Area Attractions and Things to Do in Anchorage

Visitors will discover an abundance of fun things to do in Anchorage, Alaska. From visiting museums and touring the Botanical Gardens and the Alaska Zoo, to salmon fishing and whale watching, Anchorage offers an activity for every interest. When you stay at an AABBA member inn, our innkeepers will be happy to provide you with additional information about area attractions and activities. They will assist you in planning your daily itinerary, so you’re sure to make the most of your Alaska vacation.

Alaska Adventure Tours & Mountaineering – Explore the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, largest in America, and discover the true meaning of Alaska wilderness with experienced guides. We specialize in custom hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, river rafting, trekking, ice climbing, skiing, ski mountaineering, mountain climbing and wilderness expeditions for single adventurers and small groups.

Alaska Bike Rentals – The popular ten-mile long paved Tony Knowles Coastal Trail starts downtown.  From there it travels through Earthquake Park to Kincaid Park. Anchorage is an air-crossroads. We rent bikes to many airline crews and they frequently say the Coastal Trail is the best bike path anywhere. Even if you don’t rent a bike, make sure you at least walk a portion of this world-class bike path.

Alaska Botanical Gardens – Alaska Botanical Garden where arctic horticulture and native plants are showcased in a 110 acre spruce and birch woodland in Anchorage, Alaska. Bordering the Garden on the East, you will find the north fork of Campbell Creek, home to a Chinook (king) salmon summer run, Far North Bicentennial Park, and beyond that, Chugach State Park. With over 1,100 species of hardy perennials and 150 native plant species, the Alaska Botanical Garden is the place to experience the abundance of the summer arctic growing season and to learn about flora native to southcentral Alaska.

Alaska Ferry System & Marine Hwy – The Alaska Marine Highway departs Bellingham WA. or Prince Rupert B.C. stopping in several ports along Alaska’s Inside Passage. Additional service is offered January – September, across the Gulf of Alaska to Whittier, making it possible to connect to Valdez, Kodiak, Homer, and the Aleutian Chain.

Fishing, Crabbing, and Shrimping in Alaska – Charters offer an Alaska fishing adventure.

Festivals and Markets -They are everywhere, all year long! The Anchorage Market is a season-long favorite held in the heart of Anchorage and the Bear Paw Festival enlivens nearby Eagle River in July. Traveling in November and December? Anchorage hosts several holiday markets, too!

Alaska Native Heritage Center – The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a gathering place that celebrates, perpetuates and shares Alaska Native cultures. Since opening in 1999, the Center has become Alaska’s premier interactive cultural destination.

Alaska Railroad – The Railroad works to improve the quality of life for residents along the railbelt by leasing land to communities at less than fair market value for parks, bike trails and other public interest uses.

Alaska Zoo – Click to learn more about the animals at the Zoo, both native and exotic. There is also a calendar of events for special programs at the Zoo.

Anchorage Museum of History and Art – A world-class museum located in the heart of Alaska’s largest city, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center began as a public-private partnership to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the purchase of Alaska from Russia. The Museum opened its doors in 1968 with an exhibition of 60 borrowed Alaska paintings, and a collection of 2,500 historic and ethnographic objects loaned from the local historical society.

Anchorage Hiking – If you are a visitor coming to the Southcentral Alaska area or if you just moved here, this site will be a useful reference in helping you decide which trails to hike, backpack, bike or even snowshoe and cross country ski.

Anchorage Information – Alaska’s largest city lies between the Knik and Turnagain arms of Cook Inlet and the rugged Chugach Mountains. It is home to more than approximately 300,000 residents, 40 percent of the state’s population, and serves as the financial, communications and transportation hub of Alaska. Click to learn more interesting facts about the area.

Anchorage Trails – Locate information about three of Anchorage’s trails; namely, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail, and the Campbell Creek Greenway. These shared trails are enjoyed by people in their own special ways on foot, bike, skis, rollerblades or in a wheelchair. The trails provide excellent vantage points for wildlife viewing and bird watching as well as great places to walk the family dog. Suffice to say the community of Anchorage benefits (both directly and indirectly) from these wonderful trails. See Alaska State Trails too!

Denali National Park and Preserve – Denali’s dynamic glaciated landscape supports a diversity of wildlife with grizzly bears, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep and moose. Summer slopes are graced with birds and wildflowers. Visitors enjoy sightseeing, backpacking, mountaineering, and research opportunities. Whether climbing or admiring, the crowning jewel of North America’s highest peak, is awe inspiring at 20,320 feet. Consider a flight-seeing tour!

Birding – Birding locations are popular and easily accessible. Anchorage is strategically situated at the edge of several Alaska regional flora systems, and is at the intersection of several natural migratory pathways. Over 229 species have been recorded in the area. The best season for birding in Anchorage is early May until the end of September. For a listing of current birding information call the Anchorage Audubon Society’s Upper Cook Inlet Bird Report Hotline at 907-338-2473.

Off the beaten path – many treasures – sites, activities, places to eat – may be recommended by your B&B host. We love to find the places our guests discover – please let us know if you had a great experience and would like us to consider adding the company to our published list. Remember, Your innkeeper will be happy to assist you in planning your daily itinerary.