10 Best Things to Do in Anchorage

Looking for what to do in Anchorage? More than just Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage is the stunning gateway to an untamed world of adventure. Nestled between the jagged peaks of the Chugach Mountains and the tidal waters of Cook Inlet, it is an urban oasis surrounded by some of North America’s most dramatic landscapes: ancient glaciers, deep fjords, sprawling boreal forests, and abundant wildlife. This unique city masterfully blends deep Indigenous heritage with a rugged frontier spirit, offering a compelling mix of world-class cultural attractions and immediate access to breathtaking outdoor exploration. Whether you’re gazing upon a massive bull moose from a downtown trail or learning about millennia-old Native Alaskan traditions, Anchorage provides an unforgettable, authentic Alaskan experience that resonates in every season.

From iconic coastal pathways and accessible glaciers to immersive cultural centers and scenic mountain tramways, here are the 10 best things to do in Anchorage. This guide is designed to help you plan the perfect trip, ensuring you experience both the urban heartbeat and the wild soul of this extraordinary destination.

1. Dive into Culture and Science at the Anchorage Museum

The Anchorage Museum stands as the state’s premier cultural institution, a dynamic space where art, history, and science converge to tell the story of the North. Its expansive galleries house a world-class collection that moves seamlessly from contemporary Alaskan art to profound historical exhibits. The crown jewel is the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center, which hosts over 600 rare Indigenous artifacts, allowing visitors an up-close view of exquisite Yup’ik masks, intricate Athabascan beadwork, and formidable Tlingit armor.

Beyond history, the museum engages with the present and future through its interactive science galleries, where you can experience simulated northern lights, explore the physics of sea ice, and understand the region’s unique ecology. With rotating exhibitions, a planetarium, and a delightful museum store featuring Native-made crafts, the Anchorage Museum is not just a stop—it’s an essential foundation for understanding the complexity and beauty of Alaska.

2. Experience the Iconic Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is the recreational artery of Anchorage, an 11-mile paved pathway that showcases the city’s incredible natural setting. Beginning in downtown Anchorage at Second Avenue, the trail winds along the shores of Cook Inlet, offering uninterrupted views of the water, distant volcanoes like Mount Susitna (the “Sleeping Lady”), and the majestic peaks of the Alaska Range. The path meanders through coastal forests, past Westchester Lagoon, and into the sprawling woodlands of Kincaid Park.

This trail is a vibrant corridor for wildlife; it’s not uncommon to spot a moose grazing calmly just feet from the path, bald eagles soaring overhead, or even beluga whales in the inlet during high tide. Accessible year-round, it’s perfect for walking, running, or biking in the summer, and transforms into a pristine route for cross-country skiing and fat-tire biking in the snowy winter months. The trail epitomizes Anchorage’s unique character: world-class wilderness seamlessly integrated into urban life.

3. Connect with Living Traditions at the Alaska Native Heritage Center

The Alaska Native Heritage Center is far more than a museum; it is a vibrant, living celebration of the state’s 11 major cultural groups. Located on a 26-acre wooded site, the center offers an immersive journey into the diverse traditions of Alaska’s Indigenous peoples. Outdoors, you can walk around a serene lake to authentic village sites, each representing a different cultural region—from an Athabascan fish camp to an Inupiaq sod house.

Inside the magnificent Hall of Cultures, master artists demonstrate crafts like mask-making, beadwork, and fur sewing, while storytellers share ancient legends. The central Gathering Place comes alive with powerful dance and drum performances that resonate with energy and history. Engaging with Native culture bearers here provides a profound understanding of the values, artistry, and deep connection to the land that have sustained these communities for thousands of years.

4. Witness Ancient Ice at Portage Glacier

A scenic 50-mile drive south from Anchorage along the breathtaking Seward Highway leads to the icy wonder of Portage Valley. Here, the mighty Portage Glacier serves as a stunning and accessible introduction to Alaska’s glacial landscapes. While the glacier’s face has receded from direct roadside view, the experience remains awe-inspiring. The MV Ptarmigan tour boat glides across the milky, iceberg-dotted waters of Portage Lake, bringing you within a few hundred yards of the glacier’s towering blue face—a spectacle of calving ice and profound silence.

For a different perspective, the easy, one-mile Byron Glacier Trail leads you to the toe of another glacier, where you can feel the cool air flowing off the ice and often walk right up to its snowfields in summer. The drive itself, through the mountain pass of the Chugach National Forest, is a destination in its own right, with cascading waterfalls and dramatic vistas at every turn.

5. Encounter Alaska’s Iconic Wildlife Up Close

Situated on the scenic Seward Highway, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) is a sanctuary dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of Alaska’s wildlife. This is not a zoo but a spacious, natural-habitat facility where animals that cannot survive in the wild roam in large enclosures that mirror their native environments. Walk the 1.5-mile loop or drive through to see brown bears playfully sparring, a massive wood bison herd (part of a reintroduction program), moose, black bears, wolves, lynx, and elusive caribou.

The center provides an unparalleled, ethical opportunity for close-up wildlife viewing and photography, all with the dramatic backdrop of the Chugach Mountains. Educational talks by knowledgeable staff offer fascinating insights into animal behavior and Alaska’s conservation efforts, making it a must-visit for families and nature lovers.

6. Soar Above the Chugach on the Alyeska Aerial Tram

Just a 40-minute scenic drive south of Anchorage in the charming resort town of Girdwood, the Alyeska Aerial Tram offers one of Alaska’s most spectacular mountain ascents. In a seven-minute ride, the tram car climbs 2,000 feet from the valley floor to the summit of Mount Alyeska. As you ascend, panoramic windows reveal ever-expanding views of the glaciated peaks of the Chugach Range, the deep blue waters of Turnagain Arm, and hanging glaciers clinging to rocky cliffs.

At the top, the observation deck provides a 360-degree vista that is utterly breathtaking. In summer, you can access alpine hiking trails that lead to even more stunning viewpoints or enjoy a meal at the mountaintop Seven Glaciers Restaurant. In winter, it’s the gateway to North America’s longest continuous double black diamond ski run and a cozy base lodge. The tram ride is an effortless way to experience the sheer scale and beauty of Alaska’s mountain wilderness.

7. Reflect on a Powerful Force of Nature at Earthquake Park

Earthquake Park is a poignant and fascinating outdoor memorial to one of the most powerful events in recorded history: the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. Measuring a staggering 9.2 on the Richter scale, this megathrust earthquake caused massive subsidence along the Anchorage coastline. The park is built upon the very land that slid and dropped nearly 30 feet into Cook Inlet.

Walking trails wind through a mosaic of birch and spruce trees, with interpretive signs detailing the earthquake’s immense power, the destruction it wrought on the city, and the remarkable story of recovery. The park also offers some of the best vantage points in the city for viewing the downtown skyline against the backdrop of the Alaska Range and Mount Denali (on clear days). It’s a place of quiet reflection on nature’s incredible force and human resilience.

8. Savor Local Flavors at the Anchorage Market & Festival

Held every weekend from May through September, the Anchorage Market & Festival is a vibrant celebration of local Alaskan life, creativity, and flavor. Spanning several downtown blocks, this massive open-air market is a sensory delight. Over 300 vendors showcase their goods, from hand-carved ulus and qiviut (musk ox wool) knitwear to stunning photography and unique Alaskan-made jewelry.

The food is a major draw, featuring local specialties like reindeer sausage dogs, fresh salmon tacos, giant kettle corn, and decadent fry bread. Live music fills the air, ranging from folk bands to lively pop, creating a festive, community atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to find authentic souvenirs, sample a variety of Alaskan foods, and mingle with artisans and locals alike.

9. Scan for Beluga Whales Along Turnagain Arm

The scenic drive along the Seward Highway bordering Turnagain Arm is consistently ranked among the most beautiful in America. This dramatic waterway, flanked by steep mountains, is also one of the most reliable places to spot the elusive and beautiful beluga whale. During summer high tides, especially from mid-July through August, pods of these small, white whales follow salmon runs into the arm, often swimming surprisingly close to shore.

Prime viewing pullouts include Beluga Point and Bird Point, where you can often see them from land with binoculars. The drive itself is an attraction, offering stunning views of the bore tide (a rare tidal wave phenomenon), mountain goats on cliffsides, and Dall sheep on the slopes. Patience and a keen eye can reward you with a magical sight of these “canaries of the sea” in their natural habitat.

10. Feast on the Bounty of the North: Alaskan Cuisine & Craft Beer

Anchorage’s culinary scene is a direct reflection of its rich environment, offering some of the freshest and most unique flavors you’ll find anywhere. Dining here is an adventure in itself. Indulge in wild-caught Alaska king crab legs, succulent halibut cheeks, copper river salmon, and the local favorite—reindeer sausage. Don’t miss trying savory akutaq (Eskimo ice cream) for a true taste of Native Alaskan tradition.

The city complements its food with a thriving craft beer scene that draws on pristine local water and creative passion. Pioneering breweries like Anchorage Brewing Company (renowned for its barrel-aged sour ales) and 49th State Brewing (with its rooftop views and hearty pub fare) are destinations in their own right. From upscale seafood restaurants in downtown to cozy log-cabin brewpubs, Anchorage offers a delicious and satisfying way to refuel after a day of exploration.

In conclusion, Anchorage is a city where wilderness is your neighbor and adventure begins at the city limits. It invites you to explore world-class museums, walk with wildlife, stand before ancient ice, and savor the pure flavors of the land and sea. These ten experiences provide a framework to discover the dynamic spirit of Alaska’s urban heart, ensuring your journey is filled with wonder, learning, and unforgettable moments.