20 of the Best Things to Do in Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage sits between the Chugach Mountains and the waters of Cook Inlet, a city where wilderness and culture share the same skyline. Museums tell the stories of Alaska Native traditions, coastal viewpoints reveal passing wildlife, and nearby trails lead straight into the landscape that defines the state.

Anchorage is part of Holland America Line Alaska cruisetours, which combine a coastal cruise with a rail journey to Denali National Park and Preserve and the option to go into the Yukon Territory. Guests usually visit the city before or after the sailing portion of their cruisetour, giving them time to experience some of the highlights on land alongside their journey at sea.

To help narrow down the options, this guide highlights 20 of the best things to do in Anchorage, Alaska.

• Among the top things to do in Anchorage, you have a wide variety of experiences: cultural museums, wildlife viewing areas and scenic outdoor landscapes all within reach of the city’s downtown.
• Cultural sites across the city highlight Alaska Native heritage and the region’s frontier history.
• Wildlife viewing near Anchorage may include moose, beluga whales, and migratory birds.
• Anchorage also serves as a gateway to Alaska’s interior landscapes, including Denali and nearby national parks.

Anchorage has a reputation for wildlife and wide-open landscapes, but the city also holds the stories that shaped Alaska. Spend a little time with these landmarks and Anchorage will quickly become a cultural highlight of your trip.

If Anchorage had a living room, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center would be it. Locals bring visitors here when they want to show off the culture and creativity of Alaska in one place.

Inside, exhibits explore everything from Arctic exploration to contemporary Alaska art, with galleries that highlight how people have lived and thrived in northern environments. The museum also offers a deeper look at Alaska Native traditions and the scientific forces that shaped the region’s landscape.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center offers something you rarely find in a museum: living, dynamic culture–watch dance performers, meet carvers and other artists, and listen to authentic stories in an intimate setting. Set around a peaceful lake, the center also features traditional dwellings that represent Alaska Native regions across the state, including a Southeast Alaska Longhouse.

Guests visiting during the Anchorage Highlights & Native Cultures excursion spend time here learning directly from cultural hosts who share stories, songs and demonstrations of traditional art. The experience also includes a motorcoach tour through Anchorage’s historic sites before arriving at the heritage center, where storytelling, dance and Native games introduce visitors to the traditions of Alaska’s eleven major cultural groups.

Anchorage didn’t begin as a big city. In the early 1900s, it was little more than a railroad construction camp. Over time, it grew into Alaska’s largest city, and downtown still carries pieces of that story.

Walking tours through the historic district reveal colorful storefronts, public art and landmarks tied to Anchorage’s early years. Guides often point out the buildings that survived the massive 1964 earthquake and share stories of how the railroad helped transform the city into a hub for travel across Alaska.

In Alaska, airplanes are transportation, but they are also lifelines. The Alaska Aviation Museum sits beside Lake Hood, where floatplanes take off and land throughout the day at the busiest seaplane base in the world.

During the Anchorage Highlights & Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum excursion, guests explore hangars filled with restored aircraft that helped open Alaska’s remote regions. Displays include vintage bush planes, a 1928 Stearman biplane and a historic Douglas DC-6.

The Park Strip runs through the center of Anchorage like a long green ribbon, and the Alaska Veterans Memorial sits quietly along its edge. The memorial honors Alaskans who served in conflicts throughout U.S. history.

Visitors often pass through while exploring downtown, yet many stop for a moment longer than planned. Surrounded by open lawn and mountain views in the distance, it’s a quiet place to reflect before continuing on to the next Anchorage landmark.

A short drive from downtown can lead to wetlands filled with migratory birds and coastal viewpoints where whales surface in the distance. For travelers hoping to see the famous animals in Alaska, Anchorage places many of those encounters within easy reach of the city.

Set along Turnagain Arm, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center cares for injured or orphaned animals that cannot return to the wild. Wide enclosures give visitors the chance to see Alaska’s most iconic wildlife moving through natural landscapes.

Guests visiting on this Holland America Line Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center excursion travel along the scenic Seward Highway before arriving at the conservation center on an overnight trip. At the center itself, visitors may see bears, bison, musk ox and moose. Holland America Line also sponsors Eland the moose, a resident who has become a favorite among guests who stop here during their Anchorage experience.

Just south of Anchorage, Potter Marsh spreads across a wide wetland where birds gather throughout the warmer months. Wooden boardwalks stretch out over the marsh, giving visitors an easy way to watch the activity without disturbing the habitat.

Bring a camera and a little patience and the marsh begins to reveal its residents. Trumpeter swans glide across the water, Arctic terns circle overhead and bald eagles sometimes perch in the nearby trees. It’s a peaceful stop that reminds visitors just how wild even the biggest city in Alaska is.

Beluga Point is one of those places where travelers suddenly understand why Alaska inspires so many photographers. The viewpoint sits along Turnagain Arm, where mountains drop toward tidal waters that shift dramatically throughout the day.

Guests traveling on the Hiking Beluga Point excursion stop here before setting out on a guided hike along nearby trails. The route offers sweeping views of Turnagain Arm while guides point out wildlife habitats and explain the geology of the region. Interested in whale watching in Alaska? Beluga whales sometimes appear in these waters during salmon runs, and the cliffs above the inlet often host Dall sheep.

Some Alaska views are simply wasted on the ground. A flight over the landscape around Anchorage reveals the scale of it all: mountain walls, braided waterways, and wild country that keeps stretching long after the roads give up.

Guests on the Anchorage Flightseeing Safari board a floatplane for a narrated sightseeing flight lasting about 1¾ hours. The exact route depends on weather and mountain conditions. Your pilot may head toward the Chugach Mountains or fly over Cook Inlet, Turnagain Arm or Knik Arm, where beluga whales or moose sometimes come into view below.

Anchorage sits in a rare position on the map: a major city surrounded by immense wilderness. Just beyond the skyline lie protected landscapes where wildlife still moves across mountains, tundra, and glacial valleys. These vast areas are part of the reason Alaska feels so different from anywhere else in the United States. Many travelers visiting Anchorage continue inland to experience Alaska’s national parks during a Holland America Line cruisetour. On Alaska cruisetours, guests stay for up to 3 nights at the doorstep to Denali National Park, traveling deep into the park’s wilderness in search of grizzly bears, moose, and caribou on the Tundra Wilderness Tour, which is included as part of 2- and 3-night Denali stays.

The Alaska Zoo offers a close look at animals that thrive in northern climates, many of which are difficult to spot in the wild. Set on the hillsides of Anchorage, the zoo focuses on species adapted to cold environments and conservation efforts that support wildlife across Alaska and the Arctic.

The Anchorage Highlights & Zoo Adventure excursion pairs a city tour with a special visit to the Alaska Zoo. Guests travel through Anchorage by motorcoach, passing historic points of interest before arriving at the zoo for a behind-the-scenes experience led by trained staff. During the visit, guides share how animals such as wolves and polar bears adapt to northern climates while guests explore the grounds.

The activity within the city is balanced out by the richness of the nature around you, between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Travelers who enjoy fresh air and big landscapes will find plenty of ways to spend a day outdoors.

Ask Anchorage locals where to go for one of the best views in town and the answer comes quickly: Flattop Mountain. Rising above the city in Chugach State Park, this well-known peak rewards hikers with wide-open views of Anchorage, Cook Inlet and the surrounding mountain ranges.

The trail to the summit is short but energetic, climbing through alpine terrain that feels a world away from downtown. On a clear day, the summit rewards the effort with a wide-open panorama that stretches across Cook Inlet.

Anchorage may be Alaska’s largest city, but it doesn’t take long to find yourself riding through forests and along open coastline. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is one of the best ways to experience that contrast. This paved path winds along Cook Inlet, passing quiet stretches of shoreline with mountain views and wildlife sightings along the way.

The Biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail excursion brings guests to Kincaid Park before setting out on a leisurely ride along one of Anchorage’s most famous trails. Along the way, riders pass sweeping coastal viewpoints, quiet stretches of forest and landmarks tied to the powerful 1964 earthquake that reshaped parts of the shoreline.

Some of Alaska’s most beautiful scenery appears along the rail lines that connect coastal communities with the wilderness beyond Anchorage. The Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic route follows the shoreline south of the city and helps you slip away from urban living.

Travelers drawn to this stretch of coastline often discover why rail travel has played such an important role in Alaska’s history. The route traces terrain that once felt nearly impossible to cross, and today it delivers sweeping views of glaciers and waterfalls. Even a short glimpse of this famous rail corridor gives visitors a sense of how dramatically Alaska’s landscapes can change once you leave the city behind.

Anchorage sits on the edge of one of the largest state parks in the United States. Chugach State Park stretches across hundreds of thousands of acres of mountains, valleys, and alpine lakes to create a vast outdoor playground just minutes from the city.

Wildlife sightings are always a possibility here, and the scenery shifts quickly as elevation changes. One moment you’re walking through spruce trees, the next you’re looking out across sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Glaciers shape much of Alaska’s story, carving valleys and feeding the waterways that wind through the state. South of Anchorage, Portage Glacier sits at the end of a dramatic alpine valley where ice and mountains come together in a scene that feels unmistakably Alaskan.

The Portage Glacier Cruise & Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center excursion follows the Seward Highway toward Portage Valley before boarding the Ptarmigan for a cruise across iceberg-dotted waters. The boat glides toward the towering wall of Portage Glacier so that guests can enjoy close-up views from both indoor seating and the open-air deck.

Part of Alaska’s charm lies in the small towns that still feel tied to the wilderness around them. Talkeetna is one of those places. Set at the meeting point of three rivers and framed by the Alaska Range, the town has a relaxed, frontier character that makes wandering its streets feel like stepping into a different pace of life.

The Talkeetna Train & Day Tour excursion takes you on a scenic rail journey north from Anchorage aboard a glass-domed railcar built for sightseeing. Rail journeys have long been a defining way to experience the state, and train tours in Alaska remain one of the most memorable ways to travel through its landscapes. On clear days, the tallest peak in North America, Denali, dominates the skyline.

Is there anything quite so delicious as seafood pulled from nearby waters in a rugged mountain paradise? That’s the promise of Anchorage when you spend part of your day settling into restaurants, pubs, and live music hotspots.

Anchorage is a very good place to show up hungry. Local menus lean into the state’s cold-water catch, so this is where visitors can dig into Alaska seafood dishes like salmon, halibut, king crab and cod while they’re in town. There’s no easier way to sample some of that local flavor than on the Anchorage Sightseeing & Foodie Walk, which includes stops for regional favorites such as fresh seafood dishes alongside other Anchorage specialties.

A bowl of seafood chowder makes perfect sense in Anchorage. The city’s connection to cold waters and fresh catch shows up all over the menu, and chowder is one of the coziest ways to taste it. Rich, creamy and usually packed with local seafood, it’s the kind of dish that feels especially welcome after a cool day outdoors.

Anchorage’s pub scene leans into the city’s relaxed, outdoorsy character. After a day spent exploring, locals and visitors alike gather in cozy neighborhood spots to swap stories over a drink and a good meal. You can pair hearty dishes with locally brewed beers or classic cocktails. Meet a few locals and experience a side of Anchorage that feels warm and welcoming, even when the air outside is brisk.

Anchorage is where many Alaska cruisetour adventures begin, and Holland America makes it easy to experience the city as part of a broader journey through the state’s most spectacular landscapes. A visit here pairs perfectly with glacier viewing, wildlife encounters, and scenic cruising throughout the region.

Browse Alaska cruise itineraries to start planning your Alaska voyage.

What is Anchorage famous for?

Anchorage is famous for its location between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet, where dramatic landscapes sit just minutes from the city. Visitors come to see wildlife, explore nearby trails and enjoy views of Alaska’s rugged coastline. The city also serves as a gateway to some of the state’s most well-known wilderness areas.

Is Anchorage a walkable city?

Yes, downtown Anchorage is fairly easy to explore on foot. Visitors can walk between restaurants, shops and local attractions in the city center. Nearby trails also give travelers the chance to step outside the city and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape.

How many days do you need in Anchorage?

Even a short stay in Anchorage can give visitors a good introduction to the city. Many travelers spend a day or an overnight stop exploring local highlights before continuing their Alaska journey. With the right plan, a brief visit still offers time to enjoy the scenery and experience the local culture.