena’ina tradition for housing deceased spirits.
While some of these top things to do in Anchorage Alaska require money, others are free or budget-friendly. Spend an afternoon at Kincaid Park enjoying its dunes with a picnic and local beers before dining at one of Anchorage’s many budget-friendly brewpubs for inexpensive food and beverages. You could also catch a movie at Bear Tooth Theatre before watching the sunset over Ship Creek with blanket and bug spray in hand – and don’t forget your blanket and bug spray! For something truly thrilling try flightseeing trip or glacier excursion.
