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Top Reasons to Go | Getting Oriented | Planning
Updated by Sarah Henning
By far Alaska’s largest and most sophisticated city, Anchorage is situated in a truly spectacular location. The permanently snow-covered peaks and volcanoes of the Alaska Range lie to the west of the city while part of the craggy Chugach Range is within the eastern edge of the municipality; the Talkeetna and Kenai ranges are visible to the north and south. Two arms of Cook Inlet embrace the town’s western and southern borders, and on clear days Mt. McKinley (Denali) looms on the northern horizon.
Anchorage is Alaska’s medical, financial, and banking center, and home to the executive offices of most of the Native Alaskan corporations. The city has a population of roughly 292,000, accounting for approximately 40% of the people in the state. The relative affluence of this white-collar city—with a sprinkling of olive drab from nearby military bases—fosters an ever-growing range of restaurants and shops, first-rate entertainment, and sporting events.
Incorporated in 1920, Anchorage is a young city. Nearly everything has been built since the 1970s—an Anchorage home dating from the 1950s almost merits historic status. The city got its start with the construction of the federally built Alaska Railroad, completed in 1917, and traces of its railroad heritage remain today. The city’s architecture is far from memorable—though it has its quirky and charming moments—but the surrounding mountains more than make up for it.
Boom and bust periods followed major events: an influx of military bases during World War II; a massive buildup of Arctic missile-warning stations during the Cold War; reconstruction following the devastating Good Friday earthquake of 1964; and in the late 1960s the biggest jackpot of all—the discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay and the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. It is no surprise that Anchorage then positioned itself as the perfect home for the pipeline administrators and support industries, and it continues to attract a large share of the state’s oil-tax dollars.
Top Reasons to Go
Tackling a 50-pound salmon: Anglers can cast for huge king salmon or feisty silvers while wading among reflections of skyscrapers at Ship Creek.
Winter celebrations: Beginning in late February, locals celebrate the two-week Fur Rendezvous. Events—from the blanket toss to the Running of the Reindeer, Alaska’s spin on Pamplona’s tradition—lead up to the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in early March.
Shopping: Shops and vendors at the Saturday and Sunday markets sell everything from kid-friendly tchotchkes to elegant Native Alaskan crafts and locally produced foods.
Seafood: Dining out in Anchorage means feasting on local halibut, salmon, king-crab legs, scallops, and oysters. Many fine restaurants hide in not-so-pretty strip malls.
Hiking and biking: Laced with more than 120 miles of paved urban trails, Anchorage is a paradise for hikers and bicyclists.
Getting Oriented
Founded in 1915 as a railroad camp, Anchorage has grown into Alaska’s largest city and main travel hub. It’s connected to the state’s road network by the Seward and Glenn highways and remains the headquarters for the Alaska Railroad, which runs from Seward to Fairbanks. The city is bordered to the east by the Chugach foothills, to the west by Cook Inlet, to the south by Potter Marsh, and to the north by military bases.
Sled-dog races are still among the most revered events held here, moose and occasionally bears roam city bike trails, and spectacular wilderness is a short drive away.
Downtown. The city’s cultural center has a festive atmosphere on summer afternoons, with flowers hung from street lamps and the smell of grilled onions and reindeer hot dogs in the air along 4th Avenue. The streets are lined with art galleries and shops; the weekend markets promise good hunting for shoppers seeking souvenirs.
Midtown. Some 3 miles east of the airport, Midtown is a newer neighborhood with an assortment of restaurants, shopping centers, and large hotels. The city’s main library branch and a major movie-theater complex are located a short walk from most hotels.
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and Kincaid Park. An 11-mile ribbon of asphalt beginning Downtown and stretching to Kincaid Park, the popular Tony Knowles Coastal Trail traverses tidal marshes, moose-inhabited greenbelts, and bluffs overlooking the inlet, Mt. Susitna, and the distant Alaska Range. Kincaid Park offers 40 miles of trails for biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Spenard. Sandwiched between the airport and Midtown, Spenard is one of Anchorage’s oldest neighborhoods, yet also one of its up and comers. It is home to the Anchorage location of outdoor-gear giant REI as well as some of the city’s hippest restaurants. The neighborhood has a youthful, outdoorsy vibe about it.
Planning
When to Go
Located between the coast and several mountain ranges, Anchorage is a meteorologist’s nightmare. Fickle weather patterns change less by the day than by the hour. Generally, fair-weather visitors should plan trips between the last week of May and mid-August.
Of the snow-free months, May is typically the driest, while August and September are the wettest. July is the warmest month, with an average temperature of 58.4°F; May is the coolest at 46.6°F. But don’t be fooled by statistics. Late-May temperatures can exceed 70°F, and “hot” July and August days sometimes break 80°F. Of course, rainy low-pressure systems from the Gulf of Alaska can skulk in at any time, bringing wet and cool weather.
With such vagaries, do as the locals do: come prepared to go with the flow. That means packing light rain jackets and layers as well as tank tops and sunblock, and allowing for some flexibility with your plans.
Getting Here and Around
Air Travel
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is 6 miles from downtown Anchorage on International Airport Road. Several carriers, including ERA, Frontier Flying Service, and PenAir, connect Anchorage with smaller Alaskan communities. Floatplane operators and helicopters serve the area from Lake Hood, which is adjacent to and part of Anchorage International Airport. A number of smaller air taxis and air-charter operations are at Merrill Field, 2 miles east of downtown on 5th Avenue.
Taxis queue up at the lower level of the airport terminals outside the baggage-claim areas. They are on a meter system; it costs about $20, not including tip, for a ride to Downtown. An Alaska Railroad station in the airport has direct service to Downtown. Most of the larger hotels provide free airport shuttle services.
Airport
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
907/266–2526 | www.anchorageairport.com.
Boat Travel
Most cruise ships sailing the Gulf of Alaska and the Alaska Marine ferries call in Seward, two hours by train or bus south of Anchorage. However, Holland America just started offering itineraries that dock in Anchorage.
Bus Travel
The municipal People Mover bus system covers the whole Anchorage Bowl. A one-way fare is $1.75 for rides outside the Downtown area; day passes good for unlimited rides are $5. TIP Get schedules and information from the central bus depot at 6th Avenue and G Street.
Contact
People Mover.
907/343–6543 | www.peoplemover.org.
Car Travel
The Glenn Highway enters Anchorage from the north and becomes 5th Avenue near Merrill Field; this route will lead you directly into Downtown. Gambell Street leads out of town to the south, becoming New Seward Highway at about 20th Avenue. South of town, it becomes the Seward Highway. If you bring your RV or rent one on arrival, know that parking an RV downtown on weekdays is challenging. There’s a big parking lot on 3rd Avenue between C and E streets. Parking is usually not a problem in other parts of town. You can find an up-to-date parking map of Downtown at | www.anchoragedowntown.org (click on For Visitors under the About Downtown tab).
Taxi Travel
If you need a taxi, call one of the cab companies for a pickup; it’s not common to hail one. Prices are $2 to $3 for a pickup, plus an additional $2.50 for each mile. Allow 20 minutes for arrival of the cab during morning and evening rush hours. Alaska Yellow Cab has taxis with wheelchair lifts. In the snow-free months a network of paved trails provide good avenues for in-city travel for bicyclists and walkers.
Contact
Alaska Yellow Cab.
907/222–2222 | www.akyellowcab.com.
Tour Travel
Tour Anchorage and the surrounding mountains and glaciers of South Central Alaska by land or by air with one of the many sightseeing companies in the region. The Log Cabin and Visitor Information Centers have brochures for Anchorage bus tours. For a one-hour overview, hop on a trolley with Anchorage City Trolley Tours ($15). Alternatively, Gray Line of Alaska has a city tour ($54) that lasts 3½ hours.
Any air-taxi company can arrange for a flightseeing trip over Anchorage and environs. The fee is determined by the length of time you are airborne, the number of passengers, and the size of the plane. Tours of about an hour and a half generally cost around $200 per person. Three-hour flights over Mt. McKinley from Rust’s Flying Service, including a landing on a remote lake or a stop in Talkeetna, run $385 per person.
Contacts
Anchorage City Trolley Tours.
907/276–5603, 888/917–8687 | www.alaskatrolley.com.
Gray Line of Alaska.
907/277–5581, 888/452–1737 | www.graylinealaska.com.
Rust’s Flying Service.
907/243–1595, 800/544–2299 | www.flyrusts.com.
Train Travel
From mid-May through mid-September, the Alaska Railroad runs daily between Anchorage and Seward; daily between Anchorage and Fairbanks via Talkeetna and Denali National Park and Preserve; and daily between Anchorage and Whittier, Portage, Spencer Whistle Stop, and Grandview. Winter service is available once each month from Anchorage to Talkeetna and, weekly, a round-trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks and back. Call for schedule and fare information.
Contact
Alaska Railroad.
907/265–2494, 800/544–0552 | www.akrr.com.
Health and Safety
Though most areas populated by tourists are safe to wander, Anchorage is a city, so it’s best just to stay aware as you walk around town. That definitely holds true if you choose to hike any local trails—even those within the city limits. Before Anchorage was a paved city, it was wild. Most locals have stories of surprise visits by a moose or bear during a morning bathrobe run to get the newspaper. Moose and other animals walk the trails, too. As you walk along, make some noise, either by singing or talking to a friend to help ward off the animals. The award for the biggest pest of all goes to the unofficial state bird, the mosquito. Bring mosquito repellent with you for all hiking excursions.
Alaska Regional Hospital.
2801 DeBarr Rd.,
East Anchorage | 99508 | 907/276–1131 | www.alaskaregional.com.
Physician Referral Service.
888/254–7884
Alaska Regional Hospital, 907/212–2945
Providence Alaska Medical Center.
Police, fire, and ambulance.
911.
Providence Alaska Medical Center.
3200 Providence Dr.,
East Anchorage | 99508 | 907/562–2211 | www.providence.org/alaska.
Visitor Information
Alaska sees more than 1.5 million visitors each summer and, of that total, more than 40% spend at least one night in Anchorage. The tourist-friendly city offers a wealth of information and services to help visitors along the way. In addition to the Log Cabin and Visitor Information Center downtown, there are two visitor information centers in Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: one in the north terminal (open mid-May through Sept.) and one in the south terminal in the C Concourse baggage claim area (open year-round).
Best Bets for Different Travelers
For cruise travelers:
Stretch your sea legs and take a walk along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, or venture just south of town and hike Flattop Mountain. Either way, you’ll get views of Cook Inlet, Mt. Susitna, and the Alaska Range.
Shop at the Anchorage Market and Festival any Saturday or Sunday during the warm months for souvenirs at some of the best prices around.
For those traveling with kids:
The Anchorage Museum is a can’t-miss spot; head to the hands-on science exhibits.
Watch the planes come and go at Lake Hood’s seaplane base.
For those who’d like pampering and fine dining:
The Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and Spa features Ice Spa, one of the best places for a treatment in Anchorage (with mountain views to boot).
Marx Bros. Café, Downtown, has a real Alaskan atmosphere and will likely serve you one of the best meals you’ll have while in Alaska.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
333 Raspberry Rd.,
Midtown | 99518 | 907/267–2218 | www.adfg.alaska.gov.
Alaska Public Lands Information Center.
605 W. 4th Ave.,
Downtown | 99501 | 907/644–3661, 866/869–6887 | www.alaskacenters.gov.
Visit Anchorage (ACVB).
Housed in a rustic log cabin, the center’s sod roof is festooned with huge hanging baskets of flowers, and a giant jade boulder stands outside. After a stop in the cabin, step out the back door to the more spacious visitor center stocked with brochures. Ask advice from the friendly and incredibly erudite volunteers: if they don’t know something, it’s not worth knowing. There
are also two visitor information centers in Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, one in the north terminal and one in the south terminal in the C Concourse baggage claim area. | 524 W. 4th Ave.,
Downtown | 99501-2212 | 907/276–4118, 800/478–1255
to order visitor guides | www.anchorage.net.
Anchorage Downtown Partnership.
333 W. 4th Ave., Suite 317,
Downtown | 99501 | 907/279–5650 | www.anchoragedowntown.org.
Log Cabin and Visitor Information Center.
4th Ave. and F St.,
Downtown | 99501 | 907/257–2363 | www.anchorage.net.
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