The mine is not only a great place to explore, but its a great photography spot. They successfully introduced the once native wood-bison to Alaska. Theres room to park if you are driving an RV but if you camp in the overnight lot at the Aleyska Ski Resort, its an easy 20 minute walk through the residential area and you can see some pretty rad houses along the way. From the obvious junction from the Seward Highway, continue down the road until you see the signs pointing left to Winner Creek/ Crow Pass Trailhead. Grab a beer at Girdwood Brewery before heading back to your car. Anchorage is one of the best areas for cross country skiing with hundreds of kilometers of groomed maintained trails. So, lets get moving to the best outdoor things to do around Anchorage, Alaska! Park your car at the Bird Ridge parking lot and hit this flat paved trail that parallels the highway until you reach Girdwood. Trailhead: Mt Baldy Trailhead, Eagle RiverDifficulty: ModerateDistance: 3-4 miles roundtrip, 500 feet elevation gain. 17 Best Things to Do in Anchorage, Alaska By Erin Kirkland | Reviewed by Ann Henson | Last updated on May 26, 2023 This attractions guide was updated by Erin Kirkland, an Anchorage resident and. But I would actually love to visit! Every landscape is so stunning and so perfectly captured :). Alaska has some of the best skiing and snowboarding anywhere in the world. The best odds of a big bore tide are usually in the five day window surrounding new and full moons. 15. Contact Alaska Sea Kayakers to plan your day or multi-day ocean kayak trip! Make plans to experience Anchorage's Fourth of July celebration, the annual Bear Paw Festival, and the Girdwood Forest Fair, then unwind with some hiking, biking, fishing, or flightseeing. Outdoor activities in Anchorage. Continue all the way to Girdwood for a day of hiking and even stay overnight to enjoy the laid back atmosphere of one of my favorite towns. There is a 30-minute loop or a more extensive walking trail. Tundra Wilderness Tour (only goes to mile 42 in 2022, $141.25 per person). This used to be an extensive beaver habitat, but they have since moved on up the river, but you can still see remains of the dam and learn about this critter. They have moose, lynx, brown and black bears, eagle, elk, and much more. Most Well-Known Attraction in Anchorage - The Anchorage Museum. After youve taken in the excitement and views, you can either backtrack (which is what we chose to do to get more miles in) or continue 2 more miles to Crow Creek Road. Whitewater Rafting:If you are looking for a serious whitewater rafting experience in class IV rapids, then book through Chugach Outdoor Center. Things to Do in Anchorage Popular things to do Half-day Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Bodies of Water Day Trips City Tours Hiking Trails Full-day Tours Winter Sports Points of Interest & Landmarks 4WD Tours Hiking Tours Parks Eco Tours Historical Tours Playgrounds Transfers & Ground Transport Top Picks Breweries Luxury & Special Occasions So, jumping on an ATV and experiencing Alaskas wilderness on an ATV gives you insight into life as a local! It looks absolutely stunning. Save this image to your Travel Pinterest board. Practice caution. Susanna grew up in small-town Alaska where the changing climate was always on her mind. When you click through these links we receive a small commission at no charge to you. Tragically, just a few days after we visited the hand tram ourselves, someone had a fatal fall from one of the platforms and the city temporarily closed the Hand Tram. The Alaska Native Heritage Center tells the story of Alaska Native people through live song, dance and sport. This one made our top 10 best campgrounds list for a good reason. In fact, did you know that the modern fat bike was created in part of the iditabike race in Alaska! Great information! Take them down to West Chester Lagoon for a leisurely activity. One night there was a creperie, one night was Mediterranean, and one night was our favorite, Texas style BBQ. There are plenty of companies that will also pick you up for some awesome outdoor adventures near Anchorage and provide you with all the gear you need. Pablos Bikes is ideal if you are renting to ride the Coastal Trail as they are right downtown at the start of the trail. In about an hour you can summit with the best view of the Anchorage skyline, including views of Denali on a clear day, and the sparkling waters of the inlets. Click here for other scenic drives from Anchorage. Anchorage is an up and coming mountain bike town and it shows with its smooth singletrack and long distance rides nearby. This is the most bang for your buck hike near Anchorage but it does cost a few bucks. Though side by side one, Eagle, is fed by glaciers and is bright teal and the other, Symphony, is fed from snowmelt and groundwater and is a duller blue. Alaska is one of those places that Ive always thought is so beautiful and mysterious but for some reason Ive never really thought about adding it to my travel list. I guess maybe because Im more of a sunshine kind of girl haha. This shop also has an awesome community feel to it and even hosts a weekly farmers market in the parking lot. There is a boardwalk around the marsh with interactive signs along the way. Curiosity Saves Travel combines my MSc in biodiversity, my BA in journalism, and years of experience in the tourism industry while amplifying diverse voices. The Gold Mint trail is a popular and relatively easy backpacking trail that a lot of locals tackle early in the season when theyre antsy to get outdoors. Turn right on Hillside Drive then left on Upper Huffman Dr. Mobile visitors can walk from habitat to habitat, or there are shuttle options for those with limited mobility. Don't let Alaska's short growing season fool you. So, while most of these activities are accessible from downtown Anchorage, a few of them are a good distance from the city proper. This trail goes through the mountains, past Mint Glacier, to a gorgeous little mountaineers hut which is considered one of Americas Most Beautiful Backcountry Huts by Backpacker Magazine. Its a relatively flat 2.5 mile hike from the luxurious Alyeska Resort to the hand tram. Anchorage may be the largest city in Alaska, but with the steep and jagged Chugach mountains surrounding the city, Anchorage is a haven for outdoorsmen/women. This hike in Girdwood is a must do for everyone. A bore tide happens on extreme low tides when theres at least a 27 foot difference between high and low tide. You also ride through Earthquake Park, where you can learn about the impact of the 64 quake on Alaska. Gulls, Arctic terns, shorebirds such as yellowlegs, and occasionally trumpeter swans are present during spring and fall migration. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You can see the bore tide along the entire 50 mile stretch of highway on Turnagain Arm and with a variety of pullouts along the whole road, its hard to miss the incredible occurrence when youre driving here. Take the Seward Highway south from Anchorage and after a short 20 or so minutes, pay close attention to spot the trail sign along the side of highway. You are not legally allowed to fish without one and please dont come and take advantage of our resources. This train runs from Anchorage with multiple stops along the way and you are able to get out and explore nature and walking trails to go berry picking or get up close and personal with some of Alaskas glaciers. This trail is about 5 miles out and back trail up a fairly moderately steep mountain. The court's conservative majority ruled Friday that a Christian graphic artist who wants to design wedding websites can refuse to work with same-sex couples. Click here to see the bus schedule. That being said, I did white knuckle my RV to the trailhead, but it was early on a Thursday morning. If I only I had known this before, I wouldve been chasing low tide every day. The trail can get muddy and be hard to track at times, so exercise caution. Exploring Chugach State Park is one of the best things to do in Anchorage, and this vast natural preserve is found technically within the city limits. Bolling Alley combined with Toilet Bowl is a must-do ride at Kincaid Park. This 11 mile path runs all the way from Kincaid Park to downtown. While still a steep ascent, its super family friendly and the hike can be done in 2-3 hours. This is as close as weve come in our travels to the smooth, rolling, hard packed terrain that we experienced in Rotorua, New Zealand. Crow Creek still has gold in it, but you can try your hand in premade pay dirt or rent your own sluice box. Imagine Kayaking in bright green glacial water, or even among glaciers! This 5 mile roundtrip takes you up to an overlook where you can see the amazing colors of Eklutna Lake plus the mountains surrounding. Things to Do in Anchorage. While those with a fear of heights may choose to just watch from the sidelines, most will want to wait in line for a turn to be pulled across the Winner Creek in the hand tram. Note, this trail is often covered in patches of snow until July however we still managed to hike this safely in mid June. This hike is best described as a traverse that follows the scenic highway below. Considering the path lies within in a major city, its pretty incredible how beautiful the route is. Book the best day trips from Anchorage, AK directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of planning. Blogs that appear on this website may contain affiliate links. Anchorage is an up and coming mountain biking town and the crown jewel of the trail network is Kincaid Park. Head east on Abbot Road until you see signs for Hillside Park. Though only a 5 mile hike, I highly recommend giving yourself an entire (preferably sunny) day to do this hike. If you're looking for some of the best things to do in Anchorage, Alaska, look no further than the Alyeska Ski Area. And, it's a good opportunity to see the mountain if you're short on time and wont be traveling farther north than Anchorage. Typically Kincaid is better for beginners. There is a massive hill just before you cross the actual Eagle River, so make sure you are willing and able to get back up before you cruise on down. Now heres the coolest part, you can SURF the bore tide! They also rent cross country bikes for the various trails at the foot of the mountain. Once through the tunnel, youll immediately turn right to the Portage Pass Trailhead. This hike is painfully steep and arguably the hardest hike in Anchorage. This trail starts along Ship Creek and continues until youve reached my home town of Eagle River. The places you are talking about seems really beautiful and I love your insights. Drawing locals and tourists together to mingle, talk and, most importantly, eat. The hike starts out with easy enough switchbacks, then moves to stairs and ends with a bit of rock scrambling to the summit. Alyeska Resort in Girdwood offers world-class luxury riding with amazing views of Alaskas glaciers, mountains, and picturesque inlet. If you want to grab a 6 pack of local brews and hang out with some friends with a casual game of frolf (frisbee golf). but there are places outside the park to see the mountain too - including on the Alaska Railroad headed south to Anchorage, and from Anchorage itself. Click here to get the hiking details from Alltrails. If you prefer to camp in an official camping park with your own fire pit and surrounded by other campers. In fact, it sits directly parallel to the Seward Highway. click here to get the top guidebook for Climbing on the Seward Highway. McHugh Creek This picturesque forested stream is hidden in plain sight. Flight-seeing. In addition, Anchorage is filled with dozens of artisans who create incredible kimchi, salsa, chocolate, and more. The Glen Alps trailhead and parking lot lead to one of the most popular hikes in Anchorage, Flat Top, but there are quite a few great hikes around this area and even a wheelchair accessible scenic lookout. This is such a great escape into nature and the drive out there is quite scenic. Access to this trailhead same as for Flattop Mountain (see number 11). This world-class ski resort is located just outside of Anchorage and offers stunning views of the Chugach Mountains. This hike is a short, steep one mile trail to get to the summit of Portage Pass and the overlook where youll get perfect views of the Portage Lake and Portage Glacier. The parking lot holds about 30 cars and usually has room for RVs unless the lot is full. Many Anchorage restaurants source from nearby farmers, ranchers, and fishermen. Take the OMalley Road exit and head east. About. Oooooh my goodness, I want to do all of these, but especially those hikes and seeing all that wildlife! The best chance of seeing whales is actually about a half hour after the low tidesee below. While youre in Whittier, dont miss a short hike up to the Portage glacier lookout! Were planning on moving out west next year, and one of the first trips I want to take once were out there is to Alaska, since Ive been dying to go (but its so far away). The Bait Shop over Ship Creek has lots of bait. Simply rent a bike from one of the shops in town, and head to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail . Chugach State Park. There are also a few Eagle Nests in the area and if you look up you can see Eagles scanning for prey high above. We loved Anchorage, but the Kenai peninsula was our favorite place in all of Alaska. As a new hiker, its really helpful to know what Im up against! This hike gains 500 feet over a 1 or 2 mile span. The trail is about 18 miles one way and you can turn around whenever you please. We have only seen a small part of Alaska and need to get back and spend a lot more time there. Unfortunately due to inclement weather we had to turn around before reaching the mine but note that just the walk along the road up to the mine was really beautiful. If you head 45 minutes north of Anchorage, youll be at the start of a dozen or so hikes in the Hatcher Pass area. Consider the top 20 things to do in Anchorage as you plan a visit and make the trip complete. There is a longer route that winds up the side of it that is a bit less steep. A post shared by Adventure Travel Family (@nomadswithapurpose) on Jun 11, 2019 at 3:36pm PDT. Im not usually an outdoorsy traveller, but your Alaska posts always inspire me to go beyond my comfort zone! 182. Trailhead: Glen Alps Trailhead, AnchorageDifficulty: StrenuousDistance: 9 miles roundtrip, 2200 feet elevation gain. Check out Visit Anchorage for listings of what's showing where and when. Best Family-Friendly Attraction in Anchorage - The Imaginarium Discovery Center at the Alaska Museum. This is a steep trail and really gets your heart pumping. If the season is right, this is also a popular place to view northern lights from. This organization focuses on rehabilitation and the preservation with the goal to release animals back into Alaskas eco-system. If you find yourself well outside of Anchorage in Seward, take Major Marine Tours for Alaskas marine wildlife. Click here for climbing beta on Mountain Project or click here to get the top guidebook for Climbing on the Seward Highway. Getting here requires driving 6 miles down a dirt road. Best Cultural Experience in Anchorage - Alaska Native Heritage Center. But I would love to experience the long days in the summer and some camping although I am afraid of bears, so I guess we will have to start saving to go twice! The best part of this trail is the hand tram. The same route can also be done vice versa, starting at Crow Creek road (which can be a great place to free camp in an RV). If you are paleo, keto, gluten free, etc just stop reading now because the temptation of Fire Islands perfectly golden, rustic loaves of sourdough is ridiculously tempting. But the hiking, kayaking, the views..it looks like an incredible place to explore. Alaska is one of the most attractive destinations for traveler including me. This is probably a local best-kept secret. The trailhead is reached by heading west on Kincaid Road or West Diamond Blvd. Located up Eagle River Valley, the nature center is at the end of a winding mountain pass. Alaska ATV adventures offer lots of options from gold panning ATV combos or a half day tour from Anchorage to Bird Creek. You may even spot some mountain goats up here. If you are a birder, Im sorry. The Anchorage area is HUGE. Trailhead: Rabbit Creek Trailhead or McHugh Creek TrailheadDifficulty: Moderate to StrenuousDistance: 13 (from McHugh TH) or 9 (from Rabbit Lakes TH) miles roundtrip, 2200 feet elevation gain. At just about every turn off youll see a hiking sign with another trailhead. Youll get amazing mountain views and at least get a sense of what this area is like. You need a decent car to reach it as it is a steep and narrow gravel trail. You can hike out to Rabbit Lake just outside of Anchorage, set up your tent near the lake and spend a night in the wild. The dirt is well maintained and we had no problem taking our RV up the road however the only sketchy part was the last mile. 2. When she's not outside playing, you'll find her drinking whiskey with her cat and partner while trying to get to level 99 in life. Hiking it from Rabbit Creek trailhead is 9 miles but is still a somewhat easy trek. The trail has low elevation gain but does require some bouldering scrambling toward the end due to rocky glacier deposits. Alaska is so pretty!!! There is often a solstice party at the top, so bring beer. 1,538 ratings. in Anchorage, Click Here. By DebbieR38. $29.97 $27. Always stay on marked trails and let someone like your hotel front guest know where youre going. Glacier kayaking is on my bucket list too, and it doesnt seem like there are many better places to do it than Alaska. Much like Mt Baldy, Flattop is another one of the most popular summits to bag near Anchorage and probably the most hiked mountain in all of Alaska because of its relative ease to hike. Anchorage is a top destination in both summer and winter, with activities, festivals, tours, and amenities available year-round. Girdwood Brewing Co was one of our all time favs! Getting ready for your trip to Alaska and want to do all these awesome outdoor activities near Anchorage? Even if you dont have time to do it all, I still recommend setting aside an hour or two to drive to the Turnagain Arm rest area. Make it an adventure and park at one of the town parks like Lynn Ary Park or Earthquake Park where theres an abundance of free parking and walk, bike, or even skate into town for a treat like Wild Scoops ice cream (see number 21). From Potter Marsh, you can also opt to hike part of the Turnagain Arm Trail which runs 10 miles all the way to Windy. You can opt to take on the entire length of the trail on foot or on a bicycle, or you can easily choose to do a segment of it. You load yourself up on a little tram going over a gorge and then pull yourself across with a rope. The wild nature surrounding Anchorage offers plenty of overnight options from wild camping in a tent to cozy cabins with a sturdy roof over your head providing bear proof accommodation. In just about 45 minutes you have panoramic views over the Anchorage bowl and on a clear day you can see Denali. Within a 30 minute drive of Anchorage, you can explore coastal forest trails, the condensed mountain valleys of Hatcher Pass and hike to old mines. This is a great option to see a lot of Alaska without a lot of effort. Alaska was one of our options for our honeymoon but it didnt happen because of budget. Alyeska Resort has 7 lifts which take you to a vertical rise of 2,500ft: 2 high-speed detachable quads, 2 fixed quads, 2 magic carpets, and a 60-passenger Aerial Tram. Click here to see the current tunnel schedule. Virgin Creek Falls is the easiest hike youll ever do and is a must do when you are in Girdwood. Check tide charts here or click here to see the estimated times of Bore Tide along Turnagain Arm. Urban angling is just a stone's throw from downtown and remote fly in fishing in the Alaska wilderness is an easy day trip. Sometimes I just make it out to the base of the steep loose gravel that begins the ascent to the peak before heading back. In the summer, there is a parking area right by the mine making it so that theres almost no hike up. 4721 Aircraft Dr. Anchorage Alaska, 99502 (On Lake Hood) (907) 248-5325 2. If you are visiting Anchorage during my favorite times of the year, autumn, you can try your hand at berry picking! The trail is steep but moderately easy compared to many Anchorage hikes. Flat Top: The most summited mountain in Alaska, the 1,350 ft vertical climb can be a bit challenging, but its short and the views are worth it. Chugach State Park. Beginners cant miss the cross country trial, Queen Bee and Intermediate to Advanced riders will be stoked by the steep berms and jumps of Jeffs Whoop Whoop downhill only trail. I met my Aussie partner while traveling. Hiking it from here gives you the option to save your legs and extend your trip up to one or both of the Suicide Peaks or McHugh Peak where you can see the pretty lake from above. The staff at the Alaska Railroad always go out of their way to make this a personalized trip- stopping along the way for wildlife and helping you customize your experience. This barely counts as a hike since its only a short .4 miles roundtrip to reach this waterfall. Outdoor Activities in Anchorage. Now while I cant vouch for the pizza personally due to a dairy allergy (#tragic), Ive been told by Anchorage locals that Moose Tooth lives up to the hype. Independence Mine is accessible year round. Trust me, this is a once in a lifetime, only in Alaska experience! Unless you are an advanced climber, I suggest booking with Ascending Path, Alaskas extreme sport specialists who are willing to work with you to create a trip that is right for your abilities. Click here for more details on backpacking the Crow Pass Trail. In the summer, this public ski area transforms into a downhill mountain biking hub filled with everything a mountain biker wants out of a trial: whoops, swoops, and berms. For a serious adrenaline rush grab a full suspension downhill mountain bike from the Alyeska Hotel in Girdwood and bring your bike on one of the lifts to get to the top. Anchorage is the launching point for many . Follow any of their designated mountain bike trails to get to the bottom and do it again! Dont even get me started on all the dairy filled goodness of their other flavors like: AK Honeycomb(Sweet cream + homemade honeycomb candy with Gabel Family Honey) and Yukon Gold(Sweet cream + homemade fudge + AK Chip Co potato chip toffee) . We werent prepared nor did we have time to tackle a big 9 mile hike at the time and just enjoyed hiking the first few miles of the trail. Kayaking in Alaska is simply unbeatable. Even though it was hot and perfectly sunny when we started this ridiculously steep trail, a thunderstorm rolled in just as we got above tree line and we had to turn back. The Alaska Native Heritage Center If you go hiking on your own, you should carry a bear bell or bear spray if you know how to use it. Itll be on the left hand side just after mile marker 24. We personally decided to visit the Airport Heights farmers market which we loved because it had everything we loved but was small and not too overwhelming. Each May-June, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. With over 2,500 acres of skiable terrain, Alyeska is a great place for both beginner and experienced skiers alike. My personal recommendation for an awesome day trip from Anchorage is to see brown bears in the wild in the wilds of Alaska. Whittier And The 26 Glacier Cruise. 2 - Go hiking on glaciers Anchorage is one of nature's best outdoor playgrounds and a particular favorite with hikers. By MikeMagoo19. The trailhead is located in a different spot from the Glen Alps trails listed above. Anchorage has only gone above 70 degrees F (21 . This can be hiked as an out and back from two different trailheads or as a point to point hike where you can hop on the free Glacier Valley Transit Gold Mine Bus hiker shuttle provided by Alyeska Resort. Alaskan Rafting has fantastic tour packages including trips from both Anchorage and Girdwood, transportation included. Warmed by a maritime climate, you can spend the day fishing Ship Creek downtown, hiking the nearby mountains, photographing glaciers, and dining at a four-star restaurant. We spent every single evening in Girdwood hanging out here. I had no idea coconut based ice creams could be so good and I couldnt get enough of their vegan chocolate Oreo. The breathtaking ride runs along the Turnagain Arm to Portage, where the railroad tracks divide. Turn right onto Toilsome Hill Drive where the road will eventually turn into Glen Alps Rd. Bird Point lies at mile marker 30 and access to the bike path is right from the parking lot. West Chester Lagoon: If you want to stick to downtown Anchorage contact Alaska Outdoor Gear Rental to rent some SUP boards and Kayaks. Ive been on a hike where Ive run into a bear and a moose, all in one go. Reaching its 5,100 foot summit involves scrambling and a little bit of route finding but youll be rewarded with epic views from Anchorages highest peak. 6. Whoop Whoop is possible for intermediate riders but you may have to walk in some spots because it can be quite steep. This guide is so amazing!! Learn more about me or the Curiosity Saves family. The summit is at 4,700 feet. If you prefer four walls and a roof over your head book any of the rustic and cozy cabins or yurts around Alaska.
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