Anchorage Guidebook
Sightseeing
A must for guests w/ children: you get to feed the reindeer! And then you can have a reindeer sausage afterwards!
101 locals recommend
Reindeer Farm
5561 Bodenburg LoopA must for guests w/ children: you get to feed the reindeer! And then you can have a reindeer sausage afterwards!
One of those "reverse zoos" where people are in the enclosure and the animals roam free. Try to go around feeding times for some of the best viewing opportunities of bears, wolves, moose, and more!
185 locals recommend
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
43520 Seward HwyOne of those "reverse zoos" where people are in the enclosure and the animals roam free. Try to go around feeding times for some of the best viewing opportunities of bears, wolves, moose, and more!
Point of origin for half- or full-day cruises around KFNP. Here's your chance to see humpbacks, orcas, seals, sea lions, puffins, and more in their natural habitat. Oh, you'll see a smattering of glaciers, too—if you're lucky, your guides will fish out some glacier ice and make a glacier-rita for you!
6 locals recommend
Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center
1212 4th AvePoint of origin for half- or full-day cruises around KFNP. Here's your chance to see humpbacks, orcas, seals, sea lions, puffins, and more in their natural habitat. Oh, you'll see a smattering of glaciers, too—if you're lucky, your guides will fish out some glacier ice and make a glacier-rita for you!
This small aquarium punches well above its weight, and is part of the illustrious network of reputable aquariums nationwide, including Monterey Bay and Atlanta.
90 locals recommend
Alaska SeaLife Center
301 Railway AveThis small aquarium punches well above its weight, and is part of the illustrious network of reputable aquariums nationwide, including Monterey Bay and Atlanta.
If you end up taking a train excursion (either north to Denali or south to Girdwood/Whittier/Seward), this is where you'll start.
57 locals recommend
Anchorage Depot station
411 W 1st AveIf you end up taking a train excursion (either north to Denali or south to Girdwood/Whittier/Seward), this is where you'll start.
What more could you want? Floating one of the most famous rivers in the world while fishing one of the most famous salmon?
Kenai River Float-n-Fish
18251 Sterling HighwayWhat more could you want? Floating one of the most famous rivers in the world while fishing one of the most famous salmon?
If you're not keen on being on a riverboat while fishing, this is a great alternative.
Kenai River Trout Anglers
18234 Langille RoadIf you're not keen on being on a riverboat while fishing, this is a great alternative.
Lots of incredible scenery and trailheads in this area.
This can be done as part of a loop in either direction, between Palmer and Talkeetna. Look to either side of the end points for additional goodness!
146 locals recommend
Hatcher Pass
Lots of incredible scenery and trailheads in this area.
This can be done as part of a loop in either direction, between Palmer and Talkeetna. Look to either side of the end points for additional goodness!
Truly surreal, and a bit disorienting to have so much sea to either side. Stop at the Salty Dawg Saloon for a uniquely Alaskan dive bar experience.
48 locals recommend
Homer Spit
Truly surreal, and a bit disorienting to have so much sea to either side. Stop at the Salty Dawg Saloon for a uniquely Alaskan dive bar experience.
An old gold mining town turned into a—forgive the overuse of this word—RUSTIC tourist trap. Kitschy as hell, but you don't care. The Dirty Skillet is a local favorite.
28 locals recommend
Hope
An old gold mining town turned into a—forgive the overuse of this word—RUSTIC tourist trap. Kitschy as hell, but you don't care. The Dirty Skillet is a local favorite.
If you've ever wondered what hippies in the arctic do when left to their own devices, look no further than Talkeetna, which has a habit of electing domestic animals as mayor.
130 locals recommend
Talkeetna
If you've ever wondered what hippies in the arctic do when left to their own devices, look no further than Talkeetna, which has a habit of electing domestic animals as mayor.
The gateway to the Kenai Fjords, Exit Glacier, and world-class fishing charters.
125 locals recommend
Seward
The gateway to the Kenai Fjords, Exit Glacier, and world-class fishing charters.
An out-and-back drive/hike combo to one of Alaska's most famous glaciers.
105 locals recommend
Matanuska Glacier
30820 West Glenn HighwayAn out-and-back drive/hike combo to one of Alaska's most famous glaciers.
Take the tram to the top for lunch, then hike down. OR, hikers who complete the North Face receive a free beer at the top. How they get down is up to them.
133 locals recommend
Alyeska Resort & Hotel Alyeska
1000 Arlberg AveTake the tram to the top for lunch, then hike down. OR, hikers who complete the North Face receive a free beer at the top. How they get down is up to them.
An easy walk along a raised platform for spotting local wildlife.
58 locals recommend
Potter Marsh Wildlife Viewing Boardwalk
2999 E 154th AveAn easy walk along a raised platform for spotting local wildlife.
Drinks
If driving the Hatcher Pass road, you can either start from or end up here. If you're the driver, don't indulge too heavily on the famous blueberry mojito 😅
36 locals recommend
Denali Brewing Company
37083 Talkeetna Spur RdIf driving the Hatcher Pass road, you can either start from or end up here. If you're the driver, don't indulge too heavily on the famous blueberry mojito 😅
Girdwood Brewing Company
2700 Alyeska HwyGreat beer, food trucks, and lots of outdoor seating.
A nice tie-in to the reindeer farm. Has a massive outdoor area for kids to burn off excess energy. During the summer, the stage is used for live music acts. Solid pub grub.
79 locals recommend
Palmer City Alehouse
320 E Dahlia AveA nice tie-in to the reindeer farm. Has a massive outdoor area for kids to burn off excess energy. During the summer, the stage is used for live music acts. Solid pub grub.
Within staggering distance of Palmer Alehouse, and better beer too (my opinion 😬).
17 locals recommend
Bleeding Heart Brewery
562 S Denali StWithin staggering distance of Palmer Alehouse, and better beer too (my opinion 😬).
This place holds a special place in my heart as the worst Bloody Mary I've ever had in my entire life. BUT it's worth coming here to sit on the deck and watch the float planes land on the world's busiest seaplane airport.
9 locals recommend
Fancy Moose Lounge & Bar
4800 Spenard RdThis place holds a special place in my heart as the worst Bloody Mary I've ever had in my entire life. BUT it's worth coming here to sit on the deck and watch the float planes land on the world's busiest seaplane airport.
Definitely need to call or reserve online for a table. Alternatively, you can try your luck for a seat at the bar. Nice intimate spot with great views, and the only place north of Santa Barbara I've ever seen a proper Remember the Maine (absinthe rinse) on a drink menu.
62 locals recommend
Crow's Nest
939 W 5th AveDefinitely need to call or reserve online for a table. Alternatively, you can try your luck for a seat at the bar. Nice intimate spot with great views, and the only place north of Santa Barbara I've ever seen a proper Remember the Maine (absinthe rinse) on a drink menu.
Food scene
Chair 5 Restaurant
171 Lindblad AveMountain town pizza, so you know it's good.
Jack Sprat
165 Olympic Mountain LoopWorld-class cuisine at the base of Alyeska. Try to get in early.
An instant classic, and routinely ranks among the best pizzerias in the United States. Recommended pies: Amazing Apricot, Santa's Little Helper, and whatever their limited special is for that month.
Get here early, because the wait for a table can be long.
PRO TIP: Bear Tooth, their sister restaurant, serves almost the same food. Both restaurants serve beer from Broken Tooth. (Do you see the trend yet?)
347 locals recommend
Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria
3300 Old Seward HwyAn instant classic, and routinely ranks among the best pizzerias in the United States. Recommended pies: Amazing Apricot, Santa's Little Helper, and whatever their limited special is for that month.
Get here early, because the wait for a table can be long.
PRO TIP: Bear Tooth, their sister restaurant, serves almost the same food. Both restaurants serve beer from Broken Tooth. (Do you see the trend yet?)
$3 movies and comfort food. Check the schedule to see what's playing. If you'd rather just have dinner, the grill next door has fantastic cuisine.
315 locals recommend
Bear Tooth Theatrepub
1230 W 27th Ave$3 movies and comfort food. Check the schedule to see what's playing. If you'd rather just have dinner, the grill next door has fantastic cuisine.
Lax attests: "it reminds me of home." Which is saying a lot, because she's very picky.
Taste of India
5011 Arctic BoulevardLax attests: "it reminds me of home." Which is saying a lot, because she's very picky.
West Berlin
4133 Mountain View DrAuthentic German cuisine and beer. Lederhosen optional.
Bar
If you like dive bars, this is what they all aspire to be. Don't get lost: there are over half a dozen bars inside, but The Birdhouse at the back is where it's at. For an Alaskan classic, order a duck fart from the bartender 🦆💨
44 locals recommend
Chilkoot Charlie's
2435 Spenard RoadIf you like dive bars, this is what they all aspire to be. Don't get lost: there are over half a dozen bars inside, but The Birdhouse at the back is where it's at. For an Alaskan classic, order a duck fart from the bartender 🦆💨
Salty Dawg Saloon
4380 Homer Spit RdUniquely Alaskan dive bar experience.
Hiking
Don't let the grueling first mile deter you: this hike over the pass to Portage Glacier Lake is one of the most beautiful trails in a state full of beautiful trails.
12 locals recommend
Portage Pass Trail
Portage Pass TrailDon't let the grueling first mile deter you: this hike over the pass to Portage Glacier Lake is one of the most beautiful trails in a state full of beautiful trails.
The trailhead here is within Anchorage city limits! A three-hour round trip culminates in panoramic views of Anchorage and the surrounding mountain ranges. On a clear day, you'll see no less than four—including Denali!
45 locals recommend
Flattop Mountain Trail
Blueberry Loop TrailThe trailhead here is within Anchorage city limits! A three-hour round trip culminates in panoramic views of Anchorage and the surrounding mountain ranges. On a clear day, you'll see no less than four—including Denali!
Idyllic turquoise waters and a mostly-flat trail. Assuming the salmon are running, you'll bear witness to something of local legend: combat fishing.
13 locals recommend
Eklutna Tailrace
13145 S Old Glenn HwyIdyllic turquoise waters and a mostly-flat trail. Assuming the salmon are running, you'll bear witness to something of local legend: combat fishing.
Less a hike and more an Instagram magnet, this is one of the best places in the city to watch the sunset, as well as the incoming/outgoing airplanes.
13 locals recommend
Point Woronzof Overlook
7251 Point Woronzof RdLess a hike and more an Instagram magnet, this is one of the best places in the city to watch the sunset, as well as the incoming/outgoing airplanes.
If you've ever wanted to hike up to a glacier, now's your chance. Word of caution, though: the toe of the glacier has retreated far into the valley in recent years, so getting to it (to stand on) is inadvisable.
12 locals recommend
Exit Glacier Trailhead
If you've ever wanted to hike up to a glacier, now's your chance. Word of caution, though: the toe of the glacier has retreated far into the valley in recent years, so getting to it (to stand on) is inadvisable.
An easy trail through the Alaskan taiga. Has an upper and lower trailhead that are bisected by a tram (unfortunately closed due to an accident).
Winner Creek Trail
Winner Creek TrailAn easy trail through the Alaskan taiga. Has an upper and lower trailhead that are bisected by a tram (unfortunately closed due to an accident).
A very short and easy hike along a fast river that culminates at a waterfall.
80 locals recommend
Thunderbird Falls
25321 Old Glenn HighwayA very short and easy hike along a fast river that culminates at a waterfall.
An excellent spot for a bike excursion. Start in Kincaid Park if you want to end your ride at a pub in the downtown area.
60 locals recommend
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
Raspberry RoadAn excellent spot for a bike excursion. Start in Kincaid Park if you want to end your ride at a pub in the downtown area.
Lots of trails interspersed with other recreational resources: disc golf, motocross, archery ranges, and more. Pro tip: moose LOVE Kincaid.
197 locals recommend
Kincaid Park
9401 Raspberry RoadLots of trails interspersed with other recreational resources: disc golf, motocross, archery ranges, and more. Pro tip: moose LOVE Kincaid.
City advice
Getting around
Wildlife
A note about safety:
• DO NOT APPROACH WILDLIFE.
• DO NOT GET BETWEEN AN ANIMAL AND ITS YOUNG.
• Bear safety: make noise, make yourselves look big, and never, ever run. Back away slowly while maintaining eye contact. If charged, stand your ground. Cover your head if you go to the ground.
• Moose safety: Back away slowly; try to keep something between you and the moose. If charged, run behind a tree.
• Anything else: keep a respectful distance. Again, do not approach. Be thankful.
• Take bear spray and bear bells.