Anchorage

Downtown Anchorage is small, easy to get around, and a good starting point for just about anything you’re planning in the city. You’ll find coffee shops, local restaurants, souvenir stores, and a handful of bars. If you’re gearing up for an adventure, there are outfitters and bike rentals nearby, too. Plus, it’s home to the Anchorage Museum, the start of the Coastal Trail, and Ship Creek, where you can fish for salmon or just watch the action.

Flattop is the most climbed mountain in Alaska—and for good reason. It’s just a short drive from Anchorage, the trail is well-marked, and the views from the top stretch across the city and beyond—Denali, if you get lucky with a clear day. The hike is not long, but it does get steep toward the end and involves a bit of scrambling. If that’s not your thing, there’s a lookout near the parking lot that still gives you a pretty good view.

About an hour south of Anchorage, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a haven for animals that wouldn’t make it in the wild—moose, bison, bears, musk oxen, and more. Most of the animals are rescues, or were orphaned or injured, and the center provides them with the care they need to thrive. Walk or drive the loop to observe these majestic creatures in their expansive, natural habitat, with the Chugach Mountains as your backdrop.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center provides visitors with deep insight into the cultures that have shaped Alaska for thousands of years—and are still very much alive today. There are indoor exhibits, but the outdoor part is just as interesting, with traditional structures set around a lake and demonstrations of things like dancing, carving, and games.

Not far from the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage Glacier is one of the easier ones to check out without much hassle. You used to be able to see it from the visitor center, but sadly, it’s been retreating for years—now you’ll need to take a short boat ride across the lake to get a proper look.

Just 30 minutes from Anchorage, the trail to Thunderbird Falls winds through a quiet forest before ending at a 200-foot waterfall. It’s an easy walk—about a mile each way—with a wooden viewing deck overlooking the falls. There’s also a steep little detour if you want to get down to the base and see it up close. Once the temperature drops, Thunderbird Falls becomes something else entirely—still, sharp, and frozen in place like glass.

About 20 minutes south of Anchorage, Beluga Point is one of those spots that makes you want to pull over. The views across Turnagain Arm—a long, narrow stretch of ocean surrounded by steep mountains—are wide open and dramatic. If the tide’s right, you might catch beluga whales chasing salmon along the shoreline. They’re most active in late summer, but even if they don’t show up, the view’s not a bad consolation.

There’s a reason why it’s called Earthquake Park. This is where parts of Anchorage slid into the inlet during the 1964 quake—the strongest ever recorded in North America. A short trail loops through the area, with signs explaining what happened. If you look closely, you can still spot some of the ground shifts and tilted trees. On clear days, there’s a wide view over the water—and sometimes even Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, way off in the distance.