Location: Anchorage
Top Things to do in Anchorage
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Top 10 Free Things to do in Anchorage, Alaska (AK)
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. Cook Inlet
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 588 reviews
Reviewed By AllanS923 - Peoria, United States
I have never seen anything like this. We took the road next to the Cook Inlet and drove for over 50 miles. We kept having to pull over at the pullouts in order to take pictures. I would recommend taking a guide with you who can explain everything, otherwise you wouldn't know even a fraction of the story. Or else read a lot about this area before you go. Read about the impact of the 1964 Anchorage earthquake here. Read about the tides, the Beluga Whales, and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (which is also worth a visit).
2. Crow Pass National Historic Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Ferg42995 - Texas, United States
We are not hikers. We live in very flat Houston where our driveways aren't even on an incline. Flat. Flat. Flat. So this trail is considered moderate by most, but was difficult for us. That said, it was the most beautiful trail ever and was worth all of the effort to hike and the soreness the next several days! Absolutely stunning views. We started from Girdwood and hiked about 5.5 miles in to the glacier and then back. After you come out of the trees the first mile or 2, you end up with beautiful sweeping views of the mountains and valleys, lakes, waterfalls, old mining equipment, boulders, a creek, and of course, the glacier. Using the word "stunning" seems to be an understatement. Some of the trail is a bit rocky and we even had to hike through snow several times, but I can't state enough how beautiful this trail is! We even saw a mountain goat during our hike! Also, for us who are slow and inexperienced and stopped often for rest and photos, the entire 11 mile roundtrip took about 8 hours.
3. Girdwood Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
Enjoy local brews and epic views of the Chugach mountains at Girdwood Brewing Company. We have a beautiful timber framed taproom adorned with local art and ski relics. For those who prefer the outdoors, there’s an awesome beer garden with fire pits and plenty of seating. We offer up four core beers and a series of rotating taps. Root beer, cold brew coffee, and kombucha are available for those looking for an alcohol free beverage. Tasters and 12 ounce pours are available to drink in the taproom. If you are looking for beer to go, we fill growlers, sell 5 gallon kegs, and have 4-packs of 16 ounce cans with labels designed by Alaskan artists (for sale in the taproom only). Food trucks are on-site every day, and we have cool merchandise for you to take home. Girdwood Brewing Company is truly rooted in our community. We donate to a number of nonprofits and outdoor adventure organizations. Our brewery also provides year round employment to over a dozen locals.
Reviewed By POLYMER - Phoenix, United States
Nice place to refresh the mind in a very good local brewery, a food truck serving excellent crepes made the perfect combination for a quick lunch while exploring the area. Friendly staff and cozy atmosphere Highly recommended !
4. Alaska Public Land Information Centers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 256 reviews
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.
5. Kincaid Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 361 reviews
This park offers 20 miles of cross-country skiing, hiking and bike trails.
Reviewed By GetLostinNature
We saw moose. There are TONS of great bike trails here. A paved one and tons of unpaved mountain bike trails.
6. Elmendorf State Fish Hatchery
7. Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 680 reviews
Popular locale for viewing waterfowl and salmon.
Reviewed By isaw500 - Anchorage, United States
The bird watching tours are wonderful. I’ve been several times. The boardwalk is a relaxing stroll and the watching tours are informative and fun. Good views of Turnagain Arm. Worth the drive or tour bus trip. It is right at the southern edge of Anchorage. Not a far drive.
8. Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,797 reviews
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. Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Home of Anchorage's oldest and boldest brewery. Open daily, 11 am to 8 pm, serving award-winning beers and great food. Also offering beer to-go in growlers, bottles, cans and kegs, as well as an array of beer apparel and glassware.
10. Point Woronzof
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
Reviewed By cathypfahl - Mount Vernon, United States
Yes, there was a real ice cream truck there last winter, which added to the real Alaska experience! We had to turn on the heater to enjoy the ice cream bars in the car, but it was all great fun and a great sunset! Have seen moose nearby, too, and of course the planes booming right overhead are very exciting!!
