Day 5: McCarthy and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Sightseeing Tours & Day Trips | Visit Anchorage There are so many to choose from, but here are our favorites! Faster than akayak and more intimate than aday cruise, this is agreat way to getup. Drive your own Jeep equipped with arooftop tent while guides leading the way in aseparate vehicle takecare. Can you do a day trip to Seward from Anchorage? Acommercial flight from Anchorage takes you to King Salmon where youll switch to asmall float plane for aquick 20-minute flight to Brooks Camp. You can also buy bait and fishing licenses. In winter, hikes, snowshoe treks, or heli-snowshoetours! Shuttle availablefrom. more, Get aclose-up look at Alaskas most famous animals, and listen to our free audio guide during yourvisit. Feel the thrill of exploring the Alaskan wilderness while driving your own snowmobile over the tundra, looking for wildlife and taking in amazing views. Explore Portage Glacier: a rendezvous with nature and wildlife. A Day in Anchorage | Visit Anchorage Some tours are designed to please birders or shutterbugs, while others are perfect for families. Its among the best day trips south of Anchorage, lying about 2.5 hours south along the Seward Highway. At one time, the Portage Glacier was visible from the northern shores of the lake. The event is famous for its Slippery Salmon Olympics, which involves racing with a large dead fish in one hand and a tray balancing a full glass of soda in the other. Downtowns convenient grid pattern was set up at the same time that construction started on the Government Hill neighborhood. Top day trips from Anchorage, AK to Whittier: See reviews and photos of Anchorage to Whittier day trips on Tripadvisor. Spencer Whistle Stop is one of those wonderful, in-the-middle-of-nowhere railroad stations that dot Alaskas backcountry. Youll visit tidewater glaciers as you watch for puffins, sea otters, Dalls porpoises, sea lions, and more. Hatcher Pass offers a combination of outdoor adventure and authentic Alaskan history. And Major Marines vessels, which have cozy heated cabins and an outdoor viewing area, can take you out to see both. Another unique feature of the town is that you must travel through a 2.5-mile-long tunnel to get there. Distance from Anchorage: 30 minutes to 1 hour | Google Maps. And its super-easy when you go with Alaska ByAir. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Hometown restaurants are the perfect place to try an Alaska twist on traditional favorites. The Glenn Highway runs northeast to agricultural Palmer, then twists east along the Matanuska River Valley, sandwiched between coastal and interior mountains. Several trails here take you to alpine lakes and meadows. Traveling Between. You can also fly 70miles southwest of Anchorage to Lake Clark Wilderness Preserve for amazing bear viewing and luxurious accommodations at the Redoubt Bay Lodge. There are also hiking trails leading further back into the mountains. Hope is a great place to do that! Top day trips from Anchorage, AK to Girdwood: See reviews and photos of Anchorage to Girdwood day trips on Tripadvisor. Kayak among icebergs, hike through mountain meadows, and take in the scenery on this unique trip. Kayak or Bike Eklutna Lake - Summer How to Book this Day Trip from Anchorage 4. Several tiny towns along the river offer a glimpse at life in semi-rural Alaska the remote villages are the true rural! Its heyday has come and gone, but theres still a motherlode of character and charm here. The Cowles family will tell you all about the history ofthis Learn how your comment data is processed. Anchorage may be known as a summer destination, but it really sparkles in the winter. Follow the link to find out more! Day Trips from Anchorage | Mat-Su CVB When are you traveling? Combine ahelicopter ride, alpine hike, glacial lake tour, and train ride all in 910hours. Alaska experts work with you to customize your trip including award-winning lodges, wildlife and glacier tours and avariety of activities. With small groups and personalized attention, youre sure to make new friends and unforgettable memories. Lodging is available at several points near Matanuska Glacier and towns throughout the Mat-Su Valley. Take asmall-group tour. Girdwood This little ski town - home to the state's largest ski resort, Alyeska - is a 45-minute drive from Anchorage down the curvy two-lane Seward Highway. Here, you can see the Exit Glacier and have a chance to spot bears, foxes, moose, and more! Here, you'll find accommodations from modest to luxurious. Trail Ridge Air offers guided, non-guided and custom trips, getting you into creeks and lakes where you can catch not only fish, but also agreat Alaskan fish tale of your veryown. The older of the two churches is hewn from spruce logs and hails from the 1870s; the white clapboard and onion domes of the newer structure date from 1962. You can easily do a day trip to Seward from Anchorage, as its only about two hours south of the city. Pilot autility task vehicle (UTV)an ATV thats fully enclosedwith family and friends as you splash through rivers, take in stunning views, and even pan for gold on this unique, 3hour excursion with Hatcher Pass ATV Tours out of Willow. The drive from Anchorage to the seaside community of Seward begins with two hours of spectacular views as you pass between the dramatic shorelines of Turnagain Arm and the jutting peaks of the Chugach Mountains. Transportation from Anchorage included. You dont need to be an expert or aHollywood star to enjoy fly-out fishing in the wilds of Alaska. So these pioneers set out to make them all areality. Exploring Alaskas backcountry lakes, forests and rivers is aphenomenal experience. 20 Things to do in Anchorage and Daytrips in Winter or Summer Pro Tip: The Kenai Fjords are often compared with Prince William Sound. Youll pass through Wasilla on your way to Denali. The most direct route takes about 4 hours one way. Today you can explore the structures, hike several trails and take in the stunning views at Hatcher Pass. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Four distinct neighborhoods arose to meet the call for housing and land management offices, as well as school, library, and museum facilities. The states largest museum is truly aworld-class experience, offering acompelling overview of Alaskan history, art, culture, and science. more, One of 49 National National HeritageAreas, Quick: whats the longest combined rail and highway tunnel in North America? The 5-hour drive between Anchorage and Homer is one of the best mini-road trips you can take in Alaska! Even in the endless daylight of Alaskas summer, you can check out the aurora borealis in AurorAAlaskas Great Northern Lights., This longtime non-profit organization brings fine classical musicians, Broadway performances, and internationally acclaimed artists to Alaskas biggest city. Choose your ride based on half-day or full-day options, as well as difficulty. Along the way youll enjoy some of the most iconic spots and experiences that the 49th state has tooffer. Ride this unique, open-air vehicle,and. Tours visit one of two destinations: Lake Clark National Park or Brooks Falls in Katmai NationalPark. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Anyone who wants to see a prime example of Alaska at its most epic will want to add this to their itinerary. This veteran tour operator runs aa fleet of fast, modern boats in Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Distance from Anchorage: 90 minutes to 2 hours | Google Maps | Top Suggested Portage Glacier Tour. It brings Alaskas wildlife to you! Distance from Anchorage: 50 minutes to 1 hour | Google Maps | Alyeska Website | Top Suggested Alyeska Tour. Theyre also one of the best ways to see some of the more remote options on this list! Find day trips to take today, this coming weekend, or later in May. Day 7: Glacier Kayaking and Cruising. Though, this road trip can be accomplished within a day. Biking, hiking, picnicking, fishing, paddling, wildlife viewing, potential iceberg sightingsplus anatural history visitor center packed with interactive displays about the ecosystem of the valley and Prince William Sound. Mt. Passengers can get off the train at any of the destinations, and the full journey to and from Anchorage takes about 11.5 hours. Walking across Alaskas largest road-accessible glacier is an unforgettable experience that you can take advantage of year-round. Classified as a city, but with a population of barely 200 people 99% of whom live in the same building Whittier isnt your normal wilderness outpost. What did you like about this post? Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. This town takes community living to new levels. Its one big and bold Alaska tour de force with Chugach Adventures. Experience the excitement of racing champion sled dogs at the Alaska Mushing School, just 75minutes from Anchorage. more. After touring their kennel, youll harness up and explore trails along Girdwoods mountains which offer spectacular views while your guide offers fascinating gold mining history in thearea. more, Bear viewing at Brooks Falls and Redoubt MountainLodge. Visit an alpine glacier only accessible by rail. Wondering how folks up here deal with Alaskas long winter days? These day trips from Anchorage provide the spectacular scenery you imagine of Alaska. A spectacular train ride combined with an easy-going backcountry hike. From there, the glacier and its surroundings can be explored either on foot or via a kayaking tour. Theres no better place to get agrasp on Alaskas historyreally, its many histories than by visiting the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. Once youve spent a day or two absorbing the citys urban sights, take your first tentative steps into the surrounding wilderness with one (or more) of these easily accessible day trips. 32750 Eagle River Road, Eagle River, AK 99577, Phone: 907-694-2108. June 1st - September 18th, 2023. Eklutna Lake is worth a visit, whether you enjoy kayaking or just sitting on the shore and taking in the scenery! Hatcher Pass is also home to the Independence Mine State Historical Park. more, Catch gold fever and pan for gold at the historic Crow Creek Mine, in operation since 1896, andwhose. Chill a little at one of Alaskas most popular glaciers! In contrast to day trips catering to dozens of visitors at atime, Bear Camp offers arare and exclusive wilderness immersion. Distance from Anchorage: 2 hours | Google Maps | Hope Website | Top Suggested Hope Tour. 2023 Matanuska Glacier Walk - Tripadvisor Distance from Anchorage: 20 minutes to 1 hour | Google Maps | Top Suggested Turnagain Arm Tour. The views from the top give you some of the best panoramas of town and the scenic beauty of the greater Anchorage area. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. Choose from custom tours or small group tours with amaximum of 6participants that depart throughout the year and include accommodations, transportation, andmeals. Learn about dog-sledding at the Iditarod Headquarters and the Knik Museum & Mushers Hall of Fame. The local museum preserves the legacy of Hopes history, from the gold rush to recent times. More than 80 years ago, caribou numbers in Canadas Northwest Territories started to decline a serious threat to the Inuit people who called the region, Forget lions, leopards, elephants and the rest the natural world is full of less famous but no less charismatic creatures, should you care to seek them. You don't have to go beyond the city limits to find great trails, from challenging climbs to leisurely strolls, Good reasons to stay in this part of town that many overlook. Site Summit, located in Arctic Valley at nearly 4,000feet atop Mt. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! This popular hiking trail is perfect for anyone wanting to hike Alaska without going too deep into the backcountry. Discover Alaskas scenic gem, Portage Valleyjust an hour from Anchorage with Glacier City Rafting &Hiking. Home to an only-in-Alaska combination of Russian Orthodox and Alaska Native culture, the 350-year-old Athabascan village of Eklutna (population 70-ish) is dominated by the Eklutna Village Historical Park, where two Orthodox churches overlook a cemetery dating from 1650. And on aclear day youll get an amazing view of Denali.