Anchorage, Alaska
Approximately half of Alaska's population lives in Anchorage, the state's largest city. Here, you will find many museums, restaurants, breweries, hiking, and other outdoor adventures.
Anchorage is also a popular starting point for the Kenai Peninsula, Kenai Fjords, Denali, Lake Clark, Katmai, Wrangell-St. Elias and cruise adventures.
Highlight’s include:
Alaska Native Heritage Center
Museum of Science and Nature
Alaska Aviation Museum
Kincaid Park
Alaska Wild Berry Shop
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
Flattop Mountain in Chugach State Park
Anchorage Botanical Gardens
Earthquake Park
Point Woronzof
Chugach Mountains
Alyeska Nordic Spa
Alaska Zoo
The Alaska Native Heritage Center offers one of the most in-debt cultural immersions in the state. You can get up close with traditional dwellings and artwork, learn about dialects and exhibits, and enjoy tours and live performances.
The Potter Marsh Wildlife Viewing Boardwalk, located just 20 minutes outside Anchorage, features a half-mile elevated boardwalk over the marsh, offering views of moose, muskrats, a variety of bird species like eagles, and more.
Hundreds of miles of city trails make it easy to stay active. You can jog, walk, or bike the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Starting in downtown, the trail stretches 11 miles along the Cook Inlet shoreline, eventually reaching Kincaid Park at the far western edge of the city. Kincaid Park has over 40 miles of walking trails and over 20 miles of bike trails.
Visit Chugach State Park, a quick 20 minute drive from downtown.
Here are a few of the favorite trails here:
Thunder Bird Falls- 2 mile with a waterfall ending
Eagle River Nature Center
Byron Glacier
Winner Creek Trail
Glen Alps- incredible views, Flattop mountain
Bird Ridge
Portage Pass Trail
In Girdwood, about 45 minutes away, you can do a short hike to the Virgin Creek Waterfalls, or visit the Alyeska Resort.
The Alyeska Aerial Tram offers a scenic ride up Mt. Alyeska for panoramic views of Girdwood, the Chugach Mountains, and Turnagain Arm. Visit the Roundhouse Museum and Gift Shop from the viewing platform.
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is committed to protecting the state's wildlife and provide refuge to orphaned and injured animals. In addition to taking care of these animals, they conduct various research and educational activities to promote conservation efforts. The area is also home to Boggs Visitor Center, where you can see Portage Glacier up close with a one hour summer cruise or go on an easy hike at the Trail of Blue Ice or Byron Glacier Trail.
The Mat-Su Valley is centrally located just 35 miles north of Anchorage and is at the convergence of Alaska’s major highways, truly making “the valley” the heart of Alaska. Mat-Su is a shortened version of the proper name, Matanuska-Susitna. The valley stretches along the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway (Highway 1), which takes you to Lake Louise, and then the Parks Highway (Highway 3), which takes you to Denali State Park.
Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge is the gateway to Mat-Su Valley from Anchorage and has endless photography and recreational possibilities, including kayaking, canoeing, and hiking. Popular hiking trails include Reflections Lake, Scout Ridge Trail, and The Butte.
The Knik River Valley is located off the Old Glenn Highway, with the Knik River Road providing access to trails, fishing, hiking, and wonderful views. Knik Galcier is the closest glacier to Anchorage, about an hour to the north. Eklutna Tailrace is the popular fishing hole here and very easy to reach. Black bears and moose are often spotted in this area.
Just 1.5 hours from Achorage is Hatcher Pass, home to the Independence Mine State Historical Park. Highlight’s include: Reed Lakes, Craigie Creek, Gold Mint and Gold Cord trails.
Set out on a full day to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, home to the largest brown bear population in the world. Katmai National Park covers over 3.5 million acres and remains a significant habitat for thousands of bears.
Set out on a full day to Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. At around 4 million acres, the park includes volcanoes, mountains, glaciers, wild rivers, waterfalls, and wildlife. You can board a floatplane and take to the skies for stunning views below or even take a boat ride along the blue Crescent Lake.
Trains depart downtown for adventures outside of the city if not renting a car or apart of a guided tour. You can head to Whittier for fishing, glacier viewing, or cruising Prince William Sound. Take a trip to Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park. Explore the town of Talkeetna, the base camp for Denali adventures.
By car:
Whittier- 1.5 hours
Denali- 5 hours
