Anchorage

Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, in the Southcentral region. Anchorage is a cosmopolitan port city with a population of 288,000 (2019). It is a consolidated city-borough referred to as a municipality. The urbanized city is defined by Muldoon Road to the east, Rabbit Creek Road to the south, and Cook Inlet to the north and west. Several small suburbs are within the Municipality of Anchorage while physically outside what most Anchorageites would call the "Anchorage" proper area. These include Eagle River and Chugiak to the north and Girdwood to the south.

Understand

Let's be clear, if you are looking for the "real Alaska" this is not it, but you can see it from here. Anchorage is a city — a real city with freeways, traffic, giant malls, tall buildings, crime and most other things one expects to find in an American city. It is an important hub and the gateway to other marvelous areas including the Alaskan Interior and the Kenai Peninsula, but is not really a tourist destination. While it is not the administrative capital of Alaska, it is the economic capital. There are good places to eat and plenty of shopping, but the city is just that, a city. A great place to gear up for a trip, but it's not particularly "Alaskan" except for the weather and its spectacular setting.

Climate
Anchorage
Climate chart (explanation)
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Alaska is well known for its winters—but most visitors come in the summer, when the days are long and the temperatures are moderate.

Many people consider the period between May and early September to be the best time to visit Anchorage. The month of June usually has the best combination of long days, good weather, and warm afternoons.

As you would expect in the high northern latitudes, the longest days come around the summer solstice, 21 June, and they get quite short around the winter solstice, 21 December. In the summer, Anchorage gets up to 19½ hours of sunlight between 4:30AM and 11:30PM, the sun sets just before midnight especially early in the season. Under clear skies, the sky wouldn't get completely pitch black in June. At the start of winter however, the area only gets 5 hours of sunlight each day - sunrise can be as late as 10:15AM and the usually cloudy winter days further limit the amount of daylight, with sunsets around 3:45PM.

The Anchorage-area climate, including the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound, often sees summer temperatures in the mid-70s F (24°C). Winter temperatures may fall into the -20s and -30s (-30s°C) for a short spell.

Visitor information

Get in

By plane

🌍 Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)  IATA is served by many major American airlines. The main passenger airline that serves Anchorage is Alaska Airlines. Air travel is the cheapest and fastest form of transportation in and out of the state. Non-stop flights are available from Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Newark, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma, and more locations in the summer. Many arriving and departing out-of-state flights are late-night "red-eyes," but there are often many daytime flights to and from Seattle. Anchorage is the fourth busiest airport for freight due to its location along "great circle" routes between Asia and the lower 48.

There are non-stop flights from Canada, Germany, Iceland, and airline hubs in the lower 48. The South Terminal (domestic) serves Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Condor (departures), Delta Air Lines, Grant Aviation, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines All regional intrastate carriers also use the South Terminal. The North Terminal (international) serves Condor (arrivals), Icelandair, and Yakutia Airlines. The Anchorage airport is connected to the Lake Hood Seaplane Base, but not Merrill Field. A shuttle bus runs approximately every 15 minutes between the North and South terminals. There are two visitor information centers in the Airport: one in the South (Domestic) Terminal, C Concourse, in the Baggage Claim Area, ☏ +1 907 266-2437, open daily; and one in the North (International) Terminal, ☏ +1 907 266-2657, open mid-May through mid-September. The main visitor center is in downtown Anchorage at 4th Avenue and F Street.

The airport is 5 miles (8 km) southwest of downtown Anchorage. Taxis, shuttles, and rental cars are available. Route #40 of the Anchorage People Mover bus system serves the airport's North and South terminals once every 15 minutes on weekdays and 30 minutes evenings and weekends, connecting it with the downtown Transit Center (6th Avenue between H and G Streets).

By car

Anchorage is also accessible from the Contiguous United States (locally referred to as "the Lower 48") and Canada via road. The Alaska Highway starts in northern British Columbia and terminates in Fairbanks. You can get to Anchorage via either the Parks Highway from Fairbanks or the Glenn Highway from Tok (the first major Alaskan town after crossing the Canadian border). The Seward Highway serves traffic entering Anchorage from the Kenai Peninsula to the south and its Alaska Marine Highway System terminals. Whittier has a ferry that goes directly to Juneau with a connection to Bellingham, Washington. The ferry ride takes 5 days.

Make sure to pick up a copy of The Milepost, which is widely regarded as the premier road guide for western Canada and Alaska. Most roads in these regions have small white posts every mile or so indicating the number of miles from the start of the road. The Milepost has extremely detailed route descriptions of all of the roads, pointing out everything from scenic viewpoints and campgrounds down to the names of small creeks the roads pass over. If you're flying in to Anchorage and then driving around the state, wait and pick up a copy of The Milepost at one of the local Costcos or Wal-Marts—the price there is around half of list price.

By boat

Because of the shallow conditions of the inlet and powerful tides, as much as 30 ft (9.1 m), only one large cruise ship, from Holland America Line, regularly calls in the summer on the Port of Anchorage, 2 mi (3.2 km) north of downtown. Since the port is mainly a cargo port, cruise passengers can not just walk through the port; instead, passengers are shuttled from the dock to the downtown mall.

The vast majority of large cruise ships (over 200 calls each summer) stop at one of two deep water ports much further away from Anchorage: Seward, 127 mi (204 km) south on the Kenai Peninsula; or Whittier, 65 mi (104 km) southeast (mainly Princess). Whittier is also the closest harbor to Anchorage served by the Alaska Marine Highway. Many cruise lines provide transportation from their terminals in Whittier or Seward to Anchorage and may even include tours or your return air travel out of the state.

By bus
  • Interior Alaska Bus Line, ☏ +1-800-770-6652, . Year round service on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday between Tok and Anchorage, and Tok and Fairbanks. Trips between Tok and Anchorage stop along the way at locations including Glennallen and Palmer. Trips between Tok and Fairbanks stop along the way at locations including Delta Junction. Trips depart from Tok in the morning and return to Tok in afternoon. Therefore to travel involving switching between the routes at Tok requires multiple nights stay in Tok. Be sure to reserve in advance and allow some flexibility in your schedule as buses may be rescheduled based on demand. Travel time from Tok is 6.5-7 hours, from Glenallen is 3.5-4 hours, and from Palmer is an hour. (updated Aug 2022)

By train

The Alaska Railroad runs from Seward through Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks to North Pole, with spurs to Whittier and formerly Palmer. The railroad is famous for its summertime passenger services; but it also plays a vital part in moving Alaska's natural resources — primarily coal — to ports in Anchorage, Whittier and Seward as well as fuel and gravel for use in Anchorage. Their cargo trains connect to the lower 48 through the Port of Seattle by barge, but there are no passenger connections to Canada (Via Rail) or to the lower 48 (Amtrak).

The Alaska Railroad Depot in Anchorage is downtown at 411 West 1st Ave, ☏ +1 907 265-2494; ☏ +1-800-544-0552.

Get around

While not nearly comparable to the size of major world cities (the city is several thousand square miles, but most of it is uninhabited and mountainous), the developed part of the Municipality of Anchorage is fairly spread out and not very walkable—with the exception of the compact downtown area.

Most of Anchorage is built on a grid system laid out by the railroad: numbered streets run east-west, starting at First Avenue in the extreme north of the city (at the Port and train depot) and ending up in the mid-hundreds at the south edge of town. Lettered streets run north-south, starting at A Street in the middle of downtown and going up to the west; east of A Street, the street names begin with sequential letters and are named after Alaskan cities and towns (Barrow, Cordova, Denali, etc.) This makes finding yourself on a map fairly easy, although the system gets less coherent outside of the downtown area. The Seward Highway becomes Gambell and Ingra streets, while the Glenn Highway becomes 5th and 6th Avenues.

You'll often hear Anchorageites use the following terms when describing areas of town. These areas used to be separate communities that merged as the city grew.

  • Downtown: the historic core of the city at the northwestern tip next to the waterfront, roughly north of 10th Avenue and west of Gambell Street. Home to most of the tourist activities, gift stores, hotels, and the railroad depot
  • Midtown: the largely commercial area immediately south of Downtown roughly between 15th Avenue and Tudor Road (becoming more industrial south towards Dimond Boulevard)
  • South Anchorage: Dimond Boulevard and south. Largely suburban and residential with some major commercial development west of the Seward Highway.
  • West Anchorage: the area along the water southwest of Downtown, encompassing the historic Bootlegger's Cove and Turnagain residential areas, the famous Earthquake Park and the airport.
  • Spenard: smashed between Midtown and West Anchorage and spilling over and overlapping the boundaries a bit, it used to be a separate city and catered to the racier aspects of Anchorage living. It's still a bit of a red-light district, especially along Spenard Road. Be careful at night. (The airport is at the extreme west end of the Anchorage peninsula and abuts the southwestern edge of Spenard.)
  • East Anchorage: everything east of the Seward Highway and north of Tudor Road. Mostly residential; little of interest to the tourist except for the universities, hospitals, and (at the extreme northeastern corner) the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
  • Hillside: part of South Anchorage, it's everything east of the Seward Highway and south of Abbott Road. Completely residential, and many homes there are on the ritzier side (worth $350,000-$1.5M, where the average home is about $220,000). Anchorageites think of the Hillside like Angelenos do of Beverly Hills — if you own a home there, you must be doing well, even if the trees (or your snowmachine trailer) block your view of the lesser people below. Above the Hillside homes is the immense Chugach State Park, popular for easily accessible hiking. (The most-hiked mountain in Alaska, Flattop Mountain, is fairly easily accessed via the Glen Alps parking area at the top of Upper Huffman Road.)
  • Eagle River, Chugiak, Peters Creek: suburbs north of the city. They provide access to Chugach State Park, especially Crow Creek Pass and Eklutna Lake.
  • Indian, Bird, Girdwood: small communities south of the city along the Seward Highway as it skims the north shore of Turnagain Arm. Very small, tourist-service oriented.

By foot

The area that can be explored by walking is the relatively compact downtown area. To plan your visit, drop in the unique Visitor Information Center, an authentic sod-roofed log cabin, at 4th Avenue and F Street, ☏ +1 907 257-2363, to pick up maps and brochures of the many points of interests and events (e.g., summer music concerts) within walking distance. In summer, downtown Anchorage, alive with flowers and alit with thousands of lights at night, is very popular and often crowded with tourists and those awaiting departure for, or arriving from, cruises. To extend your walking range, take advantage of the various free shuttles from downtown in the summer. Or rent a car or bike, or use the People Mover bus system, which has its Downtown Transit Center at 6th Avenue between H and G Streets.

By car

Anchorage's Ted Stevens International Airport is served by all of the major national rental car chains as well as a number of independents. A few companies have off-airport locations and may even offer courtesy shuttles (though these shuttles will not pick up from the airport). Renting from these locations avoids the 11-12% airport concession recovery fee and $4.81 per day airport facility fee. If you're renting for more than a few days, it might be worth the hassle to rent your vehicle at an off-airport location, which usually involves taxi rides or shuffling between hotel and rental car courtesy shuttles. Check with each agency or search off-airport rental cars using an online travel agency to see what cost savings may be available.

If you're arriving in the summer, plan ahead, as most rental companies are pretty much sold out from mid-June through the end of August. In the summer, cars are often not available without reservations, and even if they are, be prepared to pay top-dollar for them, especially four-wheel-drive vehicles. Renting a car in Alaska can be more expensive than pretty much anywhere else in the United States, ranging up to (and occasionally even over) $200 per day for a large vehicle sufficient to carry multiple passengers and outdoor gear during the peak season. In the dead of winter, however, you can sometimes grab a vehicle for under $10 per day.

Some of the major car rental companies serving the Anchorage area are:

Most airport rental agencies are open from about 5:30AM or 6AM to about 2AM (3AM at the latest) in the peak summer season. With the number of red-eye flights serving Anchorage, it's especially important to be sure your flight doesn't arrive after your rental agency closes. None of the major chains is open 24 hours, so the only option for after-hours arrivals is a cab or hotel shuttle to an area hotel or to sleep on a bench until the agencies open.

Two main taxi companies serve the Anchorage area: Alaska Yellow Dispatch (☏ +1 907-222-2222) and Checker Cab (☏ +1 907-276-1234). The airport maintains a taxi stand on the arrivals level. As of September 2023, the municipality-set rate for all taxis is $2.75 are the flag drop and $2.75 per mile; time based rate ~$.63 per minute. The average fare to downtown runs about $25 one-way.

Many hotels also offer courtesy shuttle vans that stop at the airport near the taxi stand. Several courtesy phone banks are inside the baggage claim areas.

Drivers tend to be aggressive in Anchorage year round, and many of the roads are heavily damaged by severe winter conditions and the use of studded tires. If you are visiting in winter and not used to driving in winter conditions, be very cautious, do not pass, keep excessive following distance, and allow plenty of time to stop. If it's snowing, no matter what time of the day, have your headlights on (the Seward Highway south of Anchorage requires headlights to be on at all times). A roadway covered with black ice may look completely dry but provide no traction whatsoever.

By bus

If you're determined to save money or are traveling the USA without a car, you can use the PeopleMover, Anchorage's bus system. Fares are $2/trip, exact fare only, or a $5/day pass. PeopleMover has an app for payment of the bus fare as an alternative. For more information, call the PeopleMover Ride Line at ☏ +1 907-343-6543.

By bike

Anchorage features an extremely well-developed bike trail system, with over 200 miles (320 km) of developed trails (120 of which are paved) winding their way throughout the city's parks and three green belts. The popular Tony Knowles Coastal Trail parallels the waterfront from Downtown to Kincaid Park near the airport. Several companies offer bike rentals and trail tours. In the winter, many of the trails are groomed and used as ski trails.

See
  • 🌍 Anchorage Museum, 625 C Street (downtown between 6th and 7th Avenues), ☏ +1 907-929-9200. Summer (1 May-30 Sep) 9AM-6PM; Winter (1 Oct-30 Apr) Tu-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM, closed M. The Anchorage Museum, the largest in Alaska, tells the multi-faceted story of the North, weaving together social, political, cultural, scientific, historic and artistic threads. With its major expansion in 2008-2009, it has become a must see. The museum features an extensive exhibit on the first peoples of Alaska, Alaskan history, a Discovery Center for hands-on exploration of the history and science of the North for all ages, and part of a Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center. A 25,000 ft² (2,300 m2) expansion features new gallery space for the museum’s art collection and exploration of art of the North. Adults $15, 0-2 free, 3-12 $7, Seniors/Military/Students with ID $10. Culture Pass Joint Ticket (admission to Alaska Native Heritage Center and Anchorage Museum) $29.95 (free shuttle from downtown and between both museums) summer only. (updated Jan 2017)
  • 🌍 Alaska Native Heritage Center, 8800 Heritage Center Dr (off Glenn Hwy in northeast Anchorage, next to Bartlett High School), ☏ +1 907 330-8000. Summer (8 May-24 Sep) 9AM-6PM daily, Winter (29 Oct-16 Apr) Sa 10AM-5PM. Culture Pass Joint Ticket (admission to Alaska Native Heritage Center and Anchorage Museum) $29.95 (free shuttle from downtown and between both museums) summer only. This is much more than just a static museum of glass display cases. The various native Alaskan cultures are all represented in this center. A large stage holds native dance performances as well as other types of events for visitors. Behind the center, a short trail around the lake takes you to several stations that show aspects of life in each of the native Alaskan cultures with native guides with short demonstrations and happily answering questions. Back inside, many items such as artwork, kayaks and ulu knives are on display. A small theater runs various films and there is a gift shop (with a second location in downtown Anchorage). $24.95, seniors/military $21.15, children (ages 7–16) $16.95, children (6 and under) free. 
  • FOAST Law Enforcement Museum (Alaska State Trooper Museum), 245 West 5th Ave, Suite 113 (downtown between C and B Streets), ☏ +1 907 279-5050, toll-free: +1 800-770-5050. M-F 10AM-4PM; Sa noon-4PM. The state's only collection of historical law enforcement memoribilia from not only Alaska but also the world. Free. (updated Sep 2016)
  • Alaska Veterans Museum, 411 W 4th Ave #2A (downtown), ☏ +1 907-677-8802, . W-Sa 10AM-5PM. Veteran museum with large exhibits covering World War II and the Cold War, with the oldest starting with the Civil War. $3. 
  • 🌍 Resolution Park, 320 L Street, Anchorage (downtown W 3rd Avenue). Small park featuring a bronze statue of Captain Cook standing on a wooden deck gazing out on Cook Inlet, which he explored in 1778 aboard HMS Resolution. The park was dedicated in 1978 and named for his ship. The park's interpretive display, powerful mounted telescope, and commanding vantage point make this a rewarding stop. Free. (updated Jan 2017)
  • 🌍 Alaska Zoo, 4731 O'Malley Rd (east of Lake Otis Pkwy in South Anchorage), ☏ +1 907 346-2133, . A small, but charming zoo about 20 minutes from Downtown Anchorage. Visitors can see animals native to the Northern climates, such as Bald Eagles, Moose, Musk Oxen, Grizzlies, and a Polar Bear. A few animals have been rescued from the wild after sustaining life-threatening injuries that wouldn't enable them to survive on their own. Wednesdays feature zoo storytelling and animal encounters. No pets, balloons, firearms or any kind of smoking on zoo grounds. During the summer, there is a free shuttle that runs from downtown (4th Avenue and F Street) to the zoo and back. $15/adult, $10/senior, $7/3-17, free/under 2. (updated Jan 2017)
  • 🌍 Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (43 miles (69 km) south of Anchorage on Seward Hwy (milepost 79)), ☏ +1 907 783-2025. Apr-May 10AM-6PM, May-Sep 8AM-8PM, Sep-May 10AM-5PM. AWCC provides refuge for orphaned, injured or ill animals. With the purchase of an admission ticket, you can choose between driving the 1.5-mile loop or enjoy your time and walk through the grounds. Resident animals include brown bear, black bear, moose, musk ox, caribou, wolves, birds, porcupine, wood bison, elk and more. Also daily animal programs featuring some of the resident animals. Popular stop for tours between Anchorage and Seward/Whittier. Adults $15, children 7-17 $10, seniors 65+ $12, active military w/ID $12. (updated Jan 2017)
  • 🌍 Oscar Anderson House Museum, 420 M St, ☏ +1 907-206-2284. M-F 10AM-5PM. $10 adults, $5 Alaska residents and children 3-12. 
  • 🌍 Alaska Aviation Museum, 4721 Aircraft Dr, ☏ +1 907 248-5325. Daily, 10AM-6PM. Adult $17, seniors/veterans $14, children (5-17) $10. (updated May 2019)

Do
  • 🌍 Alaska Center for the Performing Arts (My Alaska Center), 621 W 6th Ave (downtown from G to F Sts), ☏ +1 907 263-2900. The Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, a performance venue (concert hall) opened in 1988, consists of three theaters and entertains over 200,000 patrons annually. Together with the Dena'ina Center (7th and F) and the Egan Convention Center (5th and F), these three facilities linked by covered walkways form a civic center in the heart of downtown Anchorage. (updated Jan 2017)
  • Anchorage Summer Music Concerts, downtown Anchorage. The Anchorage Downtown Partnership hosts three weekly concert series in the summer (check locally for programming): Music for Little Ones, Mondays noon-1PM in Peratovich Park (WiFi access) at 4th Avenue & E Street; Music in the Park, Wednesdays noon-1PM in Peratovich Park (WiFi access) at 4th Avenue & E Street; Live After Five, Thursdays at 5:30-7:30PM in Town Square Park at E Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, featuring good eats and a beer & wine garden. Music is free. (updated Jan 2017)
  • 🌍 H2Oasis Indoor Water Park, 1520 O'Malley Rd, ☏ +1 907 522-4420. (updated Aug 2020),
  • 🌍 Roadrunner Amusement Park. In South Anchorage. It features 32 go carts, Bumper Boats, rollercoasters and a 9 hole miniature golf course. Open May until September. (updated Dec 2018)
  • Alaska Public Lands Information Center, 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 105 (kitty corner from the log cabin visitor center at 4th Ave and F St), ☏ +1 907 644-3661. Summer: daily 9AM-5PM; Winter: Tu-F 10AM-5PM. This center is staffed by National Park rangers. They also lead a through downtown, stopping at some statues and ending with a view of Cook Inlet. Free. (updated Jan 2017)
  • First Friday Art Walk, 427 D St (downtown near 5th Ave). On the first Friday of every month, the art galleries downtown stay open late, sometimes host opening parties, to encourage people to do art crawls. This tradition was established in Anchorage more than 20 years ago to bring more visibility and visitors to the locals arts. First Friday generally happens from 5PM to 9PM or so. In the summer more than 1,000 people may take part in First Friday; the International Gallery of Contemporary Art (the event’s founding venue, D St near 5th Ave) and the Anchorage Museum see the largest turnouts. Check the local papers (like the Anchorage Press or the Anchorage Daily News) to find out what’s open on First Friday. Some are free, others may charge. (updated Jan 2017)
  • 907 Tours, ☏ +1 907-947-9425. Cruises, glaciers and wildlife tours from Anchorage. The company is run by a local mom and pop who offer tours year-round. Some tours are half day and some tours are full day. Tours include pickup and any admission costs. Tour prices vary $70-200. (updated Nov 2016)

Wildlife viewing

The Anchorage area is home to moose, brown and black bears, Dall sheep, and many migratory bird species. A visitor should be able to find moose fairly easily by driving any neighborhood on Anchorage's Hillside (actually the foothills of the Chugach mountains). It is not uncommon to hear of bears being spotted in residential areas, but visitors who hope to see wild bears should plan excursions to either Denali National Park or Katmai National Park. Dall sheep, a species similar to the big-horn sheep found in the American Rockies, can often be spotted by driving down the Seward Highway south of Anchorage. A good way to spot sheep is to notice congregations of other tourists photographing them. A good place to view waterfowl and eagles is the Potter Marsh boardwalk, immediately south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway.

Hiking and biking

One of the best places to hike or bike to get to know Anchorage would have to be the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Awesome views. Starting from downtown, it's a well maintained 14-mile paved track around the coast, with housing developments and forests on one side, and the ocean of Cook Inlet on the other. You can come back via an inland loop right around the airport. This has some on-road sections, but takes you past Lake Hood, a busy and interesting seaplane base. It's a very popular track for bikers and joggers during the summer months.

For a more challenging hike, drive east on O'Malley Road (south Anchorage) and follow signs for Glen Alps trailhead in Chugach State Park. There is a $5 day parking fee at the trail head (parking is free if you stay 30 minutes or less). If you don't have a car, a shuttle provides round-trip transportation between downtown and the trailhead for $22, Flattop Mountain Shuttle. From this launching point, there are numerous hiking options for all levels in the Flattop Mountain Trail system. The shortest hike is to the Anchorage overlook, a 5-minute walk north of the parking lot, which offers the best view of the city of Anchorage. There is also a mountain biking trail to the east of the parking lot leading up towards Powerline Pass. To the south of the parking lot is the trail leading to the Blueberry Loop, a saddle at the base of Flattop Mountain, and a steep trail off this Loop up to Flattop peak. Climbing Flattop Mountain is Anchorage's most popular day hike, 1.7 miles one-way with an elevation gain of 1300 feet, which would take 1 to 3 hr depending on your hiking ability. There is a bit of scrambling over rocks at the end to reach the top of Flattop. Be aware of climbers above you as they can dislodge rocks. Summit is often cold and windy, so bring appropriate clothing. All the trails are well maintained and there is little risk of being lost in the immediate area, however, for the maximum experience it's a good idea to bring water and plan your hike with a great guide, such as "55 Ways to the Wilderness", Southcentral Alaska or Chugach State Park editions, available online or at any local Alaskan bookseller. This is a great place to see moose in the summer. In the fall, Flattop Mountain is covered with wild blueberries.

  • Downtown Bicycle Rental, Inc (on 4th Ave downtown two streets away from the start of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail). You can get great pricing on bike rentals and excellent suggestions and advice on bicycle and hiking routes in and around Anchorage. 

Ski and snowboard
  • The Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage. Maintains and provide information on numerous nordic (cross-country) ski trails around town. 
  • 🌍 Alyeska Resort. In Girdwood about 40 mi (64 km) south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway is Alaska's largest alpine (downhill) ski resort. Alyeska often has the highest annual snowfall of any ski area in North America and has a wide array of intermediate and expert terrain. Beginner terrain is fairly limited, but Alyeska has a fairly good ski and snowboard instruction program so it is not a bad place to learn. 
  • 🌍 Hilltop Ski Area. In south Anchorage about 15 minutes from downtown. It is a fairly small area in the Chugach foothills with one chairlift and a surface lift and exclusively beginner terrain. 
  • Alpenglow at Arctic Valley. A volunteer operated resort with two chairlifts and a T-bar. While the terrain is not as steep as some of the expert-only terrain at Alyeska, it is not for beginners and the snow is often windblown and hard. Alpenglow offers free lift tickets for volunteers, and thus is a great option for ski bums and budget travelers. 
  • 🌍 Hillberg Ski Area. On Elmendorf Airforce Base to the north of downtown Anchorage, and is open to the public: civilians who don't have authorization to enter the base must be signed in and escorted by someone who does. Hillberg has only beginner terrain, but tends to have shorter lift lines than Hilltop making it a better option for people who can get access. 
  • Chugach Powder Guides. Offers helicopter and snow-cat skiing in the Chugach mountains with a professional guide for advanced intermediate to expert skiers and boarders. 
  • Tordrillo Mountain Lodge. Located in the Tordrillo Mountain Range about 75 miles west-northwest of Anchorage. The Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers Winter & Summer heli skiing and heli snowboarding opportunities for novices and pros.

Rugby

Anchorage has three men's rugby teams that play from April to September. Want to pick up a game while you are here or join a team? Check the websites: Bird Creek Barbarians or Anchorage Thunderbirds RFC.

Buy

Almost anything that can be bought in Alaska can be bought in Anchorage. Ulu knives, hand-carved wood and ivory artwork, mukluk books, and knitted qiviut hats and scarves (made of wool from musk oxen) are all traditional Alaskan goods. Check for "Made in Alaska" labels. There are also myriad touristy gift stores downtown. Quality and selection varies.

  • 🌍 Anchorage Fifth Avenue Mall, 320 W 5th Ave (downtown 5th and 6th Avenues between E and C Streets). M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Usually considered Alaska's nicest mall, it is anchored on the west side (E St) by JCPenneys and attached (on the 2nd and 3rd levels via skywalk across 6th Ave near C St) to the only Nordstrom store in Alaska. A large airy food court is on the northeast corner of its top 4th level. Two parking garages are connected to the mallː the old JCPenney's garage across 6th Ave, via Penney's; and the 5th Avenue Mall Garage diagonally across C St with its new (2016) Rooftop Park. (updated Jan 2017)
  • Anchorage Market and Festival. Sa Su (mid May-mid Sep) at 3rd Ave and E St (10AM-6PM), W (Jul-Aug) in the Northway Mall parking lot (11AM-5PM), Several hundred vendors offer all sorts of items in this large open air market. Items include fresh produce, fresh local seafood, prepared food, arts and crafts, souvenirs, etc. Some items could be found anywhere in the lower 48 but many items are truly Alaskan. Free. 
  • 🌍 Dimond Center Mall, 800 E Dimond Blvd (off Seward Hwy in South Anchorage), ☏ +1 907 929-7108. M–Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon–7PM. The largest enclosed mall, over 8 blocks, in the State of Alaska. It is anchored by Best Buy; it also features an ice rink, movie theaters, bowling alley, and health club. 
  • Northern Lights Center, Northern Lights Boulevard and Minnesota Drive. Strip mall anchored by Anchorage's REI store and local independent book store, Title Wave Books. 
  • The ULU Factory, 211 West Ship Creek Avenue in Anchorage (north of train station near Bridge), ☏ +1 907 276-3119, toll-free: +1-800-488-5592 (outside Alaska), +1-800-478-3119 (within Alaska), . Tour the factory, see the knives being made, and watch a demonstration about how to use them. From June to August, you can ride their free trolley from downtown to and from the factory. (updated Dec 2015)
  • House of Harley-Davidson Anchorage (Harley Davidson), 5335 Spenard Rd, ☏ +1 907 248-5300. Tu-Sa 10AM-6PM. While closer to the airport than downtown, you can call (+1 907-229-9120) for a free shuttle from downtown during the summer Th-Su. (updated Sep 2016)
  • 🌍 Glenn Square, 3090 Mountain View Dr. (updated Jan 2019)
  • 🌍 Tikahtnu Commons, 1142 North Muldoon Dr, toll-free: +1-833-263-5136. (updated Jan 2019)

Eat

Budget
  • Kriner's Diner, 2409 C St, ☏ +1 907 929-8257. Giant portions for little money ($4-15 per person), from Ted's Big Breakfast to Jenne's Reindeer Sandwich to the homemade Giant Cinnamon Rolls, you can't go wrong. Its home -cooking, the Alaskan way. 
  • Yak and Yeti, 3301 Spenard Rd, ☏ +1 907 743-8078. Remarkably good Himalayan and Indian cuisine in Spenard. Five minutes from the airport. 
  • Hula Hands, 4630 Mountain View Dr, ☏ +1 907 278-4852. Good, cheap Hawaiian and Tongan food. Another location on Fireweed. 
  • Arctic Roadrunner, 5300 Old Seward Hwy, ☏ +1 907 561-1245. Second location at 2477 Arctic Blvd, ☏ +1 907 279-7311. An Alaskan institution and consistently voted Anchorage's best burger. Kitschy Alaskana on the walls, including plaques and portraits of longtime Alaskans and longtime Arctic Roadrunner customers. Also try the halibut burger and homemade onion ring pieces. Cash only; "no checks since 1972." 
  • City Diner. Run by local celebrity "Chef Al" Levinsohn, famous for his other restaurant in town (Kincaid Grill). City Diner has some of the best sandwiches in town; the monte cristo is to die for and the sliders are amazing. 
  • Gwennie's. An Alaskan institution; must be seen to be understood. Down home Americana meets Alaska (think sourdough pancakes and reindeer sausage). Extremely touristy but also popular with the locals for good prices and big portions. Old-time Alaskan rusty things hanging on the walls. 
  • Taco King/Burrito King, 113 W Northern Lights Blvd #D, 3561 E Tudor Rd, 1330 Huffman Rd #C, 111 W 38th Ave, ☏ +1 907 276-7387, +1 907 868-761, +1 907 336-5601, +1 907 569-2900. 10AM-10PM. Possibly the best (and fastest) Mexican food in Anchorage (not saying a whole lot, but it holds its own against places closer to the border) and with insanely great (for Alaska) prices if you get the right thing. $6-8. 
  • The Lucky Wishbone, 1033 E 5th Ave, ☏ +1 907 272-3454. M-Sa 10AM-10PM, closed Su. An Anchorage standard famous for their pan-fried chicken but also serving one of the better burgers in town. Try their shakes too. $6-10. 
  • Tommy's Burger Stop (29th ave & Spenard). Routinely voted the best burgers and philly sandwiches in Anchorage. 
  • White Spot Cafe, 109 W 4th Ave (4th and A), ☏ +1 907 279-3954. The place is not much more than a small kitchen and a counter with room for 10 patrons. Arguably better burgers and definitely better halibut sandwiches than Arctic Roadrunner. Study the menu carefully before daring to order, or Sheri will put you in your place. The food is way worth the attitude, though. $. 
  • 🌍 Kami Ramen, 3807 Spenard Rd (at intersection with Minnesota Dr), ☏ +1 907-313-3582. 10AM-10PM. Ramen is probably going to taste good on a cold day. Ramen or katsu around $15 (Jan 2023). 

Mid-range
  • Bear Tooth Theatrepub, 1230 W 27th Ave, ☏ +1 907 276-4200. M-Th 10:30AM-10PM, F Sa 10:30AM-11PM, Su 11:30AM-10PM. A wonderful pizza location, similar to the Moose's Tooth described below (although the menu differs a bit). It also features a movie theater in which you can eat dinner (they deliver it right to your seat) and imbibe from the wide selection of microbrews and wines. It mainly plays art house films and those that have been released for some time. It's a great place to spend an evening before taking a red-eye flight out of Anchorage as it's quite close to the Anchorage airport. Buy tickets in advance on the weekends—it can be very busy. The attached Bear Tooth Grill offers very different but equally delicious choices in a more traditional bar/grill restaurant setting. (updated Aug 2016)
  • Glacier BrewHouse, 5th Ave between H and G St, ☏ +1 907 274-BREW (2739). A very popular place to eat in downtown Anchorage. Wide selection of food, impressive selection of beers from their brewery. Hard to go wrong with this one if you're looking for a place to eat downtown. 
  • 🌍 Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria, 3300 Old Seward Hwy (near New Seward and 36th), ☏ +1 907 258-2537. Brews their own beer and makes some fantastic pizza (all-ages welcome). Good atmosphere and walls covered with memorabilia about Alaska and beer. Can be busy. Frequently has outdoor concerts during the summer on the first Thursday of every month ("first tap" is age 21+). Must-go if you like beer. Has vegetarian selections. Medium prices; it's possible to save by splitting a large pizza. Menu and beer list online. 
  • Solstice Bar & Grill, 720 W 5th Ave (between H and G Sts), ☏ +1 907 276-7676. While not as popular as Glacier BrewHouse, Solstice Bar & Grill offers meals of a similar quality for a slightly cheaper price in the lobby level of the Westmark Hotel (almost directly across from the BrewHouse). This restaurant can get quite busy during the summer breakfast and dinner times, as Westmark plays host to a number of cruise line guests (its parent company is Holland America Line). 
  • Southside Bistro, 1320 Huffman Park Dr (in the far south end of town), ☏ +1 907 348-0088. Fresh seafood and innovative preparations of meats and lighter fare make this a great stop for those heading south or those wanting to get away from the hustle of the touristy areas. Bar with microbrews and a good wine list. 
  • Snow City Cafe, 1034 W 4th Ave, ☏ +1 907 272-2489. Open for breakfast and lunch only, except on Wednesdays when there is an excellent Irish jam (and sometimes dance!) from 7-11PM. There is often a long wait for a table and for good reason, food is fresh and affordable; breakfast is available all day and there are plenty of hearty fares for the health-conscious. If you're not health-conscious, the macaroni and cheese is to die for! 

Splurge
  • Tequila 61, 355 E St (Fourth Avenue across from Hard Rock Cafe).. A Mexican gastropub. 
  • Crow's Nest, 4th and K (top floor of Hotel Captain Cook), ☏ +1 907 276-6000. AAA four-diamond rating and Wine Spectator awards. Seafood, "French and American" cuisine. View of entire city and Chugach Mountains. Definitely a splurge. Wine sommelier on staff; 10,000 bottle cellar. Dress code: Business casual. Good place to impress a date. 
  • 🌍 Jens, 701 W 36th Ave (in a strip mall at 36th and Arctic next to a Scandinavian furniture store), ☏ +1 907 561-5367. A superb menu of Alaskan seafood with a twist, Danish specialties, and French classics that changes daily. Bar and good wine selection. 
  • 🌍 ORSO Ristorante, 5th Ave between H and G Sts, ☏ +1 907 222-3232. Next to and owned by the same company as Glacier BrewHouse, this restaurant offers higher-priced meals inspired by traditional Italian fare. In the same block as a number of art galleries and smaller boutique shops, one can keep occupied while waiting (which in the summer season, is typical). 
  • Simon and Seafort's, 420 L St (end of downtown near the coastal trail), ☏ +1 907 274-3502. Semi-fancy seafood restaurant and bar. On the expensive side, but it's worth it to get some of the best seafood in Alaska (and being Anchorage, there's no dress code). They also have excellent non-seafood selections and a great lunch menu. You can also see the sunset over the water by the window. Menus online. 
  • 🌍 Ginger, 425 W 5th Ave, ☏ +1 907 929-3680. New restaurant. Trendy, modern, upscale dining. Sort of an Asian-Alaskan fusion, with things like wasabi mashed potatoes. Extensive saki list. Try the fries for an appetizer; they're freshly made and delicious. 

In Girdwood (45 minutes south):

  • Double Musky Inn, Mile 3 Crow Creek Rd, ☏ +1 907 783-2822. The Double Musky has Alaska's best Cajun cuisine with a local seafood slant. They have a "rustic yet formal" (but still no dress code) atmosphere. It is a great place to take a date, not just for the great food but also for the beautiful drive south along the coast. Also very warming after a day at the local Alyeska Ski Area. 

Drink

Anchorage has many, many bars. Bars must close by 2:30AM M-F, 3AM Sa & Su under municipal law. Bars can stay open until 5AM in the cities of Palmer and Wasilla, about 45 minutes north. Anchorage also probably has more micro-breweries per capita than anywhere else (except maybe Portland, OR). All bars and restaurants in Anchorage are non-smoking. Also see "Bear Tooth Theatrepub", "Glacier BrewHouse", and "Moose's Tooth" under "Eat."

  • First Tap Thursday - On the first Thursday of each month, Bear Tooth Theatrepub celebrates a new Broken Tooth Brewing draft beer with live music.
  • Bernie's Bungalow Lounge, 626 D St (between 6th and 7th; across the street from Nordstrom's entrance), ☏ +1 907 276-8808. This is a fashionable and friendly "martini-and-cigar" type of place. Good place to sit outside on the lawn in the summer, or to go upstairs to the Paradise Room for a fancy place to have a drink (although the upstairs is often booked for private gatherings). It's popular with well-dressed young people and businesspeople (during the daytime). The evening crowd is generally younger and the bar is embracing a larger hip-hop crowd. Usually busiest after midnight. 
  • Chilkoot Charlie's, 1071 W 25th Ave (in Spenard), ☏ +1 907 279-1692. This is the largest bar within about 1,400 miles (2200 km). It's a huge spot that is always busy on weekends. The outside facade is deceptively small - there is a map on their website to navigate through all 10 or more bars. There is usually at least one band playing every night (and usually a cover charge). Popular place to pick up dates, if you can hear above the noise. 
  • Darwin's Theory, 426 G St, ☏ +1 907 277-5322. A quintessential "dive bar," Darwin's is popular with the locals. If you're interested in avoiding the generic tourist watering holes, Darwin's will wet your whistle. It's just a basic corner bar. 
  • Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse, 610 W 6th Ave, ☏ +1 907 276-BEER (2337). Humpy's has dozens of beers on tap and a great pub food selection (esp. seafood) until midnight. It's popular with just about everyone. Beer-battered halibut—yum! 
  • 🌍 49th State Brewing Company, 717 W 3rd Avenue, ☏ +1 907 277-7727. Popular micro-brewery on the edge of downtown Anchorage. Good micro beers and decent pub food. Often have live entertainment. A treat is to sit out on the second floor landing on a sunny afternoon with excellent views of Cook Inlet and the Port of Anchorage. Sometimes you can see military aircraft doing training runs into Elmendorf Air Force Base. (updated Jan 2019)

Sleep

Since about 2000, major hotel developers from the Lower 48 have been building new hotels along C Street from International Airport Road to just north of Tudor Road, making this half-mile stretch of C Street a new "hotel row" in Midtown (about 3 mi south of downtown and 3 mi east of ANC).

Budget
  • Alaska Backpackers Inn and Hostel (Hostelling International Anchorage), 327 Eagle St, ☏ +1 907 277-2770. Dorm beds $25, single private $50, double private $60. 
  • Bent Prop Inn and Hostel Downtown, 700 H St, ☏ +1 907 276-3635, . Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. This hostel is one block from the downtown transit center (served by all PeopleMover routes except 1) and about seven blocks from the Alaska Railroad Station. Close walking distance to many downtown restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping venues. $30 dorm bun, $72 private room. 
  • Spenard Hostel International, 2845 W 42nd Pl, ☏ +1 907 248-5036, fax: +1 907 248-5036, . 9AM-1PM (Summer), 7-11PM (Summer and Winter). This hostel is a bit of a way out of the center of town but is a really clean and friendly environment compared to the inner-city alternative. The staff is helpful, and you can help them around the hostel to earn a free night there if need be. It is serviced by PeopleMover route 7. 

Mid-range
  • Comfort Inn, 111 West Ship Creek Ave, ☏ +1 907 277-6887, fax: +1 970 274-9830. Convenient location easy walking distance from the creek, the railroad, the weekend market and the downtown area. Courtesy bus to the airport. 
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton, 101 W 48th Ave, ☏ +1 907 762-7000, fax: +1 970 762-8000. 
  • Motel 6 Anchorage - Midtown, 5000 A St, ☏ +1 907 677-8000, fax: +1 907 677-8640. According to the general manager, this one has the distinction of being the most expensive Motel 6 in the country, if not the world, during the peak summer season. Summer $153-179, rest of the year $119-139 single or double. (updated Apr 2020)
  • Puffin Inn of Anchorage, 4400 Spenard Rd, ☏ +1 907 243-4044. Bed and Breakfast 
  • Jarvi Homestay, 14321 Jarvi Dr, ☏ +1 907 561-3349. When you want to appreciate Anchorage without concrete and crowds, try "a healthy way to stay". Calm, peaceful, low key. Great breakfasts, too. 

Splurge

Stay safe

Anchorage has a reputation for being a dangerous city — a reputation that's not entirely unwarranted — but the average traveller should not be too overly concerned or cautious of their surroundings. A lot of the crime occurs between those involved in the drug trade or organized crime.

Like most cities, location is very important as security changes from place to place. Areas close to downtown are safer to walk at night. Stay in populated areas, avoid poor neighborhoods, especially at night, and don't walk there at any time if you are alone. Vicious beatings have been reported at resorts by people who have travelled alone, so stay alert for any suspicious-looking individual.

Certain areas in the northeast of the city (Mountain View, north of the Glenn Highway and east of Merrill Field airport) and central (Fairview, 6th to 15th Avenue, east of Ingra) have higher crime than other spots. 

As in all other cities these crimes receive a disproportionate amount of attention from local media. These tragic events, however, are typically not random so they will probably not impact your visit. You are more likely to be a victim of crimes of opportunity; however, most violent crimes in Anchorage are usually domestic disputes.

Also, areas around the airport like Spenard are known for increased drug activity and sex work. In earlier times, the downtown area around 4th Avenue was like that, but a concerted effort over the last eight years has mostly moved the activity into Spenard. 

A constant problem is car break-ins at parking lots. Do not leave any valuables visible.

The trails close to and around the university are unsafe when it is dark. During the colder months there are increased attacks on females going to and from the housing and library.  

Also, stay a good distance away from moose. Although they may appear harmless, they can and will protect their young ones from people, and can charge if they feel cornered or threatened. Never approach them, as they are best viewed from a distance.

Cope

Consulates

Go next

There are only two roads out of Anchorage, the Seward Highway which goes south to the Kenai Peninsula and ends/starts at Seward, and the Glenn Highway which goes northeast to Glennallen and continues as the Tok Cutoff to Tok where it ends at the Alaska Highway. The Glenn Highway junctions with the George Parks Highway about 35 miles north of Anchorage, continuing northwest to Denali National Park and Fairbanks. Driving from Anchorage to Fairbanks usually takes 6–8 hours (356 miles) and driving from Anchorage to Seattle, WA usually takes at least 3 days.

The Alaska Railroad offers daily service between Anchorage/Seward, Anchorage/Whittier, and Anchorage/Fairbanks during the summer. The Anchorage/Fairbanks run (Aurora) offers flag drop service between Talkeetna and Hurricane - it is the only railroad in the U.S. that will pick you up if you flag the train from the side of the tracks.

There are numerous small plane flying services which have scheduled flights to small villages, or the capacity to charter flights to different villages. For travel to villages outside of the south central region, it is usually cheaper to take a regular commercial flight to the appropriate regional hub (Bethel, Unalakleet, Dillingham, Unalaska, Kotzebue, Nome, Barrow, Fairbanks, or Juneau) and arrange to fly from there to your destination.

  • Alaska Car & Van Rentals, 854 E 36th Ave. A mom and pop rental company that offers low rates by not being at the airport. The only caveat is you must have your own car insurance. They are centrally located not far from downtown or the airport. They offer pickup and lower rates to military, NRA members and AAA members. (updated Sep 2016)
Routes through Anchorage
Wasilla (via ) ← Eagle River ←  N  S  → Girdwood → Soldotna


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