BEST THINGS TO DO IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

 

You can find all the best things to do in Anchorage Alaska whatever your interests. Sitting between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet, this Alaskan city is the gateway to adventure.

If you are planning what to do in Anchorage Alaska, you will be spoilt for choice. You will find everything from spotting wildlife in local parks, to hiking scenic trails and discovering historical sites.

This urban city combines mountain scenery, wildlife spotting, fresh seafood and adventure activities, making it an ideal adventure destination.

If you are looking for unique things to do in Anchorage, there’s “Star” the reindeer to catch out on it’s daily walk! Anchorage sightseeing includes museums, gardens, art galleries and breweries. In fact the city even has its own mascot “Star” the reindeer which lives on the corner of I Street and 10th Avenue.

Read on for our favourite attractions in Anchorage Ak. The best time to see most attractions is during summer from June through September.

     

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ANCHORAGE

 

1. ANCHORAGE TROLLEY TOUR

 

One of the most popular Anchorage attractions is a one-hour narrated tour of the city, including Downtown and West Anchorage. Board a distinctive red trolley bus for a taste of history, culture and wildlife spotting.

The 15-mile city tour is fully narrated by an Alaskan local, sharing unique history, local gems and interesting stories.

Watch seaplanes at Lake Hood, visit Earthquake Park and spot local moose, all while being entertained with fun facts.

If you are wondering what to do in Anchorage when you arrive, a trolley tour is informative, fun and a great way to get your bearings.

DETAILS: One Hour Tour $25 Adult | Tour Departs outside the log cabin visitor Information Center on the corner of 4th and F Street

 

Looking for a longer tour? Check out these popular tours below:

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2. HIKE OR BIKE TONY KNOWLES COASTAL TRAIL

 

From downtown, join Anchorage’s most popular trail and leave the city behind for nature, scenery and wildlife viewing. Gently winding 11 miles along the Cook Inlet shoreline to Kincaid Park, is the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.

Hiking or biking the trail is one of the most fun things to do in Anchorage in Summer. Follow the trail past the 1964 earthquake fault line. Take a walk through Earthquake Park and view exhibits describing the devastating impact on the land here.

A spur trail has thick white spruce on one side and scraggly black spruce on the other. Keep a look out for local moose strolling through forests.

On a clear day you may spot North America’s highest peak, Denali and even beluga whales in the Knik Arm. Even if you only walk for 15 minutes you can enjoy sweeping views of the immense mountains of the Alaska Range to the north.

DETAILS: Start at the West end of 2nd Avenue | BIKE RENTALS: Pablo’s Bicycle Rental & Downtown Bicycle Rental

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3. ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER

 

One of the top things to do in Anchorage is learn about Alaska Native traditions and the traditional Dena’ina Elnena land that Anchorage sits on. If you are looking for cultural things to do Anchorage has an outstanding museum to visit.

Explore the legacy of Alaska’s 11 major cultural groups at Alaska Native Heritage Center, where you can easily spend a couple of hours. Learn about 10,000 years of history and the traditional ways of Alaska’s Indigenous cultures. 

The center is a place to engage, interact and ask questions. It is an interesting and fun way to learn through art, dance, Native Games demonstrations, exhibits, films and more.

Nestled around Lake Tiulana in a wooded area, are six authentic life-sized dwellings to explore.

Inside each dwelling are artifacts that would be used on a daily basis by the occupants. If you have any questions, these can be answered by Culture Bearers who will be on hand. If you are looking for a unique photo spot, check out the whale bones at the Iñupiaq site!

A daily summer program includes Alaska Native Artists selling their work and intricate crafts. Children are kept entertained with demonstrations of Alaska Native craft activities, and you can watch a variety of films in the theatre.

With a café and outdoor seating area, this was one of our favourite things to do in Anchorage AK.

DETAILS: 8800 Heritage Center Drive, Anchorage | TICKETS: Can be purchased onsite | SHUTTLE: A shuttle departs from Downtown Visitor Center Log Cabin if you need transport | ALASKA CULTURE PASS: Covers entry into Anchorage Museum & Alaska Native Heritage Center with a shuttle service between each one.

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4. ANCHORAGE MUSEUM

 

If you are looking for things to do in Anchorage without a car, head downtown to Anchorage Museum.

Stroll around the pretty gardens before heading inside. A treasure trove awaits in the form of local art collections, Native artifacts, photographs and short films.

Understand Alaska’s history and culture from the gold rush, devastating earthquake, survival of Alaska’s earliest people and more.

A great introduction to Alaskan Native Culture is discovering and learning about the major native groups. And the well laid out and diverse displays are a fun way to do this.

If you are looking for things to do in Anchorage with kids, they will love the 11,000-square-foot Discovery Center, where there are hands-on interactive installations, artwork, marine-life tanks and more.

LOCATION: 625 C Street | HOURS & TICKETS

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5. FISH AT SHIP CREEK

 

One of the fun things to do in Anchorage is try your hand at fishing, right in Downtown.

Locals and visitors alike, head to Ship Creek and try their hand at hooking a prized salmon right from the shoreline.

Peak season for King Salmon is mid-May to early July. Rentals are available at The Bait Shack. Pick your spot along the Creek and settle in for a few hours. With any luck you will hook a salmon for dinner!

Not interested in fishing? Head to the viewing platform on the banks of the Creek and watch the anglers at work instead.

Signage along the Ship Creek Trail, tells the tale of this important Dena’ina fishing site.

LOCATION: Downtown Anchorage

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6. LAKE HOOD FLOATPLANE BASE

 

If you are looking for unique things to do in Anchorage for free, we definitely recommend visiting Lake Hood. Did you know that this is the world’s busiest floatplane base lake?

Stroll around the grassy shores which are lined with brightly coloured planes. Don’t worry about missing planes taking off and landing, you can spot up to 800 floatplanes coming and going per day.

Sit and watch them lift off and splash down, then head to nearby Alaska Aviation Museum.

LOCATION: West on Spenard, turn right onto Lakeshore Drive.

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7. ALASKA AVIATION MUSEUM

 

Anchorage things to do for plane enthusiasts include a visit to the Aviation Museum, located on the south shore of Lake Hood.

With four hangers of exhibitions and vintage aircraft, it’s a great place to while away a couple of hours immersing yourself in Alaskan Aviation history.

View rare aircraft, learn about bush pilots and read artifacts from some of Alaska’s greatest pioneer aviators. Plus, watch volunteers at work restoring a WWII Curtiss P-40.

The museum presents one of the finest displays of Alaskan aviation history with interactive displays, memorabilia, photographs, films and artifacts from personal collections of Alaska’s pioneer aviators.

LOCATION: 4721 Aircraft Drive | OPEN: Daily 10am-5pm | COST: $17.50 Adults

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8. ALASKA RAILROAD DEPOT

 

If you are an Anchorage tourist, head down to Alaska Railroad. On display outside is the antique train engine which played a part in building the Panama Canal.

The depot links Anchorage and Girdwood to Whittier, Seward, Talkeetna, Denali National Park and Fairbanks. Rail passes can be purchased inside for adventurous journeys on the Glacier Discovery Train, Denali Star, Aurora Winter Train and the Coastal Classic Train.

Travel in style in iconic glass-dome railcars on an enduring Alaska icon, enjoying daytrips to other popular destinations nearby.

Not got time for a daytrip?

Stand along the station and wave off the train as it sounds its famous horn. You’ll feel like an extra on the set of The Railway Children!

DETAILS: 327 West Ship Creek Ave | ROUTE MAP

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9. PUBLIC ART SCENE

 

One of the best things to do in Anchorage is simply stroll around Downtown. The area’s rich Dena’ina Athabascan heritage and unique Alaska history is depicted in sculptures and statues.

Wander alleyways adorned with colourful larger-than-life murals, study detailed artful totem poles and look out for the statue of Balto, a famous sled dog situated in the heart of the Mushing District.

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10. VISIT A LOCAL BREWERY

 

Popular activities in Anchorage include tasting a local craft beer or two. Alaska has a thriving craft brewery scene and Anchorage is home to some great venues to check out.

Some are brewpubs serving meals, while others have local food trucks on site.

For great views over the Alaska Range, visit the top deck of 49th State Brewing Company. You can also dine here for a casual meal with the brewing tanks visible on the other side of a glass wall.

Book ahead to avoid a long wait for a table as this place is extremely popular.

If you prefer to take a tour behind the scenes, Big Swig Tours stop at three of the city’s finest breweries for a minimum of 14 beer tastings. 

Other breweries to check out independently include:

• Glacier Brewhouse
• Moose’s Tooth Brewery
• King Street Brewing Company

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11. SHOP FOR UNIQUE ALASKAN CRAFTS

 

Why not take a piece of Alaska home with you? Look for the “Made in Alaska” logo to ensure you are purchasing an authentic Alaskan product.

Some great places to check out and peruse are the following:

• The Ulu Factory – find a wide selection of ULU’s and bowls at this store on 211 West Ship Creek Avenue.
• The Kobuk at 5th Avenue & E Street offers quirky cards and gifts.
• Alaska Wild Berry Products – apart from the world’s largest chocolate fountain, you can purchase homemade chocolates galore.
• Alaska Native Heritage Centre – Beautiful unique art sculptures, jewellery and more, sold direct from the creators.
• Alaska Museum – carefully curated items sold in the museum shop include authentic art and craft works by Indigenous artists and local designers.

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12. ENJOY VIEWS FROM POINT WORONZOF

 

About 5 miles along Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is Point Woronzof. If you look directly north, you will see amazing views of Downtown Anchorage.

See if you can spot majestic Mt. Denali and Denali’s wife, Mt Foraker if it’s a clear day.

If you are a plane-spotter this is a great place to watch planes fly overhead into Anchorage International Airport.

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13. TAKE A GHOST TOUR

 

Looking for quirky Anchorage activities? If you are up for an adventure join an orator for an evening ghost tour.

Over 90 minutes you will learn about early Anchorage history with a twist or two thrown in, together with tales of mystery and mayhem.

Although not your normal paranormal tour, if you are looking for things to do in Anchorage at night, why not give this fun tour a go.

DETAILS: Corner of 4th and L Streets, in front of Snow City Cafe | TOURS: Walking tours are wheelchair friendly and depart nightly at 7.30pm May to September, except Mondays | COST: $15 pp

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14. RESOLUTION PARK & CAPTAIN COOK MONUMENT

 

A great spot in Downtown to stand and take in sweeping views of Cook Inlet, Mount Susitna (Sleeping Lady) and the Port of Anchorage. On a clear day with lots of luck you may even spot Mount McKinley.

At high tide watch for whales which can often be seen. We were lucky to spot the white head of a beluga whale which came into shallow waters.

Honouring the 200th anniversary of his exploration of Alaskan waters is a life-size bronze statue of Captain Cook, gazing out to sea.

DETAILS: 3rd Avenue & L Street

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15. ALASKA ZOO

 

If you are itching to see a bear pup Alaska Zoo on your Anchorage to-do list.

Get close-up viewing of numerous Northern Animals including snow leopards, Tibetan yaks, Amur Tigers, Black and Brown Bears.

This private non-profit zoo provides a home for endangered, orphaned and injured animals. So take a walk on the wild side at one of the favourite tourist attractions in Anchorage.

DETAILS: 4731 O’Malley Road | FREE SHUTTLE: Pick up and drop off at 4th & F Street. Runs daily May to September | RATES

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16. ALASKA BOTANICAL GARDEN

 

Stroll through forested gardens showcasing colourful perennials and native plant species, at Alaska Botanical Garden. Follow nature trails that meander past rock and herb gardens, looking out for sculptural elements from a variety of local and nationally-recognized creators.

The gardens are a must see in Anchorage if you want to learn about Alaskan Botany. Guided tours are available by appointment.

DETAILS: 4601 Campbell Airstrip Road | SHUTTLE: Operates Friday through Wednesday in June, July, and August. Provides round-trip complimentary transport from the Visitor Center Log Cabin in downtown Anchorage.

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THINGS TO DO NEAR ANCHORAGE ALASKA

 

Anchorage covers a large area which also encompasses Greater Anchorage, most of Chugach State Park and a portion of Chugach National Forest. While there are lots of things to do in Downtown Anchorage, there are some great things to see farther afield.

Here is a list of some of our favourites which can be turned into day trips from Anchorage:

• EAGLE RIVER NATURE CENTER – Spot wildlife along the nature trails
• TURNAGAIN ARM – Free things to do in Anchorage don’t come much more scenic than a drive along this scenic route stopping at Beluga and Bird Points for great vistas.
• VIEW THE NORTHERN LIGHTS –  The lights can be seen with the right conditions, at some point during the dark season between September and April, and there are many good viewing sites near Anchorage. Try Glen Alps Overlook, Beluga Point and Point Woronzof.
• POTTER MARSH BIRD SANCTUARY – Walk the boardwalk for bird spotting and moose.
• ALASKA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER – Homes injured and orphaned animals, so get your bear viewing fill here.
• GIRDWOOD – Hike the Winner Creek trail
• KATMAI NATIONAL PARK – Money no object? Take a flight bear viewing tour from Anchorage.
• LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK – Visiting Alaska in August? Enjoy bear viewing flights to this inaccessible park.
• TALKEETNA – While it’s too far to visit Denali National Park in a day, head to this small town for lots of fun plus great views of Denali on a clear day. Alaska has some rustic towns and this is one of them.
• PORTAGE GLACIER – Take a one-hour cruise to the biggest glacier in Portage Valley.
• WHITTIER – Take a cruise in Prince William Sound to see glaciers.
• SEWARD – Hike Exit Glacier Trail or take a cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park.

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With so many exciting things to do in Alaska Anchorage, planning is the key as you won’t be able to fit in every activity. If you have any questions please leave in the comments below.

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