For many people, Alaska is a dream destination. Like many tourists, I spent months planning before visiting Anchorage, and wanted to make sure that I did all of the coolest activities while I was there.
Finding the best Anchorage tours can be a challenge because there are just so many options! There are helicopter tours, glacier tours, whale watching tours, sled dog tours, Northern Lights tours, kayak tours, and even trolley tours and Segway tours in the city!
I spent hours poring through these activities to try to choose the best ones for my visit, and I’m here to help you do the same, so that you can save time and money and make your visit to the 49th state one of the most memorable vacations you’ll ever take.
This article includes everything from big tours like helicopter and plane rides to smaller tours such as walking tours and bike tours around downtown Anchorage.
Most of these links go to our partners at Viator, the leading tour marketplace in the USA (they’re owned by TripAdvisor.) Other links go directly to tour company websites.
Note that while most of these tours start from Anchorage, some of them require driving to other nearby cities (Seward, Girdwood, etc.) So read the details of each tour carefully. If you need a rental car, check DiscoverCars.com, as they do an excellent job of aggregating all the local car rental options.
Let’s start our rundown of the best Anchorage tours for visitors to Alaska!
Tips for Booking Alaska Tours
A few quick tips regarding tours before we begin:
–Keep the season in mind. Some tours (whale watching) are better for summer, while others (Northern Lights viewing) are better for winter.
–Book with reputable and experienced companies. This part is easy, because I’ve done all the work. Every tour on this list is from a reputable company and has accumulated numerous positive reviews. I’m only sharing tours that I have booked or would book for myself.
–Note the refund policy. Most (but not all) of these tours offer free cancellations with at least 24 hours’ notice, so you can book without worry.
–Be flexible. Some of these tours are weather-dependent, so if a snowstorm or cloudy conditions appear, they may have to be postponed or cancelled. Mentally prepare for this possibility, and have alternative activity ideas.
–Respect your budget, but don’t be afraid to splurge. Sticking to a budget is a worthy goal… but how many times are you ever going to visit Alaska in your life?
Travel experiences are some of the best memories we can make. Stretching your tour budget is very often worth it on a bucket list trip like this.
I’ve sometimes passed up activities in awesome destinations because I was worried about the price, and to this day, I regret skipping those opportunities. Why didn’t I take that hot air balloon tour in Mexico City? Ugh.
Travel regret is real. If you see an awesome tour that feels a bit expensive, give it some thought before dismissing it.
Also remember that more costly tours can give you better bang for your buck. If a 60-minute flightseeing tour costs $250 and a 2-hour tour costs $350, the longer tour provides a lot more for your money.
Anchorage Helicopter Tours
Helicopter tours are some of the most popular tours in Alaska, since the beauty and awe of these landscapes can only be fully appreciated from above.
Unfortunately, there are currently no copter trips that board directly from Anchorage. These trips require a shuttle or drive to a nearby town.
Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing from Palmer
Ready for a 1-hour or 2-hour helicopter ride to a glacier? The flight lands on a massive glacier and allows you to get out and walk around on the frozen ice. It’s an incredible experience.
The 1-hour tour includes 30 minutes in the air, with a glacier landing and a walk around the ice. The tour includes plenty of time to take amazing pictures to impress your friends and family.
The 2-hour tour includes time for a total of three landings on glaciers, so you get three times the fun! Everyone who does the helicopter tour raves about the experience after it’s over.
These tours depart from Palmer, rather than Anchorage. If you don’t have a vehicle to drive 45 minutes to Palmer, the tour company offers pick-up and drop-off from Anchorage for an additional fee. Contact them after booking to arrange the shuttle.
Important Info:
• Tour begins in Palmer
• Shuttle to and from Anchorage available
• Company in business since 1985 with perfect safety record
• Helicopter lands on a glacier and guests can get out and walk around
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the 1-hour helicopter ride? Check pricing and availability here.
Interested in the 2-hour helicopter ride? Check pricing and availability here.
Helicopter Tour with Dog Sledding Experience
Care to add some dog sledding to your chopper experience? There are a couple helicopter tours that provide the glacier landing / dog sled combo, but this is the only one you can take from Anchorage.
This Helicopter and Dog Sledding Tour includes the glacier landing just like the previous tours, but it adds in a ride on a sled with a pack of huskies leading the way. Even in the middle of summer, there will be plenty of snow for the sled dog team to provide a nice ride.
You’ll get to met the dogs and get up close with them, so it’s a very fun experience.
Again, this tour starts in Palmer, but you can arrange transportation from Anchorage as part of the deal.
Important Info:
• Tour begins in Palmer
• Shuttle to and from Anchorage available
• Helicopter lands on a glacier and includes a sled dog ride
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Helicopter & Dog Sledding Tour? Check pricing and availability here.
Anchorage Bus Tours
All-Around City Tour
The All-Around City Tour is an ideal excursion for your first day in Anchorage. This half-day tour serves as an introduction to the city, as you’ll be escorted around town to several different sights, some famous and some under-the-radar.
Noteworthy stops include Earthquake Park, a city park where you can still see evidence of the 9.2 earthquake from 1964 that caused the ground to drop significantly.
Point Woronzof and Beluga Point are scenic viewpoints, with the latter offering a chance to see beluga whales.
You’ll also visit a factory where locals make traditional knives called ulus. And the tour includes a stop at Alaska Sausage and Seafood to sample some of the reindeer sausage and smoked salmon.
Important Info:
• Tour begins at Anchorage Downtown Visitor Center
• Approx. 3.5 hours
• Guided tour includes commentary at numerous stops in the city, such as Earthquake Park
• Great way for newcomers to get to know Anchorage
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the All-Around City Tour? See pricing and availability here.
Glaciers and Wildlife Scenic Day Tour
Wanna cram as much nature as possible into a single day? The Glaciers and Wildlife Scenic Day Tour is for you.
In 8 hours, you’ll ride in a van from Anchorage down a scenic highway with views of nearby mountains, stopping at the best viewpoints. Then, you’ll board a 1-hour lake cruise that goes right up to Portage Glacier.
Getting to approach an actual glacier is an unforgettable life experience. It is awe-inspiring to be so close to such an imposing natural feature.
The tour also includes a stop at the excellent Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see bears, moose, wolves, muskox, lynx, and other native animals living in spacious enclosures.
The center rehabilitates animals that are unable to live in the wild. I’ve visited this center and found it to be one of Alaska’s more underrated gems.
Important Info:
• Free pickup and dropoff from major hotels
• Approx. 8 hours
• Bottled water and snacks provided
• Travel by Sprinter van with experienced Alaskan guides
• Boat cruise to Portage Glacier, drive high into the Chugach Mountains
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Glaciers and Wildlife Scenic Day Tour? See pricing and availability here.
Flightseeing Tours in Denali and Lake Clark
If you’re not into helicopters, how about taking a small bush plane? Flightseeing trips give you the chance to ride in a tiny plane and see national parks from a different angle. Here are a couple great options.
Denali Flightseeing Tour From Talkeetna
“The experience of a lifetime!,” one TripAdvisor reviewer calls this Denali Flightseeing Tour. From a plane, your pilot will fly you out to Denali Peak, the highest peak of any mountain in the U.S. at just over 20,000 feet.
For an extra fee, the tour provides an option to do a landing on the glacier itself. You will definitely want to exercise this option!
Wondering how a plane can land on a glacier? It uses sled wheels to glide to a stop. You can see the wheels up close when you get out and walk around on the glacier.
The flight to Denali is beautiful. It passes over rich green forests, beautiful river valleys, and bright white fields of snow with vibrant blue pools of melted glacial water.
I took a Denali flightseeing tour on my first trip to Alaska, and found it to be one of the most amazing things I did in the state.
Note that Denali flightseeing tours do not originate in Anchorage – you’ll have to drive 2 hours north to the quirky town of Talkeetna.
Important Info:
• Tour begins in Talkeetna
• Approx. 1.5 hours
• Glacier landing is an optional extra
• See the summit of Mt. Denali and the famous Ruth Amphitheater
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Denali Flightseeing Tour From Talkeetna? See pricing and availability here.
Lake Clark National Park Bear Viewing Flight & Hike
Lake Clark is one of America’s least-visited national parks, because you can’t drive there. The main way to arrive is by bush plane, on an excursion such as this Lake Clark Bear Viewing Flight.
This day tour departs from a small airport right in the middle of Anchorage, so no driving is necessary. You’ll fly straight to Lake Clark, with stunning mountain views along the way.
You’re almost guaranteed to see bears as you walk and hike in their habitat with a guide who will keep you safe.
Bears are plentiful in this section of the park. They love to dig for clams along the beach or hang out in the meadows just a short walk from the coast.
This is quite expensive for a day trip, but it will give you a chance to check this national park off your bucket list. I’m already booked to take this Lake Clark bear viewing flight this summer myself, and I can’t wait!
Important Info:
• Tour begins in Anchorage
• Approx. 6 to 7 hours
• Lunch, water, and national park fees included
• See bears in their natural habitat
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Lake Clark National Park Bear Viewing Flight & Hike? Click for pricing and availability.
Northern Lights Tours From Anchorage
For the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska, you’ll want to drive far north to Fairbanks. But it’s still possible to see the lights from Anchorage if weather and cloud cover cooperate.
Both of these Northern Lights tours do a good job of taking you to places where the lights may be visible. But remember, there are never any guarantees when it comes to nature. It’s not the tour guide’s fault if the aurora borealis doesn’t show up!
Pay attention to your email in the days leading up to the tour – both companies will cancel the tours if the forecast indicates that the Northern Lights aren’t likely to be visible. That’s a good thing – you don’t want them charging you if there’s no chance of seeing the lights.
Northern Lights tours usually aren’t available from May through August, as there isn’t sufficient darkness during summer to see the lights. These are tours are for winter and shoulder season travelers.
Aurora Anchorage Quest – Northern Lights Photo Tour
This Northern Lights Photo Tour focuses specifically on helping you take great pictures. You’ll get tips for shooting the night skies most effectively with whatever camera you have.
The tour includes coffee, tea, snacks, and a blanket to keep warm. Tripods are also provided to keep your cameras steady during the long-exposure shots required to get the best images.
Pick-up and drop-off from Anchorage hotels is included. Possible stops on the tour include the Glen Alps Trail in Chugach State Park, the Mt. Baldy Trail at Eagle River, and the city of Palmer.
The tour starts at 8 pm and lasts until roughly 2 am. The tour will go wherever provides the best viewing opportunities.
Important Info:
• Tour begins in Anchorage at 8 pm
• Approx. 6 hours
• Coffee/tea, snacks, blanket, tripod included
• Travel to ares that offer the best chance of Northern Lights sightings
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Aurora Anchorage Quest – Northern Lights Photo Tour? Click for pricing and availability.
Northern Lights Tour and Lifetime Adventure from Anchorage
This Northern Lights Tour from Anchorage is for the hardcore traveler who doesn’t mind staying out until possibly 6 am to get those incredible aurora photos.
The tour guide is a photo instructor who will offer tips and suggestions for capturing the lights in their brightest and boldest form. That’s such a nice perk for folks who want those amazing pictures!
The tour begins at 8 pm with free pick-up and drop-off from Anchorage hotels. Buckle in for a very long night, as the tour often lasts 8-10 hours to maximize the chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
This tour only operates if the aurora forecast calls for at least a 30% chance of seeing the lights. Otherwise, your money will be refunded.
Hot chocolate, snacks, hand warmers, chairs, and tripods are all included as part of the experience.
Important Info:
• Tour begins in Anchorage at 8 pm
• Approx. 8 to 10 hours
• Hot chocolate, hand warmers, chairs, and tripods included
• Professional photographer offers instructions to take the best pics
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Northern Lights Tour and Lifetime Adventure from Anchorage? Click for pricing and availability.
Denali Tours Outdoors: River Rafting, ATV, Ziplining
Denali National Park is the jewel of Alaska. There’s also a Denali State Park that borders the national park.
As of this writing, there aren’t any Denali tours that originate in Anchorage. You’ll have to drive or take the train to the park to access these tours.
These tours offer outdoor adventures like ziplining, ATV riding, and river rafting in the Denali area. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, these could be among the highlights of your Alaska vacation!
Canyon Wave Paddle Rafting
The Nenana River forms the eastern border of Denali National Park. The Canyon Wave Paddle Rafting Tour allows you to hop in a raft and paddle 11 miles down the river. Outdoor adventure at its finest!
Guests are given a drysuit, helmet, river shoes, paddle, and other gear needed to make the journey. This ensures that your clothes will stay dry, no matter how much splashing goes on.
A professional guide leads the team through Class III & IV rapids and calmer sections of river, with the scenery of Denali all around, including Mount Healy and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Important Info:
• Tour begins at Denali National Park
• Approx. 3 hours
• Drysuit, helmet, river shoes, paddle and other gear provided
• Paddle for 11 miles down the Nenana River surrounded by spectacular scenery
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Canyon Wave Paddle Rafting Tour? Click for pricing and availability.
Denali Zipline Adventure
Ready to soar through the trees on a Denali Zipline Adventure? This activity includes eight zip line rides through the forest just outside the national park, covering more than half a mile.
Ziplining is one of the coolest outdoor adventures around, and Alaska has to be one of the most scenic places to do it! The rides are thrilling and the views can’t be topped.
Guests receive helmets, gloves, and safety gear to use on the 3-hour activity. Never ziplined before? Don’t worry. The safety briefing gives you all the information you’ll need.
Good news – the hands-free braking system means you won’t have the stress of using your hands to stop, which can be a nuisance on some zipline systems.
The tour offers free hotel pickup, if you’re staying at one of the Denali-area hotels.
Important Info:
• Tour begins near Denali National Park
• Approx. 3 hours
• Helmet, gloves, and other safety gear provided
• Activity features 8 zipline rides
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Denali Zipline Adventure? Click for pricing and availability.
Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour
Why settle for a hike when you can choose a Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour? Travel up to 30 mph on dirt roads and across rocky creek beds as you head deep into a part of the forest that few tourists get to see.
You may see some of the famous Denali wildlife on this tour like bears and moose, but don’t count on that – it’s just as likely the loud vehicles will scare the animals away. Wildlife or not, this is an incredibly beautiful area to explore up close.
In 90 minutes of ATV drive time, you’ll cover about 10 miles, passing by Otto Lake and Healy Valley. This tour takes place just outside the national park boundary, as ATVs are not permitted inside the park itself.
This ATV tour is a really unique experience and a way to try something that most Anchorage and Denali visitors never get to do!
Important Info:
• Tour begins near Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
• Approx. 2.5 hours including the drive to the ATV location
• Choose single-rider or two-passenger ATV option
• Ride 10 miles reaching speeds of 30 mph on a wilderness trail
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour? Click for pricing and availability.
Anchorage Boat Tours
Visitors to Anchorage are often curious about cruises and boat tours, but there aren’t that many close to the city. Most of Alaska’s accessible glacier boat tours are in other parts of the state, like the Glacier Bay area.
However, there is one really good option if you want to experience a real glacier cruise while you’re in Anchorage. See below for the details.
26 Glacier Cruise From Anchorage
Wanna see a glacier? How about 26 of them? The 26 Glacier Cruise From Anchorage travels on a high-speed catamaran through the waterways of Prince William Sound past more than two dozen glaciers.
Out there on the water, surrounded by mountains and glaciers, you’ll feel like you’re having the ultimate Alaska experience.
You can often see all sorts of wildlife from the ship, including orcas, humpback whales, porpoises, otters, sea lions, bears, and bald eagles. Have your binoculars and cameras ready!
The waters are calm. In fact, this tour features a “No Seasickness Guarantee.” The cruise includes lunch, and there are bathrooms on the ship.
This will be an all-day activity. The coach departs Anchorage at 9 am, arriving in Whittier before noon for the 5-hour cruise. Expect to return back to Anchorage around 8 pm.
Note: If you have a rental car, you can save some money by driving to Whittier on your own and booking this tour, which is the exact same cruise, but without the shuttle from Anchorage. With this option, though, you’ll have to pay for highway tolls and parking, which can cost $20-25.
Important Info:
• Tour begins near Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
• Approx. 11.5 hours total, including 5 hours on the ship
• Lunch and transport from Anchorage to Whittier included
• See 26 glaciers on the cruise, and possibly lots of wildlife
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the 26 Glacier Cruise From Anchorage? Click for pricing and availability.
Glacier Tours From Anchorage
If you’d like to take a glacier cruise, see the previous section. If you’d like to reach a glacier from Anchorage by vehicle, and actually hike inside the glacier itself, this tour is for you!
Matanuska Glacier Hike Day Tour
Seeing glaciers from afar is nice, but hiking and climbing inside them is just incredible. This Matanuska Glacier Hike Day Tour takes you inside Alaska’s most accessible glacier.
I will never forget my own experience hiking inside Matanuska, navigating tricky pathways in the ice, and filling my water bottle with clean, melted glacier water.
There’s a lot more going on inside a glacier than you may think. Beneath all that ice, there are fast-flowing mini-rivers, glacial lakes, ice caves, and deep crevasses.
It’s possible to drive to Matanuska on your own without a tour, but it’s difficult. First, you have to drive down a pothole-filled gravel road. Then you’ll have to pay the entry fee, and then rent or buy the necessary equipment and pay for a guide if you want to actually explore inside the glacier.
That’s why it’s a good idea instead to book a tour like this one, which provides direct round-trip transportation from Anchorage, an expert guide who can safely navigate the glacier, plus a helmet, ice spikes, and hiking poles.
Important Info:
• Free pickup and transport from Anchorage
• Approx. 8 hours total, with roughly 3 hours on the glacier itself
• Hike inside the glacier with a professional guide
• Helmet, ice spikes, and walking poles included
• Tour includes a lunch break (cost of lunch not included in tour)
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Matanuska Glacier Hike Day Tour? Click for pricing and availability.
Anchorage Trolley Tours
Like many cities, Anchorage offers a city tour on a trolley bus. It’s a fun way to get to know the city. Keep reading for the details.
Anchorage Trolley Deluxe City Tour
Take a joyride around the city on one of those red trolley buses when you sign up for the Anchorage Trolley Deluxe City Tour.
Stop at Earthquake Park, Point Woronzof, and Lake Spenard, where you’ll see seaplanes taking off and landing. There’s a good chance for moose sightings in some of these locations, too!
This company does offer a shorter trolley tour as well, but the deluxe tour includes more photo stops, while the shorter tour mostly drives by quickly.
Important Info:
• Tour begins downtown at Log Cabin Visitor Center
• Approx. 1.5 hours
• Ride to various points of interest in the city and get out at designated photo spots
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Anchorage Trolley Deluxe City Tour? Click for pricing and availability.
Anchorage Whale Watching Tours
Anchorage isn’t a great homebase for a whale-watching tour, because it’s a little too far inland. Your best bet to see whales is to take one of the longer cruises in the Anchorage region, such as the 26 Glacier Tour mentioned earlier, or take the cruise below.
Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
Kenai Fjords is one of the more accessible Alaskan national parks. Just drive down to Seward and hop on a Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise, which spends all day exploring Resurrection Bay and Aialik Bay, waters that hold rich wildlife and lots of tidewater glaciers.
I’ve taken this whale watching cruise in Kenai Fjords and was thrilled at how much wildlife I saw. Even over the course of 6 hours, there was always something new to see.
We saw a pod of orcas. We saw humpback whales. We saw otters and sea lions. We saw porpoises. We saw lots of birds, including puffins and common murres.
This tour begins in Seward, so you’ll have to drive or take the train down there to join. A free deli lunch is included on the boat. If you’ve got a car, it is 100% worth the drive for an experience like this!
Important Info:
• Tour begins in Seward
• Approx. 6 hours
• Lunch and water/coffee included
• Cruise to see glaciers up close and stop for marine wildlife along the way
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise? Click for pricing and availability.
Note: If you don’t have a car, there is an alternate Kenai Fjords cruise that provides a shuttle from Anchorage. This one takes 14-15 hours due to the additional driving time. But it’s the only true whale-watching cruise you can take directly from Anchorage without needing a car. See details here.
Anchorage Sled Dog Tours
Private Dog Sledding Adventure in Willow
Many Anchorage visitors are interested in seeing the famous Northern sled dogs. This Private Dog Sledding Adventure in Willow gives you a chance to see them up close.
Unfortunately, there’s no shuttle from Anchorage, so you’ll need to drive 45 minutes north to Wasilla. There, you’ll be transported to a family-owned kennel for a real taste of the Iditarod.
You’ll sled on private trails, being pulled by a team of huskies while an experienced musher guides the way. The dogs are super friendly and you can hang out and take pictures with them during the 90-minute tour.
This activity is only available from November to April, since snow is needed to get the true sled dog experience.
Important Info:
• Tour begins in Wasilla
• Approx. 1.5 hours
• Take a real sled dog ride on private trails with a musher and a team of huskies
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Private Dog Sledding Adventure? Click for pricing and availability.
Anchorage Kayak Tours
Glacier Blue Kayak & Grandview Tour
The best of Anchorage’s limited kayak tour options is the Glacier Blue Kayak & Grandview Tour, an all-day tour that features 3 hours of kayaking next to icebergs and glacial walls. What a powerful experience!
“Magical” was the word used by one reviewer to describe the trip. It includes up to 4 miles of kayaking, plus a short hike at Spencer Glacier Moraine. Dress warmly and bring a camera, preferably with water protection.
This tour begins in Anchorage and includes a scenic train rides to Spencer Glacier and Grandview, so you’ll get a bonus of riding the rails in Alaska.
The tour is a bit expensive, but everything is included in the price: the shuttle ride, train tickets, lunch, and kayaking gear (splash jacket, life vests and paddle.)
Please note that the kayak tour is not refundable, so be sure you’re committed before booking. Refunds are given only if the tour is cancelled by the provider due to inclement weather.
The tour runs five days a week during summer. It cannot operate on Thursday or Friday, because the train does not stop at the glacier on these days.
Important Info:
• Your choice to begin the tour in either Anchorage or Girdwood
• Approx. 11 hours, including scenic train rides to Spencer Glacier and Grandview
• Three hours of kayaking near glaciers and around icebergs
• Lunch and kayaking equipment are included
• Tour is not refundable if you cancel
Interested in the Glacier Blue Kayak & Grandview Tour? Click for pricing and availability.
Anchorage Segway Tours
Downtown Anchorage Segway Tour
Have you ever ridden a Segway? It’s surprisingly fun! Even if you don’t know how to ride, you’ll get the hang of it after just couple minutes’ practice.
Segway Tours of Anchorage offers a couple of tours. The Downtown Anchorage Tour begins with a brief orientation and practice session to make sure everyone is comfortable on the device. Then, it’s off to explore the streets of Downtown to get to know the city.
I took a Segway tour in Columbus once and loved it. It’s such a fun way to see a new city. I haven’t taken a Segway tour in Anchorage, so I can’t personally vouch for the tour. But it looks fantastic.
Routes can vary depending on the day, but possible stops include the Alaska Statehood Monument, the Alaska Railroad Terminal, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Westchester Lagoon, and the Centennial Rose Garden.
Important Info:
• Tour takes place entirely in downtown Anchorage
• Approx. 1.5 hours
• No prior Segway experience necessary
• Guide leads the group to various points of interest around town
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Downtown Anchorage Segway Tour? Click for pricing and availability.
Miscellaneous: Brewery, Food, Sunset, Train, Bike Tours
Here’s a section for all those interesting tours that don’t fit neatly into any other section. Anchorage has brewery tours, food tours, sunset photo tours, and much more.
Downtown Anchorage Food & History Walking Tour
The Downtown Anchorage Food & History Walking Tour combines history with stops at several food locations. The restaurants chosen for each tour may vary, but often include dishes like salmon, reindeer sausage, beer, cupcakes and ice cream.
The small group walking tour (9 participants max) gives everyone a chance to learn about the city via its food, which is always a fun way to get to know a place. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared in case of rain.
Important Info:
• Tour takes place in downtown Anchorage
• Approx. 3 hours
• Learn about the history of Alaska while visiting various eateries
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Downtown Anchorage Food & History Walking Tour? Click for pricing and availability.
Half-Day Craft Brewery Tour
If you prefer to skip the snacks and go straight for the booze, book the Half-Day Craft Brewery Tour. Yes, Anchorage has a number of breweries, and this is a great way to get to know them. Maybe after a long morning of hiking!
In addition to several beer tastings, you’ll get a look behind the scenes at the brewpubs. The tour includes a stop at the city’s oldest brewery.
Important Info:
• Tour takes place in downtown Anchorage
• Approx. 4 hours
• Visit three of Anchorage’s top breweries for a total of six tastings
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Half-Day Craft Brewery Tour? Click for pricing and availability.
Alaska Sunset Photo Safari
Here’s a unique tour. The Alaska Sunset Photo Safari is specifically designed to send you home with incredible photographs to fully capture the majesty of your vacation.
The tour begins in Anchorage and heads by vehicle down to Chugach State Park, Lake Hood Harbor, and the Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary, all ideal spots for capturing nifty pics using the diminishing light at sunset.
The guide is a professional photographer who will work with each member of the small group, offering suggestions for how to get the best photos.
Important Info:
• Tour begins in downtown Anchorage
• Approx. 4 hours
• Visit several points of interest with a professional photographer to capture sunset pics
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Alaska Sunset Photo Safari? Click for pricing and availability.
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Scenic Bike Tour
Take in some of Anchorage’s coolest sights on two wheels on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Scenic Bike Tour.
The trail passes by Point Woronzof, Earthquake Park, and Westchester Lagoon, all highlights of the Anchorage area. There’s a good chance of seeing moose or other wildlife on the ride as well!
The bike tour is not especially strenuous, so most anyone over the age of 10 can participate.
Important Info:
• Tour begins at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center
• Approx. 3 hours
• Visit several points of interest with a professional photographer to capture sunset pics
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the excursion
Interested in the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Scenic Bike Tour? Click for pricing and availability.
Alaska Railroad Day Trip to Seward
Want to ride the famous Alaska Railroad? Try the Alaska Railroad Day Trip to Seward. Seward is one of the great port cities in southern Alaska, and the train ride is a fantastic way to take in the scenery of this region.
This is an all-day tour, beginning before 7 am, so you’ll get your money’s worth. Take advantage of the large train windows to appreciate the views on the 4-hour ride down to Seward.
Once in Seward, you’ll have nearly seven hours on your own to explore the food and culture of the town, and possibly sneak in a whale-watching tour or boat tour of some kind.
Note that Alaska Railroad tickets are not refundable, so you cannot receive a refund if you cancel this tour.
Important Info:
• Tour begins at the Anchorage Depot
• Approx. 14 hours
• Travel by train to Seward and have 7 hours to explore the town on your own
• No refund given if you cancel
Interested in the Alaska Railroad Day Trip to Seward? Click for pricing and availability.
For further reading about Alaska, see also my articles about the best route for an Alaska road trip, visiting the town of North Pole, Alaska, and the Trans Alaska Pipeline.
We also answer how much it costs to visit Alaska, suggest where to see wildlife in Denali National Park, offer tips for camping in Denali, and share 88 photos of life in Alaska.
That concludes my suggestions for the best Anchorage tours. Do you have suggestions for other tours to add to the list?
