Anchorage City Guide

Anchorage, Alaska has long been known as one of the wonders of the Northern world – a pristine jewel set into the base of the Chugach Mountains. Skirting the Cook Inlet coast in central Alaska's southern coast, Anchorage is best known for its outdoor activities and wildlife, along with its view of the 20,320 foot tall Mount McKinley – the tallest in North America.

While most people have preconceptions of what they'll find in Anchorage, the truth is that there is quite a bit to do in Alaska's largest city. Many of the attractions are outdoor oriented, including eco-tours on floatplane and helicopter, or adventure sports in kayaks or canoes. Wildlife tours are also very popular, going through Resurrection Bay, Kanai Fjords National Park and Prince William Sound. The old Alaskan rail system is still in place as well, offering a variety of scenic rail tours, as well as the tram that goes to Mt. Alyeska during the warmer summer months.

For those traveling, Anchorage offers some of the most diverse options for boarding in the region with RV Parks, Lodges, Camping Hot spots, Bed and Breakfasts and 4 Start Luxury Hotels all located throughout the region. World famous fly-in only hotels are located in nearby cays as well as standard, well known hotel chains like Hilton and Sheraton near the Anchorage Airport and downtown Anchorage. In terms of food, Anchorage is best known for its fresh seafood. While Alaska Salmon and Alaska King Crab are among the most popular of the options on any menu, there are also Kachemak Bay oysters, local halibut, and many other seafood options, all caught fresh daily off the coast of nation's most prolific wild fishing state.

Anchorage is full of historical interest as well – with dozens of locations dating back to the Klondike gold rush of the 1800s. With famous landmarks like the Oscar Anderson House Museum and the Alaska Mint, alongside popular museums and tourist locales like the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, Alaska State Trooper Museum, Alaska Museum of History and Art, the Russian Orthodox Museum, and the Alaska Native Heritage Center, there are many options for how to spend your days on a vacation.

One can't forget the annual Iditarod Dog Sled Race – the 1,049 mile race that starts in Anchorage and ends in Nome, Alaska every March. Additionally, Anchorage is well known for its Fur Rendezvous, the Symphony of Seafood and the OctoBear Fest at the Zoo. They also hold an International Film Festival each December and a number of community oriented events such as the Greek Festival and Native Youth Olympics each year. With an incredibly diverse collection of heritages and a long history, Anchorage is one of the true cultural cornerstones of the Alaskan community, offering a little bit of everything for all visitors – from history to ecological beauty, to nightlife and musical outings.