Your guide to Anchorage
Anchorage: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-9 (AKST) and UTC-8 (AKDT) |
| High season | June - August |
| Low season | January - February |
The best neighbourhoods in Anchorage
Downtown
Wondering where to stay in Anchorage for the biggest choice of hotels, restaurants and shops? The Downtown area is your best bet. It also offers the most convenient access to attractions like the Anchorage Museum, Alaska Botanical Garden and Town Square Park, which has live music in the summer and ice skating in the winter.
Good for: Shopping, restaurants, public art
Midtown
Midtown is the best neighbourhood to stay in Anchorage if you want excellent eating and drinking as well as access to lovely parks and trails. The craft breweries in particular are well worth a visit. Spend an afternoon hopping between the different taps and tasting rooms. Come summer, look out for the excellent Saturday farmers market.
Good for: Breweries, restaurants, walking trails
Turnagain
This residential neighbourhood is where to stay in Anchorage if you want to experience local life, with parks and the Coastal Trail right on your doorstep. Stop at a local restaurant or cafe for takeaway food. Then do as the locals do, and catch the sunset at Point Woronzof or Lyn Ary Park. Or visit fascinating Earthquake Park and learn about the earthquake of 1964.
Good for: Local food, coastal walks, parks
Things to do in Anchorage
Take in the culture
Museums in Anchorage dive deep into the state’s history and culture. The highlight is the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center, where you’ll listen to voice recordings of stories from indigenous people. At the Alaska Native Heritage Center, performances bring to life the history, languages and crafts from across Alaska’s eleven native cultures.
Places to eat
Alaska has the biggest stretch of coastline of all the US states, so it’s no wonder fish and seafood fill the menus at restaurants in Anchorage. Try fresh salmon, rockfish and crab at venues with a view of the water. Beyond fish, look out for other local delicacies like sourdough bread, wild berries and reindeer sausage.
Shopping
At Downtown galleries, pick up arts and crafts such as traditional Ulu knives and woven birch baskets sold directly by the artists who make them. For something different, try Alaska Glacial Mud beauty products or Alaska birch syrup, a delicious alternative to maple syrup. An added bonus: shopping in Anchorage is tax-free.
