Things To Do in Anchorage

Anchorage offers something special in every season. From winter’s quiet beauty to summer’s long daylight hours, activities here shift with the seasons — and so does the pace of travel.

Winter Activities in Anchorage – January & February

Anchorage winters are unique — long nights, fresh snow, and crisp air transform the city into an outdoor playground, while also offering plenty of cozy indoor options.

Downhill skiing and snowboarding are favorites for winter visitors. Alyeska Resort, Arctic Valley Ski Area, and Hilltop Ski Area offer a range of terrain from family-friendly runs to steeper slopes.

Cross-country skiing flourishes in Anchorage’s park and trail system. Places like Kincaid Park and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail provide groomed trails right from the city for all skill levels.

When conditions allow, ice skating is a popular winter pastime. Westchester Lagoon freezes into a community skating spot, and nearby ponds like Cuddy Family Midtown Park and other local lakes often attract skaters when temperatures are safe.

While winter temperatures can be cold, many guests enjoy balancing outdoor activities with warm evenings indoors — returning to a comfortable base, preparing a meal, or relaxing after a day outside.


Read about January and February Events in Anchorage

Viewing the Northern Lights in Anchorage

One of the unique aspects of winter in Anchorage is the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) on clear nights. While sightings are never guaranteed, the long, dark winter evenings in January and February can offer favorable viewing conditions when skies are clear and solar activity is active.

Guests are often surprised to learn that aurora viewing doesn’t always require traveling far outside the city. On nights with minimal cloud cover, the lights can sometimes be seen from quieter areas away from bright streetlights.

Because the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, sightings depend on weather and space-weather conditions rather than a schedule.

Check the Northern Lights Forecast
For real-time aurora activity and visibility predictions during your stay, check the official Northern Lights Forecast from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center:
https://www.spaceweather.gov/aurora/

Additional viewing locations and tips are available in the sections below.

Our Local Favorites - Places and Activities

(click”+” sign to view)

  • Fred Meyer

    Natural Pantry

    New Sagaya Midtown Market

    Walmart Supercenter

  • Benji's Bakery & Cafe

    Café Loco Espresso Bar

    Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop

    House of Bread Anchorage

    Kaladi Brothers Coffee

    Kaladi Brothers Coffee

    Soda & S'more

    South Restaurant + Coffeehouse

    Starbucks

    SteamDot Coffee & Espresso Lab

  • Common Grounds Espresso

    Soda & S'more

    Starbucks

    Super Beans Espresso Headquarters

  • Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop

    Gwennie's Old Alaska Restaurant

    Middle Way Cafe

    Snow City Cafe

    South Restaurant + Coffeehouse

  • Bear Tooth Theatrepub

    Burrito King

    Charlie's Bakery & Chinese Restaurant

    Glacier Brewhouse

    Hearth Artisan Pizza

    Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse

    Inferno Seafood Boil

    Lahn Pad Thai

    Little Italy

    Main Event Grill

    Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

    Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria

    PHOnatik Vietnamese Cuisine & Lounge

    Serrano's Mexican Grill

    Siam Cuisine

    South Restaurant + Coffeehouse

    Suite 100 Restaurant Bar & Lounge

    Taco King

    Everest Restaurant

    F Street Station

    Ginger

    Middle Way Cafe

    Simon & Seafort's Saloon & Grill

    Turkish Delight

    Fletcher's

    Yak & Yeti Cafe

    49th State Brewing - Anchorage

    Club Paris

    Spenard Roadhouse

  • Wild Scoops

    Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop

    Yak and Yeti

    South Restaurant & Bakery

  • 49th State Brewing - Anchorage

    907 Alehouse and Grill

    Anchorage Brewing Company

    Firetap Alehouse

    Glacier Brewhouse

    King Street Brewing Company

    Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

    Turnagain Brewing

  • Abbott Loop Community Park

    Cuddy Family Midtown Park

    Eklutna Lake

    Matanuska Glacier

    McHugh Creek Day Use Area

    McHugh Creek Trailhead

    Point Woronzof Overlook

    South Anchorage Sports Park

    Thunderbird Falls

    Also see “trails”

  • Alaska Botanical Garden

    Alaska Native Heritage Center

    Alaska Zoo

    Anchorage Museum

    Anchorage Trolley Tours

    Lake Hood Seaplane Base

  • Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

    Alyeska Resort / Aerial Tram

    Eagle River Nature Center

    Portage Glacier

    Potter Marsh Wildlife Viewing Boardwalk

    Reindeer Farm

    Thunderbird Falls

    Turnagain Arm

    Eagle River Nature Center

    Eklutna Tailrace

    Girdwood

    Glen Alps / Flattop Trailhead

    Point Woronzof Park

    Abbott Loop Community Park

    Anchorage Park & Trail System

  • Eagle River Nature Center

    Eklutna Tailrace

    Girdwood

    Glen Alps / Flattop Trailhead

    Point Woronzof Park

  • Abbott Loop Community Park

    Main trails originate from the Abbott Loop Community Park are Homestead/Viewpoint/Tour of Anchorage Trail. Additionally, there are many side single track trails that are not described in a map. Some of those single tracks are well established, while others goes across wetlands and are only available during winter months.

    Anchorage Park & Trail System

    Anchorage has one of the best urban trail systems in the country, with hundreds of miles of paved multi-use trails connecting neighborhoods, parks, and businesses across the city. Linking existing trails and city streets forms a 32-mile urban greenway loop shaped like a moose! Use this map to plan your next adventure and learn about Anchorage by exploring some new places!

    https://anchorageparkfoundation.org/explore-parks-and-trails/directory/#:~:text=Anchorage%20has%20one%20of%20the,the%20shape%20of%20a%20moose!

    Anchorage Winter Trail Grooming Map

    To see daily updates on what trails in Anchorage, Eagle River, and Girdwood have been groomed, visit:

    https://muniorg.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=92e9fe7c91744131a13c916c9bec2151

    As a partnership between Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage, Girdwood Nordic Ski Club, and Anchorage Parks and Recreation this map shows all trails groomed for Nordic Skiing in Anchorage, Eagle River and Girdwood.

    Zoom in to see lights along specific trails, parking lots, and recreation centers. Thicker lines mean more recently groomed!

    Campbell Creek Trail

    Earthquake Park

    Elderberry Park

    Far North Bicentennial Park


    Kincaid Park

    Tony Knowles Coastal Trail


    Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

    Tony Knowles Trail access

    Westchester Lagoon

    This lagoon is located in Downtown Anchorage, but you wouldn’t even know you’re in the city! The area is full of walkers, bikers, rollerbladers, and everything in between. Aside from being a popular local destination, it is also a spot for local wildlife, as you will find many birds nesting in the area and the occasional moose! There is a great trail system around the lagoon that connects with the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, which is excellent for those looking to get out for a walk (or bike ride!) with views over the ocean, Mount Susitna (Sleeping Lady) and Downtown Anchorage.

    There is also a playground in the area that the little ones will enjoy.


  • Arctic Valley Overlook

    Eagle River Nature Center

    Eklutna Lake

    Flattop Mountain

    Hatcher Pass

    Matanuska Glacier

    Portage Glacier

    Seward Highway - Turnagain Arm

    Winner Creek Trail

  • Lake Skating

    • Westchester Lagoon is the perfect place for a social skate straight out of Rockwell. Families and friends cluster around the warming barrels in between skating sessions. Special events add live music and toasty drinks to the mix.

    Find current ice conditions

    • Cheney Lake -- 2245 Baxter Road

    • Margaret Eagan Sullivan (Westchester Lagoon) --1824 W 15th Avenue

    • Cuddy Family Midtown Park pond -- 201 W 40th Ave

    • Goose Lake

    • Jewel Lake


    Outdoor Rinks

    To reserve, go to www.muni.org/active

    • TikishlaPark -- E 20th Ave & Sunrise Dr

    • Delaney Park Strip hockey and figure skating rinks -- 10th & E St.​

    • Cuddy Family Midtown (oval) -- 201 W 40th Ave

    • Chanshtnu Muldoon Park (ribbon) - 1301 Muldoon road 

  • Anchorage Ski Areas

    Arctic Valley ski area 
    Just 10 miles north of downtown Anchorage, Arctic Valley offers powder-filled fun with open bowls, a terrain park, and 25 trails averaging 250 inches of snowfall each year. Two chair lifts and a T-bar access over 1,200 vertical feet, and the popular tube park adds family excitement on weekends.

    Alyeska Resort
    Alaska’s premier ski resort, which has been recognized as one of the top 25 ski destinations by Skiing Magazine. 

     

    Hilltop Ski Area
    Tucked neatly into the southeast corner of Anchorage, Hilltop is just 15 minutes from downtown. on

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