Best Things To Do in Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage is an Alaskan city that has become an important epicenter of the region for the amount of activities it offers to its visitors. This area contains important glaciers that are currently in danger but are still struggling to hold their ground.

Among the best things to do in Anchorage, Alaska are visits to the main areas of the city aboard a streetcar, as well as to natural environments such as Chugach State Park, Portage Glacier, the Wildlife Conservation Center and the zoo. In addition, you can sample craft beer, shop at the weekend market, take a bike ride or go bird watching in a protected environment. Here are my must-see recommendations.

Anchorage is a city where the natural blends with the urban in a magical way. So, after arriving in this small town surrounded by ice, the best way to get to know this contrast is aboard a streetcar and accompanied by a guide to whom you can ask questions about the historical data that he will tell you.

If you decide to be part of a streetcar tour of Anchorage, you will see:

• Lake Hood Harbor: the city's seaplane base, where you will observe the landing and take-off of these aircraft. It is located next to Lake Hood and also very close to the Anchorage International Airport.
• Earthquake Park is a natural lung established in honor of the 1964 earthquake, which marked the history of the city forever. Inside you will learn more about this catastrophic event, but stay alert! More than 100 moose live on this land, and you may eventually spot them.
• Alaska Railroad Depot: it is the train station that receives the railroads that pass through the city, being an important means of transportation in the state of Alaska.
• Captain Cook Monument: located in Resolution Park, this is a historical monument that pays homage to Captain James Cook, an English explorer who sailed the Pacific Ocean.

Information of interest

• Price: about 48 €.
• Duration: about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Because of its easy access from downtown Anchorage, the Portage Glacier will allow you to have a viewing experience and contact with this geographic formation of high value for the planet. The ice structure is located about 50 miles from Anchorage, so you will need to travel approximately 1.5 hours by car to get there.

If you have doubts about how to see glaciers in Anchorage, you should know that, previously, observing the Portage Glacier was much easier, but due to global warming you will have to go by car and then by boat. To get closer to the structure you should sign up for a tour or cruise to Portage Glacier, in which you will sail across Portage Lake and you will be able to see better this natural wonder.

Another way to visit the Portage Glacier is to go through one of the trails that lead to it. In this case, the most suitable trail is the Portage Glacier Glacier Trail, in the Portage Glacier State Park. You will walk approximately 2.5 km on a medium-difficulty route , to be rewarded with an irreplaceable view of the glacier and the lake.

Information of interest

• Price: if you opt for a guided tour, the price is usually 220 €.
• Duration: the guided tour can last approximately 8 hours.

If your spirit is as adventurous as that of the first English explorers, a must-see destination in Anchorage is Chugach State Park. It is another important natural lung of the city that occupies more than 200,000 hectares and crosses borders.

Although you can make the visit on your own, one of the most comfortable ways to get into this natural temple is through a tour to Chugach State Park. In any case, you can choose to join hiking trails, camping or kayaking in some of its lakes, fishing, climbing and canoeing, etc.

Because it has several ecosystems in its interior (rivers, lakes, glaciers and mountains), the options to take advantage of this park are very diverse and always part of the best tours of Anchorage. For example, you can take a bike tour or a hike to appreciate the richness of its flora and fauna.

Regardless of how you explore the park, prepare your camera lens to capture beautiful panoramic views of the trails and the mix of landscapes, as well as some animals and wildflowers. If you're lucky, you'll spot moose, bears, eagles and more.

Information of interest

• Price: you will find various tours starting at around 100 € per person.
• Duration: the guided tour will be extended according to the activity you choose, with an average of at least half a day.

If you are a beer lover, then you have a must during your stay in Anchorage. Keep in mind that Alaska has an interesting tradition in the brewing of this beverage and this explains the fact that the city of Anchorage is dotted with several breweries with exclusive options for those who are willing to experiment.

The idea of this activity is that you undertake a tour on your own and visit several breweries or, if you wish, sign up for a tour, where you will visit between 3 and 4 breweries in the city, which you or the guide can choose, depending on the experience. These are the most famous establishments:

• Midnight Sun Brewing Co: they have options like Kodiak brown ale, horchata stout and delicious snacks.
• Double Shovel Cider Company: offers a range of semi-sweet and semi-dry ciders in flavors such as pineapple, apple, etc., among its drinks.
• Humpy's Great Alaska Alehouse: a bar and restaurant that stands out for its dozens of beer options to choose from and dishes based mainly on fresh seafood.

As you can notice, in every corner of Alaska beers go hand in hand with appetizers or more elaborate dishes, so when doing this activity consider also being part of a gastronomic tour of Anchorage to better taste the local flavors.

In case you are looking for some physical activity or just to get some fresh air and clear your mind, one of the best places in Anchorage to do it is the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. It is a path of approximately 18 km that you can complete by running, walking or biking. The latter is the best option to take advantage of the time available in the itinerary you have programmed.

You will circulate through one of the extremes of the city, in an area where animals such as moose and wolves pass through and, with luck, you might see them during your tour. If you visit this area in winter you will notice that it will be covered with snow and serves as a trail for some seasonal sports such as cross-country skiing.

This recreational area of the city is named after Tony Knowles, who was governor of Alaska and also mayor of Anchorage. The trail extends into Kincaid Park and is a great tourist attraction because it offers exceptional views of the Denali, Fire Island and Chugach Mountains.

You'll also see eagles soaring over the rainforests and wilderness areas. The best part is that you won't have to pay anything beyond the bike rental and the road is paved, making it much easier to pedal. If you wish, you can do some of the activities offered at Kincaid Park upon completion of the route.

Anchorage is an environment where nature reigns supreme, so wildlife lovers have a date at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This space is a sort of zoo where animals that have been orphaned or injured are adopted.

About a 1-hour drive from downtown Anchorage, you'll find this natural sanctuary. In addition to the beauty of the surroundings, you will be amazed by the variety of species that live in this complex. You will observe bald eagles, caribou, bison, bears, coyotes, wolves, moose and many more species. The best part is that these animals live in conditions very similar to their natural habitat.

By living this experience, you will learn about the importance of preserving wildlife, the contribution of these animals to the ecosystem, and the current landscape of Alaska's wildlife.

If you are interested in wildlife in general and want to explore wildlife in the Alaskan region in particular, consider signing up for a glacier and wildlife tour from Anchorage as well , as you will be able to visit different points of interest including the center in question and the Chugach National Forest, among others.

A sample of modernity and culture is hidden among the icy reliefs of Alaska. It is the Anchorage Museum, a space where art shines in all its splendor. The museum's headquarters is described by many as a wonderful display of architecture, which invites visitors to learn about the worldview of local artists.

Located in the heart of Anchorage, you will learn about the purchase of Alaska, the state's constitution and much more. And all, through various temporary and permanent exhibitions.

The museum's collection reaches 25 thousand art exhibits and approximately 500 thousand photographs to get an idea about the history, artistic displays and language of Alaska Native peoples.

On the other hand, you can see exhibitions dedicated to geology, participate in interactive experiences of astronomical demonstration in the planetarium and be part of the seasonal workshops offered in this important art center. Visits are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

If you're looking to do some shopping for small objets d'art or handcrafted goods, souvenirs or fresh, exotic produce, then you must go to the Alaska Market. This popular environment opens its doors every weekend on 88th Avenue, offering dozens of items to its visitors.

It is an open-air market with an average of 100 vendors. In this space, locals and tourists gather to buy and sell various products. The space also offers gastronomic options. One of them is the salmon quesadillas, which I recommend you try. There are also entertainment options with small shows for the whole family.

The opening of this market is treated as a great local event, aimed at supporting the region's production in various commercial sectors, including gastronomy, crafts, art, culture, etc. Hours are from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sundays and from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturdays.

In case you are traveling with children to Anchorage, one proposal you should consider is to visit the Alaska Zoo. It specializes in arctic animals, so you will be able to observe and eventually interact with them.

The zoo is located near the Chugacg Mountains, in the southeastern part of Anchorage. Since its beginnings in 1969, this zoo has gained the interest of young and old, even though it does not have a structure as gigantic as other zoos in North America.

The secret that makes the Alaska Zoo attract the attention of locals and visitors is the fact that it houses animals that for many are exotic. I'm referring to species such as polar bears, Amur alpacas, Tibetan yaks, snow leopards, wolverines, and more.

Another exceptional sample of Alaska's wildlife can be found at the Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary. In this area you will be able to see the wildlife of the region once again, an ideal activity for those who really love nature.

The area is a reserved area for the protection of some 130 species of birds. Among the specimens you will see swans, eagles, Canada geese, canvasback ducks, songbirds, red-necked phalaropes and many other creatures.

The park is not only home to birds, but is part of a very rich ecosystem. It stretches from the Chugach Mountains to the coast, encompassing the waters of the Turnagain Arm and a boardwalk where you can walk while relaxing and breathing in the fresh air.

The best part is that you can easily reach this space in just a few minutes from downtown. If you go at sunset, bring your camera because you'll get phenomenal views that you won't be able to resist capturing.