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Writer's pictureColette DeGrazia

Anchorage - Much more than you could ever imagine!


Inspiring Itineraries around Anchorage Anchorage offers the perfect itinerary for every interest and trip length. Plan a relaxing weekend getaway recharging in Chugach State Park, spend a few days exploring the region’s historical landmarks and Indigenous heritage, fuel up for a road trip down the scenic Seward Highway, or watch for whales and other wildlife: Anchorage enables unforgettable itineraries with a distinctly Alaska flair. Mix and match the options below, or browse our in-depth itineraries for a more detailed trip plan. For wildlife watching - Spend a leisurely afternoon watching for moose and migratory birds at Potter Marsh, a picturesque part of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge. Have some more time? Head south to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, watch for whales at Beluga Point, plan a visit to the Alaska Zoo, or book a full-day flightseeing tour for an up-close encounter with bears at Katmai or Lake Clark National Park. For art and culture - Spend an afternoon visiting the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center and the Alaska Veterans Museum, both centrally located in downtown Anchorage. Take time to discover the neighborhood’s wide variety of public art, including murals and statues depicting scenes from Alaska Native history and modern culture. Learn more about the state’s vibrant and varied Indigenous cultures with a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, catch a glimpse of the region’s Dena’ina Athabascan history and Russian Orthodox influence at the Eklutna Historical Park. Whether you stay for a day or a week, there’s always more to see and learn. For nature lovers - Anchorage’s vast trail system and easy access to Chugach State Park make it a true gem for outdoor adventurers. Spend a serene morning watching the bore tide rush in up Turnagain Arm, stroll the Trail of Blue Ice, or find an elevated view following ridgeline routes through the Chugach Mountains. While the parking lots might be packed, Anchorage’s abundant open spaces mean it’s easy to find peace and solitude on the trail. For culinary connoisseurs - Satisfy your sweet tooth with birch syrup or fresh berries plucked straight from a Chugach mountainside. Take a farm tour, visit a neighborhood farmers market, or cast a line for king salmon in Ship Creek before savoring the flavor of fresh Alaska seafood at a downtown restaurant within walking distance. Abundant local breweries, wineries, and distilleries share a unique taste of Alaska, and local fisheries, farms, and wild game processors give “farm to table” an only-in-Alaska twist. About Anchorage Urban and wild aren’t opposites; they are Anchorage’s two defining elements. There’s no need to choose one or the other since they are both part of life here. Anchorage lives under midnight sun and auroras. Shares the backyard with moose. Fishes in urban salmon streams at lunch. Cheers runners and reindeer on the main street. The city’s adventures may be beyond belief, but they aren’t beyond the boundaries. Anchorage by the Numbers Population: 298,190. Anchorage is Alaska's largest city with 41 percent of the state's population. Time Zone: Anchorage, and virtually all of Alaska, is in Alaska Standard Time, one hour behind Pacific Standard Time and four hours behind Eastern Standard Time. Size: Anchorage covers 1,961 square miles from Portage Glacier to Eklutna - about the size of the state of Delaware. Metro + Moose Anchorage might appear at first glance to be a typical American city, but closer exploration shows some surprising facets of urban life in Alaska. The city’s 300,000 human residents share their space with an estimated 1,500 moose, not to mention bald eagles, bears, beavers, Dall sheep, and the occasional lynx. King and silver salmon fill Ship Creek all summer long, drawing anglers to one of the world’s only urban salmon fisheries. Just a block away, the Alaska Railroad's largest train depot is at the center of train travel, as it has been for more than a century. For access to spots beyond the reach of road or rail, with many sightseeing tours by plane or helicopter take off from the city. A bustling seaplane base at Lake Hood has planes casting off from docks near hotels and homes. There are around 600 takeoffs and landings on the big days, and many sightseeing tours by plane or helicopter. The aerial view says a great deal about Anchorage. Flying over the city, green is the prevailing color. Broad natural spaces like Far North Bicentennial Park, Kincaid Park are set aside. Paths following Chester and Campbell creeks knit the city together in a network of paved trails. Farther east, the Chugach Mountains rise quickly. Filled with trails, glaciers, rivers, and wildlife, the Chugach are where locals go to unwind and enjoy the outdoors. One of the largest state parks in the nation is 20 minutes or less from most offices and neighborhoods. To the west, the city is on the edge of Cook Inlet, so a trip along the Coastal Trail lends good views of the Alaska Range and Denali, and a drive down Turnagain Arm means an occasional beluga whale cameo!

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