Anchorage is Alaska's largest city, but it doesn't take long to find yourself surrounded by nature. The city sits between the waters of Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains, with hiking trails, wildlife, parks, and scenic views right on its doorstep.
For many travelers, Anchorage is the starting point for an Alaska trip. It's also a convenient place to spend a couple of days, with plenty to see and do in the city and many popular destinations within a short drive.
Elizabeth was born and raised in Anchorage, and much of her childhood was spent exploring local trails with her family, attending festivals and events, and getting to know the city. Since we live here today, we continue to explore Anchorage and discover new places to enjoy. In this guide, we're sharing some of our favorite things to do, places to eat, and things to know before visiting our hometown.
Read on to find out more:
Getting to Anchorage
Things to do in Anchorage, Alaska
How Many Days Do You Need in Anchorage?
How We'd Spend a Few Days in Anchorage
Things to Know Before Visiting Anchorage
Where to Eat and Stay in Anchorage
Getting to Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is the main transportation hub for travelers visiting Alaska and is easy to reach by air, road, or train.
By Air: Most travelers arrive at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, which has direct flights from several major U.S. cities during the summer. Anchorage is also a convenient starting point for exploring other parts of the state, with rental cars available at the airport and throughout the city.
By Car: Anchorage is connected to the rest of Alaska and Canada by the Glenn Highway and Seward Highway. If you're driving from outside Alaska, the Alaska Highway is the main route into the state. The drive is long, but it can be a good option if you have plenty of time and want to see more of the landscape along the way.
By Train: The Alaska Railroad connects Anchorage with several popular destinations, including Talkeetna, Denali, and Seward. Train service is seasonal and is primarily used by travelers during the summer months.
For most of our clients, flying into Anchorage and picking up a rental car is the easiest option. From here, you can reach many of Alaska's most popular destinations by car, making Anchorage a natural starting point for a personalized itinerary.
Is Anchorage, Alaska Worth Visiting?
Yes! We definitely think Anchorage is worth including in your Alaska itinerary. While many travelers are tempted to head straight to other destinations after arriving, we recommend spending at least a day in Anchorage. The city gives you a chance to explore Alaska’s largest community while still having easy access to trails, parks, and wildlife.
For those who enjoy hiking, Anchorage has an incredible variety of trails, from easy walks along the coast to more challenging hikes in the Chugach Mountains. Many of the trails are popular with locals, well-maintained, and easy to access from the city. You may even spot moose, eagles, or other wildlife along the way, so it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings.
One of the things we like most about Anchorage is the mix of city and nature. You can spend the morning hiking, have lunch at a local restaurant, visit a museum or shop downtown, and still be back on a trail or watching the sunset over the mountains later in the day. Since Anchorage is our hometown, it’s a place we’re always happy to share with travelers.
Things to Do in Anchorage, Alaska
Walk or Bike the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is an 11-mile paved trail that follows the coastline of Anchorage and is one of our favorite ways to explore the city. Westchester Lagoon, just west of downtown, is one of the easiest places to access the trail. Locals use the area year-round for walking, biking, and other outdoor activities. In winter, the lagoon is maintained for ice skating, while the surrounding trails are used for Nordic skiing and fat biking. If you'd like to bike the Coastal Trail, several shops in downtown Anchorage rent bikes for the day.
As you follow the trail toward Kincaid Park, you’ll have views of Cook Inlet, downtown Anchorage, and the Chugach Mountains. On a clear day, you may even see Denali in the distance. The trail is also a good place to keep an eye out for birds and other wildlife, particularly during the summer months.
The trail ends at Kincaid Park, a 1,500-acre park on the western edge of Anchorage. The park has an extensive network of trails for walking, biking, running, and Nordic skiing, and is also a good place to look for moose, black bears, and eagles.
Near the main parking area, you can walk up to the roof of the blue building for views over Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains. On a clear day, Denali may also be visible.
Hike in Chugach State Park
Many of our clients are surprised to learn that they don’t have to travel far from Anchorage to experience some of the best hiking in Alaska. Chugach State Park sits right on the edge of the city, covering nearly half a million acres with hundreds of miles of trails and numerous trailheads. The park offers a wide range of hikes, from shorter walks to more challenging mountain trails, and wildlife such as moose, bears, and Dall sheep can be found throughout the area.
One of our favorite easy viewpoints is Anchorage Overlook, which can be reached from the same parking area as several trails with just a short walk to the viewpoint. From here, you can look out over Anchorage, Cook Inlet, the surrounding mountains, and, on a clear day, Denali and the nearby volcanoes. Looking the other direction, you’ll see Flat Top Mountain, one of the most popular peaks to hike in the Anchorage area.
If you’re looking for easier hikes to enjoy with the whole family, take a look at our guide to family-friendly hikes around Anchorage.
Look for Moose and Other Wildlife
Anchorage is home to a surprising amount of wildlife, and moose are very much a part of everyday life here. You may see them along trails, in parks, or even wandering through residential neighborhoods. Some of the places we like to look for moose include Kincaid Park, Earthquake Park, Point Woronzof, and Powerline Pass, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
For an easy place to see birds and other wildlife, head to the Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary, located along the Seward Highway just south of Anchorage. The sanctuary is part of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and has a 1,550-foot wooden boardwalk that winds through the marsh. Moose are sometimes spotted walking through the area below the boardwalk, and the sanctuary is an easy stop for travelers of all ages.
Wherever you go looking for wildlife, remember to give animals plenty of space and be especially cautious around moose.
For more ideas, take a look at our guide to where to see moose in Alaska.
Visit Anchorage Museums and Cultural Centers
Anchorage has several museums and cultural centers that are worth visiting, especially on a rainy day or if you’d like to learn more about Alaska beyond its landscapes.
The Anchorage Museum is the largest museum in Alaska and explores the state’s history, art, science, and culture. Its exhibits include Alaska Native art and design from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution along with rotating exhibitions covering a variety of topics. Families may also enjoy the museum’s hands-on Discovery Center, and there is a great gift shop.
The Alaska Native Heritage Center focuses on the cultures and traditions of Alaska’s 11 major cultural groups. In addition to indoor exhibits featuring Native artifacts and artwork, the center offers cultural demonstrations, storytelling, games, and dance performances. Outside, you can explore an area with traditional dwellings representing several Alaska Native cultures.
Watch Float Planes Take Off at Lake Hood
If you’re interested in Alaska’s small planes but don’t want to book a flight, one of our favorite simple activities in Anchorage is watching the floatplanes take off and land at Lake Hood Seaplane Base. Lake Hood is the world’s largest and busiest seaplane base, with hundreds of flights taking off and landing on busy summer days.
Our tradition is to grab a coffee and a Danish pastry and find a quiet bench to watch the planes. It’s a simple way to spend a summer morning and gives you a glimpse into how important small aircraft are to everyday life in Alaska.
The Alaska Aviation Museum, also located at Lake Hood, is a good addition if you’re interested in learning more about Alaska’s aviation history. The museum has historic aircraft and exhibits that give you a better understanding of how aviation connects communities across the state.
Visit Local Shops, Markets, and Galleries
If you’re looking for a few souvenirs or gifts to take home, Anchorage has a number of locally owned shops and galleries featuring Alaska-made art, books, jewelry, clothing, and other goods. Summer weekends also bring several farmers markets around the city, where you can find Alaska-grown produce, baked goods, flowers, seafood, and locally made products.
A few of our favorite local shops include:
Dos Manos — A small gallery featuring artwork, clothing, crafts, and jewelry from Alaskan artists and designers.
Tiny Gallery— Located downtown, with locally made art, jewelry, pottery, and other gifts.
Sevigny Studio- A retail gallery featuring paintings, sculptures, jewelry, apparel, and other work by Alaskan artists.
Title Wave — A large independent bookstore with both new and used books, including a particularly good selection of books about Alaska.
For farmers markets, check out the South Anchorage Farmers Market, Anchorage Farmers Market, or Spenard Farmers Market. Markets are seasonal, so it’s worth checking their current schedules before visiting.
Ride the Alaska Railroad
Anchorage is a great starting point for exploring Alaska by train. The Alaska Railroad connects Anchorage with several popular destinations, with routes heading both north and south.
During the summer, you can take the Coastal Classic to Seward, the Denali Star north toward Denali or Fairbanks, and the Glacier Discovery toward Grandview and Prince William Sound. The train is a scenic way to travel between destinations, although for most of our clients, we recommend a rental car because it gives you more flexibility to explore along the way.
Take a Flight from Anchorage
Anchorage is a major hub for small-plane travel in Alaska, and flying is often the only way to reach many remote parts of the state. From Anchorage, you can take a small plane for bear viewing in Katmai or Lake Clark National Park, fly-in fishing, flightseeing, or a charter flight to one of Alaska’s more remote communities and wilderness areas.
For travelers who have limited time but want to experience a part of Alaska that can’t be reached by car, a flight from Anchorage can be a great addition to your itinerary. Just keep in mind that weather can affect flight schedules, so we recommend leaving some flexibility in your plans when booking a flight-based activity.
Attend a Festival or Local Event
Anchorage hosts festivals, celebrations, and local events throughout the year. If you happen to be visiting during one of these, it can be a fun way to experience the city with the locals.
First Friday Artwalk — Held on the first Friday of each month, with galleries and businesses around Anchorage showcasing local artists and new exhibitions.
Fur Rendezvous— Known locally as Fur Rondy, this winter festival takes place for about two weeks at the end of February. Events include a grand parade, Running of the Reindeer, snow sculptures, a carnival, and more. Read more on our guide to Fur Rondy.
Iditarod — The famous sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome begins with its ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage on the first Saturday in March.
Summer Solstice— Anchorage celebrates the longest day of the year with live music, food trucks, an art market, kids’ activities, and other events downtown.
4th of July — A parade through downtown is followed by a festival at the Delaney Park Park Strip with rides, games, vendors, and food.
New Year’s Eve — Downtown Anchorage hosts an annual celebration with evening festivities and a fireworks display.
Enjoy a Guided Day Tour
If you only have a couple of days in Alaska, Anchorage can be a convenient base for exploring beyond the city. Several destinations are close enough to visit as a day trip, and there are guided tours that make it possible to see more without having to rent a car or plan the driving yourself.
Depending on your interests, options include guided hiking tours, helicopter and dogsledding tours, Matanuska Glacier trips, boat tours in Prince William Sound, and guided excursions to Hatcher Pass or along Turnagain Arm. These tours offer a way to experience some of the landscapes and activities outside Anchorage while still returning to the city at the end of the day.
How Many Days Do You Need in Anchorage?
We’d recommend building in at least one full day in Anchorage at the beginning or end of your trip. Starting and ending your itinerary in Anchorage makes it easy to explore the city without taking time away from the other destinations you want to visit.
A full day gives you enough time to enjoy some of our favorite trails, look for wildlife, visit a museum or local shop, and have a meal at one of Anchorage’s restaurants. If you have more time, you can easily spend two days here, especially if you’d like to add a day trip or a guided activity.
How We’d Spend a Few Days in Anchorage
Since we live in Anchorage, it’s a little difficult for us to answer this question from a visitor’s perspective. Instead, here’s how we’d spend a couple of days if a friend were coming to visit us for the first time.
Arrival day: They’d arrive in the late afternoon, and we’d help them get settled before heading out for dinner. If the weather is clear, we might start with a pre-dinner drink at the Crow’s Nest, at the top of the Captain Cook Hotel, for views over the city. For dinner, we might choose 49th State Brewing if we wanted to sit outside and enjoy the views, Crush if we wanted to stay downtown, or Moose’s Tooth for a casual pizza night.
Day 1: We’d start the morning with coffee and something to eat at Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop and That Feeling Co. at K Street Market before heading to Westchester Lagoon. From there, we’d walk along the water and enjoy the views of Cook Inlet and the mountains. If they wanted to explore by bike, this would be a great place to start a ride along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.
If it were raining, we’d spend a couple of hours at the Anchorage Museum instead, exploring the art, history, and cultural exhibits. It also has a great kids’ area.
In the afternoon, we’d head up to the Glen Alps area and stop first at Anchorage Overlook for views of the city and, on a clear day, Denali. From there, we’d walk down the trail toward Powerline Pass, one of our favorite places to walk in Anchorage. The trail takes you into the Chugach Mountains, and it’s not unusual to see moose along the way. We’d finish the day with dinner at another local restaurant.
Departure day: Before they continued on to their next destination, I’d take them to a few of my favorite local shops to pick up souvenirs. Depending on what they were looking for, we might visit Dos Manos, Title Wave, Sevigny Studio, Tiny Gallery, or some of the other small shops along 4th Avenue.
I’d also make sure they had everything they needed for the rest of their trip before leaving Anchorage. If they needed groceries, outdoor clothing, bear spray, or anything else, I’d take them shopping here rather than waiting until they reached a smaller community. Anchorage has the largest selection and generally better prices, so it’s a good place to stock up before continuing on.
Things to Know Before Visiting Anchorage
Weather: Anchorage can have cool, rainy weather during the summer or warm, sunny days, so come prepared for changing conditions. Weather can also vary quite a bit between Anchorage and other parts of the state, so don't assume that the forecast here will be the same as where you're headed next.
Rain: Don't let a rainy forecast completely change your plans. Many outdoor activities can still be enjoyed in light rain, and Anchorage has plenty of indoor options, including the Anchorage Museum, Alaska Native Heritage Center, shops, galleries, and cafes. If you're planning a flight, boat tour, or other weather-dependent activity, however, conditions can affect whether it operates.
Wildlife: Anchorage is home to a surprising amount of wildlife, including moose, black bears, eagles, and many species of birds. You may encounter wildlife even within the city, particularly when walking on trails or in parks. Keep a respectful distance, never feed animals, and be especially cautious around moose.
Driving: Having your own car makes it easy to explore Anchorage and the surrounding areas. Many of the city's parks and trailheads are spread out, and a car also gives you the flexibility to take day trips beyond Anchorage. If you're using Anchorage as a starting point for the rest of your trip, it's also a convenient place to pick up groceries and anything else you may need before continuing on.
Parking: Parking is generally easy to find throughout Anchorage, although popular trailheads and attractions can get busy during the summer. Most parks and major attractions have designated parking areas, while street parking is available in many parts of the city. If you're heading to a trailhead within Chugach State Park, keep in mind that a daily parking fee is required at many trailheads
What to bring: Layers, a waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and a small daypack are useful for exploring Anchorage. If you're planning to hike, spend time in the mountains, or take a flight, bring an extra warm layer. Even a warm summer day in the city can feel much cooler once you're out in the mountains.
Allow enough time: We recommend spending at least one full day in Anchorage. This gives you enough time to explore some of the city's trails, look for wildlife, visit a museum or local shops, and enjoy a meal at one of Anchorage's restaurants. If you have more time, you can also use Anchorage as a base for a day trip to the surrounding areas.
Where to Eat in Anchorage
If you’re like us, finding good food is an important part of traveling. Anchorage has a lot of locally owned restaurants, bakeries, and cafes, and these are a few of our favorite places we find ourselves returning to. Restaurants in Anchorage—and really, throughout much of Alaska—can be VERY busy during the summer months, so consider dining a little earlier than usual or come prepared for a wait.
Breakfast: Snow City Cafe
A longtime local favorite in downtown Anchorage with a large and varied breakfast menu. It can get very busy in the summer, so be prepared for a wait, plan to arrive early, or join their online waitlist.
For the View: 49th State Brewing or Simon and Seaforts
A good choice when the weather is clear, and you’d like to sit outside and enjoy views of the city, ocean, and surrounding mountains.
Fancy: Crow’s Nest
Located at the top of the Captain Cook Hotel, the Crow’s Nest has views over Anchorage and Cook Inlet. We like stopping for a drink before dinner or sitting in the bar and ordering from the bar menu. If you’d like to dine in the restaurant, we recommend making a reservation well in advance.
Pizza: Moose’s Tooth
One of our go-to spots for a casual meal. They’re known for their pizza and house-brewed beer, and it’s a good option when you want something easy and relaxed.
Bakery: Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop
We visit Fire Island multiple times a week for their fresh bread and baked goods. Their downtown location is inside the K Street Market co-op, where you’ll also find several other local businesses, including That Feeling Co. and Johnny’s Produce. The downtown bakery gets very busy during the summer, so if you’d rather avoid the crowds, their Airport Heights location may be a better option. You’ll also find coffee from Little Sister Espresso there.
Ice Cream: Wild Scoops
Our favorite place for ice cream in Anchorage. They use local ingredients and regularly change their flavors, so there’s usually something new to try. You should definitely visit.
International: Turkish Delight and Sofra
Two of our favorite options when we’re in the mood for something a little different. They are both owned by the same people and serve Turkish and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Just Because: Bear’s Tooth
We love Bear’s Tooth because it combines a restaurant and a movie theater. You can order dinner and enjoy it at your seat while watching a film. They also show a great mix of movies and regularly host film festivals and other events.
Where to Stay in Anchorage
Anchorage has a wide range of hotels, from larger downtown properties to smaller, more personal places. These are a few options we recommend depending on what you’re looking for.
The Hotel Captain Cook
One of the nicest hotels in Anchorage and a good choice if you’d like to stay downtown. Rooms can be difficult to find during the summer, as the hotel often blocks out many dates for cruise ship passengers, so we recommend booking well in advance.
Snob Hollow Inn
Located downtown near the Alaska Railroad depot and within walking distance of shops and restaurants. We especially recommend the Tikhatnu Penthouse, which has views toward the water and apartment-style amenities that make it feel more like a home than a traditional hotel.
Courtyard Anchorage Airport
A good option if you’re looking for a standard, clean, comfortable hotel near the airport. It’s particularly convenient for an early morning flight or a late arrival into Anchorage.
Planning Your Trip to Anchorage
Anchorage is often the starting point for an Alaska trip, and we recommend giving yourself at least one full day to explore the city before continuing on to other destinations. With trails, wildlife, museums, local restaurants, and easy access to day trips, there is plenty to fill your time.
If you’re not sure how to fit Anchorage into your itinerary, we’d be happy to help. Tell us a little about your trip on our Design Your Trip page, and we’ll help you create a personalized Alaska itinerary with our handpicked recommendations.
