With a surprisingly well-connected airport and plenty of modern-day amenities, the city of Anchorage, Alaska, serves as an excellent entry point to the state’s mainland attractions. However, it is also a destination in its own right. Follow this three-day itinerary to see how you can use Anchorage as a home base for a vacation offering just the right amount of both urban and wild excursions.
This story was created in partnership with Visit Anchorage.
Day One: Get to Know Anchorage from Above and Below
Morning
Start your vacation off right by chowing down on a hearty breakfast at Snow City Cafe, where you can expect classic diner offerings like eggs, pancakes, French Toast, soups, and salads. This popular restaurant offers locally sourced Kaladi Brothers coffee and the best sticky buns in town.
From there, walk or bike along the waterfront on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, which stretches nearly 20 miles from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park and back. The trail passes through Earthquake Park, where you might want to spend extra time learning about the natural disaster that shook the town in 1964. As you gaze out across the Cook Inlet’s chilly waters, try to spot whales in the summertime and other wildlife like eagles year-round. Various points along the trail are perfect for picnicking, so pack a lunch!
Afternoon
A flightseeing tour of Denali National Park with Rust’s Flying Service cannot be missed. This unparalleled experience will allow you to view rivers, glaciers, and tundra from above as a bush pilot expertly navigates your plane around the area’s peaks and ravines. Have your camera handy to capture images of the landscape below, as every seat is a window seat!
Pro travel tip: Schedule this tour at the beginning of your stay in Anchorage in case weather necessitates rescheduling.
For a budget-friendly alternative, explore Eagle River Nature Center, just 40 minutes from downtown Anchorage. Stunning natural features abound in this hiking destination, including powerful waterfalls and 3,000-foot cliffs. The center’s salmon viewing deck is also worth a visit during salmon season, especially in August.
Celebrate your first evening in Anchorage with a casual dinner at 49th State Brewing. This pub is often filled with locals, and the seating arrangements are conducive to striking up a conversation with neighboring parties. You might come away not only with a belly full of Ancho Chili AK Salmon or King Crab ravioli, but also with individualized tips on visiting local attractions. Settle in early at one of Anchorage’s many hotels or rental properties; you’ve got a busy day tomorrow!
Day Two: Nourish Your Body, Mind, and Spirit
Morning
On your second morning in Anchorage, Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop will greet you with mouth watering aromas, warm pastries, and nourishing breads—just what you need when there is a nip in the air.
After getting a bite to eat, delight in a scenic drive along the water as you head to the Alyeska Nordic Spa for some high-quality relaxation. Here, you’ll get acquainted with the Chugach Mountains, which are visible from the hot and cold pools that make up part of the spa’s signature hydrotherapy circuit. Several saunas and steam rooms are also available, all located amongst charming gardens and towering trees that will take your breath away (if the cold plunges haven’t already). You could easily stay here through the afternoon, treating yourself to a massage and seasonal, gourmet food at Two Trees Bistro.
Afternoon
Following such a sense-inspired morning, drive back to Anchorage and indulge your intellect by visiting one of the city’s highly rated museums. Setting a few hours aside to tour the Anchorage Museum is a wise decision, as you’ll find everything from contemporary paintings to Indigenous artifacts in four stories’ worth of exhibitions. Speaking of Indigenous peoples, another great stop is the Alaska Native Heritage Center, which celebrates 10,000 years of Indigenous history and culture.
Afterward, walk over to CRUSH Wine Bistro & Cellar in downtown Anchorage for dinner. A large selection of cocktails, mocktails, wines, and beers is available at this highly acclaimed dining establishment, plus dishes for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Day Three: Watch for Wildlife in the Depths of Nature
Morning
If you feel like staying closer to home this morning, you can come face-to-face with camels, bears, eagles, seals, and more at the Alaska Zoo; many of these animals are rescued, and their new home in the zoo’s boreal forest is wonderfully clean and serene. Have a larger budget and up for an all-day adventure? Take a floatplane to Katmai National Park & Preserve, one of Alaska’s top spots for bear encounters. The area of the park known as Brooks Camp is a particularly fruitful place for bear watching during the months of July and September, while other park locations, such as Hallo Bay, are worth checking out in June and August.
Afternoon
If you’ve chosen to stay in and around Anchorage for the day, we suggest grabbing lunch at The Rickshaw AK—you might be surprised to learn how easily one can find top-notch Asian food in Alaska. Once you’ve eaten your fill, make your way to Eklutna Lake, around 50 minutes from downtown Anchorage. Marvel at this glacial lake’s turquoise waters as you bike, hike, kayak, or even cross-country ski; equipment rentals are available on site, and guided tours are also offered.
No matter which adventure you plan on pursuing today, we’re willing to bet that you’ll have worked up an appetite by the end of it. Don your fanciest outfit and honor the end of your trip with dinner at the Crow’s Nest, located on the 20th floor of Hotel Captain Cook. We suggest making your reservations well in advance to ensure that you’ll get to enjoy the restaurant’s 360 degree views, which may just feature the equally breathtaking luxury of seeing the Northern Lights.
