Visitors don’t come all the way to Alaska to stay bunkered down in their hotel room or motor home. They come for the once-in-a-lifetime sights—majestic mountain ranges, museums, cultural centers, animal encounters, rushing rivers, and more— all that surround the city of Anchorage, AK and beyond. There’s so must to do and see in Anchorage that we will be hard pressed to fit even half of it in this post alone!
But we are going to do our best to tell you about several places you will want to see on your next trip to Anchorage, Alaska. From breathtaking landscapes to historic buildings and sites, Anchorage has attractions to meet almost everyone’s varied interests. We will start with some of the sights located in or near the heart of the city.
We suggest that you begin your journey at the downtown Log Cabin and Visitor Information Center, where you can pick up maps, brochures, and any other information you might need for your vacation. From there, here are a few downtown sights you may want to explore:
- Historic City Hall – opened in 1936, this building now holds a lot of Alaskan history right in its lobby. You can check out this exhibition on early Anchorage for free, and you may also want to explore Anchorage on the one-hour guided tour offered on weekdays at 1 pm.
- Anchorage Museum – for a more well-rounded view of Alaska past, present, and future, you will want to check out the exhibits at the Anchorage Museum. This AK museum is open daily from mid-May to mid-September (right in time for vacation season!).
- The Ulu Factory – discover how the Inuit Natives of Alaska invented this knife (called the “ulu”) long ago and how it is still being manufactured today. This attraction is truly unique to both Anchorage and the rest of Alaska, and you can even take home an ulu for yourself or your loved ones.
You have a lot of downtown attractions to choose from, and the ones we have mentioned are only the tip of the iceberg (or should we say Alaskan glacier?). However, for the sake of this post, we will move on to some of the regions beyond central Anchorage.
These stops may be good day trips as you travel Anchorage and the rest of Alaska in your AK motorhome rental.One important stop you will want to make, in order to really understand Alaskan history and culture, is the Alaska Native Heritage Center. You can get to know about the AK’s indigenous peoples’ culture, language, traditions, and more through displays, films, performances, and even art demonstrations. The Alaska Native Heritage Center also features five unique outdoor village sites, designed to give you an authentic taste of the Native Alaskan experience.
If you are an animal lover, you will want to visit the Alaska Zoo. They have many creatures unique to Alaska, such as moose, bears, seals, fox, musk ox, and others. For both visitors and residents alike, the Alaska Zoo is a popular attraction that is open daily all year long. You may also want to take home a souvenir or two from their zoo gift shop.
Last but not least in the Anchorage area, we recommend that you drive out to Flattop Mountain in your Anchorage motorhome rental for a little bit of hiking. Many visitors like to go to this nearby mountain and make the 1.5-mile steep hike upward that rewards you with a fantastic view of Anchorage from its summit. Plus, if you are able, you cannot come to Alaska without climbing at least one mountain!
From steep treks up mountains to museums and cultural centers, Anchorage definitely does not have a shortage of attractions. You can easily spend your entire trip driving around Alaska, seeing the sights, and discovering what Alaska is all about. While you are there, be sure to see all that you can and soak in some of that great Alaskan culture.
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