Things to Do in Anchorage, Alaska, in Every Season

Updated November 2, 2026 · By the AK Circle team

Anchorage is a city where the wilderness starts at the edge of town. The best things to do include walking or biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, hiking in Chugach State Park, visiting the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center, driving the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm, and, in winter, cross-country skiing and catching Fur Rendezvous and the Iditarod ceremonial start.

Outdoors in town

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

This paved trail runs about 11 miles from downtown along Cook Inlet to Kincaid Park. It's flat, scenic and great for walking, biking or, in winter, skiing. On clear days you can see Denali to the north and Mount Susitna (the "Sleeping Lady") across the inlet. Moose are common along the trail; give them plenty of space.

Kincaid Park

At the end of the Coastal Trail, Kincaid has miles of wooded trails used for running and mountain biking in summer and world-class Nordic skiing in winter.

Chugach State Park and Flattop Mountain

Chugach State Park is one of the largest state parks in the U.S., and it's right on Anchorage's eastern edge. Flattop Mountain, reached from the Glen Alps trailhead, is often called the most-climbed mountain in Alaska. The trail is short but steep, with a rocky scramble near the top. Other popular hikes from the Hillside trailheads include Powerline Pass and Wolverine Peak. Parking areas in the park require a day-use fee or annual state parks pass.

Earthquake Park

This park marks land that slid toward the inlet during the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, a magnitude 9.2 quake that is still the most powerful recorded in North America. Interpretive signs explain what happened.

Museums and culture

• Anchorage Museum: Downtown museum covering Alaska art, history, science and Indigenous cultures, with hands-on exhibits for kids.
• Alaska Native Heritage Center: Learn about Alaska Native cultures through dance, storytelling, art and traditional dwellings representing different regions.
• Alaska Aviation Museum: At Lake Hood, telling the story of bush flying, which shaped modern Alaska.
• Lake Hood Seaplane Base: Next to the airport, often described as the world's busiest seaplane base. Watching floatplanes take off and land is free.

Wildlife and fishing

• Potter Marsh: A boardwalk at the south end of town for watching ducks, swans, shorebirds and sometimes moose and spawning salmon.
• Ship Creek: Downtown salmon fishing, with king salmon in early summer and silver (coho) salmon later. Check current Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations and emergency orders before you fish, as rules and openings change.
• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: About an hour south near Portage, a sanctuary where you can see bears, musk oxen, wood bison, moose and more in large enclosures.
• Beluga whales: In summer, belugas sometimes feed in Turnagain Arm and Knik Arm. Cook Inlet belugas are endangered, so watch from shore and never approach.

Scenic drives and day trips

Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm

The drive south toward Girdwood is one of the most scenic in the country, with mountains dropping straight into the water. Stop at Beluga Point and other pullouts, watch for Dall sheep on the cliffs, and, at the right tides, look for the bore tide, a wave that can travel up Turnagain Arm on the incoming tide. Traffic is heavy in summer; use pullouts and never stop in the road.

Girdwood and Alyeska

About 40 miles from downtown, Girdwood is home to Alyeska Resort, Alaska's best-known ski area. In summer, take the tram up the mountain or hike the Winner Creek Trail with its hand tram over a gorge.

Portage Glacier and Whittier

Continue past Girdwood to Portage Valley for glacier views and boat tours. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a single-lane tunnel shared by cars and trains, leads to Whittier and Prince William Sound. It runs on a schedule, so check tunnel times before you go.

Eklutna Lake and Hatcher Pass

North of town, Eklutna Lake offers camping, a long lakeside trail and kayaking. Farther north near Palmer, Hatcher Pass has alpine hiking, the historic Independence Mine and, in winter, backcountry skiing and sledding.

Winter things to do in Anchorage

• Cross-country skiing: Groomed trails at Kincaid Park, Hillside, and along the Coastal Trail, many lit in the evening.
• Fur Rendezvous (Fur Rondy): A long-running winter festival in late February with sled dog races, outdoor events and community traditions.
• Iditarod ceremonial start: The famous sled dog race usually has its ceremonial start downtown on the first Saturday in March, before the official restart farther north.
• Ice skating: Outdoor rinks and, when ice conditions allow, lakes such as Westchester Lagoon.
• Downhill skiing: Alyeska in Girdwood, plus smaller local hills in and near town.
• Aurora: On strong nights, head to dark spots outside the city. See our northern lights guide.
• Fat biking: Many trails are groomed or packed for fat bikes in winter.

Tips for enjoying Anchorage

• Moose and bears: Both live in and around the city. Keep your distance, make noise on trails, and carry bear spray when hiking in the park.
• Tidal flats: Never walk on the mudflats of Cook Inlet or Turnagain Arm. The silt can trap people like quicksand, and the tides come in fast.
• Weather: Pack layers and rain gear year-round. Mountain weather changes quickly.
• Summer crowds: Book lodging, rental cars and tours early for June through August.
• Check hours: Many attractions and tours run reduced schedules outside summer.