Let’s be honest. You don’t come to Anchorage for a standard city trip. You come for the wild that’s right outside the door.
It’s a place where you can grab a world-class pastry downtown and an hour later be standing on a glacier. Anchorage isn’t the end of the road; it’s the spectacular, living gateway to the Last Frontier.
Forget everything you know about urban vacations. This is about raw, humbling nature meeting a city with serious grit and heart.
We’re diving into the absolute best things to do in Anchorage, from soaring over mountain ranges to watching moose wander through a park. Buckle up.
1. Hike the Flattop Mountain Trail
Want the iconic Anchorage hike? Flattop Mountain is it. Just a 20-minute drive from downtown, this trail serves up the most spectacular reward-to-effort ratio in the state.
The path starts gentle but gets steeper, ending with a fun, hands-on scramble to the 3,510-foot summit.
The payoff? A 360-degree panoramic view that will steal your breath. You can see the city, the Cook Inlet, the Chugach Mountains, and on a clear day, Denali itself.
It’s popular for a reason. Go early to beat the crowds and bring layers—the wind at the top is no joke. This is the number one must-do in Anchorage for active visitors.
2. Encounter Wildlife at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Picture this: you’re driving along the stunning Turnagain Arm, and you see a massive wood bison grazing. That’s the AWCC. This incredible nonprofit sanctuary takes in injured and orphaned animals, giving them large, natural habitats to roam.
You can see brown bears, moose, musk ox, lynx, and more up close. The drive-through or walk-through experience is both fun and educational.
It’s a guaranteed way to see Alaska’s most famous residents safely and ethically. For families or anyone who loves animals, this is a top Anchorage attraction.
3. Bike the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
This trail is Anchorage’s pride and joy. Stretching 11 miles from downtown to Kincaid Park, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is a paved, mostly flat path perfect for biking, walking, or rollerblading. The views are simply unbeatable.
You’ll cruise along the Cook Inlet coastline with sights of mountains, maybe beluga whales, and even the occasional moose. Rent a bike downtown and make an afternoon of it.
Pack a snack and stop at one of the many scenic overlooks. It’s the perfect way to experience the city’s natural beauty and is a best thing to do in Anchorage for all ages.
4. Marvel at Glaciers on a Day Cruise from Whittier
While not technically in Anchorage, this is the single most breathtaking excursion you can take from the city. A short, scenic drive through the tunnel to Whittier opens up a world of icy wonders. Climb aboard a day cruise into Prince William Sound.
You’ll glide past towering blue glaciers, watch them calve into the sea with a thunderous crack, and see sea otters, seals, and puffins. The scale is something you have to witness to believe.
Companies like Phillips Cruises offer these trips from late April through September. It’s an unforgettable top activity near Anchorage.
5. Explore the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
Don’t let the wilderness fool you—Anchorage has a world-class cultural heart. The Anchorage Museum is stunning, blending art, history, and science under one modern roof. The Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center is a standout, with over 600 Alaska Native artifacts.
You can spend hours exploring exhibits on Alaskan history, contemporary art from the North, and fascinating hands-on science galleries for kids.
It’s a warm, enriching, and beautiful space that tells the complex story of Alaska. For a rainy day or a dose of culture, this is a premier place to visit in Anchorage.
6. Watch for Belugas and Bore Tides at Beluga Point
Pull over at this iconic turnout along the Seward Highway, about 20 minutes south of town. Beluga Point is famous for two natural shows. From mid-July through August, you might spot pods of small, white beluga whales chasing fish in the Cook Inlet.
The other spectacle is the bore tide, a rare tidal wave that rushes up the Turnagain Arm. Check the local tide tables to time your visit. Even without the special events, the mountain and water views are epic. It’s a quick, free, and quintessential thing to do in Anchorage Alaska.
7. Walk Among Giants at the Alaska Botanical Garden
Step into a quiet, lush sanctuary in the middle of the boreal forest. The Alaska Botanical Garden is an 110-acre living museum showcasing hardy plants that thrive in the north. Stroll through the perennial gardens, the alpine rock garden, and the peaceful forest trails.
In summer, it’s a riot of color. The gardens are also a great place to learn about local berries and edible plants. It’s less crowded than other spots, offering a serene escape.
For gardeners, photographers, or anyone needing a peaceful stroll, this is a beautiful and often overlooked Anchorage activity.
8. Discover Aviation History at the Alaska Aviation Museum
Alaska isn’t connected by roads—it’s connected by planes. This museum, located on Lake Hood (the world’s busiest seaplane base), celebrates that spirit. You can see beautifully restored historic aircraft, from bush planes to a massive WWII-era Flying Fortress.
Watch seaplanes take off and land right next to the museum. The stories of pioneer aviators who dared to fly in some of the world’s toughest conditions are utterly captivating. It’s a unique and thrilling look at the true lifeline of the state.
9. Pan for Gold at Indian Valley Mine
Ever wanted to try your luck? Just a 30-minute scenic drive south, the Indian Valley Mine offers a fun, hands-on step back to Alaska’s gold rush days.
This historic mine site offers gold panning tours where you get to learn the technique and keep any flakes you find.
They also have a fascinating collection of mining equipment and local artifacts. The staff are passionate and full of stories.
It’s a quirky, educational, and genuinely fun outing, especially for families. It’s a memorable thing to do near Anchorage that’s a bit off the beaten path.
10. Stroll Through History at the Alaska Native Heritage Center
This is not a museum with dusty glass cases. It’s a vibrant, living celebration of Alaska’s 11 major cultural groups. Located on 26 wooded acres, you can walk through authentic village sites around a lake, each representing a different region and people.
Inside the Hall of Cultures, watch master artists at work, listen to traditional stories, and see incredible dance performances.
The center is run by Alaska Native people, offering a genuine and respectful connection to the state’s first peoples. It’s an essential and enriching cultural must-see in Anchorage.
11. Experience the Reindeer at Williams Reindeer Farm
Yes, you can visit real reindeer! Just an hour’s beautiful drive north in Palmer, this family-run farm lets you get up close and personal with a whole herd of reindeer. You can feed them, learn about them, and see other animals like bison and elk.
In the summer, the views of the Pioneer Peak mountains are stunning. During winter, they offer special events. It’s a wholesome, uniquely Alaskan experience that feels like a visit to a friend’s farm. It’s a crowd-pleaser and a fantastic family activity near Anchorage.
12. Ride the Scenic Alaska Railroad
All aboard for one of the most beautiful train journeys in America. The Alaska Railroad departs right from downtown Anchorage. You don’t even need a destination—the trip itself is the adventure.
Take the day trip south to Seward or north to Talkeetna. You’ll glide past vistas completely inaccessible by car: deep gorges, remote rivers, and mountains draped in glaciers.
The glass-dome cars are perfect for soaking it all in. It’s a relaxing, spectacular, and iconic way to see the wild heart of Alaska.
Conclusion
Anchorage isn’t just a dot on a map. It’s a feeling of crisp air, a sight of a moose ambling through a neighborhood, and the profound quiet of a landscape that reminds you how big the world really is. This list is your key to that experience.
Now, it’s your turn. Book that ticket, pack your sense of adventure (and a good rain jacket), and go see it. These best things to do in Anchorage, Alaska are waiting. Your frontier adventure starts the moment you step outside. Go find it.