Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, with a population just shy of 300,000. While Anchorage is a major urban center (by Alaskan standards – 40% of the state’s population resides here), it is surrounded by nature. Situated beside the stunning Chugach Mountains, Anchorage offers abundant wildlife, natural beauty, and hiking trails.
Anchorage serves as a hub for urban amenities while providing easy access to breathtaking scenery, adventurous activities, cultural displays, and wildlife viewing. Within an hour or two’s drive from the city, visitors can kayak among icebergs, observe brown bears in the wild, or hike through rainforests and alpine meadows.
Most travelers to Alaska start their journey in Anchorage before venturing out to other destinations. If you have only a few days in Alaska, Anchorage is an ideal base as there is plenty to do in the city itself, as well as within a 2-hour drive.
Day trips from Whittier, Seward, or Portage:
On a day trip from Anchorage, you can embark on boat tours from three locations to witness glaciers from the water. Marvel at the awe-inspiring tidewater glaciers meeting the waters of Prince William Sound, with hanging glaciers perched on towering peaks. Depart in the afternoon from the town of Whittier, just 1 hour 15 minutes south of Anchorage, to see it all, including seals, sea otters, seabirds, and even whales.
If you have a car, leave Anchorage early to allow ample time to stop for stunning views along the Turnagain Arm and Portage Glacier Road (featuring towering mountains, cliffs, Dall sheep, glaciers, and salmon from mid-July to late August). You can also visit the Begich Boggs Visitor Center to learn about the glaciers, wildlife, climate, geography, and people of the Chugach National Forest and Prince William Sound. Access Whittier via the 2.5-mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, which is shared by cars and trains with specific travel times in each direction, so check the schedule carefully.
Alternatively, you can take an early morning train from downtown Anchorage. It takes longer than driving, so you’ll return to Anchorage after dinner, but you can enjoy meals onboard the cruise and purchase snacks on the train.
A 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage (or a 4-hour train ride) will take you to the seaside town of Seward, the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Most boat tours into the national park last 5-6 hours, perfect for a day trip. Plus, they coordinate well with the train schedule. Upon arrival in Seward, you’ll transfer from the train station to the boat harbor and then return to Anchorage.
If time is limited, a 1-hour Portage Glacier cruise from Anchorage allows for a swift appreciation of glacier scenery from the water.
Drive to Matanuska Glacier
Just a 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage, the vast Matanuska Glacier invites you to spend an adventurous day—climbing on the ice, rafting, or ziplining through the air at Alaska’s fastest zipline. Drive along the scenic Glenn Highway for 101 miles from Anchorage to reach the 4-mile-wide wonderland of Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site, where you can stretch your legs and take photos. The quiet one-mile Edge Nature Trail winds through boreal forest, leading to a viewing platform. Enjoy a meal and breathtaking views at the nearby lodge/restaurant (102.2 miles). At mile 102, take a private path closer to the glacier (fee required). Here, you can explore marked trails on your own. For a more extended trek, arrange for a guided tour.
For a full day of adventure, opt for guided activities that don’t require glacier experience. Some are suitable even for children. Float down the Matanuska River, hike on the glacier with a guide, observe cracks, pools, and streams on the ice, climb vertical ice walls, or drive a rugged, ready-for-adventure ATV along forested trails overlooking the glacier valley!
Fly-In Bear Viewing
This is one of the wildest and most amazing day trips from Anchorage. You’ll fly out of the city, across Cook Inlet, to an area where huge brown bears gather to fatten up on Alaska’s wild and robust salmon runs before winter. They’re so focused on this task that they hardly notice humans. Watch them fish, play, and train their cubs in their natural wild habitat, then return to Anchorage in time for a delicious dinner! The thrilling day begins and ends with a scenic flight aboard a classic Alaska floatplane or wheeled aircraft. You’ll fly to either Lake Clark National Park or Katmai National Park, enjoying views of braided rivers, glaciers, volcanoes, and possibly spotting wildlife such as beluga whales, caribou, and Dall sheep. The starting price for tours is around $700 per person, which may seem steep considering it includes 2-6 hours of flightseeing and several hours of bear viewing.
If you’re interested in visiting Brooks Falls and capturing the iconic photo of salmon jumping into a bear’s open mouth, July at Katmai is the time to go. It’s a highly popular spot where you can see dozens of bears within 1.5 miles of Brooks River. Platforms are developed above the falls to provide everyone with great views. From May to September, you can also observe coastal brown bears in Lake Clark National Park. Your guide will take you and a small group to where the bears are most active, offering options for touring either on foot along flat terrain, by four-wheel-drive vehicle, or from a covered boat.
Hatcher Pass Scenic Drive
Summer in Hatcher Pass blends magnificent scenery, history, and easy to moderate hiking. Drive northeast from Anchorage for 80 minutes, passing farms and the picturesque Little Susitna River in the Mat-Su Valley, to reach the scenic mountain pass where you can explore remnants of independent mines from the 1940s and hike through alpine tundra to pristine mountain lakes. Even if you’re not a hiker, the views you’ll see as you drive up to 3,800 feet are worth it. In winter, Hatcher Pass is also excellent for backcountry skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, and snowboarding.
This is a fantastic trip for those on a budget, as your only expense is a $5 parking fee. It’s great for families too, as the trails and tundra hikes are convenient and enjoyable for kids. Hatcher Pass sees snow most of the year, so even in midsummer, you’ll likely encounter snow on your hikes. Exploring the trails offers different experiences at each elevation: soft tundra and mountain lakes higher up, colorful wildflowers and waterfalls at subalpine elevations, and lush foliage along glacier-carved valleys at the base. Be sure to bring water, lunch, and warm clothing for cool weather. Besides the perfect scenery, you might spot paragliders taking off regularly on clear days. For wildlife, you’ll see birds and might also spot ground squirrels, marmots, and beavers.
Learn About Alaska at the Anchorage Museum
The Anchorage Museum is Alaska’s largest museum, telling the stories of Alaska and the North. The museum explores the diversity of Alaska Native cultures, featuring masterpieces of Alaska Native art and design from the Smithsonian collections. You’ll also discover various art mediums, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, providing different perspectives on Alaska. There are also rotating exhibitions that change throughout the year, as well as a large, engaging Children’s Discovery Center. They also have a fantastic gift shop!
Riding the Alaska Railroad
Anchorage serves as the starting point for journeys on the Alaska Railroad. From here, you can embark on several routes heading north and south. In the summer, the most popular train trips include the Coastal Classic (Anchorage to Seward), Denali Star (Anchorage to Denali or Fairbanks), and Glacier Discovery (Anchorage to Grandview).
In winter, you can take the Aurora Winter Train from Anchorage to Fairbanks. This is a 12-hour journey, offering magnificent views of Mt. McKinley on clear days. During winter, you can also ride the Hurricane Turn Train for shorter round trips, venturing into remote areas near Hurricane Gulch.
Turnagain Arm and Girdwood
Girdwood, located 45 minutes south of Anchorage, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy its trails and ski slopes year-round. The leisurely Winner Creek Trail starts from Alyeska Resort, winding through dense temperate rainforest, past a lively creek, and is a popular choice. It leads to a unique hand tram crossing a deep gorge, connecting with the historic Iditarod Trail. Or take a 7-minute tram ride from Alyeska to the mountaintop, enjoying leisurely dining with breathtaking views of Turnagain Arm and hanging glaciers. Rent a mountain bike for an adventurous ride!
The journey to and from Girdwood treats you to some of the most breathtaking scenery anywhere. The highway winds between the 3,000-foot mountains of Chugach State Park and the ever-changing Turnagain Arm mudflats for 4 miles. At Beluga Point (mile 110.5), especially from mid-July to August, you can watch Cook Inlet beluga whales chasing salmon during high tide. At Windy Corner (mile 106), you might spot Dall sheep on the cliffs. From mile 115.1 to mile 100.5, multiple trailheads lead to a network of trails, many of which offer stunning views of Turnagain Arm. Hike through alpine tundra to waterfalls and lakes or traverse ancient forests to flower-filled valleys.
Whether you’re embarking on a thrilling fly-in bear viewing adventure, marveling at the beauty of Turnagain Arm and Girdwood, or immersing yourself in the rich history and culture at the Anchorage Museum, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The Alaska Railroad serves as a gateway to the state’s natural splendor, providing access to iconic destinations like Denali National Park, Seward, and Fairbanks, each offering its own unique charms and attractions. Whether you’re chasing the northern lights aboard the Aurora Winter Train or soaking in the summer sunshine on the Coastal Classic route, the journey promises unforgettable moments and memories to cherish.
From the rugged wilderness to the vibrant city life, Anchorage and its surrounding areas invite travelers to explore, discover, and connect with the beauty of the Last Frontier. So, whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast seeking adventure or a culture buff craving insight into Alaska’s rich heritage, Anchorage serves as the perfect starting point for an unforgettable journey into the heart of America’s 49th state.
