Population (2016): 298,192

City of lights

Anchorage has all the amenities of a big city while surrounded by a wilderness playground of mountains, trails, forest and ocean. The city has fine restaurants, theaters and museums yet there are 60 glaciers within 50 miles of downtown Anchorage. You can be photographing glaciers during the day and in the evening enjoy dinner at a four-star and take in a show.

The Great Outdoors

Chugach State Park, one of the largest state parks in the US, is on the city’s doorstep. The park’s westernmost boundary lies in the western foothills of the Chugach Mountain Range and is a mere seven miles to the east of downtown Anchorage. There are more than 50 glaciers in the 500,000 acre park which offers accessible hiking, biking and camping.

The Flattop mountain trail, in Chugach State Park is a popular hike. The trail is 1.7 miles one way and offers 360 degree views of Alaska Range, Chugach Range, Cook Inlet, and Anchorage and an elevation gain of 1300 feet. The Glen Alps trailhead is 15 minute drive from downtown Anchorage.

Anchorage Attractions

Whether you are interested in history, arts, Native heritage, railroads, walking, trails, Alaska wildlife, birding or even ulu making, Anchorage has something for you.

The Anchorage Museum is the largest museum in Alaska. The world-class institution has over 20 exhibitions as well as programs on the art, history and culture of Alaska and includes Alaska History Gallery, Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center and the new Thomas Planetarium.

Potter Marsh, at the southern end of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, has a 1550 foot boardwalk over marshes, watery openings and sedges, providing a great opportunity to view birds and other wildlife.

Find a diverse line-up of world-class theater and music performances at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.

Getting Around Anchorage

Anchorage is very spread out, with the exception of the downtown area, which is compact and great for walking.

Maneuvering an RV around downtown Anchorage is relatively easy, and there is some RV parking available. Alternatively you can park at a shopping mall and take a taxi, shuttle or bus downtown.

Downtown Anchorage streets run mainly north-south and east-west with numbered streets running east-west and lettered streets running north-south. Several downtown streets are one-way streets.

The local public transit system, People Mover, provides access to most visitor attractions and activities. There are also free shuttle available to several different attractions in Anchorage which depart from the corner of Fourth Avenue and F Street. You can get a schedule from the nearby Visit Anchorage Log Cabin Visitor Information Center.

The Anchorage City Trolley offers a 15 mile historic and scenic tour of Anchorage for $20 per adult.

Anchorage is Alaska’s biggest airport, with direct connections around the world.