Visit Anchorage

Moose crossing bike paths, floatplanes taking off next to the airport, snowy peaks twenty minutes from downtown: Anchorage takes about two full days to explore, then becomes the starting point for almost every trip across Alaska.

Why stop in Anchorage?

Anchorage alone is home to about 40% of Alaska's residents and concentrates the flights, rental car agencies and the Alaska Railroad depot. It is not the state capital, which is Juneau, but it is where the roads to Denali and the Kenai Peninsula begin. It also deserves two days for itself, between museums and wilderness within city limits.

Anchorage's must-sees

Native culture, trails and wildlife, all within an hour and a quarter of downtown.

Anchorage Museum

Alaska's largest museum, devoted to art, history and Arctic cultures, with pieces on loan from the Smithsonian Institution. Ideal in bad weather.

Alaska Native Heritage Center

Cultural center where members of Alaska Native peoples share dances, crafts and recreated traditional dwellings around a small lake. Shuttle from downtown in summer.

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

Paved seaside trail linking downtown to Kincaid Park. On foot or by bike, with views of the Alaska Range volcanoes and frequent moose sightings.

Flattop Mountain

Flat-topped Chugach summit reached by a short, steep hike from Glen Alps. The view takes in the city, Cook Inlet and, on clear days, Denali.

Lake Hood

One of the busiest floatplane bases in the world, right next to the airport. Watch small bush planes take off from the lakeshore.

Wildlife Conservation Center

Sanctuary near Portage home to orphaned or injured animals: bears, wood bison, moose and musk oxen. A good stop on the road to Seward.

What to do in and around Anchorage?

Downtown and 4th Avenue

Downtown fits into a grid of about twenty blocks, easy to cover on foot in half a day. Start at the sod-roofed Log Cabin Visitor Center, then give the Anchorage Museum at least three hours. It is on 4th Avenue that the ceremonial start of the Iditarod sled dog race takes place on the first Saturday of March, preceded in late February by the Fur Rendezvous festival. In June and July, people fish for king salmon in Ship Creek, a few minutes' walk from the hotels, with a state fishing license.

The Cook Inlet shoreline and Kincaid

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail follows the coast for about 18 km, from downtown to Kincaid Park, passing Westchester Lagoon and Earthquake Park, a reminder of the magnitude 9.2 earthquake of 1964. On a rental bike, allow half a day round trip. Moose roam near the trail year-round. On clear days, Denali shows to the north, more than 200 km away. Never step onto the Cook Inlet mudflats: the silt can trap a walker before the fast incoming tide.

The Chugach Mountains on the city's doorstep

Chugach State Park, one of the largest state parks in the country, begins where the last houses end. From the Glen Alps trailhead, about 30 minutes from downtown, the Flattop trail climbs in 2 to 3 hours round trip to a flat summit overlooking the whole city and the inlet. It is the most climbed hike in Alaska, so come early in summer. Black and brown bears live in these valleys: carry bear spray and make noise as you walk.

Turnagain Arm and the Seward Highway

To the south, the Seward Highway runs along Turnagain Arm between cliffs and gray water, one of the most spectacular roads in the state. Stop at Beluga Point to look for belugas in summer and the bore tide, a tidal wave that surges up the fjord a few hours after low tide. Girdwood and its aerial tram are about 1 hour away, the wildlife conservation center near Portage 1 hour 15, and Seward, gateway to Kenai Fjords, about 2.5 hours. From Anchorage, a flight of roughly 3.5 hours connects to Seattle and the rest of the United States.

Frequently asked questions about Anchorage

Is Anchorage the capital of Alaska?
No. The capital is Juneau, in the southeast of the state, which no road connects to the rest of North America. Anchorage is, however, by far the largest city and the main airport: most travelers start and end their trip there.
Can you see the northern lights from Anchorage?
It is possible from September to April, but city lights dim them. Head out toward Glen Alps, Eklutna or the Palmer road and follow aurora activity forecasts. For better odds, Fairbanks, further north, remains the benchmark. In summer the sky never gets dark enough.
Should I take the train or drive from Anchorage to Denali?
Driving takes about 4 hours for roughly 385 km. The Alaska Railroad train takes about 8 hours but crosses roadless scenery in dome cars. Many travelers take the train one way and return by car or shuttle.
Where and when can I see the Turnagain Arm bore tide?
The best spots are Beluga Point and the pullouts around Bird Point on the Seward Highway. The wave passes one to two hours after Anchorage low tide depending on the viewpoint and is strongest around new and full moons, especially in summer. Some surfers even ride it.
Can you walk on the mud beaches around Anchorage?
No. The Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm mudflats look like beaches, but the glacial silt can trap a person up to the knees, and the tides here rank among the strongest in the world. Fatal accidents have happened: stay on trails and rocks.
What should I do if I meet a moose in Anchorage?
Keep your distance, at least 15 m, and leave it a way out. A moose that lays its ears back or raises its hackles is ready to charge: back away and put a tree or a car between you. Cows with calves in spring are the most dangerous.
Can you fish for salmon in downtown Anchorage?
Yes, Ship Creek, just below downtown, gets a run of king salmon in June and July, then silver salmon in August. You need an Alaska fishing license, available online, and must follow the posted rules. Gear rental outfits set up along the creek.
When does the Iditarod start in Anchorage?
The ceremonial start of the race is held on 4th Avenue on the first Saturday of March. Teams then run a few kilometers through the city in front of spectators. The official restart takes place the next day further north, heading for Nome.
How many days should I stay in Anchorage before Denali or Seward?
Two days are enough: one for downtown, the museum and the coastal trail, one for Flattop or the Native heritage center. Add half a day if you arrive from far away, since the time difference with Europe is ten hours.

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