Has Alaska been on your bucket list for a while now? If you only have a couple days, then spending a weekend in Anchorage, Alaska is a great place to start. While most travelers will recommend taking a trip up to Denali National Park, we opted to visit some of the best places in Anchorage, since our time was so limited. The following list includes beautiful hiking spots, state parks, scenic highways, and much more. With that said, keep reading to find out how to have an amazing weekend in Anchorage, Alaska:
1. Gaze upon Eklutna Lake
Just outside of Anchorage, you’ll find Eklutna Lake, a beautiful body of water with hiking trails along its exterior. We were told the water is so clean that it’s used as the communities drinking water. This location was perfect for photos and capturing the natural beauty of Alaska. If you’re more adventurous, rent a kayak and take to the water for a different viewpoint. The weather was a little too cold for our liking, so we opted to take a short hike along the lake. This is definitely an ideal place to spend a couple hours of your afternoon.
2. Explore and Hike Chugach State Park
Did you pack your hiking legs? I hope so! Because you can’t spend a weekend in Anchorage, Alaska without hiking the national forests. The scenery is majestic as you turn each corner, and the air smells like fresh pine trees. Head to Chugach State Park for your morning walk or afternoon hike. The walking paths were decently paved and not too crowded in August. There was a small fee to park a vehicle, but it was definitely worth it to see the amazing views of the city.
3. Conquer Flattop Mountain
In Chugach State Park, you can start your ascent to the peak of Flattop Mountain. I would recommend bringing hiking shoes or a hiking stick as some of the paths became quite steep. Keep an eye on the weather, but don’t be surprised if you’re greeted with sprinkles of rain every so often. Once you get to the top of the mountain, you’re in for some magnificent views.
4. Visit the Wildlife Conservation Center
Alaska is home to the most beautiful animals, many of which you can’t find anywhere else in the world. As you drive along the Seward Highway, make a stop at the Wildlife Conservation Center. On the website, you’ll find the general admission fees along with a map of the center. Their mission is to care for animals which were injured in the wild and help them live a long life. Some of the animals include bison, muskox, moose, reindeer, elk, and many more.
5. Drive along the Seward Scenic Highway
During your weekend in Anchorage, carve out a few hours and take a drive along the Seward Scenic Highway. You’ll see amazing views of the snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, and low-hanging mist. There are lots of spots you can pull over and snap photos, so be sure to get as many as you can.
6. Fill up on Pizza and Phở
Hungry after all that outdoor adventure? We were told that Moose’s Tooth Pizzeria was very popular in Anchorage, so we decided to give it a try. They had a plethora of pizza options to choose from, just make sure to order a couple hours beforehand, since there’s almost always a wait. In addition, I would recommend Siam Cuisine for Vietnamese/Thai dishes. There’s nothing better than a hot bowl of phở to keep you warm on a cold Alaskan day.
To conclude, I hope this quick post all about Anchorage, Alaska got you prepared to start planning your own trip. Let me know in the comment section how your Alaskan adventure turns out. I’m excited to hear about it!
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