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 singular mix of out of doors journey and cultural experiences.
Whether or not 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 sights and hidden gems that make Anchorage a singular vacation spot.
From the Hatcher Move 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 right 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 out of doors actions, making it an incredible place to discover and revel in.
Often used as a beginning base/gateway in the 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.
In case 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 beautiful shoreline views and mountains. It’s good for dawn if you happen to’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 varied distributors.
Head to Alyeska Resort, chill out within the Nordic spa, which gives a beautiful collection of saunas, scorching tubs, and steam rooms, and take the cable automotive as much as the highest to benefit from the unimaginable view.
You should definitely cease by the Alaska Native Heritage Middle in Anchorage. You’ll find tales from the Nice Land, Alaska’s Dwelling Historical past, Interactive Displays, and Extra right here. You may also study numerous 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. It is a good spot to relaxation after an extended flight earlier than we depart on our journey.
Nice espresso spot as properly 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 singular approach to expertise Alaska’s wild facet.
You get to fulfill and work together with actual sledge canine taking part within the Iditarod – one of many hardest races on the planet.
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 canine face freezing temperatures, sturdy winds, and virtually no visibility whereas racing towards time. It’s a take a look at of endurance, talent, and the sturdy bond between the person and canine workforce.
In the summertime, you possibly can even assist prepare the sledge canine by driving an ATV alongside them. It’s an unimaginable alternative to see how these superb canine are educated for one of the vital difficult races on Earth.
Take a go to to the Reindeer Farm Tour
The Reindeer Farm was established within the Nineteen Fifties. It’s residence 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 embrace a haunted home for Halloween within the autumn months.
Keep on the scenic Alaska Glacier Lodge
In case you’re searching for the right Alaskan journey getaway, try Alaska Glacier Lodge.
As Alaska’s premier heli lodge, it’s a really perfect base for helicopter excursions, glacier landings, and canine sledging.
The lodge is thought for its non-public cosy cabins, heaters, non-public bogs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, making your keep comfy.
Every cabin additionally has a non-public deck, the perfect place to take pleasure in morning espresso whereas watching the dawn over the Knik Valley.
The lodges are additionally a implausible place for stargazing, and because of the low mild air pollution, you would possibly even catch the Northern Lights on a transparent evening.
After a day of exploring, you possibly can chill out and revel in a meal with unimaginable views on the on-site Raven’s Perch Bar & Grill.
Off highway ATV Tour with Alaska Backcountry Adventures
In case you’re searching for an thrilling approach to discover Alaska’s wild backcountry, Alaska Backcountry Adventures is the go-to firm for unforgettable ATV excursions.
Positioned within the stunning Matanuska Valley simply outdoors Anchorage, this family-owned enterprise gives guided off-road adventures by the beautiful Knik River Valley.
Whether or not you’re new to off-roading or a seasoned professional, they’ve excursions for each talent degree.
Their educated guides know the world in and out and might tailor the expertise from straightforward, family-friendly trails to extra adventurous, difficult routes.
In the summertime, you possibly can experience 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, they usually even do non-public excursions for bigger teams.
Hike the Hatcher Move path
The realm surrounding Hatcher Move was as soon as a gold mining hub, and the outdated cabins nonetheless remind us of its previous.
Right this moment, it’s a well-liked climbing spot and combines historic curiosity and beautiful pure magnificence.
Among the best hikes within the space is the Gold Cord Lake trail, a 2.4-km out-and-back route with a 144-meter elevation acquire.
This reasonably difficult path takes about an hour to finish. On the prime, you’ll be handled to unimaginable views, and the hike ends at a fantastic glacier-fed lake.
The path is widespread, particularly in the summertime months. Canines 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 course of the Chugach Mountains. Its stunning surroundings is complemented by a powerful agricultural historical past.
There’s loads to see on the town. I extremely advocate visiting the Palmer Museum and Customer Middle to study concerning the space’s Alaska Native, gold rush, and agricultural historical past.
The Colony Home Museum is one other spotlight right here. Right here, you possibly can see what life was like on this preserved Nineteen 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 elements, and Vagabond Blues is thought for its glorious espresso, espresso drinks, and wholesome meals. You’ll additionally discover native art work on show there.
Helicopter Tour to Knik Glacier with Alaska Helicopter Excursions
A helicopter tour is the right approach to discover Alaska’s excellent panorama.
Among the best corporations to go together with to Knik Glacier is with Alaska Helicopter Tours.
They provide one of the vital unforgettable experiences – flying over the beautiful Knik Glacier and touchdown on the glacier!
The excursions are linked to Alaska Glacier Lodge, an incredible place to base your self for exploring the area.
Alaska Helicopter Excursions is thought for its top-notch security file and constant 5-star critiques.
On my helicopter tour, we landed at three completely different areas, one in every of which was proper on the glacier.
Keep in mind to deliver an empty water bottle, as you possibly can collect and drink glacier water straight from the supply.
If you wish to prolong your journey right here, they do varied 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 fully devoted to the care and preservation of musk oxen, which dates again to the Ice Age.
These unimaginable creatures as soon as roamed alongside woolly mammoths and saber-tooth tigers. Within the Nineteen Forties and 50s, musk oxen have been practically extinct, however their inhabitants has grown since, due to the Musk Ox Venture, based in Alaska in 1964.
The farm focuses on the light husbandry of those animals. Annually, their extremely comfortable wool, known as qiviut, is collected and spun into high-quality yarn.
You’ll be able to go to the farm and take one in every of their informative guided excursions to study concerning 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 possibly can take residence 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 vital scenic rail routes in america.
I couldn’t think about a greater manner to absorb the unimaginable Alaskan panorama from the consolation of your panorama prepare cart seat.
You’ll be able to break up the journey throughout the state tracks or head to the top of the road in Fairbanks.
What a beautiful approach 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 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 undertaking.
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 the direction of planning your journey to Alaska.
When you’ve got any additional questions, please be at liberty to let me know. I’m joyful to assist.
All the very best, and have a implausible journey to Anchorage, Alaska.
