Anchorage

Travel Guide

Anchorage which includes a beach and a sunset
Anchorage which includes general coastal views, a sunset and mountains
Anchorage featuring street scenes
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail showing forest scenes
Anchorage featuring interior views

Anchorage Travel Guide Video

Known as a great place to see the northern lights, this city also offers many extreme adventures, including snow-kiting and ice-bike racing.

This Alaskan city offers visitors many vantage points from which to see the northern lights, as well as extreme sporting adventures, amazing scenery and the opportunity to experience local wildlife including bears, moose and wolves.

Anchorage’s bright starry nights form a perfect backdrop for the dancing northern lights (or aurora borealis). To see them, it is best to plan to spend a few days in the area as they are variable, rather like the weather. Fall, winter and spring are the most common times to see them.

Even in the summer, temperatures rarely rise beyond 66 F (19 C), and there is snowfall most months of the year. If you don’t mind wrapping up, though, Anchorage’s unusual environment forms the perfect habitat for wildlife, including bears, moose, wolves, and beavers. 

If wildlife is top of your travel agenda, visit one of the fjords or glaciers, such as Prince William Sound, where you might see whales, kittiwakes, otters, puffins and sea lions. Take a boat trip up to the face of Portage Glacier, located in Chugach National Forest. This is also where you’ll find the Chugach Mountains. Backpackers and climbers flock here in the summer, while skiers and snow walkers arrive in the winter.

Another great way to get to know the area is by dog sledding. Choose from a number of rides and tours that travel through the countryside. In the summer, when there’s no snow, sleds with wheels are provided. 

Anchorage’s extreme climate means there is some great snow and ice, and locals and tourists alike take advantage of that for many winter sports such as skiing, snowmobiling and dog mushing.  Winding down from the day’s excursions isn’t difficult. Local beer is a specialty try the Polar Pale Ale or Sockeye Red IPA. Anchorage’s seafood is among the best in the country accompany your brew with freshly caught king crab or halibut.

Where to stay in Anchorage

Anchorage showing marine life and a river or creek

Downtown Anchorage

5/5(1 area review)

Travelers to Downtown Anchorage praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Anchorage Historic City Hall and Log Cabin Visitor Information Center.

Downtown Anchorage
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Midtown Anchorage

5/5(1 area review)

Midtown Anchorage is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Z.J. Loussac Library - Main Branch and Wells Fargo Alaska Heritage Library and Museum while in the area.

Midtown Anchorage
Chugach State Park showing a river or creek

Hillside

While visiting Hillside, you might make a stop by sights like Alaska Zoo and Anchorage Golf Course.

Hillside
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Alyeska

While visiting Alyeska, you might make a stop by sights like Girdwood Town Square and Girdwood Park.

Alyeska
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Spenard

Abundant dining options and lake views are well-reviewed features of Spenard. Make a stop by top sights like Arctic Benson Park while you're exploring the area.

Spenard
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Taku - Campbell

If you're spending some time in Taku - Campbell, Dimond Center and Campbell Creek Greenbelt Park are top sights worth seeing.

Taku - Campbell
Westmark Anchorage Hotel

Westmark Anchorage Hotel

3 out of 5
720 West 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK
The price is P13,060 per night from Sep 2 to Sep 3
P13,060
P14,627 total
Sep 2 - Sep 3
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Anchorage. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7/10 Good! (1,024 reviews)
"This hotel is in a great walkable area. The rooms are a little older but very comfortable beds. The noise from outside was the worst. Cars racing down the road all night."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Westmark Anchorage Hotel
The Lakefront Anchorage

The Lakefront Anchorage

3.5 out of 5
4800 Spenard Road, Anchorage, AK
The price is P18,903 per night from Sep 2 to Sep 3
P18,903
P22,800 total
Sep 2 - Sep 3
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Anchorage. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,864 reviews)
"Limited parking for larger vehicles and no designated parking for RVs"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

The Lakefront Anchorage
Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport

Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport

3 out of 5
4411 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK
The price is P16,216 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P16,216
P18,162 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Anchorage. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,010 reviews)
"No juice for our 2 night stay at breakfast. Comfort had old blood stains, was washed. For $300 plus a night very disappointed, on an emergency stop, no rooms available before 2. TV had issues with satellite. Carpet could be cleaned"

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals

Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals

3 out of 5
17351 E Michele Drive, Talkeetna, AK
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Talkeetna. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (419 reviews)
"Great place to stay and super location"

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals
Denali Tri-Valley Cabins

Denali Tri-Valley Cabins

3.5 out of 5
1/10th Mile Lester Road, Healy, AK
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in Healy. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a picnic area. Popular attractions Tri-Valley Community Library and Black Diamond Golf ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (440 reviews)
"Clean, spacious, and a short drive to Denali's National Park and Preserve."

Reviewed on Jul 18, 2025

Denali Tri-Valley Cabins
Caribou Cabins

Caribou Cabins

2.5 out of 5
5 Borealis Avenue, Tok, AK
Stay at this cabin in Tok. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Tok ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (530 reviews)
"We absolutely loved our stay at Caribou Cabins in Tok, AK! The log cabin was cute, classic, and full of charm — a true Alaskan experience. It was the perfect place to stay both on our way to and from Anchorage. A great find and highly recommended for anyone passing through Tok!"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Caribou Cabins
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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