Home » Alaska Private Custom Photo Tours with Michael DeYoung » Things To Do In Anchorage

There are a variety of things to do while in Anchorage either before or after your photo tour. There are many miles of hiking and walking trails from easy to challenging that are spread throughout town as well as galleries, museums, and shops to explore. Below are a sample of things to do in your extra time in Anchorage:

THINGS TO DO:

Alaska Railroad scenic train ride to Spencer Glacier Whistlestop: After a short scenic train ride, the train stops at the trailhead for a 1.3-mile well-maintained path to Spencer Lake. Here you can photograph icebergs in the lake with Spencer Glacier in the background. You have about 3 hours from the time you arrive the whistlestop station to walk, photograph, and walk back before you embark the train for the return trip. If you have a rental car, we suggest catching the train from the Portage #2 train stop. (Some hotels have shuttle service to downtown Anchorage.) If you don’t, you can catch the train from downtown Anchorage.

Potter Marsh: A wildlife viewing area located along the Seward Highway about 11 miles from downtown Anchorage. Here you can see migratory and nesting birds as well as possibly seeing moose, beavers, muskrats, bald eagles, and spawning salmon from a boardwalk or from one of a few highway pullouts. As there is no known shuttle service, you will need to have a rental vehicle or Uber/Lyft ride.

Westchester lagoon and the Coastal Trail. The Coastal Trail extends beyond Westchester Lagoon and goes along, you guessed it, the coast. You can walk various amounts of distances on the trail. Primary interests are waterfowl (including a pair of Trumpeter Swans usually with their brood of cygnets) in Westchester lagoon and views of the Alaska Range along the Coastal Trail. This trail is also popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists. In fact, you can rent bikes in downtown Anchorage and hop on the trail from there and ride as far as you want.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center: A cultural museum that demonstrates the various native cultures in Alaska detailing their traditions, languages, and arts through live presentations. There is a free shuttle from downtown Anchorage to the center. Information about the shuttle can be found at Alaska Native Heritage Center Shuttle.

Eagle River Nature Center: Located North and East of Anchorage about a 25 mile drive from downtown Anchorage. Here there is a short trail to a viewing platform where you can get spectacular views of the mountains and possibly see moose, bears, beaver, and various song birds.

Alyeska Aerial Tram: Situated just 40 miles south of Anchorage in Girdwood, the Alyeska Aerial Tram provides panoramic views of Turnagain Arm and the Chugach Mountain range. Visitors can also hike the challenging 2.5-mile North Face trail and enjoy a free ride back down on the tram, which departs approximately every 15 minutes. There is a shuttle service from Anchorage to Girdwood, Girdwood Express Shuttle, but might be better to explore if you already have a rental vehicle.

Alaska Public Lands Information Center: A free exhibit of all the National Parks in Alaska with displays on wildlife and other activities about each place. They also offer various movies (also free) at different times. One of the more interesting films shown is “The 1964 Alaska Earthquake” featuring actual footage and interviews of people who lived through the 1964 Earthquake. It’s a great movie, in our opinion. There is a security screening station at the entrance.

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT:

Sami’s City Diner (3000 Minnesota Dr): Travel back to the ’50s at this retro lunch counter dishing out classic American food for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner.

Middle Way Cafe (1200 W Northern Lights Blvd): Popular wholesome breakfast spot that serves a variety of coffee and teas. Vegan options available.

Bear Tooth Theatrepub (1230 W 27th Ave): Very popular lunch and dinner location. Offers a range of cuisine such as rice bowls, salads, burgers, fish and fries (garlic cilantro fries are the way to go), and and other flavorful dishes. Beers on tap, wines, and an assortment of alcoholic beverages.

Mooses Tooth Pub & Pizzeria (3300 Old Seward Highway): Very popular lunch and dinner location. Sister restaurant to Bear Tooth, this one features a wide variety of pizzas, salads, and appetizers. Also serving beers on tap, wines, and an assortment of alcoholic beverages.

Royal Thai (219 E Dimond Blvd): A small casual restaurant serving traditional dishes from Thailand. Vegan options available.

Ray’s Place (2412 Spenard Rd): Casual, family-owned locale with familiar Vietnamese dishes to eat in or take out, plus beer & wine. Vegan options available.

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