There is such an amazing array of day trips you can venture out on from Anchorage, Alaska. If you’re an animal lover, adventure seeker, avid fisherman, or just wanting to explore, there is something for everyone. Whether you’re vacationing in Alaska or a long-time resident, you’re sure to enjoy these amazing day trips from Anchorage.
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How long do “day trips” in Alaska really take?
Being the largest state in the U.S.A., with over 650,000 square miles of breathtaking terrain, you could say there’s a bit of ground to cover. So, is there really such thing as a day trip from Anchorage, or is everything else too far away? Surprisingly, there are many day trips from Anchorage, Alaska. Just be prepared that some may take all day, while others can be done in an afternoon.
Of course, this varies on distance, but a lot of it also depends on traffic, weather, road conditions, daylight hours, and construction. A great way to see how long it will take you during the season you’ll be visiting is by checking your maps and looking on local Facebook road condition groups. One of my favorite resources is Alaska 511, which has road cameras, construction notices, weather reports, and more. All of these will give you a very good idea of how long to expect drives to be at specific times, since there are many factors that may add a bit of time onto your day trip.
What are the best day trips from Anchorage, Alaska?
Anchorage is a great central location for many day trips. Check out the variety of options below!
Talkeetna Flighseeing Tour
Head north for a once in a lifetime flight over glaciers and around the famous Denali. Then, take a little stroll through the unique community of Talkeetna, learn about its history, grab a bite to eat, and head back to the city. This will be an experience you won’t forget!
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Take the short drive down to Girdwood and experience Alaska’s wildlife up close. You can even take a tour and feed the animals! I think this is a must-stop for all visitors and locals alike. Check it out here!
The Alyeska Tram
Speaking of Girdwood, why not pop on over to The Hotel Alyeska and Alyeska Resort for a tram ride? The tram will give you magnificent views of the surrounding mountains, and you can end your day trip with a meal in the unique town of Girdwood.
Thunderbird Falls
A close distance to the big city of Anchorage is the scenic trail to Thunderbird Falls. This easy hike will lead you to the serene falls that you wound’t expect to be just outside of the city.
The Musk Ox Farm
About an hour away from Anchorage is a farm full of animals you likely haven’t seen before. Head to Palmer to visit the Musk Ox Farm and learn all about these unique, shaggy mammals. While you’re there check out the qiviut (musk ox wool) items at the gift shop; they’re beautiful, warm, and incredibly soft!
Seward Glacier and Wildlife Cruise
Head south out of Anchorage to Seward for this excursion. Hop aboard a glacier and wildlife cruise, and spend the day on the water. Not only will you get to see glaciers, but if you’re lucky you’ll see a myriad of animals from otters to puffins and orcas to seals. It’s such a fun experience!
Alaska SeaLife Center
Another great reason to day trip to Seward is the SeaLife Center. This is a really fun and educational spot to visit. You can see a variety of marine wildlife, do behind the scenes tours, and check out the touch pool. Wanting more information about the Alaska SeaLife Center experience? Read more here!
Jet Skiing
Head to Whittier for an epic jet ski adventure into Prince William Sound. See glacier, waterfalls, and icebergs in a unique and exhilarating way that you’ll remember for years to come. Just keep in mind that there is a tunnel to get into Whittier, so check the schedule to time it right.
Fish the Kenai River
Take a little journey down to Soldotna to fish for salmon from the bank or a boat. Fishing on the Kenai River is on the bucket list of many anglers, so grab your fishing license and head on down to experience it for yourself!
Independence Mine State Historical Park
As I’m sure you know, mining has played a big part in the history of Alaska. See a bit of that history for yourself at the Independence Mine, and explore Alaska’s history first hand. Learn more about it here.
Reindeer Farm
Get an up close experience with reindeer, moose, alpacas, and more at this farm in Palmer. This quick day trip from Anchorage will leave you with life long memories as you enjoy this unique opportunity. There are a variety of tours you can choose from that you can view here.
Cooper Landing Sheep and Goat Spotting
Take a scenic cruise on down to the beautiful community of Cooper Landing. Grab your binoculars and scan the surrounding area for Dall sheep and mountain goats. Grab some ice cream at Wildman’s and stop at Cooper Landing Brewing for a delicious burger on your way back to Anchorage.
Portage Glacier
A quick drive south down to Portage Glacier will lead you through and to some beautiful views. Take a cruise over to the glacier or take a kayak out to enjoy the views. Looking for all the ways you can view glaciers in Alaska? Check out our list here!
ATV Glacier Tour
Take a short drive to Palmer and spend the day on an ATV glacier tour! This real Alaskan experience will have you riding trails to some breathtaking views. P.S. There are winter snowmachine tours, too!
Zipline Alaska
Time to add this to your list, adrenaline junkies! See glaciers, mountains, and rivers as never before on this high-flying zipline adventure out of Glacier View. Book your zipline adventure now!
Visit Homer
If you want to have a very full day trip from Anchorage, you can make the trek down to Homer. While you’d likely have to spend the night to get a chance to go fishing, there are many other things to do in Homer during the summer such as visiting the famous Homer Spit, checking out the little shops, eating delicious halibut, and exploring this colorful little town.
Matanuska Glacier
Make the scenic drive to Matanuska Glacier. There are a variety of ways to view the glacier depending on how adventurous you’d like to be. You can view it from turnouts along the road, or from a helicopter, and you can even take a tour to walk on it. Yes, walking on the glacier! Talk about an exciting day trip!
Now that you’ve got some ideas for day trips from Anchorage, it’s time to start traveling! I’m sure you may have questions, though, so feel free to ask them in the comments, or join the Everyday Alaska Alaska Travel Tips, Information, and Advice and/or New to Alaska Tips, Information and Advice groups to ask any of your questions and learn more about Everday Life in The Last Frontier. Happy travels, friends!