10 Things to do in Downtown That You Shouldn't Miss

January 23, 2022 Rebbecca Marino

Set amid the coastal Chugach Mountains, Anchorage defies popular visions of polar ice caps and frozen tundra. It’s also warmer than you think (averaging 65 degrees in summer), making conditions ideal for sight-seeing or taking on uniquely Alaskan opportunities like arctic biking or touring the fjords of Prince William Sound. In the winter, you can ski, dogsled or do both simultaneously by "skijoring," which is cross-country skiing while being towed by a dog. Hey, it's no crazier a winter sport than the biathlon.
Restaurants in Anchorage

1. Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

400 D St You Do Not Have Prices, Anchorage, AK 99501-2342 +1 907-376-5155 [email protected] http://www.iditarod.com/
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 319 reviews

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Reviewed By GirlOH - Dayton, United States

Attending the start of the race twice has been a highlight. I never would have thought it is as reasonably priced as it is to attend the start. All the participants are so nice and their dogs are so well cared for. Attend the mushers' banquet and autograph time beforehand. This is like attending dinner with both teams and Hall of Fame members the night before the Super Bowl.

2. Willawaw Nature Trail

Mile 4.3 Portage Glacier Access Road, Anchorage, AK +1 907-783-2326
Excellent
84%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 25 reviews

Willawaw Nature Trail

3. Alaska Public Land Information Centers

605 W 4th Ave Ste 105, Anchorage, AK 99501-2253 +1 907-644-3680 [email protected] https://www.alaskacenters.gov/visitors-centers/anchorage
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 256 reviews

Alaska Public Land Information Centers

Learn about the parks, forests, and refuges in Alaska through interactive exhibits, Junior Ranger programs, scavenger hunts, as well as free movies and presentations in the theater. During the summer there are Park Ranger-led walking tours, visits from the zoo, and other special programming.

Reviewed By 907blaked - Tampa, United States

It is difficult to know from the outside that there are exhibits and a movie theater inside this building, unless you know it in advance. We had read about it on TripAdvisor, and so when we went inside the Log Cabin Visitor Center to ask about the Anchorage Center federal building across the street, they provided us information and gave us a schedule of the movies that were playing. To get inside the Anchorage Center, as many have said, you go through what is essentially airport security, meaning you cannot have any knives or weapons, including ulu knives. Once you’re through security, there is a nice area with some exhibits, very nice bathrooms, and then the movie theater that plays about seven movies throughout the day. Each movie is about 20 minutes and it’s very well done. Some of the movies are repeated at different times. We ended up seeing four different movies during our stay in Anchorage, and I enjoyed all of them. The best ones were the ones about Katmai and the grizzly bears, and the one about the 1964 earthquake. Definitely plan on spending an hour or two here if you want to see any of the movies.

4. Anchorage Symphony Orchestra

400 D St, Anchorage, AK 99501-2342 +1 907-274-8668 [email protected] http://www.anchoragesymphony.org/
Excellent
57%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Anchorage Symphony Orchestra

5. Wolf Song of Alaska

Eagle River, Anchorage, AK 99577 +1 907-622-9653 [email protected] http://www.wolfsongalaska.org
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Due to plans to evaluate upgrading our facilities, our museum, education center and museum gift shop will be closed until further notice.

6. Portage Glacier

Portage Lake Loop, Girdwood, Anchorage, AK 907 783 232 http://www.portageglaciercruises.com
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,025 reviews

Portage Glacier

A popular tourist attraction.

Reviewed By PookyCake - Victoria, Canada

Named by Thomas Mendenhall in 1898, Portage Glacier sits on the edge of Portage Lake and is technically part of the Chugach National Forest. Often considered a “crown jewel” by tourists because of its relatively close proximity to Anchorage, Portage Glacier is perhaps the most visited glacier in Alaska. Accessible by boat or a brisk hike, the glacier provides us with a number of things: 1) Beautiful views and a peek into geologic history; and, 2) Clear and irrefutable evidence of global warming. I was able to view Portage Glacier via a cruise on the stylish MV Ptarmigan (hey, I like the name!). Knowing that we would get up to 300 yards away from this natural beauty was both exhilarating and exciting. After all, up until this point, I’d never had the pleasure of viewing a glacier . . . let alone up close. In this respect, the MV Ptarmigan did not disappoint. After cruising Portage Lake, we got up close and personal with the glacier. Seeing this alpine wonder at such a close distance was nothing short of breathtaking – the sunlight shone just enough for us to see the various shades of brilliant blue that make up the glacier. It was almost as if the Earth was alive and talking to us . . . just a completely surreal and unforgettable experience. On the other hand, seeing Portage Glacier was also a sobering experience. During our tour aboard the MV Ptarmigan, the knowledgeable guides noted that the glacier has been in steady retreat for well over a 50-year period. Complementing their information is a helpful resource book readily available on the tour vessel that shows – through pictures – how Portage Glacier has changed over the years. Indeed, at just under 10 kilometers in length, the glacier sounds most impressive; however, when you realize that it was once recorded at 23 kilometers in length (filling the entire Portage Valley), you are hit with an undeniable truth. What can we do to save this, and other of Earth’s natural wonders? If you’re visiting the Anchorage area, a stop at Portage Glacier is a definite “must do.” It’s beautiful, it’s educational and it highlights a contemporary conundrum. Be sure to visit this “crown jewel” before it disappears.

737 W 5th Ave, Suite E, Anchorage, AK 99501-2129 +1 907-274-0234 http://www.aurorafineart-alaska.com/
Excellent
75%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
12%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8 reviews

Aurora Fine Arts Gallery

8. Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

entrance at W 2nd Ave, Anchorage, AK +1 907-279-5293 http://anchoragecoastaltrail.com
Excellent
67%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,797 reviews

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

Popular biking trail along the coast.

Reviewed By colinun - Anchorage, United States

If you have a free day in Anchorage, or just want to explore at your own pace, do yourself a favor, and rent a bike downtown and hit the trail. The trail winds along the coast line as you head towards the airport. You will pass Westchester lagoon, a great place for bird watching, as you leave downtown, and pedal through Earthquake Park. If you go up the hill from the park, at the top you will be rewarded by tremendous panoramic views, and a great spot to watch the airplanes takeoff and land. Further down the trail is Point Woronzof Beach and the Kincaid Park. Along the way be on the lookout for some of Alaska's famous residents, bears and especially moose!

9. Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center

625 C St, Anchorage, AK 99501-3544 +1 907-929-9201 [email protected] http://www.anchoragemuseum.org
Excellent
66%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,555 reviews

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center

Alaska's largest museum focusing on art, history, science and culture of Alaska.

Reviewed By bikegem - Penngrove, United States

Wow. We had a few hours to kill during Fur Rondy and decided to visit this museum and are we glad we did. It was one of the highlights of our trip to Anchorage. The art in this museum is amazing....from romantic naturalism to modern art (mostly done by Aative Alaskans), we were in awe of the depth and breadth of the collection. Especially loved the Idiot String art piece and the different paintings of the wonderful Alaskan countryside. Very skillfully displayed and arranged. The Smithsonian portion of the museum houses a very cohesive display of the different Native American Alaskan tribes, with examples of their tools, dress and artifacts, accompanied by interesting video presentations. My only complaint is that the light is very low in that portion of the museum (probably to enhance conservation) but for my old eyes, I struggled a bit. But that is just a niggly little point and shouldn't stop you from visiting! Also, the museum's restaurant and store are fabuluous!!!!

10. Alaska Railroad Depot

411 W 1st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501-1635 +1 907-265-2494 https://alaskarailroad.com/travel/Transit/DepotLocations/tabid/318/Default.aspx
Excellent
61%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,046 reviews

Alaska Railroad Depot

Reviewed By michaelgC2931CI - Crawfordsville, United States

The Gold Star Line is like going first class on a jet. You are raised above the engine so that you have a great view 360 degrees. But if you decide to go that route you must sign up for way in advance of your arrival. A year would be the soonest because everyone wants that service the Gold Star provides. You get great meals a specially provided dinning car with excellent food and service. Go the Gold Star for both going to Denali and returning to Anchorage.

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