So, lets get moving to the best outdoor things to do around Anchorage, Alaska! Theres Turnagain Arm, the ski town of Girdwood, Wasilia, and the gorgeous glaciers of Portage Pass. Continue onto the booking site to reserve your spot. We werent prepared nor did we have time to tackle a big 9 mile hike at the time and just enjoyed hiking the first few miles of the trail. A bore tide happens on extreme low tides when theres at least a 27 foot difference between high and low tide. This loop trail is ridden counter clockwise on odd days, and clockwise on even days. Alaska's slow start to wildfire season a relief after Connecticut-sized Hatcher Pass is accessed from the Palmer-Wasilla area. Dont have time to read all this now? On the northeast side of Anchorage, 9 miles into Chugach State Park is a campground of peace, solitude, and a perfectly blue lake. Most of this hike is in the woods, so bring your bug spray! Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum The Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum is the collection, preservation, and public presentation of Alaska's aviation history, 1897 to present. Spencer Glacier Kayaking: This is your opportunity to kayak or raft among glaciers! I love bird watching and this is THE place to do it in Alaska. Her shoes were wet and she was wearing two jackets. About. The same route can also be done vice versa, starting at Crow Creek road (which can be a great place to free camp in an RV). Anchorage Depot very organized on arrival, historic building, centrally located in Anchorage. If the season is right, this is also a popular place to view northern lights from. Anchorage has dozens of stocked lakes which means that fishing right in the heart of Anchorage or just a scenic drive away there are plenty of options for trout, arctic char, landlocked salmon, dolly and silvers. Then make sure to share and pin this for later, so you always have local insider tips on the best outdoor things to do in Alaska! Eagle and Symphony Lakes: is a longer, but an easy 12-13 mile out and back trail. These are distant views, but it's still impressive to see the white peak glimmering on the horizon. 2. One of the greatest hidden gems near Anchorage is the scenic Bird to Gird bike path, except that it isnt exactly hidden. Always tell someone where youre going and pick up a bear bell or two for your packs. Feb 7, 2022 8 min read Whether you prefer getting dirty while exploring the Chugach Mountains or joining a block party under the midnight sun, you'll find your nirvana in Anchorage O'hara Shipe / Lonely Planet As Alaska's biggest city, Anchorage is a veritable cornucopia of adventure. 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. There are 2 trails that ascends the mountain which means you can make it a loop or just do an out and back. This is probably a local best-kept secret. Anchorage is the launching point for many . Monfrage National Park in Spain Guide for Nature and Birding, Nature in Spain 15 Incredible Natural Landscapes in Spain, Montserrat Nature Park and Monastery Day Trip from Barcelona. When you click through these links we receive a small commission at no charge to you. Best things to do in Anchorage - Lonely Planet Coastal Trail: Probably the best trail for length and scenic views this trail runs from West Chester Lagoon out past our airport and on to Kincaid Park. There are plenty of fishing spots near Anchorage, but you will need a permit and an additional stamp for King Salmon fishing. The city is known to have a subarctic climate and as such, there are plenty of indoor things to do in Anchorage with kids when it gets cold. This barely counts as a hike since its only a short .4 miles roundtrip to reach this waterfall. Historic Sites 1 Parks 1 We found 1 thing to do for you near Alaska Outdoors Eklutna Village Historic Park 108 Reviews 26640 Eklutna Village Rd, Chugiak, Anchorage, AK 99567-5153 9.7 miles from Alaska Outdoors Trusted Reviews and Ratings Free 24-hour Cancellation Low-price Guarantee Previous Next 1 (Getty Images) Fairbanks is known as the "Golden Heart of Alaska" and one of the top places in the world to view the northern lights: Aurora chasers may want to visit the city during . When she's not outside playing, you'll find her drinking whiskey with her cat and partner while trying to get to level 99 in life. Located up Eagle River Valley, the nature center is at the end of a winding mountain pass. The 27 Best Things to Do in Anchorage (According to a Local!) My thesis explored a new model of tourism that can benefit biodiversity and community well-being rather than degrade the environment. Susanna grew up in small-town Alaska where the changing climate was always on her mind. Soon the trail sidles around the side of the mountain and enters a wide valley with green meadows and dozens of waterfalls. Thanks for supporting my work, at no additional cost to you. Other neighborhood markets would be similar to this one as well. Because of the popularity, its best to not hike this on a weekend, or try to hike it early or late in the day (the sun isnt going anywhere). If youre feeling up to a challenge and want some of the best views in Alaska, hike to Crow Pass Cabin. Three Month Movie Club Membership, Subscribe by 6/30/23. The water ions that fly off the waterfall are up close and personal and you cant help but feeling totally rejuvenated after visiting. Taking the Alaska Railroad also offers opportunities to see mountain goats, bears, eagles, moose, and more! Dont worry though, if youre here for those long summer days, theres plenty of trails to keep you busy all day and night long. The entire drive along Turnagain Arm to Girdwood is both stunning and littered with trailheads. The area around Anchorage has adventures of all sorts, not just hiking including fishing, SUPing, kayaking, climbing, and mountain biking. 10% discount_off. After ascending the easy grade, you scramble around the top of a waterfall and are met with an incredible lake (or snowfield depending on the season). As a new hiker, its really helpful to know what Im up against! Ocean Kayaking Out of Whittier: The town of Whitter is charming, to say the least. First Friday Art Walk. Things To Do With Kids in Anchorage | Groupon The parking lot holds about 30 cars and usually has room for RVs unless the lot is full. The Best Alaska Day Trips From Anchorage | TravelAwaits A sign on some portable toilets at an unofficial campground at a vacant lot along Anchorage's Third Avenue, pictured here on June 27, 2023, asks its users not to use drugs inside. This hike gains 500 feet over a 1 or 2 mile span. Tips From Local: If you happen to be in Alaska during summer solstice it is quite common to climb flat top the night before the longest day of the year. I havent been to Alaska yet but would love to visit and get lost in its wilderness and serenity. I recommend going up the steeper part and down the long path, its easier on the knees and going down the steep part involves loose gravel. 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. This makes for a perfect chill bike ride or pleasant walk. Hiking it from Rabbit Creek trailhead is 9 miles but is still a somewhat easy trek. Mention my name, Susanna Shankar, for 3 months free! This trail runs through the heart of Anchorage in what we call the Campbell Creek Green Belt. The Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneau's most impressive natural wonders, stretching over 13 miles (21 kilometers). The best places for blueberries is Arctic Valley, between Anchorage and Eagle River or Hatchers Pass which is a long day trip from Anchorage. This shop also has an awesome community feel to it and even hosts a weekly farmers market in the parking lot. Mt. The restaurant hosts incredible outdoor concerts in the summer. You load yourself up on a little tram going over a gorge and then pull yourself across with a rope. The Glen Alps trailhead and parking lot lead to one of the most popular hikes in Anchorage, Flat Top, but there are quite a few great hikes around this area and even a wheelchair accessible scenic lookout. Considering the path lies within in a major city, its pretty incredible how beautiful the route is. The Kincaid Park trailhead is right next to the Jodhpur Motocross Track. This can be hiked as an out and back from two different trailheads or as a point to point hike where you can hop on the free Glacier Valley Transit Gold Mine Bus hiker shuttle provided by Alyeska Resort. Tundra Wilderness Tour (only goes to mile 42 in 2022, $141.25 per person). The tunnel alternates direction every half hour. We personally decided to visit the Airport Heights farmers market which we loved because it had everything we loved but was small and not too overwhelming. After living in Alaska for 26 years I have compiled my favorite outdoor activities and things to do around the Anchorage area, including some of my local secrets you wont find on major touristy sites. Click here for other scenic drives from Anchorage. We loved Anchorage, but the Kenai peninsula was our favorite place in all of Alaska. "Your journey toward sustainable travel starts here! If beer isnt your thing, right next door to The Bake Shop (another essential stop in Girdwood) at the base of Aleyska Day Lodge is La Bodega. 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. After taking in the cabin vibes be sure to hike half a mile further to Crow Pass summit at 8,500 feet which sits at the base of the massive Raven Glacier. Among Hatcher Passs variety of spectacular hikes is an awesome exploration that you wouldnt expect to find amidst mountains like these. By MikeMagoo19. Sometimes I just make it out to the base of the steep loose gravel that begins the ascent to the peak before heading back. Even though it was hot and perfectly sunny when we started this ridiculously steep trail, a thunderstorm rolled in just as we got above tree line and we had to turn back. Things to do In Anchorage - Best Things to do List 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. Check tide charts here or click here to see the estimated times of Bore Tide along Turnagain Arm. The places you are talking about seems really beautiful and I love your insights. 20 Best Things to do in Anchorage By Visit Anchorage If you are looking for Alaska's top activities and attractions, look no farther than Anchorage. The best odds of a big bore tide are usually in the five day window surrounding new and full moons. I may earn income from affiliate links or partnerships in this post. Campbell Creek, with rainbow trout, pink and silver salmon, is just a short walking distance from a parking lot and runs right through Anchorage. In the summer, there is a parking area right by the mine making it so that theres almost no hike up. We chose to go up the right side and being spring when we hiked this trail, we wished we had just descended the same way since the valley was so muddy. Baldy: Baldy is the most popular hike in Eagle River and is a quick, but challenging hike for panorama views of the Eagle River/Anchorage area. There is so much to visit off the cruise ship. Join ouremail list to get a ton of helpfultips & beta on everything from hiking, camping, RVing, and road tripping to health, fitness, and mindfulness. These three trails are near Anchorage and you can catch the Flat Top shuttle for only $23 FT. Reserve Your Spot Now! Alaska is so pretty!!! Alaska has some of the best skiing and snowboarding anywhere in the world. If it is awesome glacier view hikes you are after, check out these 6 easy to medium glacier view hikes that get you up to, on top of, or in-sight of some of the Anchorage areas best glaciers. Chugach State Park. How can dairy free ice cream taste this good?! Not only are the actual campsites beautiful, they are spacious and only a few minute walk from a gorgeous alpine lake. Even when you see a trail sign to the left, continue on the road towards the antenna. Its a good work out, but a ton of fun. Anchorage is one of the best areas for cross country skiing with hundreds of kilometers of groomed maintained trails. We spent every single evening in Girdwood hanging out here. 1. Exploring Chugach State Park is one of the best things to do in Anchorage, and this vast natural preserve is found technically within the city limits. Click here to see the bus schedule. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the top 20 slots and of the two special category winners! A post shared by Adventure Travel Family (@nomadswithapurpose) on Jun 11, 2019 at 3:36pm PDT. Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier. The trails arent easily marked here, but as long as you stay in the main bowl youll always have eyes on the visitor center. Follow this to the Alyeska Resort free parking area. But it will happen, I want to make it happen as both my husband and I are lovers of the colder climates (we moved from Italy to Sweden!). Rent from any of the places I mentioned above and have them help you plan out an adventure suitable for your needs. They also rent cross country bikes for the various trails at the foot of the mountain. Anchorage is a great travel destination with a lot to do and see, but sometimes you need to get away and explore the surrounding areas. See Wilderness Outside of Anchorage City Limits. I only visited during a cruise, which really didnt give me much insight into the State. 1 of 16. 8 Best Things to Do in Anchorage, Alaska - SmarterTravel Alaska's slow start to wildfire season a relief after Connecticut-sized
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