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

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 Cinemark Century Anchorage 16 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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Sand Lake

If you're spending some time in Sand Lake, Kincaid Park and Jewel Lake Park are top sights worth seeing.

Sand Lake
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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
Puffin Inn of Anchorage

Puffin Inn of Anchorage

2 out of 5
4400 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK
The price is AU$418 per night from 6 Sept to 7 Sept
AU$418
6 Sept - 7 Sept
includes taxes & fees
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! (2,936 reviews)
"The room was nice and the beds were comfortable. However, for our 4 night stay they never cleaned and restocked the room. One day they had replaced the towels and that was it. I had to ask at the front desk for extra towels, toilet paper and coffee. Everyone was very nice and the room was comfortable, ..."

Reviewed on 18 Aug. 2025

Puffin Inn of Anchorage
The Lakefront Anchorage

The Lakefront Anchorage

3.5 out of 5
4800 Spenard Road, Anchorage, AK
The price is AU$528 per night from 19 Sept to 20 Sept
AU$528
19 Sept - 20 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Anchorage. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,888 reviews)
"Location is excellent for watching sea planes"

Reviewed on 17 Aug. 2025

The Lakefront Anchorage
Westmark Anchorage Hotel

Westmark Anchorage Hotel

3 out of 5
720 West 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK
Fully refundable
The price is AU$346 per night from 15 Sept to 16 Sept
AU$346
15 Sept - 16 Sept
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 ...
7/10 Good! (1,036 reviews)
"Excellent location. Dislike paying $40 night for convenient parking. I should have parked in the public lot attached."

Reviewed on 16 Aug. 2025

Westmark Anchorage Hotel
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.
4/10 (12 reviews)
"Room was clean and quiet though it was a good stay for the price"

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 2025

The Quiet Spot in the not so quiet city aka Spenard Anchorage
Hot Tub and King bed with 3 other beds

Hot Tub and King bed with 3 other beds

Anchorage
Stay at this vacation home in Anchorage. Enjoy laundry facilities, in-room fireplaces, and a hot tub. Popular attractions DeLong Lake Park and Jewel Lake Park ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Everything was great!"

Reviewed on 4 Aug. 2025

Hot Tub and King bed with 3 other beds
Cozy 1-bedroom Studio apartment in gorgeous Anchorage close to all the neat spot

Cozy 1-bedroom Studio apartment in gorgeous Anchorage close to all the neat spot

Anchorage
Stay at this apartment in Anchorage. Enjoy laundry facilities. Popular attractions Arctic Benson Park and Business Park Wetlands Special Management Area are ...
4.8/10 (9 reviews)
"Priced accordingly. No issues. Had a pleasant stay."

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

Cozy 1-bedroom Studio apartment in gorgeous Anchorage close to all the neat spot
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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