Best Things to Do in Anchorage

The primetime Northern Lights-viewing spot near Anchorage. It’s just 15 miles from downtown in Chugach State Park and also offers some great daytime views of three different volcano peaks.

Jump on this trail from downtown Anchorage and follow it 11 miles along the waterfront. Keep your eyes peeled for beluga whales and the Denali peak (plus the occasional moose). It’s paved, too, which makes for easy biking.

A 3.3-mile hike will get you to Alaska’s most-visited peak and some of the area’s best panoramic views. Be warned, it’s not a stroll in the park, but it’s worth it. 

The trails here are more leisurely, but the views aren’t any less dramatic. You’ll find a glacial river, soaring mountains, waterfalls and lush forests (in the summer).

You’ll head through a birch forest and emerge next to a 200-foot-tall waterfall. It’s a pretty popular destination for families; be prepared to share the trail.

On the opposite side of the Chugach National Forest, you’ll find Portage Valley just outside Girdwood. This 1.4-mile hike near the Byron Glacier is good for all ages. And it connects to the 4-mile Portage Pass, which explores the Portage Glacier. 

You’re not going to tackle this 21-mile stretch of the Historic Iditarod Trail in one go unless you’re a super marathoner or expert backpacker. It’s a rite of passage for intrepid Alaskan hikers, but the first few miles from the trailhead offer mountain views, waterfalls and Raven Glacier, more than enough to scratch your wilderness itch.

This park has mountains and forests galore, but perhaps its best feature is the Exit Glacier, surrounded by winding hiking trails for solo exploration or guided tours. If you’d rather take in the sights from the water, you can hop on a glacier cruise tour in Seward.

They push the limits of what belongs on a hot dog, with toppings like mac and cheese, coleslaw and pineapple. But it works. And they’re still (arguably) the king of reindeer dogs in Anchorage.

Prefer burgers to sausages? Go here. They’ve got a reindeer burger to pair with fresh steamed crabs and craft beer. The hungriest/boldest eaters can attempt to conquer the “Kodiak Arrest Challenge” as seen on “Man Vs. Food.” 

Locals flock to this food cart for reindeer sausages. And, like IHOH, Tiki Pete’s loads them up with savory toppings. 

A longtime pillar of the Anchorage food scene, Simon & Seafort’s pairs fresh-caught seafood with scenic views of the Cook Inlet and Mt. Susitna. 

It doesn’t have a huge spread of steaming seafood but puts innovative Asian spins on local tuna, scallops and more.

It’s the cozy, log-cabin aesthetic you might expect from Alaska alongside an elegant menu featuring seafood and rotisserie meats. Get your salmon with an imperial blonde ale that’ll knock you on your butt.

Here, you can dive into the culture of Alaska’s 11 native cultures. Watch dances, listen to stories, walk around a village and play traditional games.

This Dena’ina Athabascan settlement is the oldest inhabited area around Anchorage. It blends the disparate but interesting cultures imbued by the Athabascans and the Russian Orthodox missionaries who came later.

This is a longtime staple of Downtown Anchorage’s nightlife. It’s a classic neighborhood dive with free popcorn and something called a “heavy petting zoo.”

Alaska has a robust craft beer scene, and Midnight Sun (definitely not to be confused with the “Twilight” companion novel) has been cranking out experimental brews since 1995. They make more than 40 different ales and lagers per year, so you’ll have a lot of sampling to do.

This place really owns the speakeasy vibe. To get in, go to the Williwaw Social (a multiuse venue), pick up the elevator-adjacent payphone and speak with the bartender. Inside, it’s an intimate spot overflowing with classic cocktails.

A beautiful property commonly used as a wedding venue, but available for aspiring prospectors too. They’ll provide a pan and, if you want to get more serious, shovels, buckets, demonstrations and tours.

A historic site that’s family-oriented and offers panning demonstrations, a small museum and impressive views of the Turnagain Arm.

It’s less of a bar and more like a bunch of bars stuck together, Voltron-style. Ten to be exact, each with its own unique style, including three stages and three dance floors. You can chill and nurse a cocktail, laugh at a comedy act, game at an arcade, enjoy a local band and get wild on the dance floor all in the same night.