What to Do in Anchorage - Best Activities and Locations 2025
Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, with a population of just under 300,000 residents. While Anchorage is a big city (by Alaska standards - about 40% of the population lives here), it is surrounded by natural landscapes. Nestled against the beautiful Chugach Mountains, Anchorage is rich with wildlife, nature, and numerous hiking trails.
Most travelers arriving in Alaska typically start their journey in Anchorage before exploring other destinations. It’s an ideal base for those with just a couple of days to spend in the state, offering plenty of activities both within the city and within a two-hour drive.
I was born and raised in Anchorage, and I spent my childhood exploring local trails with my family, attending various festivals and events, and enjoying many fun activities around the city. Since we currently live here, we have plenty of time to explore and are happy to share our favorite things to do in Anchorage.
Is Anchorage, Alaska, worth visiting?
es! Anchorage is definitely worth visiting during your trip to Alaska. While many travelers tend to head straight to other towns upon arriving, it's a good idea to spend at least a day in the city. For those interested in hiking, Anchorage offers some of the best trails in the state. These trails are well-traveled, which increases the chances of wildlife encounters, and they are also very well-maintained.
Life in Anchorage provides a perfect balance, allowing you to explore shops, museums, and restaurants while also enjoying nature and observing wildlife. If you're thinking about including Anchorage in your Alaska itinerary, be sure to check out our Design Your Trip page for more information.
Best Things to Do in Anchorage
1. Visit Westchester Lagoon
Westchester Lagoon is a vibrant outdoor area close to downtown Anchorage, where locals enjoy recreational activities throughout the year. The lagoon provides access to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, an 11-mile trail that runs along the city's coastline. This paved trail is popular for walking, biking, and rollerblading. In the winter, the lagoon freezes over and is maintained daily for ice skating. The trails are also used for Nordic skiing and fat biking during the snowy months. Visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the Chugach Mountains, and in the summer, the area is bustling with various bird species.
2. Bike on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is an 11-mile paved path that stretches along the coast of Anchorage. This trail is popular year-round for activities such as running, biking, and Nordic skiing. It offers beautiful views of downtown Anchorage, the ocean, and, on clear days, even Denali. We highly recommend exploring this trail during your visit to Anchorage.
There are several shops in downtown Anchorage that rent bikes for the day, and we recommend Pablo’s Bicycle Rentals.
3. Learn About Alaska at the Anchorage Museum
The Anchorage Museum is the largest museum in Alaska and showcases the history and culture of the region. It explores the rich diversity of Alaska Native cultures and features masterworks of Alaska Native art and design from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution. Visitors can enjoy a variety of artistic mediums, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, and more, which provide different perspectives on Alaska. The museum also hosts rotating exhibitions that change throughout the year and includes a large, hands-on discovery center designed for kids. Additionally, they have a great gift shop!
4. Search for Moose
Anchorage is home to many moose, and one of the most common places to see them is right in our backyards! Moose are an active part of the community in Anchorage. If you're looking to spot moose, we recommend visiting locations such as Powerline Pass, Kincaid Park, Earthquake Park, or Point Woronzof.
Read more about where to find moose in Alaska, and always keep moose safety in mind!
5. Take a Flight!
Anchorage serves as a central hub for small planes traveling throughout Alaska. Many regions in the state are inaccessible by car, making air travel an essential part of daily life. From Anchorage, you can access a variety of remote locations for activities such as bear viewing in Katmai or Lake Clark National Park, fly-in fishing trips, flightseeing, and charter flights to numerous other destinations.
6. Hike in Chugach State Park
Many of our clients are interested in hiking in Alaska and often believe they need to travel to a remote location for this experience. However, we are here to inform you that some of the best hiking in Alaska is right in the backyard of Anchorage, specifically in Chugach State Park. This park spans just under half a million acres and features 16 accessible trailheads, offering a total of 280 miles of trails. The park is rich in wildlife, home to more than 45 species of mammals, including brown bears, moose, sheep, and lynx.
Read more about family-friendly hikes in Anchorage.
7. Have a Bird’s Eye View at Anchorage Overlook
Although this location is part of Chugach State Park, it definitely deserves special recognition. The Anchorage Overlook can be accessed from the same parking lot as several other trails, but it only requires a short walk to reach the viewpoint. From this vantage point, you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire city of Anchorage, as well as views of Denali, nearby volcanoes, and more. In the opposite direction, you’ll see the summit of Flat Top, which is the most climbed peak in Alaska.
8. Travel Aboard the Alaska Railroad
Anchorage is a great starting point for any trip aboard the Alaska Railroad. From here, you can choose from several journeys heading both north and south. During the summer months, the most popular train trips are the Coastal Classic (Anchorage to Seward), the Denali Star (Anchorage to Denali or Fairbanks), and the Glacier Discovery (Anchorage to Grandview).
In winter, you can take the Aurora Train from Anchorage to Fairbanks. This journey lasts 12 hours and offers spectacular views of Denali on clear days.
9. Go Shopping at Local Stores
If you’re looking for souvenirs, holiday gifts, or simply an indoor activity, Alaska offers some fantastic locally-owned shops that feature high-quality Alaskan-made art, gifts, and other products. Here are a few of our favorite shops that we often visit when looking for gifts:
Dos Manos - This small art gallery features artwork, clothing, crafts, and jewelry created by Alaskan designers and artists
Tiny Gallery - Located in downtown Anchorage, Tiny Gallery offers a variety of locally made art, jewelry, pottery, and other unique gifts.
Writer’s Block - Writer’s Block is one of our favorite places to visit on a day off. This charming bookshop and café is an excellent spot to meet friends and explore a wide selection of books. The shop also hosts various events, including musical performances and poetry readings.
Title Wave - Title Wave is a large bookstore that offers both new and used books, with an impressive selection focused on Alaskan themes. Opened in 1991, Title Wave allows customers to donate their books in exchange for store credit.
10. Watch for Wildlife at Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary
The Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary is situated on the outskirts of Anchorage along the Seward Highway, as you head south out of the city. It is part of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and offers an excellent opportunity to observe birds and other wildlife. A 1,550-foot wooden boardwalk stretches from the parking area and winds through the marsh. Visitors may even spot moose walking below the boardwalk! This sanctuary is an ideal destination for the entire family.
Read more about fun things to do in Anchorage with kids.
11. Attend a Festival
Anchorage hosts numerous fun festivals, events, and celebrations throughout the year. Here are a few you can attend!
First Friday Artwalk - This event occurs on the first Friday of each month, featuring various galleries around Anchorage, predominantly located downtown, that showcase new artists.
Fur Rendezvous - Locally known as Fur Rondy, this winter festival began in 1935 as a gathering for fur trappers to sell their winter goods and for the community to unite and combat the winter blues. Currently, the festival lasts about two weeks at the end of February and includes many annual events such as a grand parade, fur auction, running of the reindeer, Mr. Fur Face (a beard competition), snow sculpture competition, carnival, and much more. Read more about the Fur Rondy Festival.
Iditarod - The Iditarod is an annual long-distance sled dog race that runs from Anchorage to Nome. The ceremonial start takes place on the first Saturday in March along Fourth Avenue in downtown Anchorage. Read more about visiting Alaska in the winter.
Summer Solstice - The Anchorage Downtown Partnership hosts the Downtown Summer Solstice Festival to celebrate the longest day of the year. The festival features a variety of entertainment, including live music, dance performances, a beer garden, an art market, kids’ activities, food trucks, and more.
4th of July - Attend a large parade and celebration at the Delaney Park Strip in downtown Anchorage. The parade is followed by a festival on the Park Strip featuring rides, games, vendors, and food.
New Year’s Eve - The Anchorage Downtown Partnership hosts an annual New Year’s Eve Celebration and fireworks display in downtown Anchorage. This event features an outdoor party with live music.
12. Explore Kincaid Park
Kincaid Park is a large 1,500-acre park located on the outskirts of Anchorage. This park is popular year-round for activities such as walking, running, biking, Nordic skiing, and orienteering. It also features a frisbee golf course and several soccer fields. In winter, over 40 miles of groomed ski trails are available, with 12 miles of those trails lighted for night skiing.
Near the main parking area, you'll find a large blue building. Visitors can take the outside stairs to the roof of the building, where they can enjoy panoramic views of the Chugach Mountains, Denali, and Cook Inlet. Kincaid Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, black bears, and eagles. Additionally, there is a trail that leads to Kincaid Beach, a lovely spot to enjoy on a sunny summer day.
13. Watch Float Planes Land at Lake Hood
If you're interested in small planes but a flight is a bit out of your budget, one of our favorite activities is to watch the floatplanes take off and land at Lake Hood Seaplane Base. Lake Hood is the world's largest and busiest seaplane base, with an average of 197 flights per day and up to 600 flights on peak summer days.
Our tradition is to grab a coffee and a Danish pastry, then relax on a quiet bench to watch the planes take off and land on a summer morning.
The Alaska Aviation Museum, also located at Lake Hood, is a great place to learn about aviation and see planes up close.
14. Eat at Local Restaurants
If you’re like us, finding delicious food while traveling is essential, and Anchorage has some fantastic options. Here are some of our favorite dining spots in the city:
Breakfast: Snow City Cafe - This is a quintessential breakfast spot located in downtown Anchorage. It’s a local favorite with a diverse menu. Be prepared for a long wait for a table, so plan accordingly
Pizza: Hearth - While many Alaskans recommend Moose’s Tooth for pizza, our top pick is Hearth. It boasts a wonderful ambiance, an impressive selection of local beers, and delicious food.
Fancy: Crow’s Nest - If you're looking for a truly special dining experience in Alaska, visit Crow's Nest. Located atop the Captain Cook Hotel, this restaurant offers panoramic views of the city. They serve exquisite dishes and have an extensive wine list.
On-The-Go: Sweet Caribou - This local shop offers salads, sandwiches, quiches, and their specialty, macarons. Visit for a quick, delicious, and filling meal.
Bakery: Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop - We visit Fire Island multiple times a week for their fresh bread and baked goods. This delightful bakery is located in the new K Street Market co-op downtown, where you'll also find great shops including That Feeling Co. (offering coffee and plants), Johnny’s Produce (fresh fruits, vegetables, and smoothies), and La Bodega (a local boutique liquor store).
Ice Cream: Wild Scoops - Hands down, this is the best ice cream in Alaska. Wild Scoops uses local ingredients and experiments with a variety of flavors. Their menu is always changing, ensuring that loyal customers keep coming back for more. It’s SO. GOOD.
Just Because: Bear’s Tooth - We love Bear’s Tooth; it’s both a movie theater and a restaurant. Arrive a little early for your film, order food, and enjoy it at your table during the show. What could be better? They also screen a great selection of films and frequently host film festivals and other events.
15. Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center
The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a cultural and educational facility dedicated to sharing the heritage of Alaska's 11 major cultural groups. Inside the center, visitors can explore exhibits featuring Native Alaskan artifacts and artwork. Daily presentations include game demonstrations, storytelling, dance performances, and more. Additionally, the center offers a large outdoor area with reconstructions of traditional Native Alaskan villages and dwellings.
16. Support Alaska Grown at Farmers Markets
During the summer months, weekends in Anchorage are lively with farmers' markets! Since the growing season in Alaska is brief, locals eagerly seek out Alaska-grown produce. Several markets throughout the city offer fresh vegetables and fruits, baked goods, canned goods, flowers, fresh seafood, and a variety of other products. Our favorite markets in Anchorage include the South Anchorage Farmers Market, the Anchorage Farmers Market, and the Spenard Farmers Market.
Read more about farmer’s markets in Alaska.
If you are looking for craft fairs selling locally made art, we highly recommend the Makers Market, which happens a few times throughout the year.
17. Visit Girdwood, Portage, Eklutna or Eagle River
If you rent a car and find yourself with an extra day in Anchorage, consider exploring its stunning surroundings. Although these locations are part of the Municipality of Anchorage, they require a drive of 30 to 60 minutes, depending on where you choose to go. Each destination offers impressive views, trails, and opportunities for wildlife watching. In Portage, you can see some beautiful glaciers; Girdwood is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts; Eagle River features a fantastic Nature Center; and Eklutna provides a great trail for walking or biking.
18. Take an Exciting Day Tour
You can enjoy various exciting activities in Anchorage during the summer, even if you don’t have a car. In addition to the Alaska Railroad and small plane excursions, some popular options include guided hiking tours, Helicopter & Dogsledding tours, Matanuska Glacier day trips, boat tours in Prince William Sound, and guided visits to Hatcher Pass or Turnagain Arm. There is a wide range of activities available, allowing you to choose based on your interests, time, and budget.
