Anchorage Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Anchorage featuring a sandy beach and a sunset
Anchorage featuring a sunset, mountains and general coastal views
Anchorage which includes street scenes
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail showing forests
Anchorage featuring interior views

Anchorage Travel Guide Video

Known as a great place to see the northern lights, this city also offers many extreme adventures, including snow-kiting and ice-bike racing.

This Alaskan city offers visitors many vantage points from which to see the northern lights, as well as extreme sporting adventures, amazing scenery and the opportunity to experience local wildlife including bears, moose and wolves.

Anchorage’s bright starry nights form a perfect backdrop for the dancing northern lights (or aurora borealis). To see them, it is best to plan to spend a few days in the area as they are variable, rather like the weather. Fall, winter and spring are the most common times to see them.

Even in the summer, temperatures rarely rise beyond 66 F (19 C), and there is snowfall most months of the year. If you don’t mind wrapping up, though, Anchorage’s unusual environment forms the perfect habitat for wildlife, including bears, moose, wolves, and beavers.

If wildlife is top of your travel agenda, visit one of the fjords or glaciers, such as Prince William Sound, where you might see whales, kittiwakes, otters, puffins and sea lions. Take a boat trip up to the face of Portage Glacier, located in Chugach National Forest. This is also where you’ll find the Chugach Mountains. Backpackers and climbers flock here in the summer, while skiers and snow walkers arrive in the winter.

Another great way to get to know the area is by dog sledding. Choose from a number of rides and tours that travel through the countryside. In the summer, when there’s no snow, sleds with wheels are provided.

Anchorage’s extreme climate means there is some great snow and ice, and locals and tourists alike take advantage of that for many winter sports such as skiing, snowmobiling and dog mushing. Winding down from the day’s excursions isn’t difficult. Local beer is a specialty try the Polar Pale Ale or Sockeye Red IPA. Anchorage’s seafood is among the best in the country accompany your brew with freshly caught king crab or halibut.

Where to stay in Anchorage

Anchorage featuring marine life and a river or creek

Downtown Anchorage

4/5(38 area reviews)

Downtown Anchorage is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights area like Anchorage Historic City Hall and Log Cabin Visitor Information Center.

Downtown Anchorage
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Midtown Anchorage

3.5/5(4 area reviews)

Travellers come to Midtown Anchorage for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Z.J. Loussac Library - Main Branch and Wells Fargo Alaska Heritage Library and Museum while you're in town.

Midtown Anchorage
Chugach State Park showing a river or creek

Hillside

While visiting Hillside, you might make a stop by sights like Alaska Zoo and Anchorage Golf Course.

Hillside
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Alyeska

If you're spending some time in Alyeska, Girdwood Town Square and Girdwood Park are top sights worth seeing.

Alyeska
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Spenard

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

Abundant dining options and lake views are well-reviewed features of Spenard. Make a stop by top sights like Arctic Benson Park while you're exploring the area.

Spenard
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Taku - Campbell

While visiting Taku - Campbell, you might make a stop by sights like Dimond Center and Campbell Creek Greenbelt Park.

Taku - Campbell
Westmark Anchorage Hotel

Westmark Anchorage Hotel

3 out of 5
720 West 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK
The price is AU$403 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
AU$403
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Anchorage. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,083 reviews)
"Trash overflowing at entrance when we arrived and still 3 days later."

Reviewed on 26 Jul. 2025

Westmark Anchorage Hotel
Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport

Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport

3 out of 5
4411 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK
The price is AU$514 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$514
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Anchorage. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,042 reviews)
"It was close to the airport which is what we needed"

Reviewed on 26 Jul. 2025

Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport
Puffin Inn of Anchorage

Puffin Inn of Anchorage

2 out of 5
4400 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK
Book a stay at this business-friendly motel in Anchorage. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.2/10 Good! (2,896 reviews)
"AC doesn't work good and too noisy."

Reviewed on 28 Jul. 2025

Puffin Inn of Anchorage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Quiet Spot in the not so quiet city aka Spenard Anchorage

The Quiet Spot in the not so quiet city aka Spenard Anchorage

Anchorage
Stay at this apartment in Anchorage. Enjoy patios and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Pop Carr Park and Arctic Benson Park are located nearby.
3.6/10 (10 reviews)
A place to sleep
"Not too bad, can be better"

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

The Quiet Spot in the not so quiet city aka Spenard Anchorage
Private suite in an Owner occupied home with views of the Chugach Mountains.

Private suite in an Owner occupied home with views of the Chugach Mountains.

Anchorage
Stay at this vacation home in Anchorage. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Potter's ...
10/10 Exceptional! (187 reviews)
"Allison was amazing. I am coming back!"

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 2025

Private suite in an Owner occupied home with views of the Chugach Mountains.
Ground Floor End Unit in Midtown Anchorage

Ground Floor End Unit in Midtown Anchorage

Anchorage
Stay at this apartment in Anchorage. Enjoy laundry facilities. Popular attractions Wells Fargo Alaska Heritage Library and Museum and Wells Fargo History Museum ...
10/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
Awesome place
"This was a very cute apartment. It also had a bed in the couch. Very clean."

Reviewed on 26 Jun. 2025

Ground Floor End Unit in Midtown Anchorage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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