10 Best Tours and Day Trips from Anchorage

Anchorage is the starting point for some of the most amazing tours and excursions. You can explore the Matanuska Glacier, tour the city on a tram, sample Alaskan cuisine and spot northern lights. All this and more is part of the best things to do in Anchorage, so don't waste time and venture to this destination.

There are some experiences that are unrepeatable and visiting the Matanuska Glacier from Anchorage is one of them. If you would like to walk on a glacier and admire its breathtaking shapes and colours, then you have to take the day trip that will take you to one of the most spectacular places you will ever see.

The Matanuska Glacier tour starts with a pick-up in downtown Anchorage. Along the way, you will enjoy views of the Glenn Highway, which runs through the Matanuska Valley. Your guide will tell you about the history and culture of the area.

Once on the glacier, your guide will provide you with the necessary equipment to walk on the ice. You will be able to see up close the crevasses, caves, waterfalls and ice formations that characterize the glacier.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 270 € per person.
• Duration: the whole tour takes about 8 hours.
• Means of transport: car and on foot.

Anchorage is the city for travellers who want to discover the beauty and diversity of Alaska. If you are interested in getting an overview of the city, a good option is to take a tram tour of the city that will take you to the most interesting places in Anchorage.

It is a 15-mile loop around the city, which starts at the Anchorage Visitor Center and passes through the highlights of the town:

• Anchorage Harbor; where you can see the fishing boats, cruise ships and freighters arriving and departing the city.
• Anchorage Museum: the largest museum in Alaska, where you can see art, history and science exhibits.
• Alaska Heritage Park: where you can see the traditional homes of the different cultures that inhabit the state, such as the Inuit, Aleuts and Athabascans.
• Westchester Lagoon: where you can see waterfowl, moose and small mammals that live in the area.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately €20 per person.
• Duration: between 1 and 2 hours.
• Means of transport: tram.

To get to know the main local dishes and ingredients, as well as discover the flavours of this state, the best option is to taste the gastronomy of Alaska on a food tour of Anchorage that will take you to some of the most peculiar restaurants and bars in the city.

It is a tour through the city centre where you can taste typical dishes and local drinks. However, it's not all about food; the activity manages to link gastronomy with Alaskan history and culture. So it's as much an experience for the palate as it is for the mind. It also allows you to sample food and drink.

On the Anchorage food tour you could visit the following places:

• The Rookery Cafe: cosy and modern, where you can sample homemade pastries, made with local and organic ingredients.
• La Taqueria: a Mexican restaurant for giant red crab tostada , a typical Alaskan product, with raspberry lemonade.
• Bocca al Lupo: an Italian restaurant with a delicious menu featuring rustic pasta, pizza and more, all made with local and artisanal products.

Interesting details

• Price: around €120 per person.

• Duration: about 3.5 hours.

• Means of transport: on foot.

If you want to capture with your camera the dance of green and purple lights in the night sky, a phenomenon known as the Northern Lights, you can't miss the Northern Lights Photo Tour from Anchorage, an activity that will allow you to learn and practice the techniques to capture them with your lens.

The tour will take you from Anchorage to a place away from light pollution, where you will have more chances to see and photograph this natural phenomenon. Also, along the way, a guide will tell you about the aurora borealis, its origin, significance and influence on Alaskan culture.

The destination is not specific, because it depends on weather conditions. The guide will choose the best place for this experience such as Chugach State Park, Eklutna Lake, Knik River or Matanuska Valley, among others.

Interesting details

• Price: about 250 € per person.

• Duration: in total between 8 and 10 hours.

Adventure seekers can explore the hidden wilderness at Chugach State Park. Here you can enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, skiing and snowshoeing. It's an experience that combines different elements and you can make the most of it if you join a guided tour, because it will take you to the most impressive and spectacular places in the park.

Chugach State Park covers more than 2000 square kilometres of mountains, forests, lakes, glaciers and rivers in Alaska. So there is a lot to see and do.

During the tour, you can admire the beauty and variety of the landscape, as well as observe the park's wildlife, such as bears, moose, eagles, eagles and wildflowers. It is also a unique opportunity to take pictures and fill your lungs with fresh air while enjoying the ecosystem.

Interesting details

• Price: about 100€ per person.
• Duration: approximately half a day.
• Means of transport: car, bicycle, kayak and on foot.

There are many unique and exciting experiences to explore Alaska and one that will get your adrenaline pumping is flying over the glaciers on a helicopter tour in Anchorage. It's an incredible way to appreciate the stunning glaciers that surround the city. You can also admire the natural beauty of this region from a vantage point and land on the ice to explore the glacial landscape.

Some of the most popular glaciers to visit are Knik, Portage, Colony and Matanuska. All offer spectacular views of Alaska' s mountains, valleys, lakes and rivers.

Along the way, you can take photos and videos of the incredible views that open up before your eyes. For many, the most exciting part is the landing on the glacier, as you will be able to get out of the helicopter and walk on the ice to explore the surroundings.

Interesting details

• Price: between €280 and €680 per person.
• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours.
• Means of transport: helicopter.

One way to enjoy nature, sport and culture at the same time is with a tour that allows you to cycle along the coastal trails. This is an activity where you can discover some of the most breathtaking landscapes, breathe fresh air and feel the adrenaline.

This tour can be an experience suitable for all levels, as there are routes adapted to every preference and physical condition. For example, you can choose between guided and self-guided tours, with or without bike hire, and with different durations and destinations.

However, one of the most popular is the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, which runs along the coast of the Gulf of Alaska, with views of the sea, mountains and glaciers. The trail stretches for about 35km and can be done at any time of the year with changing colours and light depending on the season.

Interesting details

• Price: can cost between €40 and €120.

• Duration: approximately 3 hours.

• Means of transport: by van to the trailhead and then by bike.

If you're wondering how to see glaciers in Anchorage, one of the best ways is with a trip to Portage Glacier. This is one of the most impressive and accessible glaciers in Alaska. The tour will allow you to admire the beauty of this ice giant from different perspectives and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

The tour starts in Anchorage and will take you to Portage Lake. There, you will board a boat that will take you to the face of the glacier, where you will be able to observe its crevasses, its blue tones and its majesty. During the cruise, you will receive explanations from your guide about the history and geology of the glacier.

After the cruise, you will be free to explore the Portage Glacier at your own pace. You can walk along the Blue Ice Trail, which offers incredible views of the valley and the glacier.

Details of interest

• Price: approx. €220.
• Duration: the whole walk takes about 8 hours.
• Means of transport: Van and boat.

A hike on the Alpine Hiking Trail from Anchorage is an experience that allows you to appreciate nature and enjoy Chugach State Park, the third largest in the United States, with more than 2000 km2 of surface area.

This park is home to some of the most beautiful mountains and tundra in Alaska, as well as glaciers, lakes, rivers and forests. It is a place where you can go hiking, because it has a great variety of routes and levels of difficulty.

The route is done with a naturalist guide who will explain the history, geology and fauna of the place. You may even have the chance to see animals such as marmots, bears, Dall's rams and a variety of birds. Along the way, you'll be surrounded by alpine scenery and incredible views of Anchorage and the interior of the Chugach Mountains.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately €160.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours.

If you are in Anchorage, you can't miss the opportunity to take a glacier and wildlife ecosystem tour from Anchorage. This is a unique experience where you can admire the beauty of the glaciers, the forest and the animals that inhabit this region.

The tour will take you to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre where you can see bears, moose, wolves, reindeer and more up close. There you will learn about the history and behaviour of these species from a professional guide .

The tour will also take you to the Chugach National Forest, which is home to mountains, lakes, rivers and glaciers . From Beluga Point lookout point you will spot beluga whales, which swim in Cook Inlet. You will also visit the Portage Glacier and listen to the sound of glacier calving.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately from €170.
• Duration: an estimated 6 hours.

Whether you arrive by cruise ship, plane or road, here are some tips to help you make the most of your trip:

• If you want to enjoy the midnight sun, green landscapes and balmy temperatures, summer is your choice.
• But if you prefer to see the Northern Lights, winter is the time to go.
• Be prepared for the changeable weather and wear appropriate clothing and footwear, with enough pieces for the cold.
• Once in Anchorage, you can explore the city by tram, bike or on foot. You can also take day trips to nearby places such as Matanuska Glacier, Denali National Park and more.
• Don't forget to sample the local cuisine, such as reindeer sausages, salmon or crab, and sample Alaskan craft beers.