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Things to Do in Alaska

Making the most of your trip? Here are a few of our favorite ways to spend time in and around Anchorage while you're here.

Within an Hour or Two of Anchorage

• Flattop Mountain

  

  The most popular hike in Anchorage, and for good reason — a moderate ~3-mile round trip up to sweeping views over the city, Cook Inlet, and (on a clear day) Denali.

  Photo: Eli Duke / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

• Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

  

  An easy, paved trail along the water — great for a walk, run, or bike ride, with good odds of a moose sighting if you're lucky.

  Photo: James Brooks / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

• Anchorage Museum

  

  Noëlle's workplace, and genuinely one of the best museums in the state — excellent exhibits on Alaska Native culture, art, and history.

  Photo: James Brooks / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

  

  About an hour south of Anchorage — see moose, bears, musk ox, and more up close in a beautiful setting along Turnagain Arm.

  Photo: Enrico Blasutto / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

• Turnagain Arm Scenic Drive

  

  The drive south toward Girdwood is stunning on its own — stop at Beluga Point for a chance at spotting beluga whales and Dall sheep on the cliffs above the road.

  Photo: diverus / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

• Alyeska Aerial Tramway

  

  In Girdwood, about 40 minutes from Anchorage — ride up to 2,300 feet for panoramic mountain views, with a restaurant at the top.

  Photo: Jonathan Konrath / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

• Portage Glacier

  

  A little over an hour from Anchorage — reachable by a short walking trail or a boat tour across the lake for an up-close view of the glacier.

  Photo: Josette / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Overnight Trips from Anchorage

• Seward & the Alaska SeaLife Center

  

  About 2.5 hours from Anchorage — go say hello to Tuq in person, and consider a glacier or wildlife cruise out of Resurrection Bay while you're there. Worth staying the night.

  Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

• Matanuska Glacier

  

  About 2 hours from Anchorage — one of the few glaciers in Alaska you can walk right up to, with guided ice trekking and climbing tours available.

  Photo: Walter Siegmund / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

• Talkeetna

  

  About 2.5–3 hours from Anchorage — a small, charming mountain town with river views of Denali on a clear day, and flightseeing trips over the mountain if you want to splurge.

  Photo: Frank K. / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Multi-Day Trips from Anchorage

• Denali National Park

  

  About 4.5 hours by car, or take the scenic train — home to North America's tallest peak and some of the best wildlife viewing in the state. Worth two or more days if you can swing it.

  Photo: Denali National Park and Preserve / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

• Kenai Fjords & Homer

  

  About 4.5 hours from Anchorage — push on past Seward down to Homer, the "end of the road," for halibut fishing, sea otters, and fjord views.

  Photo: NPS / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)