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11 Day Trips From Anchorage That Are Worth Every Mile
Anchorage might just be the hub of adventure you didn’t know you needed, perfectly positioned as the launchpad for some wildly unforgettable day trips. Think towering peaks, sprawling glaciers, and views so ridiculously epic they might feel like a personal attack on your mediocre vacation photos of the beach.
It’s a land where the roads stretch into stories, and each turn promises more than just a change of scenery. And don’t worry, there’s something here to suit even your weirdly specific sense of escapism. Hold tight, you’re going to want to read this through because each spot demands its time to shine.
Got a favorite? Feel free to cast your vote in the comments on MSN when you’re done adding several to your Alaskan bucket list.
Whittier
Need an excuse to drive through a tunnel that feels straight out of an action movie? Whittier’s got you covered with the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel: a single-lane, 2.5-mile stretch that’s part road and part dramatic anticipation.
Once you emerge, you’ll find a quirky coastal town hugged by towering mountains and glaciers. This place is the starting hub for glacier cruises, where you can get up close to floating icebergs and, if you’re lucky, spot some lazy harbor seals bobbing around. Pack an extra layer, though, it’s gorgeous but chilly enough to remind you you’re in Alaska.
Girdwood & Alyeska Resort
Looking for mountain views so grand they’ll remind you of a desktop wallpaper? Hop the tram at Alyeska Resort. It’s a short ride but delivers dazzling panoramas of lush forests, snow-capped peaks, and the kind of scenery that makes bad photographers think they’re pros.
Feeling adventurous? Trek Winner Creek Trail, where you might come across a hand tram to pull yourself over a babbling gorge. Too much effort? Grab a bite at Bore Tide Deli and pretend the altitude is making your food taste gourmet.
Eklutna Lake
If turquoise waters and a backdrop of the Chugach Range don’t make you feel smug about your Alaskan adventure, I don’t know what will. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and glide across the lake, where the only sound is your paddle breaking the water.
Not feeling aquatic? Rent a bike or channel your inner mountain goat and hike the Twin Peaks Trail for a fantastic view that’s well worth the sweat. Even though it’s a bit tough, you’ll thank yourself later when you’re gazing over the glacier-fed waters like a conquering explorer.
Palmer & The Musk Ox Farm
Yes, we’re talking musk ox… those shaggy, prehistoric-looking beasts that chill harder than anyone you know. At the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, you can meet these quirky creatures while learning about their ultra-soft undercoat (called qiviut), which makes some of the warmest textiles on the planet.
And Palmer isn’t just musk ox central; it’s also a charming farming valley where “fresh baked goods” is practically a way of life. If petting reindeer or sampling homemade jams doesn’t make your day, what will?
Hatcher Pass
Step into Hatcher Pass, a slice of alpine heaven where history and scenery collide. Hike through rolling meadows dappled with vibrant wildflowers in summer or strap on snowshoes to trudge through a sparkling winter wonderland.
Don’t miss Independence Mine, a historic relic from Alaska’s gold rush days that now stands as an evocative reminder of fortunes lost and found. Just know that the breeze here feels fresher and the mountains sharper (probably because you’re surrounded by peaks that seem straight out of a fantasy novel).
Matanuska Glacier
Hands down, Matanuska Glacier is your chance to walk on ice that’s ancient, massive, and surprisingly loud (it creaks and groans like it’s alive). One of the few road-accessible glaciers in the U.S., it’s a living relic of the ice age just waiting to be explored.
With a guide, you can hike onto this massive river of ice and detail every ridge and crevice. And the frosty blue hues and crisp bite of the glacier air will stick with you long after you took that photo. Bring sturdy boots; it’s slippery, and falling in front of strangers is never fun (and we should know, as Jenny did it at the end of our tour).
Seward
Seward may feel like it’s at the edge of the world, but the payoff is worth every mile. It’s the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, with towering glaciers and fjords so dramatic they’ll make your jaw drop faster than your Wi-Fi signal.
Cruise through these icy waters and you might spot humpback whales breaching like overenthusiastic acrobats, or puffins waddling about like quirky little tourists. And Exit Glacier beckons nearby, offering a chance to get up close and personal with a glacier during a fairly easy hike.
Chugach State Park – Glen Alps Trailhead
Anchorage locals will tell you to hike Flattop Mountain because, well, it’s “easy.” But don’t be fooled… it’s easy if you’re a mountain goat. But the trail’s steep inclines and rocky scrambles reward you with 360-degree views of Anchorage, Cook Inlet, and more peaks than you can count.
Prefer solitude? Wander nearby trails where you’ll encounter fewer people and more wildflowers daringly growing in tundra cracks. And watch for marmots; they scream like tiny, terrified humans. Bonus points if you scream back and startle one (ok, maybe don’t do this).
Wasilla & Iditarod Headquarters
Who knew the world of dog sledding had its own headquarters? Swing by Wasilla to uncover the grit and glory of Alaska’s most famous race, the Iditarod. You can ogle sleds, admire historical artifacts, and, if you’re lucky, meet the true athletes (the fluffy sled dogs themselves).
Their wagging tails and boundless energy are infectious. And sure, you’ve heard of endurance racing, but these pups are the masters. Imagine running 1,000 miles in freezing conditions? Nah, that’s their happy place while we’re just trying to stay warm in a jacket.
Turnagain Arm Drive
This coastal drive is much more than a scenic route; it’s a feast for your eyes and a workout for your neck as you swivel to catch every detail. Bore tides roll through like a slow-motion surfing experiment, beluga whales pop up as if to say, “Hi, you’re in our house now,” and Dall sheep cling to cliffs like they’re auditioning for a mountaineering reality show.
And the scenery? Nothing short of cinematic. Just don’t forget to pull over at a safe spot… rubbernecking on this winding road could lead to unplanned “adventures.”
Talkeetna
Talkeetna is the quirky little town where Alaska’s wilderness meets personality on steroids. Stroll its streets and you’ll encounter shops stuffed with local crafts, cafes serving brew that’ll wake you faster than a moose sighting, and tales as tall as Denali itself.
Speaking of Denali, clear days offer jaw-dropping glimpses of the mountain, standing proud like a stoic giant beyond the river. Feeling adventurous? Take a flightseeing tour and soar over glaciers and valleys while your jaw drops to the plane floor and you can’t click your camera fast enough.
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