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Outdoors Wildlife Viewing Bears Whales Moose Salmon Bird-watching Dall Sheep Glaciers Girdwood Portage Valley Prince William Sound Spencer Glacier Seward Matanuska Valley National Parks Denali National Park Katmai National Park Kenai Fjords National Park Lake Clark National Park Wrangell-St. Elias National Park The Chugach Mountains Flattop Mountain Glen Alps Trailhead Turnagain Arm Winner Creek Trail Arctic Valley Eagle River Nature Center Eklutna Lake Bird Creek Other Chugach Park Trails Trails & Local Parks Coastal Trail Ship Creek Trail Chester Creek Trail Campbell Creek Trail Westchester Lagoon Kincaid Park Earthquake Park Potter Marsh Far North Bicentennial Park Russian Jack Springs Park Scenic Drives Itineraries Trail Maps Things to Do 4-Wheeling / ATV Adventure & Eco Tours Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts & Theater Biking Tours & Rentals Summer Dog Sledding Fishing Flightseeing Gardens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises Gold Panning & Mining Golf Hiking & Ice Climbing Horseback Riding & Carriage Rides Kayaking, Canoeing & SUP Motorcycle Tours & Rentals Museums & Culture Nightlife Photography Tours Private Boat Charters Rafting & River Trips Railroad Tours Shopping Made in Anchorage Native Art Tax-Free Shopping Gift Shops Sightseeing Tours & Day Trips Spas, Health & Wellness Things To Do With Kids Wildlife Viewing Events Annual Events July 4th Celebration Summer Solstice Festival Salmon Derby Bear Paw Festival Girdwood Forest Fair Winter Events Concerts & Live Music Marathons, 5Ks & Races Anchorage Mayor's Marathon Anchorage RunFest Submit An Event Calendar Events This Weekend Places to Stay Hotels, Motels, & Inns Downtown Hotels Airport Hotels Resorts & Lodges Cabins Extended Stay Hostels Bed and Breakfasts Eagle River Hotels Girdwood Hotels Vacation Rentals University/Hospital Hotels Campgrounds & RV Parks Restaurants Cuisine Types American Bakeries & Desserts BBQ Breakfast & Brunch Chinese, Thai & Korean Coffee Shops Deli European Gluten Free Indian & Himalayan International Cuisine Italian Japanese & Sushi Mediterranean Mexican Pizza Seafood Steakhouse Vegan / Vegetarian Breweries Bars & Pubs Wineries & Distilleries Casual Dining Fine Dining Downtown Food Stands Kid Friendly Plan Your Trip About Anchorage Alaska Native Cultures The Dena'ina People Visitor Guide Health & Safety Neighborhoods Downtown & South Addition Government Hill Mountain View, Russian Jack & Airport Heights Fairview Spenard & Turnagain Northeast Midtown & Surrounding Neighborhoods Hillside Neighborhoods Sand Lake, Bayshore & Surrounding Neighborhoods Girdwood Eagle River, Chugiak & Environs Itineraries A Day Downtown To The North To The South A Wildlife Safari Glacier Adventure On Wheels A Day in Anchorage Adrenaline Activities Alaska Railroad Day Anchorage Dining Day Anchorage Walking Tour Authentic Anchorage Adventure Aviation History Tours Back to Nature Bear Viewing Day Spa Alaska-Style Denali Day Trip Destination Girdwood Flowers in Anchorage Locally Made Romantic Getaways Wildlife in Anchorage Day Trip Accessible Alaska Tour Aerial Anchorage Adventures Alaska's Best Glacier Adventures An Anchorage Reunion to Remember Chugach Explorations Flying in to Anchorage Glaciers Galore Hiking Around Anchorage No Car Needed Seward: Pre- or Post-cruise Whittier: Pre- or Post-cruise Some Love to Fish, Some Don't Anchorage History & Culture Family Adventures Road Trips Things To Know Frequently Asked Alaska Travel Questions Can I take a train to Alaska? Can you see the northern lights from Anchorage? Where can I store and ship fish in Anchorage? How to find a moose in Anchorage in less than an hour Where is the best bear viewing in Alaska? Where can I see polar bears? Where can I store my luggage in Anchorage? What can I do in the evening in Anchorage? Are there igloos in Alaska? How to catch a salmon a short walk from an Anchorage hotel How to choose an Alaska cruise What are some things to do and see as day trips around Anchorage? How do I find authentic Alaska Native art? Where should I go for a day cruise? Is Alaska really far away? Foreign Currency Exchange Best Time To Visit What can I do in Alaska during a spring visit? What can I do on an April visit to Anchorage? What can I do in Anchorage during fall? Weather Reasons to Visit Packing List Hours of Daylight Visitor Information Centers Maps Getting to Alaska Best Way To Visit Alaska What's the best way to travel Alaska? Airlines Anchorage Airport Alaska Highway Route Cruises Ferries Do I need a passport to get to Alaska? Transportation Anchorage To Denali How far away is Denali? Anchorage To Seward Anchorage To Whittier Airport Shuttles Regional Flights Alaska Railroad Bus, Van & Motorcoach Charters Car Rentals & Limos Does the rental car need to be four-wheel drive? Do you need chains in the winter? Cruise Transfers How do I get between Anchorage and my cruise ship? Travel Times & Distances RV Rentals & Service Accessibility, Wheelchairs & Reduced Mobility Local Services Travel Agents & Trip Planners Travel Deals Weddings

Bald eagle soaring above the water

Donna Dewhurst

Things To Know

Find the fundamentals to start planning your visit today. Anchorage is incredible in any season, and understanding the basics can help make the most of your travels. Get things rolling with this guide to the essentials. Find packing tips, information on weather and daylight, plan your arrival, get maps, and discover a few interesting threads that help weave the story of Anchorage.

Frequently Asked Alaska Travel Questions

Popular day cruise destination Aailik Glacier is in Kenai Fjords National Park

Frequently Asked Alaska Travel Questions

Not sure where to find the answer to a burning travel question about Alaska? We've answered some of the...

Best Time To Visit

Byron Glacier sparkles in the summer

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Anchorage depends on what you plan to see and do. Each season holds something special.

Weather

Flattop Mountain shines in the alpenglow with a rainbow in the background. Glen Alps Trailhead at Flattop one of the most accessible trails near Anchorage, Alaska.

Weather

Protected by the Chugach Mountains and warmed by currents of the Pacific Ocean, Anchorage’s mild climate...

Reasons to Visit

Alaska Railroad train on Turnagain Arm at sunset near Anchorage, Alaska

Reasons to Visit

Only in Anchorage can you meet a moose, walk on a glacier and explore a vast, natural park all in a single...

Packing List

Woman in purple walking at Bird Point

Packing List

You’ve booked your tickets. You’ve reserved the perfect room. You’re counting down the days...

Hours of Daylight

RV group watching sunset along the Seward Highway

Hours of Daylight

With so much natural beauty and so many things to see and do how could anyone pack in all that Southcentral...

Other Visitor Bureaus

Fireweed flowers and mountains near Anchorage

Other Visitor Bureaus

From one end of Alaska to the other, helpful folks at chambers of commerce and visitor centers in communities...

Visitor Information Centers

Anchorage's Log Cabin Visitor Information Center framed with flowers in the summer

Visitor Information Centers

Get in touch with Alaska experts who are in the know about things to see and do in Anchorage and the rest of...

Plan Your Trip

Eagle River Nature Center views of the Chugach

Plan Your Trip

Plan the ultimate trip to Anchorage, Alaska, for memories that will last a lifetime. Maps, transportation...

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Callout spencer glacier