This world-class ski resort is located just outside of Anchorage and offers stunning views of the Chugach Mountains. This is a great area for the whole family with easy walking trails for kids and elderly. Bore tides occur daily on Turnagain Arm but of course, sometimes the effect is much greater. You wont regret it! This is an iconic and gorgeous Anchorage day hike, perfect for experienced hikers (and adrenaline junkies). This shop also has an awesome community feel to it and even hosts a weekly farmers market in the parking lot. See Wilderness Outside of Anchorage City Limits. Trailhead: Glen Alps Trailhead, AnchorageDifficulty: ModerateDistance: 3.4 miles roundtrip, 1400 feet elevation gain. Girdwood Brewing Co was one of our all time favs! Located in one of the most pristine places on earth, its no surprise that local Anchorage farmers grow some of the best produce Ive ever tasted. If you're looking for some of the best things to do in Anchorage, Alaska, look no further than the Alyeska Ski Area. Hiking it from here gives you the option to save your legs and extend your trip up to one or both of the Suicide Peaks or McHugh Peak where you can see the pretty lake from above. Signs clearly mark the trail. The Best Alaska Day Trips From Anchorage | TravelAwaits Things to Do in Anchorage | 10 Essential Attractions - Time Out You need a decent car to reach it as it is a steep and narrow gravel trail. There is 1,610 skiable acres, 76 named trails and over 669 of snow annually. Bolling Alley combined with Toilet Bowl is a must-do ride at Kincaid Park. We lived in Munich for 7 years before moving to Vancouver. Fog is likely to roll in from time to time as well. We have only seen a small part of Alaska and need to get back and spend a lot more time there. Youre not doing a vacation to Alaska right if youre not outside at least 90% of the time. This introduction struck a chord with me. Once you reach Eagle and Symphony Lakes youll be treated with two gorgeous lakes. Read 172,258 traveler reviews and view photos of different trips from Anchorage to various destinations. They successfully introduced the once native wood-bison to Alaska. I believe in the positive power of tourism, but only if we take action to change our behaviors, today! During this trip, we also saw Belugas, a wolf, and eagles. While I personally dont dream of living in a big city, of all cities in the United States, Anchorage is definitely one of the best basecamps for an adventurer. The trail is about 18 miles one way and you can turn around whenever you please. Pablos Bikes is ideal if you are renting to ride the Coastal Trail as they are right downtown at the start of the trail. Potter Marsh, which lies 9 miles from Anchorage, is a popular spot to view wildlife like moose, birds, and more. The Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneau's most impressive natural wonders, stretching over 13 miles (21 kilometers). The hike itself isnt the draw here but rather the destination: a public hand tram that crosses the Winner Creek gorge. Things to Do in Anchorage. ", I could just sit and observe wildlife in their nat, Black Bear Kayaking in Tofino was an incredib, When Ganesh and I heard about the new multi-use pa, Spending time in Swxw7mesh this spring also, I'm thankful to have spent spring volunteerin. Alaska has some of the best skiing and snowboarding anywhere in the world. This used to be an extensive beaver habitat, but they have since moved on up the river, but you can still see remains of the dam and learn about this critter. The center is located along the Turnagain Arm and at the far end of the center you are treated with stunning views. Make plans to experience Anchorage's Fourth of July celebration, the annual Bear Paw Festival, and the Girdwood Forest Fair, then unwind with some hiking, biking, fishing, or flightseeing. Each May-June, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. A post shared by Stop The day Job (@stopthedayjob) on Nov 8, 2016 at 1:59pm PST. Say hello to JB and Tequila for me (the brown bears). You'll find great fishing, glacier & wildlife cruises, sea kayaking, and other attractions. You need to pay $5 for parking and then you can enter the visitor center where you can learn about various Alaskan animals and pick up a map from the friendly staff. Trailhead: Bird Ridge Trailhead, Seward HighwayDifficulty: StrenuousDistance: 5 miles roundtrip, 4,700 feet elevation gain. The Alaska Native Heritage Center See the picture. In the summer, this public ski area transforms into a downhill mountain biking hub filled with everything a mountain biker wants out of a trial: whoops, swoops, and berms. Ten Free Things to Do In and Around Anchorage - TripSavvy Alyeska Resort has 7 lifts which take you to a vertical rise of 2,500ft: 2 high-speed detachable quads, 2 fixed quads, 2 magic carpets, and a 60-passenger Aerial Tram. Alaska is one of the best places in the world for wildlife viewing and there are plenty of ways to see wildlife ethically and eco-friendly in their natural habitat. One of my secret goals in life is to climb Denali, so I suppose tackling something like Flat Top thats going to get me within sight of Denali would be a good start. You can see the bore tide along the entire 50 mile stretch of highway on Turnagain Arm and with a variety of pullouts along the whole road, its hard to miss the incredible occurrence when youre driving here. By DebbieR38. Crow Creek still has gold in it, but you can try your hand in premade pay dirt or rent your own sluice box. Check tide charts here or click here to see the estimated times of Bore Tide along Turnagain Arm. Anchorage has plenty of camp groups including Eagle River Campground and Bird Creek Campground. Fishing The dream of landing a trophy fish lures people from around the globe to Anchorage, where some of Alaska's best fishing is a rod's length away. Beluga Point, which lies at mile marker 16, is a great place not only to take in the view but also a great place to look for, you guessed it, Beluga Whales. Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Anchorage Drive down the dirt road for 3 miles where youll reach the Winner Creek Gorge Trailhead. Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. In about an hour you can summit with the best view of the Anchorage skyline, including views of Denali on a clear day, and the sparkling waters of the inlets. The road is quite steep and the parking lot is big enough for 30 or so cars and includes a turnaround spot. Hopefully its back up and running when you visit. Explore Historic 4th Avenue One of the best ways to get oriented once you arrive in Anchorage is to walk around a bit - and there's one important street I recommend strolling to help with that: 4th Avenue. The dirt is well maintained and we had no problem taking our RV up the road however the only sketchy part was the last mile. You may even be able to spot Mount McKinley. The Alaska Native Heritage Center tells the story of Alaska Native people through live song, dance and sport. Going to a farmers market is an amazing way to get a taste of local cuisine and with Alaska being so famous for its wild caught fish, a trip to the farmers market isnt complete without grabbing some fresh fish. If you want to extend the hike and are in search of a little more solitude, hike a mile further down to the shores of Portage Lake where you can see the beautiful moraine colored water up close. Trailhead: Rabbit Creek Trailhead or McHugh Creek TrailheadDifficulty: Moderate to StrenuousDistance: 13 (from McHugh TH) or 9 (from Rabbit Lakes TH) miles roundtrip, 2200 feet elevation gain. The trailhead is reached by heading west on Kincaid Road or West Diamond Blvd. We spent every single evening in Girdwood hanging out here. Were planning on moving out west next year, and one of the first trips I want to take once were out there is to Alaska, since Ive been dying to go (but its so far away). Also I really need to see a bear. Park your car at the Bird Ridge parking lot and hit this flat paved trail that parallels the highway until you reach Girdwood. This is probably a local best-kept secret. Not only are the actual campsites beautiful, they are spacious and only a few minute walk from a gorgeous alpine lake. It is relatively easy and flat with a few rolling peaks and valleys. Don't let Alaska's short growing season fool you. The hiking trails around Anchorage are numerous, too numerous to cover in one post. There are two dirt lots to park at with plenty of room for RVs. With so many people on this trail, the chance of you running into a critter is very low. While this hike still climbs 2,000 feet in 3 miles, its moderate and there arent many hikes in the US that you can get such epic views for so little work. Anchorage may be the largest city in Alaska, but with the steep and jagged Chugach mountains surrounding the city, Anchorage is a haven for outdoorsmen/women. Eagles are often soaring high above the peak, so bring your camera! Avoid any white berry or solid red berries with a black dot in the middle. West Chester Lagoon: If you want to stick to downtown Anchorage contact Alaska Outdoor Gear Rental to rent some SUP boards and Kayaks. Free, Parks and Gardens, Recreation, Sightseeing Type. That being said, there are 3 stopping points along this trail. But the hiking, kayaking, the views..it looks like an incredible place to explore. Theres Turnagain Arm, the ski town of Girdwood, Wasilia, and the gorgeous glaciers of Portage Pass. Supreme Court backs web designer who rejects - Anchorage Daily News The Crow Pass Cabin is open to the public to stay at overnight however reservations are required and it books up fast. THE 10 BEST Anchorage Outdoor Activities. The right road heads up a switchback. Pro tip: If you are in an RV, this trailhead also serves as a campground and the backdrop of the mountains makes for an epic camping destination. This center is ethical, cruelty-free, and is devoted to the preservation and appreciation of Alaskas ecosystems and wildlife. Its relatively flat and good for younger kids but in retrospect, I wish I had prioritized the trek to this incredible hut. This is the most bang for your buck hike near Anchorage but it does cost a few bucks. Anchorage's popular summer weekend market is a hodgepodge of all things Alaska. At Eklutna Lake youll find the trailhead for the Twin Peaks which delivers incredible views of the lake from above. Then grab a beer at one of Alaskas 30+ microbreweries. Need some help planning? With views of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage, the Alaska Range, and being less than a 4 mile roundtrip hike to summit, its not hard to see why its so popular. 4721 Aircraft Dr. Anchorage Alaska, 99502 (On Lake Hood) (907) 248-5325 2. This hike is between moderate to hard, so come prepared. Best Things to Do in Anchorage - World Oyster - Debbie Wesselmann If you love to MTB, youll want to check out the vast network of trails here at Kincaid (which can also be hiked). Getting ready for your trip to Alaska and want to do all these awesome outdoor activities near Anchorage? You are not legally allowed to fish without one and please dont come and take advantage of our resources. If you want to rent high-quality gear visit Mountain View Sports Fly Shop to rent your rods, reels and other fishing accessories. Find a list of Anchorage farmers market dates and locations by clicking here. Bird Creek has tons of pink and silver salmon which often means there is a lot of combat fishing and be prepared to fight for your food. Stop by our local REI store to get properly outfitted. Our 30 foot RV made it up there great and being a weekday in spring there was plenty of parking but I wouldnt recommend any larger vehicles. The trails arent easily marked here, but as long as you stay in the main bowl youll always have eyes on the visitor center. Check out some of the best ones here! Turnagain Arm The drive out of Anchorage along Turnagain Arm is well worth the price of a train ticket or rental car. The right trail is slightly steep and shorter and the left trail is longer and more gradual and goes up the valley, which is good if you have a fear of heights. 9 Surprising Things You Can Do in Anchorage | ShermansTravel If the season is right, this is also a popular place to view northern lights from. All up, the trip is under 5 miles and you can summit in about an hour. Ocean Kayaking Out of Whittier: The town of Whitter is charming, to say the least. Here are all of the best things to do in Denali and the surrounding area during your Alaska trip. Mooses Tooth is more than just a pizzeria though. This is as close as weve come in our travels to the smooth, rolling, hard packed terrain that we experienced in Rotorua, New Zealand. If you look in the water you may see muskrats swimming or some of the many fish heading upstream including chinook, coho, humpback salmon from May-August. Many Anchorage restaurants source from nearby farmers, ranchers, and fishermen. Join ouremail list to get a ton of helpfultips & beta on everything from hiking, camping, RVing, and road tripping to health, fitness, and mindfulness. She has an MSc in environmental science; her thesis focused on building tourism models to benefit biodiversity. You can fish at Little Campbell Lake in Kincaid, Sand Lake, Jewel Lake, Eklutna Lake (outside of Anchorage), or Rabbit Lake (7-mile hike outside Anchorage). Once you park, the trail continues up a gravel walking trail until it opens up into a sweeping Valley. When you click through these links we receive a small commission at no charge to you. You can drive, take a motorcoach, or my favorite hop aboard the Alaska Railroad. The science center focuses on adult and child education of outdoor and adventure activities and topics. Plus, somecrazy stories from road,exclusiveoutdoordeals, awesomequotes + motivation, and our latest content. 10% discount_off. Most of this hike is in the woods, so bring your bug spray! This trail is also a popular backpacking spot and you can make the slow descent along the Crow Pass Trail toward the Eagle River Nature Center. July is the month to do it all. This hike is best described as a traverse that follows the scenic highway below. You also have options for river or creek fishing. :D. The hikes up to glaciers sound especially awesome Suzanna! Alaska activities and attractions including legendary wildlife, spectacular mountain vistas, fascinating museums and cultural centers, icy blue glaciers, and more. 47 Fun & Best Things to Do in Anchorage, Alaska - ViaTravelers There is a massive hill just before you cross the actual Eagle River, so make sure you are willing and able to get back up before you cruise on down. They have such a huge diversity of wines from all over the world and most are under $25. I may earn income from affiliate links or partnerships in this post. Trailhead: Mt Baldy Trailhead, Eagle RiverDifficulty: ModerateDistance: 3-4 miles roundtrip, 500 feet elevation gain. Adventurous Things to do in Anchorage 1 | Camp at Eklutna Lake 2 | Hike the Twin Peaks Trail 3 | Explore Portage Pass 4 | Summit Mount Baldy 5 | Brave the Bird Ridge Trail 6 | Ride the Winner Creek Hand Tram 7 | Rock Climb on Turnagain Arm 8 | Hike to the Awe-Striking Crow Pass Cabin (aka Crystal Lake) 9 | Ride Kincaid Park Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The Campbell Creek Science Center in Anchorage is a nice little hidden gem owned by BLM. Much like Mt Baldy, Flattop is another one of the most popular summits to bag near Anchorage and probably the most hiked mountain in all of Alaska because of its relative ease to hike.
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