Anchorage is a young and flourishing place to call home. It boasts high-end art galleries, diverse shopping opportunities and award-winning restaurants at its core while being surrounded by spectacular unspoiled wilderness just outside the city limits.
There’s so much to do in Anchorage – from exploring museums and learning about history and native culture, to reveling in the natural wonders that are all around you – you’ll never run out of adventures.
Here’s a list of fun things to do in Anchorage that will inspire you to get out there and live your best life in every season:
Take amazing photos wherever you go. Anchorage abounds with photo ops, from serene wildlife shots to bustling city scenes and everything in between. To improve your skills and explore incredible destinations, join a photography class that tours the area to help you capture those frameable shots.
Ride or float during a whitewater rafting adventure. Whether you want a boisterous whitewater adventure or a quiet and scenic float trip, rafting is a great way to immerse yourself in the gorgeous Alaska wilderness.
Run, jump and play at Kincaid Park. This 1,500-acre park rewards visitors with panoramic views of the vast Cook Inlet and Denali as well as its deep woods enclaves. Kincaid Park offers a world-class trail system where you can hike, run, bike and ski. If you like to play, you’ll enjoy trying for a hole-in-one on the 18-hole disc-golf course, or engaging in a friendly game of soccer on one of seven fields. There’s a lake for fishing or paddling, an archery range, and a motocross course as well.
Appreciate natural beauty by viewing wildlife. Bring your binoculars to get a close-up look at the many feathered, furry and finned creatures living in and around Anchorage. You can explore on your own to find great places, or book a tour to have a guide show you the best birding spots, bear hangouts, moose habitats, and salmon spawning-sites.
Go on a wilderness adventure at Far North Bicentennial Park. If you’re looking for a peaceful oasis in the midst of Anchorage, this huge 4,000-acre park is the perfect place to get away from the city and rejuvenate your spirit. It boasts world-class Nordic ski trails that are also great for biking and hiking in the summer.
Conquer the slopes at the Hilltop Ski Area. For amazing views of Anchorage, the Cook Inlet, and Denali while you glide downhill, spend a day here. Just a short distance from downtown Anchorage, it offers skiing and snowboarding lessons on slopes perfect for beginners, while snowboarders that want to catch some air can perfect their skills on the permanent “Mongoline” half-pipe. The Karl Eid Ski Jump complex is also nearby.
Go fishing by land or by sea. Anchorage provides easy access to lakes, rivers and the sea, earning it a spot on Field & Stream magazine’s list of “America’s Best Fishing Cities”. Whether you throw a line in from the shore, take a boat our or charter a plane to fly to a remote spot, anyone can partake in world-class fishing in pristine Alaskan waters to catch trophy-size salmon, halibut, trout and more.
Enjoy the scenery along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. For picturesque views of Anchorage, the surrounding mountain ranges and tidal inlets, you can walk, bike or ski this beautiful trail that hugs the Knik Arm and Cook Inlet. Feel the salty sea breeze, get mesmerized by the rhythmic ebb and flow of the tide, and watch for a magical glimpse of marine life passing by.
Appreciate local history at cultural sites. Anchorage has a fascinating history, from its diverse Native cultures, to the Gold Rush, to its early development. Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center and museums around Anchorage and visit historic sites to hear unique stories and learn more about the founding of this amazing city.
Play golf and go sledding at Russian Jack Springs Park. Discover an abundance of options for fun activities at this 300-acre park, with disc and 9-hole golf courses, a great dog park, and one of the best sledding hills Anchorage has to offer. If you’re looking for something quiet to do, visit the natural spring, public municipal greenhouse and solarium. If you’re ready to play, you’ll enjoy the soccer and softballs fields, and the kids can romp on the playground.
Events, concerts and festivals. Anchorage hosts several iconic events, from festivals to concerts and more. During summer you’ll enjoy celebrations and festivals including the Sitka WhaleFest, the Alyeska Resort Blueberry Festival, the Salmonfest, the Anchorage July 4th Celebration and the annual Alaska State Fair. In the winter, check out the Anchorage International Film Festival, and the Fur Rendezvous Festival (aka “Fur Rondy”), among others.
Savor the local flair and flavor of the city at the Anchorage Museum. With a combination of art and design, history, science and culture, the Anchorage Museum offers something for everyone. Permanent exhibits include an Alaska history gallery, Alaska art galleries, the Imaginarium Discovery Center science galleries, and the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center which features Native Alaskan artifacts.
Rock around the clock. Don’t miss the live music scene in Anchorage, featuring many genres of music from rock and the blues to indie folk and dubstep. Look for event listings in the Anchorage Free Press to catch all the acts you want to see.
Dine to your heart’s delight. Alaska is paradise for seafood lovers – shrimp, crab, salmon, halibut, mussels and more – and it’s sourced from some of the most pristine waters on the planet. And in Anchorage, from homestyle to elegant restaurants, you’ll find delicious menu choices to please every palate.
Shop ‘til you drop. Visit the 5th Avenue Mall, a 5-level shopping center in downtown Anchorage that features more than 110 stores, myriad dining options, a U.S. Post Office, bank, and more to give patrons an exclusive shopping experience. If you want something smaller, there are lots of local shops, boutiques and markets that sell unique gifts and handcrafted souvenirs.
Get cultured at the Alaska Center for Performing Arts. This center has three theaters for a variety of performances including opera, symphonies, chamber and popular music, theater, dance, film and more.
No matter what you like to do, Anchorage provides exhilarating outdoor adventures as well as a bounty of amazing museums, movie theaters, shopping, parks and hundreds of restaurants to meet your every desire.
What’s your favorite thing about Anchorage? Share your thoughts at #LifeatWeidner
If you’re looking for a great apartment in Anchorage with a prime location near schools, work, shopping, dining, and a variety of entertainment options, contact us today at: Alpine Apartments, Legacy West Apartment Homes, and The Legacy Apartment Homes. We are here to schedule your personal tour at your convenience and help you find the perfect place to call home!