Anchorage, AK

Travel Guide

Anchorage which includes a sandy beach and a sunset
Anchorage featuring a sunset, mountains and general coastal views
Anchorage featuring street scenes
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail featuring forest scenes
Anchorage which includes 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 showing marine life and a river or creek

Downtown Anchorage

3.5/5(1,370 area reviews)

This central business district boasts some of Alaska's tallest buildings, such as the ConocoPhillips and Atwood Buildings, and offers cultural points of interest, shopping, dining, and nightlife attractions.

Downtown Anchorage
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Midtown Anchorage

4/5(784 area reviews)

Midtown Anchorage is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Z.J. Loussac Library - Main Branch and Business Park Wetlands Special Management Area while in the area.

Midtown Anchorage
Chugach State Park featuring a river or creek

Hillside

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

Hillside
Virgin Creek Falls in Girdwood. Such an easy short hike in the rainforest to one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Fall colors in full display.
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#Adventure #Girdwood #VirginCreekfalls

Alyeska

While visiting Alyeska, you might make a stop by sights like Girdwood Town Square and Girdwood Park.

Alyeska
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Spenard

3.5/5(1,106 area reviews)

Bohemian lifestyle and artistic flair thrive in this Alaskan neighborhood, with easy access to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Enjoy the lively bar scene and convenient public transportation via the People Mover's frequent network.

Spenard
Apparently the busiest seaplane base in the world ... pretty quiet the day I was there though

Taku - Campbell

If you're spending some time in Taku - Campbell, Dimond Center and Campbell Creek Greenbelt Park are top sights worth seeing.

Taku - Campbell
Westmark Anchorage Hotel
Westmark Anchorage Hotel
3 out of 5
720 West 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK
$232 nightly
The price is $260 total per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
$260 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,022 reviews)
"Love it"

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Westmark Anchorage Hotel
Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport
Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport
3 out of 5
4411 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK
$299 nightly
The price is $335 total per night from Jul 28 to Jul 29
$335 total
Jul 28 - Jul 29
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,040 reviews)
"Like it all"

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport
Puffin Inn of Anchorage
Puffin Inn of Anchorage
2 out of 5
4400 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK
$269 nightly
The price is $301 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$301 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Total includes taxes and 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! (2,824 reviews)
"Tough place to walk around"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 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 Port of Anchorage and Pop Carr Park are located nearby.
3.4/10 (9 reviews)
"There was a hair and crumbs in the bed when we arrived. The bathtub didn’t work. There was a man sleeping outside of the room."

Reviewed on Jun 20, 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! (182 reviews)
"We were only there for 8 hours to sleep but everything was perfect."

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Private suite in an Owner occupied home with views of the Chugach Mountains.
Cheerful 4 bedroom home w/HOT TUB close to Airport
Cheerful 4 bedroom home w/HOT TUB close to Airport
Anchorage
Stay at this vacation home in Anchorage. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Port of Anchorage and Jewel Lake Park are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (26 reviews)
"The house was spacious and comfortable for our two families to rest, shower, and wash laundry after a week of camping."

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

Cheerful 4 bedroom home w/HOT TUB close to Airport
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.

Getting around Anchorage

Anchorage is spread out, and you’ll find that renting a car is the easiest way to explore the city and its surroundings. There are many rental operators at the airport and in town, but be aware that in summer you may have to book ahead to secure a car. Roads can be in a bad condition during the winter, so it’s best to avoid driving at this time; be very careful and go slowly if you do get behind the wheel. Visit the Anchorage's Public Transportation DepartmentOpens in a new window website.Browse Anchorage rental cars.

Best time to visit

While you should never expect sweltering sunbathing weather in Anchorage, the warmest time of year is summer, when temperatures reach the mid 60s F (high teens C). You’ll also find that the city comes alive with flowers at this time of year. Winter is extremely cold, with average highs in the mid 20s F (around -5 C); however, you can see the northern lights around this time, and enjoy winter sports.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Anchorage

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
800
5 - Excellent 32%
4 - Good
1164
4 - Good 47%
3 - Okay
446
3 - Okay 18%
2 - Disappointing
64
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
22
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Wish the museums Would have been open. If you get a change take Grant Aviation flight. It is exhilarating

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Anchorage was great. Easy to navigate the city. Dining options were great and family friendly. Beautiful mountains.

5/5 - Excellent

KB

Absolutely beautiful

4/5 - Good

Cassius

Anchorage is a place to go if you want to look at the scenery, go shoppi, or get a good bite to eat at many choices of restaurants. You can visit the Alaska Zoo, drive to Flat Top, or a Park by the inlet. You can also drive to towns on the peninsula.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I live in Anchorage but I work in Juneau so I’m familiar with everything in Anchorage. I came for peace and quiet.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Felt not safe when I was walking to Walmart, Barnes & Noble and some other places. I could see so many homeless people were near by hotel, bus stop and intersection.

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