Travellers visit Anchorage in search of adventure and as a starting point to see some of the world's most remote and beautiful landscapes. This is a great place to plan a trip if you love parks, hiking, skiing and backcountry excursions. The town has no shortage of museums, markets and craft breweries. It is also fun to explore the area by train and plane to get a whole new perspective on Alaska. To help you narrow down your options and plan your Alaskan holiday, here are some of the best things to do in Anchorage!
Anchorage Museum 
Credit: www.facebook.com Exterior of the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
Anchorage Museum (Nearby hotels)
One of the best places to start your exploration of the city of Anchorage is at the Anchorage Museum. Come here to learn about the history of the city, the region and all things Alaska. You can learn about indigenous cultures and local art and wildlife when you spend a few hours looking at the exhibits and displays here. This is a great interactive stop if you have children, and the museum is centrally located. The museum has shorter opening hours in the winter, between October and April, which allow you to visit between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays to Saturdays and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Admission price for adults is $18, seniors and students are $12, and children aged 12 and under are $9.
Tony Knowles Trailal Trail 
Credit: www.bigstock.com View of downtown Anchorage from the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
Tony Knowles Trailal Trail (Hotels nearby)
Tony Knowles was a governor of Alaska, and this trail named after him stretches from downtown Anchorage and passes museums, parks and iconic scenery. This is an 11-mile long paved trail that is great for cycling and walking and the trail is free to explore and explore. Rollerblading, skiing and running are also popular activities here to enjoy the beautiful coastline and get active. The trail is easy in terms of difficulty and open all year round. A recommended spot to board the trail is at the end of West Second Avenue near the railroad depot.
Alaska Native Heritage Centre 
Credit: www.facebook.com View of the Alaska Native Heritage Centre
Alaska Native Heritage Center (Nearby hotels)
It is important to understand Alaska Native history to appreciate Alaska culture, which is why a stop at the Alaska Native Heritage Center makes our list. Here you will discover well-preserved costumes, see ancient artefacts, and perhaps even enter the performance hall, where members of the Native community tell shops and share their dances and other traditions. This is truly a place where you can connect with the locals and hear their fascinating personal stories. The centre hosts events in the summer months, such as weaving classes, and you can enjoy an Alaskan-inspired meal at the Heritage Café. Adult admission is $24.95, senior admission is $21.15, and children's admission ages seven to 16 is $16.95.
Alaska Railroad Credit: www.bigstock.com Unforgettable experience of a train ride in Alaska
Alaska Railroad (Hotels nearby)
Trains were used to get around the wild Alaskan landscape before there were roads, and it's still incredibly fun to take a train from Anchorage. You can take a scenic tour on the Alaska Railroad to see natural sights such as the Denali Glacier and Prince William Sound. Trips are offered throughout the year and traverse some 500 miles of remote landscapes that would be difficult to see up close otherwise.
Chugach State Park 
Credit: www.bigstock.com View through the tree-covered valley to the distant Alaska Glacier in Chugach State Park
Chugach State Park (Hotels nearby)
If you're able to get a little out of town to enjoy nature, plan to travel south of downtown Anchorage to explore Chugach State Park. This is a great place for climbing, skiing, wildlife viewing and hiking. It is only about 15-20 minutes to get here from the city and well worth it. Spanning some 495,000 hectares, this large park is bordered by the Alaska Range, Chugach and Wrangell Mountains, and Prince William Sound with lakes, shoreline, glaciers and ice fields in the region.
Anchorage Market & Festival 
Strolling through the Anchorage Market and Festival
Anchorage Market & Festival (Hotels nearby)
This market and festival has been going strong in Anchorage since 1992 and takes place on Saturdays and Sundays. Over the years it has grown enormously to host hundreds of vendors selling clothing, crafts and food. There is live entertainment here, although parking can be a bit of a challenge on busy weekends. Stop by between mid-May and early September on Saturdays from 10am to 6pm and Sundays from 10am to 5pm.
Kincaid Park 
Credit: www.bigstock.com A large moose walking through Kincaid Park in Alaska
Kincaid Park (Hotels nearby)
Alaska has no shortage of fantastic parks and Kincaid Park is a great place to visit when you're in Anchorage. This park is located in the southwest corner of the city, covers about 1,400 hectares and offers many outdoor recreational opportunities for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing. Plenty of wildlife, including moose and porcupines, live here, and you can reach the park via the coastal Tony Knowles Trail. If you're up for a challenge, hike or jog the 6-mile Lekisch Loop hill in Kincaid Park. Singletrack mountain bike trails and miles of groomed cross-country ski trails are also here for your winter adventure in Anchorage.
Alaska Aviation Museum 
Credit: www.facebook.com L-1 restoration project at the Alaska Aviation Museum
Alaska Aviation Museum (Hotels nearby)
Since aviation has played such an important role in the way Alaska has been developed over the years, it is fun to visit the Alaska Aviation Museum in Anchorage and learn about its existence. Aeroplanes were used before there were roads, and you will learn how supplies were transported to explore and develop this rugged land. The museum is generally open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The admission price for adults is $15, the senior price is $12, and children aged 5 to 17 are $8.
Adventure Flights 
Credit: www.bigstock.com Red Seaplane taking off in Lake Hood, Alaska
Adventure Flights
But to really experience the spirit of aviation in Alaska, consider an adventure flight from Anchorage to see the sights from above. Several local guide companies offer aeroplane trips, such as helicopter rides with Alpine Air Alaska and Anchorage Helicopter Tours. Fixed-wing gliding adventures are offered by Regal Air, Rust's Flightseeing Tours, Trail Ridge Air and other local companies.
Iditarod Trail Sled Race 
Credit: www.bigstock.com Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Iditarod Trail Sled Race (Hotels nearby)
One of the most famous sled dog races in the world travels from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska and is known as 'the last great race on earth'. The race is 1,000 miles long and covers mountains, frozen rivers and forests in sub-zero temperatures. The race starts in Anchorage, so plan your trip for the first Saturday in March to cheer up dogs and mushers!
