Anchorage, Alaska, is the place nature’s grandeur meets city sophistication.
Nestled between the majestic Chugach Mountains and the pristine waters of Cook dinner Inlet, Anchorage gives a novel mix of outside journey and cultural experiences.
Whether or not mountain climbing the rugged trails, exploring vibrant downtown streets, or catching a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights, this metropolis has one thing for everybody.
This weblog submit will discover the must-see points of interest and hidden gems that make Anchorage a novel vacation spot.
From the Hatcher Cross Path to taking a helicopter tour to Knik Glacier, be part of me as I uncover the wonders of Anchorage and its surrounding areas.
Let’s discover Anchorage, the proper journey hub for exploring Alaska.
Right here is my journey information to Adventures in and round Anchorage:
What to do round Anchorage Downtown
Downtown Anchorage gives a mixture of cultural, leisure, and outside actions, making it an incredible place to discover and revel in.
Normally used as a beginning base/gateway in direction of your journey round the remainder of Alaska.
I like to recommend stopping by the Anchorage Museum throughout 4 flooring and exploring Alaska’s artwork, historical past, and tradition at this complete museum.
Should you’ve been on an extended flight, seize a espresso from Hightide Espresso and stroll alongside the Tony Knowles Coastal Path.
Take pleasure in a scenic stroll alongside this 11-mile paved path, which gives gorgeous shoreline views and mountains. It’s good for dawn for those who’re up early and need one thing to do.
Anchorage Market is a great spot if it’s open on the weekend. This vibrant market is hosted within the downtown automotive park and options native Alaskan meals, crafts, artwork, and clothes from numerous distributors.
Head to Alyeska Resort, chill out within the Nordic spa, which gives a beautiful number of saunas, sizzling tubs, and steam rooms, and take the cable automotive as much as the highest to benefit from the unbelievable view.
Make sure to cease by the Alaska Native Heritage Middle in Anchorage. You could find tales from the Nice Land, Alaska’s Dwelling Historical past, Interactive Displays, and Extra right here. You can too study various Alaska Native Cultures and Distinctive Native Historical past.
Begin on the Highliner Lodge, Anchorage
The journey begins with pick-up on the Highliner Lodge in Anchorage. This can be a great place to relaxation after an extended flight earlier than we depart on our journey.
Nice espresso spot as nicely at Highlander Espresso to get your morning repair earlier than the journey begins.
Go to the Dream a Dream Sled Canine Kennel With Vern Halter
Visiting Vern Halter’s Dream a Dream Sled Dog tours is a novel solution to expertise Alaska’s wild aspect.
You get to satisfy and work together with actual sledge canines collaborating within the Iditarod – one of many hardest races on the earth.
The Iditarod begins in Anchorage and covers 1,000 miles of Alaska’s harshest terrain, from snow-covered mountains and frozen rivers to desolate tundra and icy coastlines.
Mushers and their canines face freezing temperatures, robust winds, and virtually no visibility whereas racing in opposition to time. It’s a check of endurance, ability, and the robust bond between the person and canine workforce.
In the summertime, you may even assist practice the sledge canines by using an ATV alongside them. It’s an unbelievable alternative to see how these wonderful canines are educated for one of the difficult races on Earth.
Take a go to to the Reindeer Farm Tour
The Reindeer Farm was established within the Fifties. It’s dwelling to about 100 reindeer and different animals like Rocky Mountain elk, bison, Tibetan yaks, alpacas, and the favored Lucy the Moose.
The Reindeer Farm hosts occasions year-round, all centered on their beloved animals.
Some standout occasions embody a haunted home for Halloween within the autumn months.
Keep on the scenic Alaska Glacier Lodge
Should you’re on the lookout for the proper Alaskan journey getaway, take a look at Alaska Glacier Lodge.
As Alaska’s premier heli lodge, it’s a great base for helicopter excursions, glacier landings, and canine sledging.
The lodge is understood for its non-public cosy cabins, heaters, non-public bogs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, making your keep snug.
Every cabin additionally has a personal deck, the best place to get pleasure from morning espresso whereas watching the dawn over the Knik Valley.
The lodges are additionally a implausible place for stargazing, and as a result of low gentle air pollution, you would possibly even catch the Northern Lights on a transparent night time.
After a day of exploring, you may chill out and revel in a meal with unbelievable views on the on-site Raven’s Perch Bar & Grill.
Off highway ATV Tour with Alaska Backcountry Adventures
Should you’re on the lookout for an thrilling solution to discover Alaska’s wild backcountry, Alaska Backcountry Adventures is the go-to firm for unforgettable ATV excursions.
Situated within the lovely Matanuska Valley simply exterior Anchorage, this family-owned enterprise offers guided off-road adventures by way of the gorgeous Knik River Valley.
Whether or not you’re new to off-roading or a seasoned professional, they’ve excursions for each ability stage.
Their educated guides know the realm in and out and might tailor the expertise from straightforward, family-friendly trails to extra adventurous, difficult routes.
In the summertime, you may journey top-of-the-line ATVs and side-by-sides, whereas in winter, they change to snow machines for enjoyable within the snow.
The small group sizes give a extra personalised expertise, and so they even do non-public excursions for bigger teams.
Hike the Hatcher Cross path
The realm surrounding Hatcher Cross was as soon as a gold mining hub, and the outdated cabins nonetheless remind us of its previous.
Right now, it’s a well-liked mountain climbing spot and combines historic curiosity and gorgeous pure magnificence.
Probably the greatest hikes within the space is the Gold Cord Lake trail, a 2.4-km out-and-back route with a 144-meter elevation achieve.
This reasonably difficult path takes about an hour to finish. On the prime, you’ll be handled to unbelievable views, and the hike ends at a fantastic glacier-fed lake.
The path is widespread, particularly in the summertime months. Canine are welcome however should keep on a leash.
Return to your automotive earlier than 6 p.m., because the gates lock, and you can find yourself caught in a single day.
Discover the charming city of Palmer
The city of Palmer is situated in the midst of the Chugach Mountains. Its lovely surroundings is complemented by a powerful agricultural historical past.
There’s a lot to see on the town. I extremely suggest visiting the Palmer Museum and Customer Middle to study in regards to the space’s Alaska Native, gold rush, and agricultural historical past.
The Colony Home Museum is one other spotlight right here. Right here, you may see what life was like on this preserved Thirties farmhouse.
For beer lovers, Palmer has a number of nice breweries to discover, together with Arkose Brewery, the primary to open on the town. It gives as much as 16 beers on faucet.
Bleeding Coronary heart Brewery, Matanuska Brewery, and Faucet Room are additionally common stops for native brews.
Relating to eating, Feather and Flour serve classics made with native substances, and Vagabond Blues is understood for its wonderful espresso, espresso drinks, and wholesome meals. You’ll additionally discover native paintings on show there.
Helicopter Tour to Knik Glacier with Alaska Helicopter Excursions
A helicopter tour is the proper solution to discover Alaska’s excellent panorama.
Probably the greatest firms to go along with to Knik Glacier is with Alaska Helicopter Tours.
They provide one of the unforgettable experiences – flying over the gorgeous Knik Glacier and touchdown on the glacier!
The excursions are related to Alaska Glacier Lodge, an incredible place to base your self for exploring the area.
Alaska Helicopter Excursions is understood for its top-notch security document and constant 5-star opinions.
On my helicopter tour, we landed at three completely different places, one in every of which was proper on the glacier.
Keep in mind to deliver an empty water bottle, as you may collect and drink glacier water straight from the supply.
If you wish to lengthen your journey right here, they do numerous actions, together with glacier canine sledging, heli-hiking, mountain climbing, and even paddleboarding on glaciers.
Should go to the Musk Ox Farm
The Musk Ox Farm is the one place solely devoted to the care and preservation of musk oxen, which dates again to the Ice Age.
These unbelievable creatures as soon as roamed alongside woolly mammoths and saber-tooth tigers. Within the Forties and 50s, musk oxen have been practically extinct, however their inhabitants has grown since, because of the Musk Ox Challenge, based in Alaska in 1964.
The farm focuses on the light husbandry of those animals. Every year, their extremely tender wool, referred to as qiviut, is collected and spun into high-quality yarn.
You possibly can go to the farm and take one in every of their informative guided excursions to study in regards to the musk ox’s historical past and see these spectacular creatures up shut.
The farm’s reward store additionally sells qiviut fibre and clothes so you may take dwelling a chunk of this historic animal’s legacy.
Bonus suggestion: Depart from Anchorage alongside the Alaskan Railroad
Anchorage is the departure station for the Alaskan Railroad, one of the scenic rail routes in the US.
I couldn’t think about a greater approach to soak up the unbelievable Alaskan panorama from the consolation of your panorama practice cart seat.
You possibly can break up the journey throughout the state tracks or head to the tip of the road in Fairbanks.
What a beautiful solution to expertise Alaska!
About TBEX Anchorage, Alaska
I used to be in Anchorage to attend TBEX Alaska. The convention focuses on journey content material creators and gives studying by way of keynote displays, workshops, and an entire host of networking alternatives.
As a part of TBEX, I’ll discover the host vacation spot, Anchorage, and expertise a hosted journey to get to know Alaska earlier than the convention begins. This weblog submit is a part of this collaboration venture.
Thanks for studying my weblog submit about Alaska
Thanks for passing by and studying my weblog submit all about exploring in and round Anchorage, Alaska.
I hope you discovered this beneficial information in direction of planning your journey to Alaska.
You probably have any additional questions, please be at liberty to let me know. I’m completely satisfied to assist.
All the most effective, and have a implausible journey to Anchorage, Alaska.
