Location: Anchorage
Top Things to do in Anchorage
What to do and see in Anchorage, Alaska (AK): The Best Things to do Good for Couples
Set amid the coastal Chugach Mountains, Anchorage defies popular visions of polar ice caps and frozen tundra. It’s also warmer than you think (averaging 65 degrees in summer), making conditions ideal for sight-seeing or taking on uniquely Alaskan opportunities like arctic biking or touring the fjords of Prince William Sound. In the winter, you can ski, dogsled or do both simultaneously by "skijoring," which is cross-country skiing while being towed by a dog. Hey, it's no crazier a winter sport than the biathlon.
Restaurants in Anchorage
1. Eagle and Symphony Lakes
2. Willawaw Nature Trail
3. Cook Inlet
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 588 reviews
Reviewed By AllanS923 - Peoria, United States
I have never seen anything like this. We took the road next to the Cook Inlet and drove for over 50 miles. We kept having to pull over at the pullouts in order to take pictures. I would recommend taking a guide with you who can explain everything, otherwise you wouldn't know even a fraction of the story. Or else read a lot about this area before you go. Read about the impact of the 1964 Anchorage earthquake here. Read about the tides, the Beluga Whales, and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (which is also worth a visit).
4. Paint a Scarf Alaska
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 119 reviews
At Paint a Scarf Premium you’ll enjoy: • An easy, relaxing and fun painting experience in a gorgeous Alaska setting • Friendly instruction from professional silk artist Gina Murrow • Free coffee, tea and snacks • A memorable time with friends and family • Go home with a scarf to wear – and an experience to share On sunny days we paint on the deck overlooking the creek. When it’s chilly we paint indoors next to the soaring rock fireplace. Finish your experience with a tour of the artist’s loft — or dip your toes in the icy waters of our creek. We’re just 30 minutes from downtown Anchorage, nestled in a glacier-fed creek valley away from the bustle of the city.
5. Crow Pass National Historic Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Ferg42995 - Texas, United States
We are not hikers. We live in very flat Houston where our driveways aren't even on an incline. Flat. Flat. Flat. So this trail is considered moderate by most, but was difficult for us. That said, it was the most beautiful trail ever and was worth all of the effort to hike and the soreness the next several days! Absolutely stunning views. We started from Girdwood and hiked about 5.5 miles in to the glacier and then back. After you come out of the trees the first mile or 2, you end up with beautiful sweeping views of the mountains and valleys, lakes, waterfalls, old mining equipment, boulders, a creek, and of course, the glacier. Using the word "stunning" seems to be an understatement. Some of the trail is a bit rocky and we even had to hike through snow several times, but I can't state enough how beautiful this trail is! We even saw a mountain goat during our hike! Also, for us who are slow and inexperienced and stopped often for rest and photos, the entire 11 mile roundtrip took about 8 hours.
6. Girdwood Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
Enjoy local brews and epic views of the Chugach mountains at Girdwood Brewing Company. We have a beautiful timber framed taproom adorned with local art and ski relics. For those who prefer the outdoors, there’s an awesome beer garden with fire pits and plenty of seating. We offer up four core beers and a series of rotating taps. Root beer, cold brew coffee, and kombucha are available for those looking for an alcohol free beverage. Tasters and 12 ounce pours are available to drink in the taproom. If you are looking for beer to go, we fill growlers, sell 5 gallon kegs, and have 4-packs of 16 ounce cans with labels designed by Alaskan artists (for sale in the taproom only). Food trucks are on-site every day, and we have cool merchandise for you to take home. Girdwood Brewing Company is truly rooted in our community. We donate to a number of nonprofits and outdoor adventure organizations. Our brewery also provides year round employment to over a dozen locals.
Reviewed By POLYMER - Phoenix, United States
Nice place to refresh the mind in a very good local brewery, a food truck serving excellent crepes made the perfect combination for a quick lunch while exploring the area. Friendly staff and cozy atmosphere Highly recommended !
7. Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 240 reviews
The Alaska Aviation Museum is located in the heart of Alaska aviation. It sits on the south shore of Lake Hood, the busiest seaplane base in the world, with more than 87,000 takeoffs and landings per year. A half-mile away is Ted Stevens International Airport, the air crossroads of the world. You can watch takeoffs and landings right from the museum. The museum presents one of the finest displays of Alaskan aviation history with many interactive displays, memorabilia, photographs, films and artifacts from personal collections of Alaska's pioneer aviators.
Reviewed By ransom007 - Anaheim, United States
The museum has free parking. You actually cross an aircraft taxiing area to get to the museum. It, frankly, does not look very impressive from the outside; but it is much more impressive once you get inside. There is an excellent history of flight in Alaska. There is a film about the Japanese invasion and occupation of some of the Aleutian Islands during World War II. There are several planes on exhibit inside the hangars that comprise the museum and several more outside. You can also walk across to the observation tower and watch and listen to the activity of the small plane airport. There is also a gift shop.
8. Eagle River Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 277 reviews
This nature center offers hiking trails and guided walking tours.
Reviewed By TLS4243 - Marinette, United States
Although the Nature Center is closed due to COVID-19, we went here to do a self guided hike. We planned on doing the Albert Loop, but it was closed because the salmon spawning brought a large influx of bear. We chose to do another trail, the Dew Mound trail and spent an enjoyable 4 hours hiking. We liked that there were multiple trails that entwined and allowed us to add on to our journey, but cut back when we became fatigued. Beautiful setting nestled amongst the mountains.
9. Kincaid Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 361 reviews
This park offers 20 miles of cross-country skiing, hiking and bike trails.
Reviewed By GetLostinNature
We saw moose. There are TONS of great bike trails here. A paved one and tons of unpaved mountain bike trails.
10. Portage Glacier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,025 reviews
A popular tourist attraction.
Reviewed By PookyCake - Victoria, Canada
Named by Thomas Mendenhall in 1898, Portage Glacier sits on the edge of Portage Lake and is technically part of the Chugach National Forest. Often considered a “crown jewel” by tourists because of its relatively close proximity to Anchorage, Portage Glacier is perhaps the most visited glacier in Alaska. Accessible by boat or a brisk hike, the glacier provides us with a number of things: 1) Beautiful views and a peek into geologic history; and, 2) Clear and irrefutable evidence of global warming. I was able to view Portage Glacier via a cruise on the stylish MV Ptarmigan (hey, I like the name!). Knowing that we would get up to 300 yards away from this natural beauty was both exhilarating and exciting. After all, up until this point, I’d never had the pleasure of viewing a glacier . . . let alone up close. In this respect, the MV Ptarmigan did not disappoint. After cruising Portage Lake, we got up close and personal with the glacier. Seeing this alpine wonder at such a close distance was nothing short of breathtaking – the sunlight shone just enough for us to see the various shades of brilliant blue that make up the glacier. It was almost as if the Earth was alive and talking to us . . . just a completely surreal and unforgettable experience. On the other hand, seeing Portage Glacier was also a sobering experience. During our tour aboard the MV Ptarmigan, the knowledgeable guides noted that the glacier has been in steady retreat for well over a 50-year period. Complementing their information is a helpful resource book readily available on the tour vessel that shows – through pictures – how Portage Glacier has changed over the years. Indeed, at just under 10 kilometers in length, the glacier sounds most impressive; however, when you realize that it was once recorded at 23 kilometers in length (filling the entire Portage Valley), you are hit with an undeniable truth. What can we do to save this, and other of Earth’s natural wonders? If you’re visiting the Anchorage area, a stop at Portage Glacier is a definite “must do.” It’s beautiful, it’s educational and it highlights a contemporary conundrum. Be sure to visit this “crown jewel” before it disappears.
