Travel to Anchorage

Travel to Anchorage

Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, is located in southern central Alaska on a triangular shaped peninsula, with the Chugach Mountains to the east; Knik Arm to the northwest; and the top of the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. It is an interesting city to visit, with plenty of opportunities to learn about traditional Alaskan lifestyles, some great outdoor activities and a thriving nightlife and entertainment scene. The city has a good range of accommodation options and some excellent restaurants.

Transportation to Anchorage

Anchorages relatively remote location means that for the majority of people, flying here is the only really viable option. Ted Stevens International Anchorage Airport serves the city and is conveniently located just four miles from downtown Anchorage. It is a modern, two-terminal airport with good facilities and around 230 flights taking off and landing each day.

For those with plenty of time to spare, a road trip from Canada or the rest of the United States mainland is a possibility and is particularly pleasant in the autumn, when the scenery is at its most breathtaking. The Alaska Highway links Alaska with Canada and the southern United States, and is a well-maintained road. Driving is certainly not for everyone though, with vast distances to travel; Seattle, for example, is 2,435 miles away and New York is just less than 5,000 miles.

What to see

You will have no problems filling your time here, as there is plenty to see and do in Anchorage and its surrounding areas. A good place to start is the Anchorage Museum in downtown Anchorage, which has a vast collection detailing 10,000 years of Alaskan history. The Alaska Native Heritage Center is perhaps the most popular of the citys attractions, situated on a large site near the Chugach Mountains. There are five different life-sized native villages constructed here and knowledgeable Alaskan staff are on hand to further your understanding of Alaskan culture.

The Alaskan Zoo and Anchorage Botanical Gardens are both great places to visit if you want to see the beautiful Alaskan flora and fauna. The zoo has an impressive array of 85 different arctic species including the ever-popular polar and grizzly bears.

A must-do in Alaska during the summer months is to visit the Saturday Market, where you can buy a range of arts, crafts and Alaskan culinary delicacies, and also enjoy some cultural shows, making it as much of an entertainment festival as a shopping experience.

Daytrips

There are a number of daytrips and great outdoors opportunities in and around the Anchorage area. There is plenty to explore in the surrounding countryside and in winter, the ski-resort town of Girdwood is a popular place to visit.

Activities and leisure

Anchorage is a great place for those who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle. In the summer, there is some fantastic trekking along a range of paved and non-paved trails. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is one of the most popular, covering 11 miles, with some good views of Cook Inlet along the way. In winter, snow-based sports take over, with skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiliing all popular activities for locals and visitors alike.

Safety issues

Anchorage is a generally safe city to visit, with relatively low crime rates, although tourists should take care of their belongings when in busy tourist areas. The biggest risks are those associated with the nature and wildlife, but by following local safety advice, visitors should have no problems. A comprehensive travel insurance policy is a pre-requisite, as with any trip, especially if you plan on participating in winter sports.