Four Day Anchorage Itinerary

Alaska’s largest town holds nearly half the state’s population, but its busy streets bely the wilderness and adventure beyond. Three to four days in Anchorage gives time to enjoy its urban delights as well as explore the charms that lay just outside its limits. The following itinerary requires a rental car.

Day 1: 

Spend this day getting to know downtown Anchorage, located on the traditional homelands of the Dena’ina Athabascans. A morning walk along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail will warm you up for the day; grab a coffee and take a stroll down this paved waterfront path. It runs 11 miles out to Kincaid Park, and to explore the entire length, we recommend renting a bicycle. 

The trail offers views of Anchorage with the Chugach Mountains as a backdrop, as well as Mt. Susitna (known locally as “Sleeping Lady” thanks to its resemblance to a prone long-haired woman), and, on a clear day, Denali. Moose often forage alongside the path, so keep your eyes open and cameras ready.

Once you’re back downtown, visit the Anchorage Museum, which stands as a beacon of Alaska's rich cultural heritage and artistic expression. With captivating exhibits spanning art, history, Alaska Native culture, and science, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the diverse tapestry of Alaskan life. The Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center in particular is an important facet of the museum with its studies of northern peoples, cultures, and environments. 

You’ll also learn about the state's unique natural history, and marvel at contemporary works by local and international artists. Interactive displays and hands-on activities engage visitors of all ages, making it a perfect destination for families and solo travelers alike.

If you’re visiting on a weekend, be sure to wander through the Anchorage Market, held every Saturday and Sunday in the summer months. This lively congregation of local vendors showcases Alaska Grown produce as well as souvenirs and gifts produced in Alaska. Other local shopping is available along 4th and 5th avenues in the downtown center, which you can peruse throughout the week. 

Image

Day 2:

Today will be split into two halves. For the first half, spend a few hours at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. A short drive out of central Anchorage, this cultural institution provides visitors with a unique opportunity to learn, engage, and connect with the rich traditions of Alaska's Indigenous peoples.

Traditional dwellings represent various Indigenous groups, and knowledgeable guides share stories and insights into customs and traditions. Interactive exhibits offer a hands-on exploration of Indigenous art forms, tools, and artifacts, providing a deeper understanding of Alaska's diverse cultural heritage. And often you’ll get to witness traditional drumming and indigenous dances. 

After you’ve learned about the lands you’re exploring, head to Chugach State Park. You can’t miss this nearly-500,000-acre park, as its home to the mountains that border Anchorage. Numerous hiking trails originate from trailheads a short distance from the town center. One of the most popular is Flattop Mountain, named so for its notoriously flat summit. Trails to the summit start at the Glen Alps Trailhead, but a slightly newer and easier trail is on the ‘backside’ of the mountain at the Rabbit Lake Trailhead. The summit showcases sweeping views of Anchorage, Denali and the Alaska Range, and Cook Inlet. 

Afterwards, treat yourself to a well-earned dinner at one of Anchorage’s excellent restaurants serving fresh salmon, halibut, and other Alaska treats. 

Image

Day 3:

Today you’ll take a stunningly scenic drive south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the bore tide filling the Arm in one fell swoop, or beluga whales spouting in the water, or Dall sheep tottering on the steep cliffs beside the road. 

At mile 38, turn onto Portage Glacier Rd. This 12-mile long valley has numerous hiking trails, pullouts, and a lovely bike path, all worth exploring at your leisure. At the end is Portage Glacier Lake, though you’ll need to join a boat tour to see the glacier as it has receded around a corner. 

Head back up the highway to Girdwood, a charming ski resort town ringed by mountains and glaciers. More walks and hikes abound, and Girdwood is home to several excellent restaurants. It’s worth having dinner here and driving back to Anchorage in the late summer daylight. 

Image

Day 4:

On your final day, you’ll head to the Matanuska-Susitna (“Mat-Su”) Valley, an agricultural region just north of Anchorage. Drive into the Talkeetna Mountains to Hatcher Pass and Independence Mine State Historical Park, where you can wander around an abandoned gold mine set in a dramatic mountain scene.

Back down in the Valley, the small town of Palmer is backed by the postcard-perfect Pioneer Peak. Spend a few hours learning about the 20th century farming history of the area at the Colony House Museum and the Palmer Museum & Visitor Center, and then ogle at the massive, oversized vegetables grown under the near-constant summer sun next door at the Palmer Showcase Garden.  

Not surprisingly for a farming town, Palmer has a selection of restaurants serving locally grown and sourced food; stay for a late lunch or dinner before returning to Anchorage. 

Image