Things to do in

Anchorage

Experience the local wildlife in Resurrection Bay on this fully narrated tour. Rather than following a set route, your crew will steer you to the wildlife most often seen through Resurrection Bay. Watch as sea otters carry their pups on their bellies. Marvel at the speed of the Dall's porpoise as they surf the vessel's wake. Be awed by the size and majesty of orcas, humpbacks, and other incredible whale species. This adventures is perfect for families, those with limited time, or guests worried about seasickness.

Board one of the largest catamarans in the region and spend a day filled with wildlife, glaciers, mountains, and more. See whales and glaciers in Resurrection Bay and learn the history of the region from a National park Ranger. The cruise begins by searching for wildlife in the protected waters of Resurrection Bay. Whales, sea otters, and puffins are often sighted within minutes of leaving the harbor. A National Park Ranger will provide information on the area's wildlife, glaciers, fjords, and history. Stop at one tidewater glacier that has frequent calving events, where giant chunks of glacial ice break off and crash into the water. A full bar is available for those wanting to enjoy an Alaskan Amber or glacier margarita. Savor a deli-style lunch on board while you cruise.

Experience rugged mountains, panoramic ocean views, wildlife, and amazing glaciers, all on this guided trip from Anchorage. Venture deeper into the Alaskan wilderness than a typical sightseeing tour with entry to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Chugach National Forest. Follow the sun and the wind towards the most scenic locations possible for the day of your tour. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and travel into exciting areas of the Chugach National Forest that require special permits. Spot brown bears, wolves, bison, and belugas. Enjoy live commentary and learn about the unique landscapes of Alaska from your expert guide. Discover the rich history and experience the wonders of the Ring of Glaciers. Spend the day alongside highly trained adventure guides whose sole purpose is to leave you with memories lasting a lifetime. Take advantage of complimentary photo lessons from your guide throughout the activity.

Step aboard a stable, high-speed catamaran for a full day exploring Kenai Fjords National Park. Start your cruise in Resurrection Bay where you'll will learn about the park, the surrounding area and wildlife from an experienced captain. Allow your captain to take you to the best wildlife viewing areas for the opportunity to see stunning marine life including whales, otters, seals and thousands of seabirds. Head out into the Gulf of Alaska past Bear Glacier, the largest glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. Take advantage of getting up close with 2 active tidewater glaciers, Aialik Glacier and Holgate Glacier as your cruise stops nearby. Watch for calving, where giant chunks of glacier ice break off and crash into the water. Experienced deckhands will secure a chunk of glacier ice to make the most amazing cocktails and glacier margaritas.

Check-in at a unique Alaskan log office before hopping on a single-engine, high-wing aircraft to begin your fantastic scenic flight. Enjoy a 1 hour and 15-minute flight winding in and around the Alaska Range's major peaks—Hunter, Foraker and Denali. Follow the massive glacier highways from above while listening to fascinating expert narration from your pilot. Witness Kahiltna Glacier, the longest in Denali National Park, stretching 45 miles with stunning ridges of earth and ice. This tour is perfect for those who want to soak in traditional Denali views while adding additional views from the south and west. The extra time in the air also allows for greater flexibility in finding the best views of the day. Upgrade your tour to include a glacier landing during your flight. Experience the exhilaration of standing among the majestic peaks of the Alaska Range. Play in the snow, take photos or just take it all in. Glacier landings add 30 minutes to the total tour duration.

Experience the beauty and awe of the Matanuska Glacier on a full-day trip from Anchorage. Drive the Glenn Highway up the Matanuska Valley along the Matanuska River. The glacier is 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Anchorage, so there are vast open vistas to enjoy along the way when the weather is clear. At the glacier office, check in, and take advantage of the warm, indoor restrooms before heading out. Then drive to the glacier house, where the initial view of the glacier is breathtaking. There you will load onto the sleds and enjoy a slow, safe ride out to the magnificent blue ice, a trip that lasts for 2 hours. After you leave the glacier, the lunch spot is seconds away. Glacier burgers, grilled ham and cheese, hot chocolate, and other comfort foods are on the menu. Relax and take a nap with the background of Alaskan music or chat on the way back to Anchorage. This tour is a full eight hours and operates snow or shine. If the weather in Anchorage is poor, the area near the glacier is usually acceptable. Other tours may say they are an experience of a lifetime, but this one truly is.

Enjoy a 6-hour sightseeing tour departing from Anchorage and a scenic drive south along the edge of the Turnagain Arm on the Seward Parkway. This road is considered to be America’s most beautiful and scenic road, crossing mountain passes and majestic valleys. Along the way, you may spot moose, caribou, eagles, and other wildlife. There are sure to be some fantastic photo opportunities. Arrive at Portage Glacier to learn how living glaciers continue to carve the landscape and shape life in Chugach National Forest. Although Portage Glacier is no longer visible from the Visitor Center, due to its retreat, the face of the glacier is still partially in Portage Lake. Find out why Portage Glacier is one of Alaska's most popular attractions. Cruise across Portage Lake on the MV Ptarmigan and stand just 300 yards from a relic of the Ice Age. Watch for fractures of ice breaking off the glacier and crashing into the water below. Afterwards, head to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here, you will safely be able to get close, observe and photograph some of Alaska's largest land animals, including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears muskox, wolves, small mammals, and birds of prey. During spring and summer, you can also witness the rehabilitation of orphaned baby animals of various species. After an informative visit through the Conservation Center with the largest of Alaska's wild animals, your tour will continue on towards Anchorage. Lunch can be purchased from one of the food vendors at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Later, you will ascend the Chugach Mountains for amazing and panoramic views of the Turnagain Arm and beyond.

Depart from Anchorage and head south along the edge of the Turnagain Arm on the Seward Parkway. This road is considered to be America’s most beautiful and scenic road, crossing mountain passes and majestic valleys. Along the way, make a couple of stops for photo opportunities at Beluga Point and Bird Point and try to spot moose, eagles, and other wildlife. Arrive at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center which is situated on 140 acres at the southern edge of Turnagain Arm and the entrance to Portage Valley. Learn about the center's mission to provide care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. You will be able to safely get close, observe, and photograph some of Alaska's largest land animals such as bison, moose, elk, deer, caribou, bears muskox, small mammals, and birds of prey. During spring and summer, you can also witness the rehabilitation of orphaned baby animals of various species. Listen to important facts about Alaska's wildlife from your local guide and learn how animals that are unable to be released in the wild are given refuge in the center's spacious habitats. Your tour ends with drop-off back at your hotel in Anchorage.

Enjoy a fully narrated tour of historic Anchorage from the comfort of an enclosed, heated trolley with panoramic windows. Travel a 15-mile circuit through Alaska's largest city, while a lively and informative Alaskan guide shares the history of the city, their family stories, and more. Departing from the corner of 4th and F Street, the tour includes many highlights, such as the Mysterious Earthquake Park, and Westchester Lagoon, where waterfowl abound, and moose and small mammals forage. See the Alaska Railroad, and float planes departing from Lake Hood and Lake Spenard. Enjoy breathtaking views of mountain ranges, wildlife sightings, and historic neighborhoods In addition, get a coupon book serving more than 20 restaurants, gift shops, tours, and attractions in downtown Anchorage.

Arrive at the Anchorage Museum and explore the exhibits dedicated to the art and design, history, science and culture of the North. Admire hundreds of Indigenous Alaskan artifacts in the Arctic Studies Center loaned by the Smithsonian Institution. The center’s main exhibition is titled Living Our Cultures, Sharing Our Heritage: The First Peoples of Alaska. The exhibition features more than 600 objects from the Smithsonian's collections that were selected and interpreted with help from Alaskan Native advisers. Examples include an 1893 Tlingit war helmet from the southeast village of Taku and a 1935 Iñupiaq feast bowl from Wales, on Alaska’s northwest coast. Learn about objects through touch screens where you can zoom in on photos and scroll through more information, such as related oral histories and archival images.  Upgrade your experience by visiting the Thomas Planetarium. Tickets for the Planetarium can be booked at check-in. Embark on a breathtaking journey to the stars, through 3D graphics, surround sound and a dome screen, and more. The planetarium offers a fascinating way to learn about astronomy and the Earth's solar system. The planetarium is home to a wide variety of interactive astronomy demonstrations, educational programs, and films.