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AnchorageOutdoor activities

Our most recommended Anchorage Outdoor activities

From Seward: Half-Day Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise Tour

1. From Seward: Half-Day Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise Tour

Embark on a guided sightseeing cruise from Seward along Resurrection Bay from Seward with guided commentary. Encounter native wildlife like whales, puffins, sea otters, and more before witnessing the natural beauty of the Kenai Fjords National Park. Benefit from a shuttle from the railroad depot or the cruise ship port. Then, head off the beaten track in search of wildlife where they often appear through Resurrection Bay. With the help of binoculars, watch as sea otters carry their pups on their bellies. Marvel at the speed of the Dall's porpoise as they surf the vessel's wake. Be awed by the size and majesty of orcas, humpbacks, and other incredible whale species, and learn about their habitat from the onboard guide. Take in the wild natural beauty of the Kenai Fjords National Park.

From Whittier/Anchorage: Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise

2. From Whittier/Anchorage: Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise

The 26 Glacier Cruise departs from Whittier to explore the calm waters and wild sights of Alaska’s Prince William Sound. Discover glacier-carved fjords and pristine wilderness around every turn. Watch for marine wildlife and migratory birds along the way. Travel in comfort aboard safe, modern high-speed catamarans. Prince William Sound boasts one of the world’s largest concentrations of tidewater glaciers. College Fjord and Blackstone Bay provide impressive panoramic views of spectacular glaciers flowing down from the mountains to the saltwater. As the Captain navigates a path through the ice-filled waters, watch the dynamic tidewater glaciers closely as massive chunks of ice can calve (break off) at any moment and crash to the sea with a thunderous sound. Marine wildlife and migratory birds easily outnumber people in Prince William Sound, so the odds are good that you will see a lot more than glaciers on our cruises! Sea otters are a common sight, along with harbor seals, Bald eagles, and kittiwakes. There are five species of wild Alaska salmon in the Sound. When the fish are in, the whales and bears will follow! It is not uncommon to see orca whales, humpback whales, sea lions, black bears, mountain goats, Dall’s porpoise, and migratory birds on our 26 Glacier Cruise.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: Admission Ticket

3. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: Admission Ticket

Enjoy an admission ticket that will grant you access to over 200-acres of animal enclosures and stunning nature. Take a self-tour of the scenic 1.5-mile loop, accessible by foot, by bike, or by car, while learning about the resident wildlife via interpretive signs at each animal habitat. Support the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, which is a non-profit sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) is located in Portage Valley and is surrounded by the breathtaking Chugach Mountain Range and Turnagain Arm Inlet. Venture through the AWCC’s 1.5 mile loop which is the perfect adventure for the winter months. Experience unique ways to explore the Center while enjoying the wildlife in the winter include gliding on your cross country skis, riding your fat bike, or utilizing AWCC’s complimentary kick-sled rentals. Relax on board your own vehicle with a picturesque 1.5 mile loop drive around the sanctuary. See orphaned and injured animals taken in by the AWCC that have now been given a forever home.

From Anchorage: Wilderness, Wildlife, & Glacier Experience

4. From Anchorage: Wilderness, Wildlife, & Glacier Experience

Experience rugged mountains, panoramic ocean views, wildlife, and amazing glaciers, all on this guided trip from Anchorage. Venture deeper into the Alaskan wilderness than a typical sightseeing tour with entry to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Chugach National Forest. Follow the sun and the wind towards the most scenic locations possible for the day of your tour. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and travel into exciting areas of the Chugach National Forest that require special permits. Spot brown bears, wolves, bison, and belugas. Enjoy live commentary and learn about the unique landscapes of Alaska from your expert guide. Discover the rich history and experience the wonders of the Ring of Glaciers. Spend the day alongside highly trained adventure guides whose sole purpose is to leave you with memories lasting a lifetime. Take advantage of complimentary photo lessons from your guide throughout the activity.

Anchorage: Deluxe Trolley City Tour

5. Anchorage: Deluxe Trolley City Tour

Learn about the rich history and natural beauty of Alaska's largest city and ride the trolley to 5+ stops throughout downtown Anchorage. Travel comfortably and take in some of the city's most exciting landmarks such as the Lake Hood small airplane airport. During the tour you will visit iconic locations such as Ship Creek, Earthquake Park, and Point Wornzoff. At each stop you will get the chance to hop-off for a few minutes, take pictures and ask questions to your knowledgeable, passionate, expert local guides.

From Whittier: Glacier Quest Cruise with Onboard Lunch

6. From Whittier: Glacier Quest Cruise with Onboard Lunch

Discover the pristine beauty of Alaska’s Prince William Sound on a high-speed catamaran cruise from Whittier. Admire the sights of Blackstone Bay and keep a lookout for wildlife on a scenic cruise, while enjoying a tasty meal onboard. Start with pickup from a meeting point in Alyeska or Anchorage, or choose to make your own way to the meeting point in Whittier. Upon arrival, get checked in and then board the high-speed catamaran to set off on your adventure through Prince William Sound Cruise from this quaint seaside town of Whittier to glacier-filled Blackstone Bay, a dramatic deep-water fjord where two tidewater glaciers and several alpine glaciers await. Admire the panoramic views of spectacular glaciers flowing down from the mountains to the saltwater. Travel in comfort aboard a secure, modern high-speed catamaran. Learn a bit more about the area and hear local stories from the live onboard commentary from a Chugach National Forest Service ranger. As the captain navigates a path through the ice-filled waters, watch the dynamic tidewater glaciers closely as massive chunks of ice can calve (break off) at any moment and crash to the sea with a thunderous sound. Keep watch for marine wildlife and migratory birds along the way, including sea otters, harbour seals, bald eagles, kittiwakes, and migratory birds. Depending on the season, you may spot whales and bears feeding on the migrating salmon population. During the cruise, enjoy a delicious meal onboard the vessel. Select from the following options: • Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon Chowder served with oyster crackers, a fresh Julienne vegetable salad, a multi-grain roll, a cheddar cheese snack, a fruit snack, and a peppermint pattie. • Hearty Vegetable Chili served with oyster crackers, a fresh Julienne vegetable salad, a multi-grain roll, a cheddar cheese snack, a fruit snack, and a peppermint pattie. • No meal requested - Select this option if you are traveling with an infant or you have special dietary restrictions that cannot be accommodated by the above options. • Kids Meal (ages 2-11) featuring an all-beef hot dog, potato chips, a fruit snack, and a peppermint pattie.

From Anchorage: Turnagain Arm and Wildlife Center Tour

7. From Anchorage: Turnagain Arm and Wildlife Center Tour

Experience Alaska’s spectacular nature and wildlife on a full-day trip from Anchorage. Take one of Alaska’s most breathtaking drives down Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm, before getting a guided tour of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Start your day tour with pick-up from your hotel in a comfortable passenger van. You'll be driven to your first stop, Potters Marsh Bird Sanctuary, a scenic area where you can marvel at amazing bird life, along with moose and other wildlife. After that, stop by the Beluga Point viewing platform to spot Beluga Whales and other marine life in Turnagain Arm, as well as taking in the breathtaking mountain views. Next, you'll visit Bird Point to stretch your legs and get a beautiful view of the Turnagain Arm, and see where the tidal bore occurs. Head to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to take a tour of the 200-acre facility. See Alaska’s land mammals in their natural habitats, including bears, moose, wolves, elk, deer, eagles, and much more. Take the drive back to Anchorage with one last stop at Falls Creek, before being dropped off at your desired destination.

Seward: Stoney Creek Canopy Adventure

8. Seward: Stoney Creek Canopy Adventure

You can’t beat the views from our Canopy Adventure. Featuring eight ziplines, three suspension bridges and two rappels, this tour will surely provide you with both excitement and awe! Guests will meet at the Adventure Center in the Seward Small Boat Harbor where they will board a Stoney Creek Canopy Adventures van and drive out to the course. Vans leave promptly from the Adventure Center 30 minutes prior to the tour time. As participants arrive on location, they will be met by the sight of a large yurt perched in a tree above them. This is the Stoney Creek Welcome Center. Tour groups form up at the Welcome Center, meet their guides, get outfitted with harnesses and helmets, receive instruction on proper zipline riding and braking technique, and are put through practice “ground school” runs. Once completed, they will be transported up a forest drive to a launch point near the top of the valley. Next comes a short walk to the course entrance and the first zipline leading to a platform with a panoramic view across the valley and glaciers to the southwest. The first Stoney Creek zipline traverse is a short 65 feet across the fall line, running fairly close to ground level and allowing riders a chance to become comfortable with the process. Still high along the valley wall, the third zipline travels 190 feet and lands 50 feet up the trunk of a huge Sitka spruce. The fifth traverse soars above the trees 1,100 feet back across the valley wall, sails over a reflecting pond, and comes to a stop at a platform 75 feet up another Sitka spruce. From this point onward, the tour path descends into the ever deeper and darker rain forest with its dense vegetation and sparkling creeks. A 600-foot zipline into an enormous mountain hemlock is followed by a shorter line at mid-level in the forest and a spot where bald eagles have often been sighted. From the landing platform, each group member rappels 60 feet down to the platform entrance of an aerial walkway that begins just above the ground but ends 120 feet later at a point 60 feet up another Sitka spruce. The route now takes a 90-degree turn and crosses a long bridge to a hemlock where zipline riding resumes. A 280-foot line travels toward the valley floor, ending in a spruce close to the entry road. The final traverse then crosses over the tour parking lot and past the Welcome Center yurt to land in a group of Sitka Spruce where a 40-foot rappel brings the group back to earth at last. Harnesses and helmets are shed, and group members return to the Welcome Center to collect any belongings stowed there and to view and select photos of themselves taken during the Seward zipline adventure.

Talkeetna: Mountain Voyager with Optional Glacier Landing

9. Talkeetna: Mountain Voyager with Optional Glacier Landing

Check-in at a unique Alaskan log office before hopping on a single-engine, high-wing aircraft to begin your fantastic scenic flight. Enjoy a 1 hour and 15-minute flight winding in and around the Alaska Range's major peaks—Hunter, Foraker and Denali. Follow the massive glacier highways from above while listening to fascinating expert narration from your pilot. Witness Kahiltna Glacier, the longest in Denali National Park, stretching 45 miles with stunning ridges of earth and ice. This tour is perfect for those who want to soak in traditional Denali views while adding additional views from the south and west. The extra time in the air also allows for greater flexibility in finding the best views of the day. Upgrade your tour to include a glacier landing during your flight. Experience the exhilaration of standing among the majestic peaks of the Alaska Range. Play in the snow, take photos or just take it all in. Glacier landings add 30 minutes to the total tour duration.

Willow: Traditional Alaskan Dog Sledding Ride

10. Willow: Traditional Alaskan Dog Sledding Ride

Experience the power of a champion sled dog team and enjoy breathtaking landscapes in a secluded, winter wonderland near Willow on a traditional Alaskan dog sled ride. Be greeted by a guide and friendly sled dogs as you get ready to hit secluded trails. Refuel with cookies and hot chocolate. Just an hour's drive north of Anchorage and only 45 minutes north of Palmer, the area near Willow offers a magical place to learn about mushing before you continue your adventure out to the private trails. Meet the dogs and watch their energy levels skyrocket as your guide gets the team ready to run. All the dogs in your team have either run the famous Iditarod thousand-mile race or are actively training to run it one day. Go through a safety briefing with your guide before settling into your sled. Notice the noise level drop as you take off down private training trails. Feel the dogs’ focus and determination as they power around corners, and up and over hills. Soak in the natural sounds around you as you immerse yourself in peaceful solitude. Enjoy breathtaking views of Denali among a beautiful, snow-covered Alaskan landscape. Keep your eyes peeled as you may catch a glimpse of a moose or fox. After your ride, let the dogs run loose for some playtime. Mingle with the huskies and watch as they zip around you playfully. Finally, warm up in the visitor's center with cookies, cocoa, and dog cuddles.

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What people are saying about Anchorage

It was a lasting experience to go sledging in this wilderness and to see how sublime nature can be. The team and Masha are fantastic and make even a city dweller feel safe. After the ride, you should thank the dogs and pet each one of them properly. Definitely an adventure for young and old.

We had a nice day trip to view the mountains outside of Anchorage. Our guide was super sweet and made us feel very welcome. And the views were breathtaking.

We enjoyed the tour with Josh who was very informative and gave us time to take pictures and let us enjoy the tour without feeling rushed.

The view and arctic animals are impressive. Our guide Josh was really nice and helpful.

Amazing tour. Josh explains everything very well. Totally recomended.