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Consolidated city-borough in Alaska, US
Photo: Didier Moïse, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, in the Southcentral region. Anchorage is a cosmopolitan port city with a population of 291 247 (2020). 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.
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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 expansion features new gallery space for the museum’s art collection and exploration of art of the North.
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).
Alaska State Trooper Museum
The state's only collection of historical law enforcement memoribilia from not only Alaska but also the world.
Veteran museum with large exhibits covering World War II and the Cold War, with the oldest starting with the Civil War.
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.
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.
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 (2.5-km) 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.
The Oscar Anderson House was built in 1915. It is one of the oldest houses in Anchorage and the city's only house museum. Oscar Anderson always claimed to have been the 18th person to arrive in the "tent city" of Ship Creek in early 1915. Anderson was an active businessman in Anchorage, with interests in meatpacking, coal production, airlines, and newspaper publishing.
Lake Hood is home to the world's largest seaplane base. This airbase features four display hangars and vintage aircraft, a Cecil Higgins Restoration Hangar (watch volunteers restore a World War II Curtiss P-40), and the Seybert Tower (watch seaplanes from the cockpit and listen to Ted Stevens International radio live from the Lake Hood tower).
My Alaska Center
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You can get great pricing on bike rentals and excellent suggestions and advice on bicycle and hiking routes in and around Anchorage.
Maintains and provide information on numerous nordic (cross-country) ski trails around town.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Offers helicopter and snow-cat skiing in the Chugach mountains with a professional guide for advanced intermediate to expert skiers and boarders.
Located in the Tordrillo Mountain Range about 75 miles (121 km) west-northwest of Anchorage. The Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers Winter & Summer heli skiing and heli snowboarding opportunities for novices and pros.
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. It's home-cooking, the Alaskan way.
Remarkably good Himalayan and Indian cuisine in Spenard. Five minutes from the airport.
Good, cheap Hawaiian and Tongan food. Another location on Fireweed.
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."
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.
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.
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.
An Anchorage standard famous for their pan-fried chicken but also serving one of the better burgers in town. Try their shakes too.
Routinely voted the best burgers and philly sandwiches in Anchorage.
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.
Ramen is probably going to taste good on a cold day.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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!
A Mexican gastropub.
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.
A superb menu of Alaskan seafood with a twist, Danish specialties, and French classics that changes daily. Bar and good wine selection.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Ask to see the photo book.
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!
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.
Dive bar with amenities such as darts, shuffleboard, and pool. Lots of space to sit in a casual environment.
Longstanding cocktail bar with a welcoming atmosphere. Karaoke every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Has darts, live music, and pool.
Hostelling International Anchorage
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.
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.
Bed and Breakfast
When you want to appreciate Anchorage without concrete and crowds, try "a healthy way to stay". Calm, peaceful, low key. Great breakfasts, too.
3 stars
formerly The Millennium Alaska Hotel
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.
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.
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.
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.
Harley Davidson
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.
By car
Anchorage is also accessible from the contiguous United States (locally referred to as "the Lower 48") and Canada via road.
By boat
Because of the shallow conditions of the inlet and powerful tides, as much as 30 ft, only one large cruise ship, from Holland America Line, regularly calls in the summer on the Port of Anchorage,…
By bus
By train
The Alaska Railroad runs from Seward through Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks to North Pole, with spurs to Whittier and formerly Palmer.
By foot
The area that can be explored by walking is the relatively compact downtown area., summer music concerts) within walking distance.
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.
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. A single ticket costs $2, a day ticket costs $5.
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…
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