Things To Do

Homer

Homer, Alaska, is a charming coastal town located at the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, and one of our favorite places to visit! It has stunning scenery and some really great food - check out Wild Honey Bistro, Two Sister's Bakery, Fat Olives, The Kannery, or Twisted Goat. If you love mead, Sweatgale Meadery is amazing! There's an iconic dive bar in town called the Salty Dog, so pop in and grab a hoodie and a pint, and throw a dollar on the wall. It's also known as the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World," so if you love to fish, book a charter! One of the town’s most iconic features is the Homer Spit, a long, narrow strip of land extending 4.5 miles into Kachemak Bay. The Spit is home to bustling harbors, seafood restaurants, art galleries, and quirky shops, making it a favorite spot for visitors. You can book a water taxi out into Kachemak Bay State Park and explore remote hiking trails, glaciers, and incredible wildlife, including sea otters, bald eagles, and whales.

Seward

Seward, Alaska, is a stunning coastal town on Resurrection Bay, known as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Home to the Harding Icefield, the park features towering glaciers, rugged mountains, and diverse wildlife. Visitors can take a glacier and wildlife cruise to see whales, sea otters, puffins, and seals. The waterfront district features shops, great seafood restaurants, and the Alaska SeaLife Center, a marine research facility. Exit Glacier offers accessible hiking, while the Harding Icefield Trail provides breathtaking views for more adventurous trekkers.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

This is about 1 hour South of Anchorage and an awesome place to check out some of our wildlife.

Whittier

Whittier is a unique city about 1 hour South of Anchorage. Once a secret military port and supply base in World War II, it was decommissioned in the 1960's. It is accessible by road only through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel ($13 both ways for cars), the longest combined rail and highway tunnel in North America at 2.5 miles. This operates on a timed scheduled, alternating one-way traffic for vehicles and trains. You may have heard of Whitter as the "city under one roof" as it holds a 14-floor structure called the Begich Towers, a single building where most of the town’s nearly 200 residents live. This self-contained structure houses apartments, a school, a post office, a grocery store, and even a church. The weather is Whittier is often grey and rainy, but on beautiful days, this place is a GEM! Scenery includes towering mountains, cute beachfront, waterfalls, and glaciers and you can catch many day-cruises out of the port to check out multiple glaciers.

Portage Glacier

This glacier is located just prior to the tunnel to Whittier. You can take a cruise from the visitor center, or if you go through the tunnel, there is a nice short (but steep) hike with views of the glaicer.

Girdwood

Girdwood is a cute ski town with some Colorado vibes about 45 minutes South of Anchorage. It has many fun places to eat including Jack Sprat and Double Musky, a brewery - get the Birkensocks - and the Alyeska ski resort, which offers a nordic spa. You can pay to take a gondola up the northface for some pretty views of the Turnagain Arm and glaciers, or hike up and take a gondola down for free.

Bear Tooth Theatrepub

A local movie theather showing a mix of current movies, big name rescreened, local documentaries, and even concerts. The food is great too!

Anchorage Museum

Alaska Zoo

Our local zoo is small and hosts rescued wildlife.

Glen Alps / Flattop Trailhead

There are a few hikes that split off from this trailhead. On a clear night, you may be able to catch the aurora from here.

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

This is a lovely bike/walking trail along Anchorage's coast, 11 miles in each direction. You can rent bikes downtown. There are also many entry points, so you can do as much of the trail as you want. The trail boasts views of downtown Anchorage, the Chugach Mountains, Denali - on a clear day, Mount Susitna (Sleeping Lady), and Fire Island. Moose frequent this park, so if spotting a moose is on your bucket list, this is a great option.

Earthquake Park

Found along the Tony Knowles Coastal trail, this is another great place to catch the aurora on a clear night. You can also watch planes take off and land directly overhead.

Eagle River

Located about 30 minutes North of Anchorage, Eagle River is a great little city. You can visit the Eagle River Nature Center, our favorite coffee shop, Jitters - get a chai, or do some shopping.

Eklutna Lake

This is a stunning lake located about 50 minutes North of Anchorage. The waters are a teal blue. You can rent kayaks, there is a 8 mile (each way) hike and bike trail that follows the lake, or you can hike a short and step trail towards Twin Peaks for amazing views of the lake from above.

The Musk Ox Farm

Palmer

Another great city about 1 hour North of Anchorage with lots of places to eat and shop.

Talkeetna

Do not sleep on Talkeetna! Located about 2 hours North of Anchorage, this town is super cute, has lots of unique handmade crafts, a local birch syrup shop, best views of Denali (if it's showing), and a few breweries. You have to try the iconic Spinach Bread! You can also spot a unique Dr. Seuss tower along the highway before you get to town.

Restaurants (Anchorage)

49th State Brewing – Alaskan food and beer Spenard Roadhouse – Alaskan food Humpy’s – a hole in the wall local favorite for halibut fish and chips Snow City Cafe – breakfast/brunch Rustic Goat – Alaskan food Moose's Tooth – best pizza in Anchorage South – Alaska food Simon & Seaforts – more pricey but great seafood Sushi Ya – best sushi in Anchorage Glacier Brewhouse – more pricey but great Alaskan food and beer

Breweries (Anchorage)

Midnight Sun - great beer and great food, this is definitely our favorite Anchorage Brewing Company - beer King Street - beer Cynosure - beer Turnagain Brewing - beer Onsite Brewing - beer Double Shovel - cider

Hikes (Anchorage and the Valley)

Flattop Mountain Little O'Malley Rabbit Lake Byron Glacier The Butte Symphony and Eagle Lakes Bird Ridge Reed Lakes Portage Pass