Wildlife Viewing

Anchorage is the best place to see Alaska animals. Wildlife viewing here is as close as the moose that munch through the city. It means a flight to watch bears fishing by the falls and a day cruise to get up close with whales, puffins and otters. Millions of birds flock to Anchorage on annual migrations, and salmon fill nearby rivers and streams all summer long.

Not sure where to start? Experienced guides and exceptional tours seek out the species on everyone’s “must-see” list, from polar bear tours above the Arctic Circle to sights of wolves and caribou in Denali National Park.

Watch for birds, moose, occasional bears, and other animals in the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge: Head to Potter Marsh, Kincaid Park, or Carr-Gottstein Park for easy refuge access and awe-inspiring views. For a different kind of experience, get closer than you ever thought possible with guaranteed sightings at the Alaska Zoo or Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Special programs offer additional opportunities to encounter animals: Try the Zoo’s Early Bird Breakfast Tour or Wild VIP Zoo Experience, or go behind the scenes with the AWCC’s popular Bear Encounter or Walk on the Wild Side Tour.