Anchorage, AK

Travel Guide
Anchorage featuring a sunset, mountains and general coastal views
Known as a great place to see the northern lights, this city also offers many extreme adventures, including snow-kiting and ice-bike racing.

This Alaskan city offers visitors many vantage points from which to see the northern lights, as well as extreme sporting adventures, amazing scenery and the opportunity to experience local wildlife including bears, moose and wolves.

Anchorage’s bright starry nights form a perfect backdrop for the dancing northern lights (or aurora borealis). To see them, it is best to plan to spend a few days in the area as they are variable, rather like the weather. Fall, winter and spring are the most common times to see them.

Even in the summer, temperatures rarely rise beyond 66 F (19 C), and there is snowfall most months of the year. If you don’t mind wrapping up, though, Anchorage’s unusual environment forms the perfect habitat for wildlife, including bears, moose, wolves, and beavers. 

If wildlife is top of your travel agenda, visit one of the fjords or glaciers, such as Prince William Sound, where you might see whales, kittiwakes, otters, puffins and sea lions. Take a boat trip up to the face of Portage Glacier, located in Chugach National Forest. This is also where you’ll find the Chugach Mountains. Backpackers and climbers flock here in the summer, while skiers and snow walkers arrive in the winter.

Another great way to get to know the area is by dog sledding. Choose from a number of rides and tours that travel through the countryside. In the summer, when there’s no snow, sleds with wheels are provided. 

Anchorage’s extreme climate means there is some great snow and ice, and locals and tourists alike take advantage of that for many winter sports such as skiing, snowmobiling and dog mushing.  Winding down from the day’s excursions isn’t difficult. Local beer is a specialty try the Polar Pale Ale or Sockeye Red IPA. Anchorage’s seafood is among the best in the country accompany your brew with freshly caught king crab or halibut.

Where to stay in Anchorage

Anchorage showing marine life and a river or creek

Downtown Anchorage

3.5/5(1,370 area reviews)

Travelers to Downtown Anchorage praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Log Cabin Visitor Information Center and Anchorage Alaska Public Lands Information Center.

Downtown Anchorage
Virgin Creek Falls in Girdwood. Such an easy short hike in the rainforest to one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Fall colors in full display.
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#Adventure #Girdwood #VirginCreekfalls

Alyeska

While visiting Alyeska, you might make a stop by sights like Girdwood Town Square and Alyeska Ski Resort.

Alyeska
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Midtown Anchorage

4/5(784 area reviews)

Midtown Anchorage is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Z.J. Loussac Library - Main Branch and Wells Fargo History Museum while in the area.

Midtown Anchorage
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail featuring a sunset

South Addition

If you're spending some time in South Addition, Bootlegger Cove and Tony Knowles Coastal Trail are top sights worth seeing.

South Addition
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Spenard

3.5/5(1,106 area reviews)

The ample dining options and fantastic lake views are top of the list for many visitors to Spenard. A stop by Arctic Benson Park or Pop Carr Park might round out your trip.

Spenard
Moose on the loose!  Take a hike near the airport in Anchorage and you likely will see a moose or two.  Kincaid Park is a true gem.

Sand Lake

4/5(13 area reviews)

While visiting Sand Lake, you might make a stop by sights like Kincaid Park and Jewel Lake.

Sand Lake
Puffin Inn of Anchorage
Puffin Inn of Anchorage
2 out of 5
4400 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK
The price is NT$2,624 per night from Mar 30 to Mar 31
NT$2,624
per night
Mar 30 - Mar 31
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Anchorage. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,801 reviews)
"The room was nice and staff was great, but limited transportation and noisy occupants brought thw allure down."

Reviewed on 2024/3/27

Puffin Inn of Anchorage
Alyeska Resort
Alyeska Resort
4 out of 5
1000 Arlberg Ave, Girdwood, AK
The price is NT$7,348 per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
NT$7,348
per night
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Stay at this spa hotel in Girdwood. Enjoy free WiFi, 7 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)
"Beautiful place inside and out that feels like you are in the European Alps."

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

Alyeska Resort
The Lakefront Anchorage
The Lakefront Anchorage
3.5 out of 5
4800 Spenard Road, Anchorage, AK
The price is NT$4,767 per night from Apr 5 to Apr 6
NT$4,767
per night
Apr 5 - Apr 6
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Anchorage. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,527 reviews)
"Love the restaurant , nice large rooms, lodge like decor."

Reviewed on 2024/3/28

The Lakefront Anchorage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Susitna Suites
Susitna Suites
2 out of 5
4590 W Amanda Dr, Wasilla, AK
Stay at this aparthotel in Wasilla. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
10/10 Exceptional! (44 reviews)
"We were very pleased with our stay. Would definitely stay there again."

Reviewed on 2024/3/18

Susitna Suites
Alaska Creekside Cabins
Alaska Creekside Cabins
2 out of 5
11886 Old Exit Glacier Rd, Seward, AK
Stay at this cabin in Seward. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private yards. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions Seward ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (470 reviews)
"Clean and very nice"

Reviewed on 2023/9/9

Alaska Creekside Cabins
North Star Place
North Star Place
3 out of 5
1313 22nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Fairbanks. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (40 reviews)
"Nice cozy place! Host was super responsive and helpful in providing recommendations. Located in a great location and we were able to see the lights every night!"

Reviewed on 2024/3/23

North Star Place
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Anchorage

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
800
" "5 - Excellent 32.05128205128205%
4 - Good
1164
" "4 - Good 46.63461538461539%
3 - Okay
446
" "3 - Okay 17.868589743589745%
2 - Disappointing
64
" "2 - Disappointing 2.5641025641025643%
1 - Terrible
22
" "1 - Terrible 0.8814102564102564%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 1, 2020

Wish the museums Would have been open. If you get a change take Grant Aviation flight. It is exhilarating

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 31, 2020

Anchorage was great. Easy to navigate the city. Dining options were great and family friendly. Beautiful mountains.

5/5 - Excellent

KB
May 31, 2020

Absolutely beautiful

4/5 - Good

Cassius
May 26, 2020

Anchorage is a place to go if you want to look at the scenery, go shoppi, or get a good bite to eat at many choices of restaurants. You can visit the Alaska Zoo, drive to Flat Top, or a Park by the inlet. You can also drive to towns on the peninsula.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 24, 2020

I live in Anchorage but I work in Juneau so I’m familiar with everything in Anchorage. I came for peace and quiet.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
May 23, 2020

Felt not safe when I was walking to Walmart, Barnes & Noble and some other places. I could see so many homeless people were near by hotel, bus stop and intersection.

Cities near Anchorage