Recently, I picked up a trip with a long layover in Anchorage, Alaska. As a popular layover among flight attendants, I made sure to gather up all the best recommendations I could find from my coworkers before I left. Here are all of the best things to do in Anchorage, put together in a tidy little travel guide. Enjoy!
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Best things to do in Anchorage
Snow City Cafe
Snow City Cafe is the most popular breakfast spot in Anchorage. Make sure to get here as close to their opening time as you can — I came 30 minutes after they opened and I had to wait 45 minutes to get a table.
Despite the wait, the food at Snow City Cafe was more than worth it. I got the Deadliest Catch (eggs benedict with salmon and king crab cakes), which was delicious. Their oat milk latte and mini cinnamon roll were awesome as well.
Address: 1034 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501
49th State Brewing
This is a brewery slash restaurant that is really popular with our pilots. 49th State Brewing offers craft beers, a rooftop patio, and a varied menu of pub food (try the yak burger or free-range buffalo meatloaf if you want something interesting!). All of their beers are brewed in-house and are very tasty.
Address: 717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501
Anchorage Museum
The Anchorage Museum is a land, people, history, and art museum in the heart of downtown Anchorage. There are exhibitions on everything from Black Lives in Alaska to traditional Inuit tattoos. The museum is meant to be interactive and relevant to today’s issues.
The outside of the Anchorage Museum says “This is Denaʼina Ełnena,” which translates as “This is the homeland of the indigenous Dena’ina people.” This formal land acknowledgment is meant as a public thank you to the indigenous people that cared for the land for thousands of years before it was colonized.
Tickets cost $20 for adults ($17 for Alaska residents).
Address: 625 C St, Anchorage, AK 99501
Rent a bike
Renting a bike is one of the best ways to explore Anchorage. Downtown, you’ll find the beginning of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, an 11-mile walking and biking trail with a high likelihood of seeing wildlife. Moose and bald eagles are known to criss cross the path pretty regularly!
Highlights to check out on the Coastal Trail:
- Point Woronzof: A park with an overlook of the water and a viewing area where you can watch airplanes take off from ANC airport
- Kincaid Park: The end of the Coastal Trail and a lovely park with walking trails
- Planet Walk: Signs posted all the way along the trail with fun facts about outer space
PSA: If you’re airline crew, there are several bike rental shops that will give you a discount. Downtown Bicycle Rental gives you 5 hours for the price of 3!
Address: 333 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501
Take a trolley tour
Trolley tours are another fun way to see the city and surrounding area. The most popular tour is run by the Anchorage Trolley Tours company. There are 60-minute and 90-minute tours that cover over 15 miles of the city. They are run by local Alaskans and explain a lot about the history and wildlife of the region.
Tickets cost $20-30 per adult.
Address: 546 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, United States
Moose’s Tooth
Moose’s Tooth is a super popular pub and pizza restaurant in Midtown Anchorage. They make their own dough and have some very interesting and unique flavor combinations.
I got a medium half Forager (goat cheese, spinach, wild mushrooms, roasted garlic, truffle oil) half Mac n Cheese (macaroni, three cheeses, reindeer sausage, garlic oil). It was absolutely delicious; highly recommend.
Address: 3300 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99503
Flattop Mountain Trail
The Flattop Mountain Trail in Chugach State Park is a 3.4-mile roundtrip hike. Named the most popular peak in Alaska, this track gains over 1300 ft (396 m) across stairs, boulders, and narrow paths. The view from the top (when it’s not cloudy) is amazing and stretches to downtown Anchorage, the Gulf of Alaska, and Mt Denali.
You can get to the beginning of the Flattop Mountain Trail by driving, using a rideshare app, or taking the shuttle to Glen Alps trailhead.
⇉ Hiking Flattop Mountain: Alaska’s Most Popular Peak
Greetings from Alaska Mural
I couldn’t end off this Anchorage travel guide without a good photo op! The Greetings from Alaska mural is part of the Greetings Tour, a collection of city-themed street art by muralist Victor Ving. This is a nice spot to stop by and take some postcard-esque photos.
Address: 610 E 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501
If you have more time in Anchorage
- Buy some salmon: The freshest you can get! Most shops will package it and put it on dry ice for you. Make sure that it is TSA-friendly if you’re flying home.
- Spend a day in Alyeska: This nearby town has lots of hikes and winter skiing. Try Seven Glaciers or Jack Sprat for good food and Girdwood Brewing Company for local beer.
- Beluga Point Site: Only 20 minutes from downtown Anchorage, this is a popular scenic lookout and whalewatching spot.
- Chugach State Park: Try one of the various other hikes, go camping, or visit Eagle River Nature Center.
- Alaska Native Heritage Center: This museum has exhibits, films, and demonstrations on Native Alaskan culture.
Book a tour in Anchorage
Thanks for reading this Anchorage travel guide! Check out my travel guides tag for more in-depth city guides and trip itineraries.
xoxo Niki
