The skyline of Anchorage is bold and dramatic: a cluster of skyscrapers framed by mountains and vast wilderness.
“There aren’t many places where ‘there’s a moose sitting in the driveway’ is a legitimate excuse for being late for work,” said Jack Bonney, vice president of communications for Visit Anchorage.
Rising on the northern horizon is Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), the tallest peak in North America, while the glacial Alaska Range and nearby lakes offer endless opportunities for adventure. Anchorage is known for its aviation culture — it has one of the highest rates of personal airplane ownership in the country — and Lake Hood is the world’s busiest seaplane base, with more than 500 takeoffs and landings daily during peak summer. Flightseeing remains a favorite activity, and Anchorage’s status as a major hub for Alaska Airlines means growing air service: travelers can expect more non-stop connections and extended seasonal routes in the coming year.
Rail travel is also popular: the Alaska Railroad threads through Anchorage on its 470-mile route between Seward and Fairbanks. The Coastal Classic departs Anchorage and follows Turnagain Arm, where the steep Chugach Range drops to the sea and visitors witness one of the nation’s largest tidal ranges. As the state’s economic center and largest city, Anchorage is home to about 40 percent of Alaska’s residents. The city has also invested in honoring its Indigenous heritage, with major renovations and cultural projects that acknowledge native history and place names.
Alaska Native Heritage Center © Ashley Heimbigner
“The Alaska Native Heritage Center unveiled the first phase of a major remodel last year, and work continues in public/private partnership on the Indigenous Placenames Project to recognize Dena’ina names for Anchorage locations,” Bonney said.
Visitors will be impressed by the volume and quality of street art throughout the city. New murals by artists such as Crystal Worl and James Temte have added vibrant public art to many neighborhoods. For business travelers, the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center — Alaska’s largest convention facility — sits a short walk from Town Square Park. Anchorage’s downtown is compact: the Park Strip extends just one block wide and 13 blocks long, so most destinations are within easy walking distance. Winters can be extreme, with temperatures sometimes falling to –30°F, so pack layers; still, the city remains lively in cold months, especially during the Iditarod, the famed sled dog race that celebrates Alaska’s culture and history.
“It’s not a race for the competitors; it’s a lifestyle; they live this every day of the year,” said Teri Hendricks, communications operations manager for Visit Anchorage.
Winter festivals such as Fur Rendezvous (Fur Rondy) feature carnivals, fireworks, snow sculptures and an annual running of the reindeer. Other popular winter activities include viewing the aurora borealis and downhill skiing. Alyeska Resort recently recorded among the highest snowfall totals of any U.S. ski area and now features a new Nordic spa for visitors seeking relaxation after a day on the slopes.
Street mural honoring John the Flower Guy © Brian Adams
Anchorage has also seen notable investments in hotels and guest services, with updates at Hotel Captain Cook and Hilton Anchorage and the opening of the new Wildbirch Hotel scheduled for late spring 2025, expanding options for both leisure and business travelers.
SCENIC DRIVES
Some of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers and scenic roadside views are just outside Anchorage in the Portage Valley. Hanging glaciers in the Chugach National Forest overlook serene camping spots and fishing on Tangle Creek and Tangle Pond. Drive about an hour south (48 miles) on the Seward Highway to find the Middle Glaciers along the 5-mile Portage Spur Road; these ice fields sit midway between the highway and Portage Lake. Follow Portage Spur Road to its end to visit Portage and Byron glaciers — Portage is reachable by a short scenic walk, while Byron is often explored by boat tour from the dock.
Alternatively, head north into the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Valley to enjoy dramatic mountains, rushing rivers and wide-open plains. Traveling roughly 100 miles north on the Parks Highway brings you to Mile 98 and the small town of Talkeetna, a popular base for climbers attempting Denali. Talkeetna also offers art galleries, local flavor and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities along the drive.