The Best Things to Do in Anchorage

1-2 Hours//Short on time? Some experiences have longer options, too

Museums & Cultural Centers

Discover the stories of Alaska’s First People, our aviation history, art exhibits, interactive displays, and more

City Sightseeing & Photography

Join a tour with a focus on photography or ghosts, see it by bike, or sample your way through town on a Brewery tour

Plays & Performances

See Alaska films at summer theatres, or award-winning productions, concerts, and comedy shows at year-round playhouses

Bicycle Tours & Rentals

Rent a bike and explore on your own for as long as you'd like, or join a guided tour. Some tours even add a brewery visit

Gold Panning

Discover the art of gold panning. Find some gold flecks (or even a nugget) and learn about our Gold Rush history

Shopping

Find unique and handcrafted souvenirs at local shops and outdoor markets. Familiar brands are at the mall. No sales tax!

Hiking Trails

The best hiking, biking, and walking trails in town and the nearby wilderness. Also, the top playgrounds for kids

Historic Sites

Learn about Gold Rush history and early Anchorage development seen through Anchorage's original neighborhoods 

Breweries

With 7 breweries (and counting) a great way to start exploring Alaska's craft beer scene is right here in Anchorage

Restaurants

Some boast 10,000 – bottle wine cellars, while others offer a cozy pub-type ambiance. Seafood is a highlight on any menu

Wildlife Viewing Spots

Our guide to the best birding locations in spring, the local moose hangouts, and the spots to see salmon swim upstream

Fairs & Festivals

Experience Anchorage's most iconic events in summer and winter. Marathons, film festivals, dog sled races, and more

Half Day//4-6 hours on average. Tours use Anchorage as a base camp and explore the wilderness

Dog Sledding

In winter, glide over the snow a few hours from town. In summer, fly by helicopter to a mountain-top glacier

Rafting

The quickest way to feel like you're in Alaska's wilderness is a rafting tour on a glacial river

Flightseeing

Soar over the Chugach Mountains, the glaciers of Prince William Sound, or north to circle Denali (Mt. McKinley)

Guided Hiking

Hike a trail, or climb on a glacier. A local guide will share their knowledge of the local landscape, flora, and fauna

ATV Tours

Get into Alaska's backcountry and view magnificent glaciers. Tours depart just north of Anchorage in the MatSu Valley

Sea Kayaking

From Whittier, paddle by glaciers in Prince William Sound. Or, enjoy a unique kayak and train combo at Spencer Glacier

Jet Ski Tours

From Whittier, tour the spectacular tidewater glaciers of Prince William Sound on your own personal watercraft

Full Day & Multi-Day//6-8 hours on average. Longer expeditions that reach National Parks & more outside of Anchorage

Bear Viewing

From Anchorage, take a floatplane across Cook Inlet to national parks where bears are known to gather each summer

Day Cruises

With options from Whittier and Seward, cruise by massive tidewater glaciers and look for whales, sea otters, and more

Fishing Charters

Fly into a remote lodge, or fly with a guide to a remote location for world-class fishing in pristine Alaska waters

Northern Lights Viewing (Winter)

Overnight and multi-day tours depart from Anchorage to Talkeetna and Fairbanks for northern lights viewing

Glacier Tours

Hike on a glacier, fly over crevasses, paddle by enormous icebergs, or cruise by them as they calve and crash into the water

Guided Backcountry Trips

Get more of Alaska on a guided camping or glamping trip