Things to do in Anchorage
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Seward to Anchorage tour: Wildlife, glaciers & Turnagain ArmThis small-group tour travels from Seward to Anchorage over seven hours in a fully equipped van with your own Alaskan driver-guide, stopping at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see bears, moose, elk, muskox and wolves up close; a guided walk along Byron Glacier Trail; Portage Glacier overlooks; and Beluga Point for Dall Sheep and seasonal whale sightings. Pickup in Seward is included, snacks and binoculars are provided, and you choose your own drop-off in Anchorage at the end.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want wildlife viewing and glacier scenery without driving yourself or arranging multiple transfers—the same guide handles the route, the timing and the stops, so you stay focused on what's outside the window. The small group size (up to twelve) keeps the pace flexible and the van positioned for animal sightings.
Alaska Wildlife Day Tour: Brown Bears, Moose & Seward HighwayA four-hour guided tour of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center near Seward takes you through habitats where brown bears, black bears, moose, caribou, wolves, musk ox, lynx and wood bison live in natural settings. The route includes the Turnagain Arm drive along the Seward Highway with photo stops, and pickup and drop-off at most Anchorage hotels are included. A live English-speaking guide leads the whole tour.Is it for me?Book this if you want a guided afternoon tour with English commentary and hotel pickup included, so you can focus on wildlife and scenery rather than logistics.
Anchorage Aurora Tour: Northern Lights Photos from ChugachThis is the longest-running northern lights photo tour in the Anchorage area, running from August through late April. A professional photographer guide picks you up at your hotel and takes you to viewing locations in and around Chugach State Park—Glen Alps trailhead, Mt. Baldy, and the Palmer area near Hatcher Pass—where you'll photograph the aurora and learn the science behind it. No photography experience is required. The tour runs only if the daily forecast shows a chance of seeing the northern lights, and if you don't see them, you get a free make-up tour. You can reserve multiple nights and pay 48 hours before each departure.Is it for me?The 6-hour commitment means you can't fit this into a half-day itinerary, but it also means you're not rushed—you have time to reach multiple viewing spots and wait for the aurora to move across the sky instead of chasing it from one location to another. Book multiple nights across your stay and only pay 48 hours before each one, so you can chase clear forecasts without locking in the full cost upfront.
Anchorage City Highlights Tour: Earthquake Park, Lake Hood & Scenic OverlookYou’ll trace Anchorage’s wild edges—from salmon fishermen at Ship Creek to floatplanes buzzing Lake Hood—with stories from a local guide. Walk through Earthquake Park where history left its mark, then look out over Cook Inlet from Glen Alps overlook. Even with pickup included and everything wrapped up in two hours, you’ll leave feeling like you actually met Anchorage.
Anchorage: Wildlife Center & Portage Glaciers with Beluga WhalesYou get picked up in Anchorage and driven to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see rescued bears, moose, wolves and eagles on 200 acres of habitat, then continue to Portage Valley to see five hanging glaciers and walk through rainforest. The route along Turnagain Arm offers chances to spot beluga whales, Dall sheep and bald eagles. Entry, a professional guide, and bottled water are included, with round-trip transport from your hotel.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to see Alaska's rescued wildlife and glaciers without arranging your own transport or paying separate entry fees—the guide handles the route and the timing, leaving you to watch for whales and focus on the landscape.
Anchorage: Mount Alyeska Tram & Wildlife Center TourYou ride an aerial tram 2,300 feet up Mount Alyeska, spend free time at the summit, then visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see rescued grizzlies, moose, and caribou with a guided introduction and self-paced exploration. Transport from Anchorage, snacks, water, and all entry fees are included; the 5.5–6 hour tour handles logistics so you focus on the views and the animals.Is it for me?Pick this if you want the main Anchorage-area highlights — mountain views, a tram ride, and rescued wildlife — without arranging separate transport and tickets; the fixed itinerary handles the logistics so you just show up and move through the day.
Anchorage Helicopter Tour: Glacier Landing & Chugach MountainsYou fly from Girdwood airport over the Chugach Mountains, land on a glacier for thirty minutes of walking and exploring with your pilot, and return with views of meltwater pools and backcountry wildlife. The flight is weather-dependent, small groups only, and includes all fees and taxes—just arrange your own transport from Anchorage or add their shuttle service when you book.Is it for me?Book this if you want to land on a real glacier without arranging your own transport logistics or worrying about timing—the fixed schedule and small-group format mean you show up, fly, and the rest is handled. The weather dependency is the only catch, but that's also what keeps the ice safe and the views genuine.
Matanuska Glacier: Guided Winter Hike & Scenic Drive with LunchYou’ll walk across Alaska’s Matanuska Glacier with a local guide who knows every crack and story in the ice. Feel your boots grip blue glacial fields, stop for photos you’ll keep forever, then thaw out over lunch with mountain views before heading back to Anchorage — and maybe find yourself thinking about that silence long after.
Bears, Trains & Icebergs Tour Alaska: Spencer Glacier floatThe Bears, Trains & Icebergs Tour combines a roundtrip on the Glacier Discovery Train, a guided visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and a 2-hour float past icebergs on Spencer Glacier Lake and down 7 river miles of the Placer River Valley. The tour runs 7 to 9 hours and includes a sack lunch, snacks, and a live English-speaking guide; children from age 2 are welcome. Departures are at 9 AM or 10:40 AM.Is it for me?Choose the 9 AM departure if you want the full day to unfold without rushing; the 10:40 AM start compresses the same itinerary into a tighter window, so the earlier time gives you more breathing room at each stop. Both options cover the same three landscapes—the center, the train, and the glacier float—so pick based on when you prefer to start your morning.
Anchorage Northern Lights Tour & Photography with PickupYou're picked up at 9pm and driven to a heated shelter outside Anchorage, where a professional guide uses weather forecasting to position you for the aurora. The tour runs only on nights with strong visibility odds, includes hot drinks, snacks, and photography instruction or portraits, and returns you to your hotel around 3am. You pay only if the tour operates.Is it for me?A good fit if you're serious about seeing the northern lights without arranging your own transport or guessing which nights are worth staying up. The 9pm-to-3am window is exactly when the aurora is most active in winter, and the forecast-only operation means you're not paying for a night when conditions are poor.
Portage Glacier Cruise from Anchorage: 1-hour glacier viewingA one-hour glacier cruise on Portage Lake near Anchorage boards the M/V Ptarmigan, a heated vessel with an open-air viewing deck, and travels to the face of Portage Glacier while a Forest Service ranger explains the area's geology, wildlife and history. The cruise runs daily mid-May through mid-September with five departures each day; transportation from Anchorage to the glacier is not included in the ticket price.Is it for me?The cruise is a short, seated experience—no hiking, no water entry, and no early start required—which makes it a natural fit for a free afternoon in Anchorage or a first-time glacier visit when you want the landmark without the logistics of a full-day expedition.
Matanuska Glacier Hike: Alaska Honey & Wine Tasting TourYou’ll step onto Matanuska Glacier with a local guide who knows every crack and echo underfoot. Feel ancient ice beneath your boots, learn its secrets, then warm up with Alaskan honey and wine tasting in Palmer. This tour includes safety gear, snacks, and stories you’ll remember long after you’re home.
Anchorage: Wildlife Center & Turnagain Arm Winter TourYou drive the Seward Highway south from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm, stop at Beluga Point for inlet views, spend time walking the 140-acre Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see moose, bears, bison and musk oxen in winter light, then continue to Portage Valley to view five glaciers. The tour includes all fees, and the guide handles the route and timing so you're just watching the landscape change.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Alaskan wildlife and the Turnagain Arm's glaciers and mountains in one outing without arranging your own transport or paying separate entry fees—the fixed itinerary and included costs let you focus on the scenery and animals.
Anchorage: Alaska Native Heritage Center Ticket & Village WalkYou’ll walk Anchorage’s Alaska Native Heritage Center with local guides who share real stories—not just facts—and see traditional dwellings by Lake Tiulana. Watch live dancing and games, then browse genuine native art in Ch’k’iqadi Gallery. It’s more than exhibits; you’ll feel part of something living.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center & Girdwood Brewery Day TripYou’ll ride along Alaska’s dramatic Turnagain Arm, spot wildlife with a local guide who knows every bend, get close to rescued animals at the conservation center, then relax over lunch and craft beer tasting in Girdwood’s easygoing brewery scene. This is for anyone who wants real glimpses of Alaska—quiet moments included.
Anchorage to Seward tour: Glacier walk & wildlifeA small group tour from Anchorage to Seward with certified guide, hotel pickup and luggage transfer includes entry to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a half-mile walk up Byron Glacier, and stops along Turnagain Arm for wildlife viewing. The tour runs six hours and ends at your cruise ship port or Seward hotel by 3 p.m., so timing aligns with ship departures and check-ins without overlap.Is it for me?If you're flying into Anchorage and need to reach Seward for a cruise departure or hotel check-in, this tour solves the transfer and fills the day with wildlife and glacier access at once—no separate car rental or driver to arrange, and the timing lands you in Seward by mid-afternoon.
Matanuska Glacier Guided Ice Walk with Professional GuideYou’ll step onto Alaska’s Matanuska Glacier with a local guide who keeps things safe (and fun), gear up against the cold, and walk across surreal blue ice fields. Expect crunchy footsteps, quick lessons on glacial science, snacks with new friends, and moments of real quiet that stick with you long after you leave.
Knik Glacier Helicopter Flight & Trek: AnchorageA helicopter flight and glacier trek near Anchorage combines 40 minutes of flying over the Chugach Range and braided river valleys with 45 minutes on foot across the Knik Glacier, one of Alaska's largest. You land on over 300 feet of ancient ice, trek past blue melt pools and deep crevasses, and in summer months can polar plunge into glacial pools at no extra cost. Micro spikes are provided; check in 30 minutes before departure, and note the 300-pound weight limit per seat.Is it for me?Book this if you want to land on the glacier itself and walk across the ice; other glacier tours view from the air or ground only.
Anchorage to Whittier Wildlife Tour with Cruise TransferThis 3-hour guided tour departs Anchorage and travels the scenic Seward Highway to the Whittier Cruise Terminal, with a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see resident wildlife in open habitats. The driver narrates the history of Turnagain Arm, Portage Pass, and Whittier—from Indigenous settlement through English exploration to the gold rush and the town's unusual origins. Pickup is available from Downtown Anchorage or Anchorage Airport, and the tour ends at the cruise terminal so you board directly.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're flying into Anchorage and need to reach the Whittier Cruise Terminal—it combines the transfer with a stop at the wildlife center so you see resident animals and learn the region's history instead of sitting in a car for three hours with nothing to do.
Anchorage: Private 3-Hour Tour with Earthquake Park & Lake HoodYou’ll feel Anchorage’s wild edges on this private 3-hour tour: stand where history shook Earthquake Park, watch seaplanes skim Lake Hood, stroll Potter Marsh’s boardwalks, and catch glimpses of Denali if clouds allow—all with stories from your local guide and easy hotel pickup.
