Anchorage: City Tour with Salmon Tasting & Reindeer Sausage

Summary

Anchorage flavors, float planes, moose sightings and city stories

You’ll taste wild smoked salmon and reindeer sausage, watch float planes land on Lake Hood, sample chocolates at Alaska Wild Berry Products, and hear real Anchorage stories from your local guide. Expect laughter, unexpected flavors, and maybe even a moose sighting—plus all the little moments that make Alaska feel close.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you step off the curb in a new place and everything feels just a bit sharper? That’s how Anchorage hit me. Our guide—Dave, who looked like he could wrestle a moose but was actually more into dad jokes—met us right across from the Hilton. We piled into the van and within five minutes we were watching float planes skimming Lake Hood. The sound of their engines was surprisingly gentle, almost like someone humming under their breath. I didn’t expect to see so many locals just hanging out by the water, swapping fishing stories. It felt less like a tour and more like being let in on something.

We stopped at Ship Creek where salmon were actually running—like, you could see them fighting upstream while folks lined the banks with rods. The air smelled faintly briny, mixed with that sharp green scent you only get near cold rivers. Dave explained how this spot is basically Anchorage’s unofficial summer living room. He pointed out Earthquake Park next; I’d never seen land ripple like that before—still scarred from 1964. There was this weird hush when he talked about it, even the wind seemed to pause for a second.

I’ll admit I was mostly here for the food (no shame). At Alaska Wild Berry Products, there’s a two-story chocolate fountain—I mean, come on—and they handed us little samples right away. The wolfberry one tasted kind of tart-sweet; Li laughed when I tried to pronounce it in Mandarin (I definitely butchered it). Then came smoked salmon—four kinds—and reindeer sausage at Alaska Sausage & Seafood. The texture of the salmon was silky but still had bite; the sausage had this peppery kick that surprised me. I kept thinking about how these flavors probably haven’t changed much in decades.

Somewhere between watching ulu knives being shaped by hand and squinting at distant mountain ranges (Denali looked ghostly in the haze), I realized Anchorage isn’t just “big nature”—it’s people sharing stories over snacks or waving as they bike past your van window. That part stuck with me more than any postcard view ever could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Anchorage city tour and tastings

• View salmon running up river
• Learn about 1964 earthquake impact
• See scenic mountain and moose views
• Visit largest chocolate waterfall
• Watch ulu knife factory work
• Enjoy Turnagain Arm scenic views
• Taste salmon and reindeer sausage
• Watch float planes at Lake Hood

Top questions

Where does the Anchorage city tour start?

The tour starts at 509 W 3rd Ave., directly across from the downtown Hilton Hotel.

Is pickup included for this Anchorage city tour?

Yes, pickup is included at 509 W 3rd Ave., across from the Hilton Hotel downtown.

Will I get to taste smoked salmon and reindeer sausage?

Yes, you'll sample four types of smoked salmon and reindeer sausage during the tour.

Do we visit Earthquake Park on this city tour?

Yes, Earthquake Park is one of the stops where you'll learn about Anchorage's history.

Can I see float planes taking off during this Anchorage tour?

Yes, you'll visit Lake Hood—the world's busiest seaplane base—to watch float planes depart.

Are there opportunities to see wildlife like moose?

There is always about a 65 percent chance to see a moose during scenic stops on this tour.

Is lunch included or just tastings?

The tour includes tastings of smoked salmon, reindeer sausage, and chocolates but not a full lunch.

How long does this Anchorage city tour last?

This is a half-day city tour with several stops around Anchorage.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup across from the downtown Hilton Hotel in Anchorage, guidance from a local expert throughout each stop—from Ship Creek to Lake Hood—and generous tastings of wild smoked salmon, reindeer sausage, and locally made chocolates at Alaska Wild Berry Products and Alaska Sausage & Seafood before returning downtown.