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When most people picture an Alaska vacation, they think about week-long adventures aboard cruise ships or the Alaska Railroad. While these trips are incredible, it’s easy to see some of the most beautiful parts of Alaska in as little as three days.
The secret? Base yourself in Anchorage. Situated between the towering peaks of the Chugach Mountains and the stunning Cook Inlet, Anchorage offers a blend of captivating scenery, access to the wilderness, and sophisticated pursuits like cultural and culinary activities.
Here are the best things to do on an Alaskan vacation in Anchorage.
The best things to do in Anchorage
Start your trip with a narrated Anchorage Trolley Tour to soak in views of the mountains, water, and potentially even spot wildlife like moose. It’s a fantastic way to get a feel for the city, and there are tour options year-round, even in winter.
In the heart of downtown, the Anchorage Museum showcases Alaska’s art, history, and science. Allow at least two hours to wander through the exhibits, including the impressive Alaska Native Heritage Center gallery and the statue garden outside.
Afterward, take a walk or bike ride along the paved Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, which meanders along the Cook Inlet for 11 miles. The views of the Chugach Mountains are gorgeous, and when the conditions are right, you see Denali in the distance.
Native dance demonstrations at the Alaska Native Heritage Center
Don’t miss the Alaska Native Heritage Center, which is hands down one of my favorite places in Alaska. The center offers cultural demonstrations featuring native dance and games, exhibits, artifacts, and life-size replicas of native dwellings. A free shuttle provides rides back and forth from downtown throughout the day.
Incredible views along the trails at Eagle River Nature Center
Anchorage offers easy access to over 495,000 acres of astonishingly beautiful wilderness at Chugach State Park, where wildlife includes black bear, brown bear, moose, bald eagles, dall sheep, caribou, and wolves. The Eagle River Nature Center is a great place to start, with boardwalks and hiking trails winding along rivers and ponds beneath majestic views of the Chugach Mountains. Guided tours, including snacks and round-trip transportation from downtown, are available through Go Hike Alaska.
A brown bear at the Alaska Wildlife Conversation Center
See Alaska’s Big 5 (bear, caribou, wolves, dall sheep, moose) and more at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Girdwood. The center provides a safe haven for orphaned and injured animals in 200 acres of national habitat with viewpoints accessible via platforms and a 1.5-mile loop. As a bonus, the drive along Turnagain Arm is gorgeous, and you might even catch a glimpse of Beluga whales from summer to late fall.
Day trips on the Alaska Railroad
The Coastal Classic is considered the prettiest train route in America
A trip on the Alaska Railroad is one of the highlights of an Alaska vacation. The train departs from a century-old train station in downtown Anchorage, allowing you to choose your own adventure with several different routes.
The best Alaska Railroad day trips from Anchorage include a trip to Aleyeska Resort in Girdwood on the Coastal Classic Train. Activities at the resort include an aerial tram soaring up Alyeska Mountain to an observation deck with jaw-dropping views of the Chugach Mountain range, seven hanging glaciers, and the waters of Turnagain Arm. You’ll also find a fine dining restaurant, a snack bar, and a small museum/gift shop at the top.
The Nordic Spa at Alyeska Resort
Alyeska Resort is home to a year-round open-air Nordic Spa nestled amidst the ferns and trees with hot and cold hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, and an exfoliation cabin. Inside the resort, you’ll find several eateries, including Sakura, an incredible sushi restaurant.
In winter, Aleyeska Resort transforms into a premier ski destination less than an hour outside of Anchorage.
Cruising the Fjords with Major Marine Tours
The Coastal Classic route runs as far as Seward, the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Local tours are timed around the train schedule, so it’s easy to see the sights before you return to Anchorage. Highlights include boat tours to see glaciers, fjords, and wildlife like seals and whales with Major Marine Tours, departing steps away from the train station.
Cuddling sled dog puppies on the Real Alaska Day Tour
Other highlights in Seward include the Real Alaska Day Tour, which starts with an Itatarod dog sledding experience and includes lunch in a local restaurant, hiking to views of Exit Glacier at Kenai Fjords National Park, and sightseeing around Seward. Tours conveniently begin and end at the train station, cruise port, or your hotel.
The Coastal Classic train runs from mid-May to mid-September. You can buy a standalone ticket or a package including extras like tours, activities, and lodging.
The Denali Star and Aurora Winter trains run from Anchorage to Fairbanks
The Denali Star and Aurora Winter trains from Anchorage to Fairbanks with stops in destinations like Talkeetna and Denali National Park. Talkteena is an excellent option for a day trip from Anchorage. It’s a quirky little town with an artsy vibe and a famously longstanding tradition of “electing’ a cat as mayor. The streets are lined with historic buildings brimming with gift shops and restaurants, including an Airstream trailer serving spinach bread raved about in every corner of Alaska in the summer months.
Flightseeing with K2 Aviation
Activities in Talkeetna include Denali flightseeing and glacier landing tours with K2 Aviation and scenic river tours with Mahay’s Jetboat Adventures. If you’re interested in an immersive look at the lives of Ittarod dogs, head to AK Sled Dog Tours, owned by six-time champion Dallas Seavey, for sled dog rides, stories, and kennel visits.
Touring the river with Mahay’s Jetboat Adventures
Sled dog rides at AK Sled Dog Tours
The 20,310-foot Mount Denali is so large that it has its own weather system and is often veiled by clouds. When the mountain is out, Talkeetna boasts some of the best views of Alaska. The views are especially magnificent at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. Guests can even request mountain viewing calls or northern lights calls to alert them when views are at their peak.
The tasting menu at Foraker
On-site experiences at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge include an exquisite multi-course tasting menu of seasonal ingredients and Alaska’s freshest seafood and game at Foraker.
The Denali Star Train runs from mid-May through mid-September, and the Aurora Winter Train runs from the end of September through the beginning of May. Tickets can be bundled with tours and lodging.
The best places to eat and drink in Anchorage
Restaurants in Anchorage showcase the city’s access to fresh seafood and game. Even casual establishments like 49th State Brewing go beyond typical pub fare to offer dishes with halibut, elk, and crab alongside craft beers and sodas.
There’s usually a line for breakfast at Snow City Cafe, but you can join the online waitlist in advance. It’s worth it for hearty portions and delicious breakfasts and lunches with local ingredients like fresh berries, reindeer sausage, and fresh eggs. The same restaurant group owns South Restaurant & Coffeehouse, where the food is equally delicious. The establishment is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
A trio of appetizers at Orso
Fine dining options include Orso, where the chef prepares Italian-inspired dishes infused with Alaskan ingredients. Standouts on the menu include succulent crab cakes and tender seafood gemelli prepared with Alaska Salmon, rockfish, scallops, white shrimp, parmesan, fresh lemon pesto cream sauce, and pasta from the Alaska Pasta Company.
Where to stay in Anchorage
The new boutique The Wildbirch Hotel offers stylish guest rooms appointed with amenities like mini fridges, in-room espresso machines, and custom headboards. The hotel also features a restaurant, bar, and a soon-to-be-opened brewery. The Wildbirch Hotel is located a half a mile from attractions like the Anchorage Depot and the Anchorage Museum, making it easy to explore the city on foot.
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