Things to Do in Anchorage

Alyeska Resort is the iconic spot of Mount Alyeska and is the largest ski resort in the Girdwood Area of Anchorage. This resort is approximately 30 miles from downtown Anchorage. It is a perfect place for adventure activities to do in Anchorage that can be planned all year round. During summers, Alyeska Resort provides insight into Alaska’s most scenic spots and luxurious accommodations. You can spend your dining time at the award-winning restaurants of this resort. Travel experts at this resort can help plan your activities that make your Alaska trip memorable. These activities include fishing, rafting, glacier and wildlife viewing, flightseeing, and more. You can plan your stay at Alyeska Resort in the winter, too. It is now transformed into a bustling ski area with 1400 skiable acres and classic Chugach snowfall. 

Flattop Mountain is a popular destination for hiking, climbing, berry picking, paragliding, and backcountry skiing because it is the most accessible mountain in Anchorage. Hiking to the top of this mountain is one of the most exciting things to do in Anchorage. This mountain is located in Chugach State Park and is 3,510 feet high. It is one of the most trekked mountain ranges in Alaska and the U.S. If you want to climb this mountain, you can reach it here by driving to the Glen Alps trailhead. After driving to the Glen Alps, you must follow a well-maintained 1.5-mile trail, with an elevation gain of 1280 feet from the parking lot to the plateau. You can plan your campouts after reaching here. Regular campouts are set up on the summit of this mountain at the summer and winter solstices. 

Walking amidst the Portage Glacier is one of the best things to do in Anchorage, Alaska.  It is the most visited tourist spot in Alaska and is known to be the crown jewel in a valley studded with alpine glaciers. Like Spencer and Matanuska, other nearby glaciers shape the famous Portage Valley. It is located in the Chugach National Forests and is a tourist retreat. You can reach it here on Portage Glacier Road. It winds about five miles from the Steward High and passes through a series of campgrounds to the impressive Begich Boggs Visitor Center. As you plan to travel here, you can walk through a simulated ice cave, view live ice worms, and touch an iceberg. 

You can also mark Matanuska Glacier and Portage Glacier on your itinerary. It is just 2.5 hours from Anchorage while driving along the scenic Glenn Highway. Amidst your journey to the Matanuska Glacier, you can stop at Mile 101 to stretch your legs and take photos at the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site. You can relax here and then proceed to Mile 102. From Mile 102, you can take a privately owned access road closer to the glacier for a fee. Now, you can move towards Matanuska Glacier, which invites you on a day full of adventure. You can climb the glacier, raft in the river, or fly through the air on Alaska’s fastest zip line. Thus, driving through Matanuska Glacier is one of the best things to do in Anchorage.   

In your list of things to do in Anchorage, you can add a scenic drive to the Hatcher Pass. At this prime spot, you can engage in various adventures, such as hiking, skiing, or visiting the Independence Mine Historical State Park. While hiking here, you will pass amidst the alpine tundra dotted with wildflowers and beautiful Rock Ptarmigan. You can drive through the Hatcher Pass Road if you are planning to cover the entire Hatcher Pass. This road winds through the mountains roughly 60 miles between Palmer and Willow. Otherwise, most travellers visit the top of the pass and the Independence Mine. Reaching this popular tourist spot is just a 90-minute drive from Anchorage. 

Spencer Glacier is another beautiful tourist destination where you can spend your day. If you consider things to do in Anchorage, you can consider hovering around this glacier. It is an ideal place for kayaking, hiking, and camping. During these activities, you can soak up only-in-Alaska natural splendor. You must drive approximately 60 miles south of Anchorage to reach this glacier. As you move closer to the Chugach National Forest, you will be amazed to see the beautiful Spencer Lake with the glacier towering over it. This lake is accessible in the summertime via a whistle-stop while onboard the Glacier Discovery Train. This train is regularly scheduled by Alaska Railroad and runs almost every day. 

One of the best things to do in Anchorage is to learn the history of Alaska from the Alaska Native Heritage Centre. It is a cultural center that offers an in-depth look at Alaskan Native life. It focuses on the people of Alaska by organizing native dance plays, carving Alaska-related sculptures, and creating relevant paintings. This center portrays the native life of Alaska with plenty of crafts and handiwork, such as moose hide boots, birch bark baskets, and tunics made from seal hide. This museum also consists of a Southeast Alaska Longhouse and beautifully carved posts painted according to different themes such as family, environment, culture, and self of Alaska. You will experience Alaska's living and dynamic history during your tour here. 

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center is ideal for grasping Alaska’s history. This is the largest museum in Alaska, offering a compelling overview of Alaskan history, art, culture, and science. It provides you with a world-class experience during your tour. You will learn about various stories related to Alaska here. These stories include how early people survived the sub-zero temperatures of Alaska, the result of North America’s biggest earthquake, and much more. Visiting this museum is fascinating and fun for your family. Its permanent exhibits are Living Our Cultures, Alaska Exhibition, and Art of the North. All of these exhibits depict the history of Alaska with a huge collection of artifacts and handicrafts. You can include viewing these exhibits in your list of things to do in Anchorage. 

Chugach State Park is the third largest state park in Alaska and consists of nearly half a million acres of hiking trails, skiing terrain, rock-climbing spots, and wildlife habitat. These features make Chugach State Park a perfect place to explore the undiscovered landscape of Alaska. You can find trails of varying lengths in all the park units. These trails are ideal for day hikes and are a favorite among locals and travelers. Turnagain Arm Trail and Eklutna Lakeside Trail are such popular ones. You can come across breathtaking scenery during your hike and camping on the grounds of these trails. These park trails are just a 20-minute drive from downtown Chugach State Park. Exploring this park is one of the best things to do in Anchorage. 

You can include guided tours of the Alaska Botanical Garden in your list of things to do in Anchorage. These tours are a great way to become familiar with the native plants rooted in the Alaska Botanical Garden. This garden features over 150 species of native plants and more than 1100 perennials on the 110 acres of boreal forests. It includes various gardens, such as an herb garden, a wildflower trail, two perennial gardens, and the Anchorage Heritage Garden. These gardens attract locals and foreigners through serene walking paths, beautiful flowers, and helpful staff. Its staff will guide you whenever it's needed. You can raise any query related to the garden with the staff. You should visit this garden during your trip to Anchorage.