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 Arctic Benson Park 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
The price is ¥30,133 per night from Jul 9 to Jul 10
¥30,133
¥33,749 total
Jul 9 - Jul 10
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 ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,039 reviews)
"My friends and I needed a place to stay for 1 night in Anchorage before heading home and the Westmark had everything that we required. It’s right downtown, so very walkable to anything you could want/need. We just happened to stay the night of the summer solstice and were a quick 1 minute walk to ..."

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

Westmark Anchorage Hotel
Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport
Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport
3 out of 5
4411 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK
The price is ¥43,710 per night from Jun 28 to Jun 29
¥43,710
¥48,955 total
Jun 28 - Jun 29
includes taxes & 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 ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,006 reviews)
"It was great! It was the first positive thing to happen after a nightmare arrival trip and unexpected "no-show"cancelation from the hotel we were supposed to stay at (Wingate Wyndham Downtown--HUGE thumbs down) after our flight was delayed and were forced to fly out from Seattle the next morning. ..."

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport
Puffin Inn of Anchorage
Puffin Inn of Anchorage
2 out of 5
4400 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK
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! (2,767 reviews)
"Very accommodating."

Reviewed on Jun 21, 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 Peaceful Cottage- minutes from the airport and downtown!
The Peaceful Cottage- minutes from the airport and downtown!
2 out of 5
Anchorage
Stay at this apartment in Anchorage. Enjoy free WiFi and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Port of Anchorage and Pop Carr Park are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (17 reviews)
Nice clean place- able to sit out side , as it’s spring - easy to find -
"Well kept property friendly neighbor Perfect for our atay"

Reviewed on Jun 6, 2025

The Peaceful Cottage- minutes from the airport and downtown!
Girdwood Getaway  - Hot tub with a View!
Girdwood Getaway - Hot tub with a View!
Anchorage
Stay at this apartment in Girdwood. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and balconies. Popular attractions Alyeska Ski Resort and Girdwood Town Square are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (25 reviews)
Girdwood property
"Very nice property in a good location, close proximity to the cruise terminal in Whittier. Everything worked out great."

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2025

Girdwood Getaway - Hot tub with a View!
The perfect space for your stay, located in the heart of Anchorage
The perfect space for your stay, located in the heart of Anchorage
Anchorage
Stay at this apartment in Anchorage. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Port of Anchorage and Wells Fargo History Museum are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (54 reviews)
Midtown Anchorage
"Good for the price. It satisfied my needs for a place to sleep."

Reviewed on May 29, 2025

The perfect space for your stay, located in the heart 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.

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.

Cities near Anchorage