Anchorage, Alaska, is where nature’s grandeur meets urban sophistication.
Nestled between the majestic Chugach Mountains and the pristine waters of Cook Inlet, Anchorage offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and cultural experiences.
Whether hiking the rugged trails, exploring vibrant downtown streets, or catching a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights, this city has something for everyone.
This blog post will explore the must-see attractions and hidden gems that make Anchorage a unique destination.
From the Hatcher Pass Trail to taking a helicopter tour to Knik Glacier, join me as I uncover the wonders of Anchorage and its surrounding areas.
Let’s explore Anchorage, the perfect adventure hub for exploring Alaska.
Here is my travel guide to Adventures in and around Anchorage:
What to do around Anchorage Downtown
Downtown Anchorage offers a mix of cultural, recreational, and outdoor activities, making it a great place to explore and enjoy.
Usually used as a starting base/gateway towards your adventure around the rest of Alaska.
I recommend stopping by the Anchorage Museum across four floors and exploring Alaska’s art, history, and culture at this comprehensive museum.
If you’ve been on a long flight, grab a coffee from Hightide Coffee and walk along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.
Enjoy a scenic walk along this 11-mile paved trail, which offers stunning coastline views and mountains. It’s perfect for sunrise if you’re up early and want something to do.
Anchorage Market is an excellent spot if it’s open on the weekend. This vibrant market is hosted in the downtown car park and features local Alaskan food, crafts, art, and clothing from various vendors.
Head to Alyeska Resort, relax in the Nordic spa, which offers a wonderful selection of saunas, hot tubs, and steam rooms, and take the cable car up to the top to enjoy the incredible view.
Be sure to stop by the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. You can find stories from the Great Land, Alaska’s Living History, Interactive Exhibits, and More here. You can also learn about diverse Alaska Native Cultures and Unique Local History.
Start at the Highliner Hotel, Anchorage
The trip starts with pick-up at the Highliner Hotel in Anchorage. This is a great spot to rest after a long flight before we depart on our adventure.
Great coffee spot as well at Highlander Coffee to get your morning fix before the trip starts.
Visit the Dream a Dream Sled Dog Kennel With Vern Halter
Visiting Vern Halter’s Dream a Dream Sled Dog tours is a unique way to experience Alaska’s wild side.
You get to meet and interact with real sledge dogs participating in the Iditarod – one of the toughest races in the world.
The Iditarod starts in Anchorage and covers 1,000 miles of Alaska’s harshest terrain, from snow-covered mountains and frozen rivers to desolate tundra and icy coastlines.
Mushers and their dogs face freezing temperatures, strong winds, and almost no visibility while racing against time. It’s a test of endurance, skill, and the strong bond between the man and dog team.
In the summer, you can even help train the sledge dogs by riding an ATV alongside them. It’s an incredible opportunity to see how these amazing dogs are trained for one of the most challenging races on Earth.
Take a visit to the Reindeer Farm Tour
The Reindeer Farm was established in the 1950s. It is home to about 100 reindeer and other animals like Rocky Mountain elk, bison, Tibetan yaks, alpacas, and the popular Lucy the Moose.
The Reindeer Farm hosts events year-round, all focused on their beloved animals.
Some standout events include a haunted house for Halloween in the autumn months.
Stay at the scenic Alaska Glacier Lodge
If you’re looking for the perfect Alaskan adventure getaway, check out Alaska Glacier Lodge.
As Alaska’s premier heli lodge, it’s an ideal base for helicopter tours, glacier landings, and dog sledging.
The lodge is known for its private cosy cabins, heaters, private bathrooms, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, making your stay comfortable.
Each cabin also has a private deck, the ideal place to enjoy morning coffee while watching the sunrise over the Knik Valley.
The lodges are also a fantastic place for stargazing, and due to the low light pollution, you might even catch the Northern Lights on a clear night.
After a day of exploring, you can relax and enjoy a meal with incredible views at the on-site Raven’s Perch Bar & Grill.
Off road ATV Tour with Alaska Backcountry Adventures
If you’re looking for an exciting way to explore Alaska’s wild backcountry, Alaska Backcountry Adventures is the go-to company for unforgettable ATV tours.
Located in the beautiful Matanuska Valley just outside Anchorage, this family-owned business provides guided off-road adventures through the stunning Knik River Valley.
Whether you’re new to off-roading or a seasoned pro, they have tours for every skill level.
Their knowledgeable guides know the area inside and out and can tailor the experience from easy, family-friendly trails to more adventurous, challenging routes.
In the summer, you can ride top-of-the-line ATVs and side-by-sides, while in winter, they switch to snow machines for fun in the snow.
The small group sizes give a more personalized experience, and they even do private tours for larger groups.
Hike the Hatcher Pass trail
The area surrounding Hatcher Pass was once a gold mining hub, and the old cabins still remind us of its past.
Today, it’s a popular hiking spot and combines historical interest and stunning natural beauty.
One of the best hikes in the area is the Gold Cord Lake trail, a 2.4-km out-and-back route with a 144-meter elevation gain.
This moderately challenging trail takes about an hour to complete. At the top, you’ll be treated to incredible views, and the hike ends at a beautiful glacier-fed lake.
The trail is widespread, especially in the summer months. Dogs are welcome but must stay on a leash.
Return to your car before 6 p.m., as the gates lock, and you could end up stuck overnight.
Explore the charming town of Palmer
The town of Palmer is located in the middle of the Chugach Mountains. Its beautiful scenery is complemented by a strong agricultural history.
There’s plenty to see in town. I highly recommend visiting the Palmer Museum and Visitor Center to learn about the area’s Alaska Native, gold rush, and agricultural history.
The Colony House Museum is another highlight here. Here, you can see what life was like in this preserved 1930s farmhouse.
For beer lovers, Palmer has several great breweries to explore, including Arkose Brewery, the first to open in town. It offers up to 16 beers on tap.
Bleeding Heart Brewery, Matanuska Brewery, and Tap Room are also popular stops for local brews.
Regarding dining, Feather and Flour serve classics made with local ingredients, and Vagabond Blues is known for its excellent coffee, espresso drinks, and healthy meals. You’ll also find local artwork on display there.
Helicopter Tour to Knik Glacier with Alaska Helicopter Tours
A helicopter tour is the perfect way to explore Alaska’s outstanding landscape.
One of the best companies to go with to Knik Glacier is with Alaska Helicopter Tours.
They offer one of the most unforgettable experiences – flying over the stunning Knik Glacier and landing on the glacier!
The tours are connected to Alaska Glacier Lodge, a great place to base yourself for exploring the region.
Alaska Helicopter Tours is known for its top-notch safety record and consistent 5-star reviews.
On my helicopter tour, we landed at three different locations, one of which was right on the glacier.
Remember to bring an empty water bottle, as you can gather and drink glacier water directly from the source.
If you want to extend your adventure here, they do various activities, including glacier dog sledging, heli-hiking, ice climbing, and even paddleboarding on glaciers.
Must visit the Musk Ox Farm
The Musk Ox Farm is the only place entirely dedicated to the care and preservation of musk oxen, which dates back to the Ice Age.
These incredible creatures once roamed alongside woolly mammoths and saber-tooth tigers. In the 1940s and 50s, musk oxen were nearly extinct, but their population has grown since, thanks to the Musk Ox Project, founded in Alaska in 1964.
The farm focuses on the gentle husbandry of these animals. Each year, their incredibly soft wool, called qiviut, is collected and spun into high-quality yarn.
You can visit the farm and take one of their informative guided tours to learn about the musk ox’s history and see these impressive creatures up close.
The farm’s gift shop also sells qiviut fibre and garments so you can take home a piece of this ancient animal’s legacy.
Bonus suggestion: Depart from Anchorage along the Alaskan Railroad
Anchorage is the departure station for the Alaskan Railroad, one of the most scenic rail routes in the United States.
I couldn’t imagine a better way to take in the incredible Alaskan landscape from the comfort of your panorama train cart seat.
You can break up the journey across the state tracks or head to the end of the line in Fairbanks.
What a wonderful way to experience Alaska!
About TBEX Anchorage, Alaska
I was in Anchorage to attend TBEX Alaska. The conference focuses on travel content creators and offers learning through keynote presentations, workshops, and a whole host of networking opportunities.
As part of TBEX, I will explore the host destination, Anchorage, and experience a hosted trip to get to know Alaska before the conference starts. This blog post is part of this collaboration project.
Thank you for reading my blog post about Alaska
Thank you for passing by and reading my blog post all about exploring in and around Anchorage, Alaska.
I hope you found this helpful guide towards planning your trip to Alaska.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to let me know. I’m happy to help.
All the best, and have a fantastic adventure to Anchorage, Alaska.