Anchorage is located in a stunning location in the southern center of Alaska. This is Alaska's largest city. It boasts attractions, natural wonders, and quintessential hospitality, making it a top cosmopolitan destination. Wildlife, glaciers, and trails are some of its best assets, in addition to the state's cultural heritage. No other place in Alaska has more musicians and artists than Anchorage. In this city, you can find atmospheric restaurants and craft breweries, explore many glacier museums, or marvel at ivory beluga whales plunging into open waters with Denali as a backdrop.
Whether exploring one of the area's many glaciers or spotting wild moose, Anchorage offers atmospheric restaurants and craft breweries. Embark on a cultural exploration of Native Alaskan heritage or watch ivory beluga whales plunge into open waters with Denali in the background. Discover Anchorage's natural and cultural attractions and the highlights below on your Alaska cruise.
Grizzly's Gifts is the place to go if you are looking for souvenirs. At the shop's entrance, you'll find a giant, second-story grizzly statue. In terms of gift shops in Anchorage, Kobuk is one of the oldest. In the Anchorage Museum Store, you can shop for pieces with Alaskan influences and artistic works of art. Anchorage is a great place to shop for native heritage art, dried salmon, and local candy. The additional benefit of shopping in Anchorage is that all purchases are tax-free.
Because Anchorage is so far north and hard to reach, it wasn't able to participate in the old Rush population boom right away. To get newcomers from the tidewaters of southeast Alaska to Anchorage, a federally owned railroad was constructed in 1915. Anchorage didn't become the large Alaskan city it is today until World War II when the population boomed. Near Anchorage, two military bases were built after Pearl Harbor. As oil was discovered in the 1970s, the city's growth continued. Alaska's economy is still primarily driven by natural resource extraction, military bases, and tourism. Discover Anchorage's culture today by biking, taking part in Native American music and dance traditions, and learning how the land still plays a significant role in the life of locals.
Anchorage is situated at the end of an idyllic inlet, shielded from the glittering waters of the Gulf of Alaska by the Kenai Peninsula, near gorgeous lakes, glistening glaciers, and captivating scenery. Anchorage is a great place to start your exploration of Alaska's rugged and remote reaches. Still, there is also plenty to do there itself:
There are a series of hiking trails that give easy access to Alaska's untamed wilderness and scenic drives through Chugach State Park. There is also fishing, rafting, and kayaking to enjoy. This region encompasses soaring mountains, empty valleys, icy lakes, and alpine forests in addition to the north, south, and east urban sprawl. These features provide excellent hiking and biking opportunities. Numerous marked hiking trails link the city and its hinterlands. The Lakeside Trail runs along the edge of Eklutna Lake with views of the ice fields in the east, and the Ice Field Trail follows the edge of the lake.
For a thorough introduction to the Alaskan region and its native, visit Anchorage Museum. As the largest museum in the state, it features exhibits on local wildlife and native Alaskan cultures. While taking the museum tour, visitors might come across the state's present and past: the interactive kids section and the informative exhibits as true highlights of the museum.
You can enjoy 11 miles of coastal walking and biking trails from downtown Anchorage. Oscar Anderson House begins the route, followed by Earthquake Park - where panels explain how the 1964 earthquake swallowed shorelines. You can often spot beluga whales and moose along the rest of this route. In addition to the Chugach Mountains, Denali and the downtown skyline can be seen along the path. With significant mountain views, Kincaid Park is the end of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Via bicycle, the trail can be traversed in large parts. Downtown Bicycle Rental offers daytime bicycle rentals to visitors without their own two wheels.
In Kenai Fjords National Park, located on the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield on the Kenai Peninsula, glaciers, coastal mountains, and fabulous scenery can be found. Over 900 square miles of the park are accessible by road, but only Exit Glacier is accessible by road. A guided tour teaches visitors about the ice-shaped landscape nearby or on trails that lead to the glacier. It is possible to explore the national park by the sea, air, or on foot, either as part of a group tour or independently. The best way to see and experience this park is often with guides and outfitters or through ranger-led programs. Homer, Seward, and Kenai are the largest settlements on the Kenai Peninsula, and all are easily accessible via Highway 1 or 9.
Situated on the Seward Highway south of Anchorage, Seward is the last stop south of Anchorage. A great base from which to explore the area around Kenai Fjords National Park, the town is a significant gateway to the park. Fishing port Seward hosts the Alaska Railroad terminus. Here,visitor’s book fishing, hunting, or sightseeing trips using charter boats or planes, named for William H. Seward - the man who negotiated the purchase of Alaska. In addition to these attractions, Alaska SeaLife Center is the town's main draw. Here you will find Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and seabirds. You can spot gangly king crab in the center and impressive giant Pacific octopuses at the center.
The best time to visit Anchorage is during summer, when the weather is most excellent, with clear skies and roughly 460 flower beds blooming. During this season, the views are worth a trip but don't expect the swimsuit weather as the average temperature will stay in the low 70s. If you want a bearable temperature and fewer crowds, consider taking a cruise during the spring or fall. Or, if you're brave enough to handle the Alaskan cold, visit during winter. It isn't so bad, as it offers plenty of winter sports opportunities and you'll surely see the northern lights.
