Plan Your Alaska Experience in Anchorage 

Whether you have 24 hours or a full week, Anchorage is filled with wonder. This ultimate itinerary can be followed in any season. Just start with Day 1 and follow it for as much time as you have in the city.

Day 1 

• Board Anchorage Trolley Tours for a one-hour circuit packed with local history, off-the-radar quirks, and plenty of Alaska anecdotes.

• Dive into Alaska Native design, historic and contemporary art, and engaging exhibits at the Anchorage Museum.

• Downtown draws more than people. Rent a rod and cast for Chinook or coho salmon at Ship Creek, or try ice fishing for rainbow trout or Dolly Varden on a local lake.

Day 2

• Start at the Glen Alps Trailhead to get a panoramic view of the city, the inlet, and even Denali on a clear day.

• Meet local creatures like moose, polar bears, and musk oxen at the Alaska Zoo or take a self-guided moose-spotting safari to Kincaid Park.

• Stop in and toast one of 18 members of the city’s diverse brewery and distillery scene. 49th Brewery State, Odd Man Rush Brewing, and Glacier BrewHouse are sure to satisfy.

Day 3

• Explore the mountain town of Girdwood, locally known as “Glacier City” for the seven glaciers surrounding the valley. The aerial tram at Alyeska Resort ascends steep slopes for Turnagain Arm and glacier views.

  • Follow Winner Creek Trail through the coastal rainforest. Local shops offer diverse choices like handmade art, clothing, gift items, and ski gear. Or simply relax at the Alyeska Nordic Spa.

Day 4

• The Alaska Native Heritage Center shares Indigenous cultures from the Arctic to the Alaska Panhandle.

• Bike or ski the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for shore views, then stop for bird-watching or ice skating at Westchester Lagoon, an urban oasis surrounded by paved trails.

Day 5

• Take off for adventure with a flightseeing tour. Glide between Chugach peaks, soar above glaciers, visit iconic bear-viewing spots, or circle Denali in a day. Discover pioneering aircraft at the Alaska Aviation Museum on the shores of Lake Hood.

Day 6

• Head to McHugh Creek Trailhead for views of waterfalls and links to nearby trails. Stroll through the Alaska Botanical Garden and revel in perennials, or delight in the seasonal light displays throughout the winter. Wrap up your week with live music at a local venue or, in summer, an outdoor show at an Anchorage park.

Day 7

In the summer, take the Alaska Railroad to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, where the paddle and hike combo adventure will feel like getting your own private glacier for the day.

During winter, a good pair of snowshoes will get you out on the trails no matter the weather. Hike into the Chugach on the Powerline Pass or Eklutna Lakeside Trails, or join a tour to see some hidden gems.