Spending 3 days in Anchorage is the perfect amount of time to explore Alaska’s largest city. The long days and warm temperatures of Anchorage Summer are ideal for hiking national parks, spotting wildlife and visiting fascinating museums.
While there are many unique things to do in Anchorage, organize your time efficiently and you can take advantage of train rides and day tours to see awe-inspiring glaciers.
Anchorage is a large city. In fact the municipality of Anchorage stretches nearly 2,000 square miles from Eklutna in the north, to Portage in the south.
Located in southcentral Alaska at the terminus of the Cook Inlet and overlooked by the Knik Arm and Turnagain Arm, Anchorage is a great base for trips to the north or south.
Follow this 3-Day Anchorage Itinerary to make the most of your time and help you have the best experience.
3 DAYS IN ANCHORAGE ITINERARY
ANCHORAGE ITINERARY: DAY 1
TONY KNOWLES COASTAL TRAIL
Start your Anchorage Itinerary by getting properly fueled for the day with a hearty breakfast at local’s favourite, Snow City Cafe. Located in downtown Anchorage, the menu includes some Alaska classics such as biscuits & gravy, crabby omelet and ship creek benedict.
Head around the corner to Pablo’s Bicycle Rentals and hire a bike to cycle Tony Knowles Coastal Path. Turn down W Fifth Avenue to the start of this scenic 11-mile trail, loved by locals.
Enjoy sweeping views of the Alaska Range as you follow the Cook Inlet coastline all the way to Kincaid Park. Stop off at Earthquake Park to learn about the devastating 1964 earthquake.
Watch red-necked grebes on Westchester Lagoon and planes arriving into Anchorage International Airport at Point Woronzof.
Kincaid Park is 1400-acres of deep forest and rugged terrain and a great place to spy wildlife. Watch out for moose munching under trees and if you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of Denali as you head back to downtown.
Enjoy tacos for lunch at El Green-Go’s tex mex food truck on F Street. After satisfying your hunger, walk east on West 4th Avenue to the Anchorage Log Cabin Visitor Center. Pick up a free shuttle outside for the 15 minute journey to Alaska Native Heritage Center.
ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER
Gain an in-depth look at Alaskan Native life at this 26-acre center including how Alaska’s indigenous people have survived and learnt to incorporate modern life.
Watch regularly scheduled dance performances, listen to stories and ask questions of artists and carvers. Head outside to explore life-sized traditional native dwellings, showing the diversity of Alaska’s native cultures.
Before you catch your return shuttle ride, enjoy the setting of D’eshchin Café while enjoying an afternoon snack. Back in town, take C Street north, cross Ship Creek Bridge and turn right on Whitney Road.
SHIP CREEK VIEWING PLATFORM
From the overlook you get a great view of the anglers lining the banks of Ship Creek, and trying to hook a king salmon. Ready for dinner with a great view? 49th State Brewing Company located on W 3rd Avenue offers diners one of the best views in town.
49TH STATE BREWERY ANCHORAGE
While away the evening with craft beer, local seafood and a 360-degree view of Cook Inlet, the city skyline and the Chugach Mountains. The beauty of visiting Anchorage in summer is that you get to enjoy the midnight sun and endlessly long evenings.
49th State Brewing Anchorage produce award-winning craft beer. If you want to experience one of the favourite activities in Anchorage, join a beer-tasting tour with Big Swig Tours.
ANCHORAGE ITINERARY: DAY TWO
Today you are heading south along the Seward Highway on a scenic day trip. Start with a hearty breakfast at South Restaurant + Coffeehouse on Old Seward Highway.
TURNAGAIN ARM
Travel south along the Seward Highway, hugging the shores of the Turnagain Arm with the mighty mountains of Chugach State Park on your left hand side. Stop at these scenic viewpoints along the route:
- Potter Marsh is one of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge’s most accessible attractions. Walk along the boardwalk reading plaques and keeping an eye out for migratory birds, nesting waterfowl and wandering moose. (Mile 117)
- Beluga Point offers fantastic views 180 degree views of Turnagain Arm and the chance to spot beluga whales from mid July to August. (Mile 110)
- Bird Point has a short boardwalk with great views.
At this point you have two choices how you spend the rest of your time:
OPTION 1
- Turnagain Arm
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Girdwood
OPTION 2
- Turnagain Arm
- Begich, Boggs Visitor Center
- Portage Glacier
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
ALASKA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER
This sanctuary provides a permanent home to animals that cannot be released into the wild due to injury or abandonment. Learn about Alaska’s wildlife, conservation and animals habits.
Follow a loop through the park viewing animals close-up in their own area as they wander in safety from predators.
Don’t miss the stories about each animal, including Adonis a bald eagle who had to have his left wing amputated. For bear fans there is Hugo, who was found as a young grizzly cub with over 100 porcupine quills stuck in her paws.
The setting for these rescued animals is idyllic to say the least. With acres of space to call their own and a backdrop of mountains and hanging glaciers, they will live out their years in peace.
Location: Continue 11 miles past the Girdwood turnoff. The center is well-marked on the right. Open: Year round with guided tours and animal encounters.
RESORT TOWN OF GIRDWOOD
This small mountain resort started life as a gold mining town and is now a popular year-round community with a mountainous backdrop and surrounded by glaciers.
The locals will point you in the direction of sights and attractions. For a late lunch, head to The Bake Shop for delicious food and friendly service. Then take the Alyeska Aerial Tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska for views of endless peaks deep into the Chugach Mountain range.
Depending how your time is going you could include some of the following attractions:
- Hike the Winner Creek trail an easy 3‑mile trail which crosses a wooden bridge over a thundering blue-water gorge. Starts and ends at Alyeska Hotel.
- Pan For Gold at Crow Creek Mine. Not as easy as it looks but great fun plus you get to learn about a mine that’s been in operation since 1896.
Early evening head to local’s favourite, Jack Sprat Restaurant for creative healthy cuisine and open-air dining with views. Your visit may coincide with an evening of summer rooftop music!
Head back along Turnagain Arm to Anchorage to spend the night.
PORTAGE VALLEY
If you have chosen Option 2, your journey along Seward Highway will continue past the turnoff for Girdwood, to Portage.
BEGICH, BOGGS VISITOR CENTER
With a stunning position on the shores of Portage Lake and sitting on the remnants of a terminal moraine, this visitor center is an ideal place to learn about glaciers.
The exhibits and displays about the glaciers and glacial lakes are interesting and easy to understand. Watch a movie, quiz staff and enjoy the incredible view from the windows. Kids will love having their picture taken sitting next to “Smokey” on the way in!
Just down the road from the Visitor Center is the MV Ptarmigan and your next stop.
Location: Portage Glacier Hwy, Girdwood | Hours: Open Saturday, May 28 through Sunday, September 11, 2022. Daily 9am – 5 pm. | FREE entry and $5 to see exhibits
CRUISE TO PORTAGE GLACIER
Take a one-hour summer cruise and get a close-up view of the biggest glacier in Portage Valley. The MV Ptarmigan takes you right up to the face of the glacier while the crew explain about the history of the valley.
This cruise is perfect for those on a budget and limited for time. Tours are $45pp and depart at 10:30am, 12noon, 1:30pm, 3:00pm, and 4:30pm.
Grab some lunch from the Portage Glacier Day Lodge and have a look around the gift shop which has some lovely crafts and souvenirs on sale. This is also where you buy tickets for your cruise.
Location: Portage Glacier Hwy
HIKE THE BYRON GLACIER TRAIL
This easy 2.8 mile round trip walk provides a close-up view of Byron glacier and sweeping rugged, mountain views in all directions. Walking time without stops is about one hour.
The trail starts from a well signed pullout down the road from the visitor center and on the way back from your cruise. (Portage Glacier Road)
Follow the winding trail through alder and cottonwood forest until you see views of the glacier, Portage Valley and Portage lake. Don’t be tempted to explore the ice caves formed by meltwater streams as they can be dangerous.
Byron Glacier descends from the same ice field that feeds both Portage Glacier on the lake and Blackstone Glacier in Prince William Sound.
ALASKA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER
As stated above in option one, this 200-acre center is an inspirational place to view animals that cannot be released into the wild and are given a permanent home at the center.
The center is open daily 9am to 7pm, with last admission 6pm.
DINNER
Head back to Anchorage along Seward Highway, stopping for dinner at The Rustic Goat. Set in a chic industrial styled building, the menu is varied and food very tasty.
ANCHORAGE ITINERARY: DAY THREE
Spend the last of your 3 days in Anchorage by exploring downtown. Get your day off to a great start by grabbing a breakfast sandwich or croissants at Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop on K Street.
RESOLUTION PARK
This is a perfect place to sit and have your breakfast and look out over Cook Inlet. If you are lucky you may spot the whiteish head of a beluga whale. Sharing your space is a life-sized bronze statue of Captain Cook.
Walk east on W 4th Avenue, to the Anchorage Log Cabin Visitor Center where you will pick up your tour bus.
ANCHORAGE TROLLEY TOUR
If you are new to the area, a one-hour narrated tour is great fun and very informative. Your local guide explores Anchorage’s history and relays stories about the area, its inhabitants and wildlife.
The tour leaves from outside the visitor center and passes Alaska railroad, Delaney Park Strip, Lake Hood and more.
From the visitor center turn right on E Street and right on W 5th Avenue.
THE KOBUK
The Kobuk built in 1915 is one of the city’s first commercial buildings. The Kimball family still own the building which is a myriad of unique and quirky gifts, teas and candy.
Head towards the back of the store where you will find a great spot for buying coffee and baked goods to go.
TOWN SQUARE
Grab a seat in this vibrant floral garden and enjoy your coffee stop with a view. Did you know that Anchorage plants tens of thousands of flowers throughout town. You can admire some of them here.
We were in the city on the 3rd of July and sat listening to a summer concert which was incredible.
Leave the square along W 6th Avenue, stopping to admire one of numerous murals, painted by famous whale artist Wyland.
ANCHORAGE MUSEUM
You can easily spend 2-3 hours at Anchorage Museum browsing the informative galleries, art and artifacts. This is a great place to learn about Alaskan Native culture.
Of particular note are the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center gallery and the Discovery Center with interactive installations, artwork, marine-life tanks and more.
Snacks and drinks can be purchased at Muse Atrium Café and the museum store has a great selection of books, jewelry and high-end Alaska Native Art.
REST OF THE AFTERNOON
For the remainder of your day, choose from some of these things to do:
- Visit The Alaska Zoo – You can catch a free shuttle to the zoo from outside the visitor center log hut.
- Visit Alaska Aviation Museum – Learn about bush pilots, Alaska’s aviation history and view rare aircraft at this unique museum.
- Shop at 5th Avenue Mall Anchorage
Finish off your 3 days in Anchorage in style with some fine dining. Book ahead to enjoy dinner in Crows Nest Restaurant in Captain Cook Hotel.
Perched atop Tower III you can dine on French and New American cuisine, while enjoying stunning views of the city, Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet.
You can see Denali from here on a clear day, which would certainly make the perfect end to your stay.
ACCOMMODATION IN ANCHORAGE
For your three-night stay, we suggest you stay in the downtown area to make getting around easier. One of the best hotels is The Captain Cook but if you have your own transport, Hyatt House Anchorage is ideal.
We stayed here and it gets great reviews on trip advisor. The room and bathroom were large and tariffs come with free breakfast. If you plan on spending even more time in the area, don’t miss our extensive guide on all the best day trips from Anchorage.
These can also be used as a basis for weekend trips from Anchorage.
If you are looking for varied activities Anchorage offers them in abundance. With three days in Anchorage you can really see quite a lot of the city and surrounding area. If you have any questions about how to spend 3 days in Anchorage please leave in the comments below.
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