Anchorage has all the amenities of a major US metropolis, but the Alaskan wilderness is only a half-hour drive away. Anchorage is in the middle of the state, about halfway between Fairbanks (358 miles south) and Seward (127 miles north). It is served by about 200 local and international aircraft per day. The Parks Highway leads north to Fairbanks, and the Seward and Sterling highways head south into the Kenai Peninsula and the towns of Girdwood, Seward, Whittier, Soldotna, Kenai, and Homer.
A cruise on the glaciers from Anchorage is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. A wildlife cruise out of Anchorage is a necessity for ecotourists because of the many habitats that surround these glaciers. Immerse yourself in the roar of a towering glacier as a bright blue chunk of ice plops into the waters below. Not everything ends when the boat heads back to port. Other creatures, including whales, porpoises, and otters, spend the summer here as well.
Day tour companies and their expert guides give a plethora of options for visitors to Anchorage, whether they have an hour or a day. City excursions and other forms of local sightseeing ensure that your time is well spent. Anchorage is a playground for the young and the daring. Alaska is full of adventures waiting to be discovered, from its renowned animals to its breathtaking mountain scenery to its unique civilizations and ice-blue glaciers.
Day cruises to glaciers and wildlife viewing areas in Alaska are a popular way to see both of the state’s most renowned attractions. There are a number of popular day cruise destinations from Anchorage, including Prince William Sound, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Portage Lake.
It houses the state’s most extensive collection of Native Alaskan artifacts and is surrounded by television screens depicting modern Native American culture. The Listening Space is close by, and it is there that you can hear native Alaskan storytellers and the ambient sounds of the Arctic.
There is a long history of kayaking as a mode of transportation in this region. Alaskan locals would paddle down the coast on sea kayaks. An old timer once told me that the Chugach Mountains near Anchorage were so named because a party of kayakers gave them their first glimpse from across Cook Inlet.
Denali State Park and Talkeetna provide a wide variety of guided outdoor activities, such as strolls in the park’s natural surroundings, heli-hikes, opportunities to photograph wildlife, backpacking excursions, and specialized VIP tours. With the help of a good naturalist guide, you’ll be able to see wildlife, wild places that haven’t been changed, and breathtaking views of Mt. McKinley.
Fly fishing, saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and even ice fishing in Alaska are some of the best in the world. Often, all it takes is a few minutes of your time to pull over to the side of the road and cast a line.
Tours and attractions in Alaska can enable you to witness the state’s famous wildlife, such as moose, bears, eagles, and whales, right from your hotel’s doorstep.
Not everyone enjoys the Alaskan winter, but those that brave the elements with a spirit of adventure are rewarded with a breathtaking landscape. Snow covers everything, leaving it looking fresh and new, and the long, dark winter nights are ideal for viewing the stunning displays of the aurora borealis. Even in the dead of winter, the Alaska Railroad keeps rolling, linking Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Fairbanks. The Aurora Winter Trains run on the weekends, departing on Saturdays from Anchorage and arriving in Fairbanks the following day, and reversing course on Sundays. The Aurora schedules some midweek trips in February and March.
