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5 Things We Love About Anchorage

John the Flower Guy Brian Adams
John the Flower Guy (Photo: Brian Adams)

As Alaska’s largest city and the urban hub for much of the state’s commerce, government, and transportation, Anchorage is still often overlooked as a must-see destination on its own. Those of us who live, work, and play here regularly partake in the diverse recreation, fine arts, dining and outdoor spaces that make this Southcentral Alaska community special. Don’t just stop in the airport or train depot; stay and play!

 

Parks

Alaska scenery and swans
Alaska scenery and swans (Photo: Stephen Bugno)

Positioned at the foot of the Chugach mountain range to the east, and along the shorelines of Cook Inlet to the west, the municipality of Anchorage is home to 223 municipal parks, one state park (Chugach), and provides access to miles of federal land, often seamlessly blending into one another. If you like outdoor spaces and an abundance of nature, this is the place to be.

 

Recreation

Bear viewing in Alaska
Bear viewing in Alaska

All this public outdoor space means access to nearly every form of outside play in every season. From biking, running, walking, or skiing the nearly 200 miles of trails available, to paddling a nearby creek or lake, Anchorage’s outdoor scene is a busy one. We have plenty of recreational retailers and renters, too, so don’t worry if you don’t have your own gear; it’s likely to be in a store here, even if you’re only visiting for a few days.

 

Food

King crab in Anchorage
King crab in Anchorage (Photo: JodyO.photos)

Love seafood, including the famous Alaska salmon? We’ve got it. Want to catch it yourself? Done. Anchorage is strategically located to take advantage of a ton of fishing (and catching!) opportunities on both sea and freshwater waterways. Greatland Adventures can even provide transportation to or from some of these amazing fishing spots through our transfer tours! But if dining out is your jam, look no further than the restaurants in and around downtown Anchorage. From Asian-fusion to pub grub and everything in between, this city is a foodie’s delight.

 

History

 

The land present-day Anchorage sits on is the ancestral home of the Dena’ina People, who have lived upon its beautiful landscapes for millennia. The Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center is a great place to visit and capture the meaning of the land and water around the city. The urban Anchorage was settled as a tent city to support construction of the Alaska Railroad in 1915, and it grew, and grew from there to be the hub it is today. Learn more about our amazing city on a scenic city tour with our guide team and see the city’s highlights aboard one of our comfy vans.

 

Fine Arts

Town Square Afternoon in Anchorage Alaska
Town Square Afternoon in Anchorage Alaska (Photo: JodyO. Photos | Visit Anchorage)

Yep, we do have concerts, plays, and live music performances in Anchorage, and at a number of cool venues, too. For Broadway-caliber shows, try the Performing Arts Center in downtown Anchorage, right next to Town Square Park. Or, hit up Cyrano’s Playhouse on 4th Avenue for a smaller-scale (but no less spectacular) performance. And don’t forget the local breweries either, that stack up outdoor concerts in the summer, often outdoors to take advantage of Alaska’s famous Midnight Sun. Oh, and for visual art lovers; the city is full of murals, totem poles, sculptures, and other quirky and powerful statement pieces too, just start walking!

 

 

 

Private Anchorage Sightseeing Tour

Duration
Half Day
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Departure Location
Anchorage

Get a perfect introduction to the greater Anchorage area on this 3-hour tour. Stops include Earthquake Park, Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Beluga Point, Potter's Marsh, and Flattop Mountain.

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Private Turnagain Arm Summer Wildlife Tour

Duration
Full Day
Season
Summer, Fall
Departure Location
Anchorage

Travel the scenic Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm to Portage Valley. Take a scenic tram to the top of a mountain, cruise an iceberg dotted lake, view Alaska's iconic animals up close, or hike the many trails. The choice is yours!

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Seward to Anchorage Cruise Transfer/Tour

Duration
Full Day
Season
Summer
Departure Location
Seward

Combine this amazing, full-day tour with a Kenai Fjords Cruise and Tour. Experience the best parts of the Seward Highway, scenic Turnagain Arm, and Anchorage with a local guide.

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