Anchorage, AK

Travel Guide
Anchorage featuring a sunset, mountains and general coastal 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.

Anchorage Travel Guide Video

Where to stay in Anchorage

Puffin Inn of Anchorage
Puffin Inn of Anchorage
2 out of 5
4400 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $93 per night from Oct 5 to Oct 6
$93
per night
Oct 5 - Oct 6
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Anchorage. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the overall value and the property condition ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,619 reviews)
"Great to get an airport ride"

Reviewed on Oct 2, 2023

Puffin Inn of Anchorage
Alyeska Resort
Alyeska Resort
4 out of 5
1000 Arlberg Ave, Girdwood, AK
The price is $211 per night from Oct 19 to Oct 20
$211
per night
Oct 19 - Oct 20
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Girdwood. Enjoy free WiFi, 7 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Beautiful resort with great views
"The Alyeska Resort is expensive, but it's top notch. The rooms are very comfortable, the views are spectacular, and location is great. Unfortunately, the resort is old and can be hard to control the air temperature. Nonetheless, we called the front desk and someone showed up in 5 minutes to ..."

Reviewed on Sep 28, 2023

Alyeska Resort
The Lakefront Anchorage
The Lakefront Anchorage
3.5 out of 5
4800 Spenard Road, Anchorage, AK
The price is $107 per night from Oct 8 to Oct 9
$107
per night
Oct 8 - Oct 9
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Anchorage. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,381 reviews)
"I flew all the way here from Missouri by myself. As a solo female traveler, I'm always cautious about where I go and where I stay. I felt completely safe here. The staff are extremely friendly the hotel is very clean. They're lobby is just beautiful. The lake out back is breathtaking. I can spend ..."

Reviewed on Oct 2, 2023

The Lakefront 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.
Snug ski-in/ski-out condo with WiFi - right next door to the slopes
Snug ski-in/ski-out condo with WiFi - right next door to the slopes
Girdwood
Stay at this ski apartment in Girdwood. Enjoy onsite parking, ski-in/ski-out access, and a patio. Popular attractions Girdwood Center for Visual Arts and Alyeska ...
7.8/10 Good! (15 reviews)
"I like the easy check-in process. I didnt have to interact with anyone, lol. It's cozy and you still get the vibe that you are on vacation. My only problem is that it was a little hard to spot the building numbers."

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2023

Snug ski-in/ski-out condo with WiFi - right next door to the slopes
Bird Creek Chalet - 1 mile from Salmon Fishing!
Bird Creek Chalet - 1 mile from Salmon Fishing!
Anchorage
Stay at this cabin in Indian. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Penguin Valley Trailhead and Indian Valley Mine National Historic ...
Bird Creek Chalet - 1 mile from Salmon Fishing!
Best Views in Anchorage! Totally Private, Romantic, and Family Friendly Suite!
Best Views in Anchorage! Totally Private, Romantic, and Family Friendly Suite!
Anchorage
Stay at this ski vacation home in Anchorage. Enjoy a water park, WiFi, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Flattop Trail and Hillside Park are located nearby. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (37 reviews)
Great views of Anchorage and ocean.
"Good parking. Views awesome. Comfortable bed. Well equiped kitchen including staples like spices, tea, oil, etc."

Reviewed on Sep 30, 2023

Best Views in Anchorage! Totally Private, Romantic, and Family Friendly Suite!
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 Department 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

Reviews of Anchorage

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
800
" "5 - Excellent 32.05128205128205%
4 - Good
1164
" "4 - Good 46.63461538461539%
3 - Okay
446
" "3 - Okay 17.868589743589745%
2 - Disappointing
64
" "2 - Disappointing 2.5641025641025643%
1 - Terrible
22
" "1 - Terrible 0.8814102564102564%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 1, 2020

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 31, 2020

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

5/5 - Excellent

KB
May 31, 2020

Absolutely beautiful

4/5 - Good

Cassius
May 26, 2020

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
May 24, 2020

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
May 23, 2020

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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