Anchorage is the hub around which the rest of Alaska spins.
Road and rail routes radiate out north and south, jet airliners touch down at Ted Stevens International Airport, and seaplanes take off from busy Lake Hood to the more rugged reaches of the Last Frontier. Once you’ve spent a day absorbing the city’s urban sights, take your first steps into the wilderness with these easily accessible day trips.
Whittier
Why go? A surreal Cold War citadel in an ethereal wilderness setting.
Classified as a city but with a population of barely 200 people—99% of whom live in the same building—Whittier isn’t your normal wilderness outpost. Founded as a military supply line in World War II, it matured during the Cold War. Accessed by a dual-use road-rail tunnel, Whittier is surrounded by a steep circle of waterfalls, glaciers, and mountains. Set against this natural beauty are two incongruous Cold War structures: the skeletal, disused Buckner building and the 14-story Begich Towers.
Traveling round-trip on Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery Train from Anchorage allows over six hours in Whittier, providing ample time to visit its concise war-themed museum, undertake a self-guided walking tour of its Cold War infrastructure, and explore the surrounding wilderness. The Horsetail Falls trail ascends behind the “city” through a mix of forest and muskeg to a lofty viewpoint, while the more popular Portage Pass trail follows an old native route with glacier vistas. For a local culinary experience, stop by Swiftwater Seafood Cafe for halibut lunch. A word about the weather: It rains here—frequently!
How to get to Whittier
The Glacier Discovery Train runs daily round trip between Anchorage and Whittier, May to September. By road, it’s an 80-minute drive with a possible extra 30-minute wait at the tunnel entrance.
Eklutna
Why go? Backcountry gateway with unusual Russian-Native Alaska heritage.
Home to a unique blend of Russian Orthodox and Alaska Native culture, the 350-year-old Athabascan village of Eklutna (population about 70) is dominated by the Eklutna Village Historical Park, where two Orthodox churches overlook a historic cemetery. The centerpiece of the park features its cemetery adorned with diminutive spirit houses (native shrines that shelter spirits).
If you’re spending the day, consider exploring the seven-mile-long Eklutna Lake, the largest body of water in Chugach State Park. Surrounded by glaciers and high peaks, the lake offers abundant recreational opportunities, including kayaking, biking, and hiking on 27 miles of trails. The classic hike is the flat Lakeside trail that runs alongside the northern shoreline for 13 miles, leading to stunning glacier viewpoints.
How to get to Eklutna
Eklutna is located 29 miles northeast of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. There’s no reliable public transportation available.
Girdwood
Why go? A comprehensive outdoor-adventure nexus only 45 minutes drive from Anchorage.
As perhaps the most accessible day trip from Anchorage, Girdwood is a small town (population approximately 1,800) that invites prolonged exploration.
During a short visit, focus on the Alyeska Resort area, complete with a hotel and year-round aerial tramway. In winter, the tramway transports skiers to the top of the slopes, while summer sees mountain bikers dominating the trails. Organized activities through the resort include biking, hiking, and alpine yoga. For a unique experience, hike the two-and-a-half miles up Mt. Alyeska and take the tram down.
How to get to Girdwood
Girdwood is accessible via the Anchorage-Seward train line, serviced by twice-daily trains: the Glacier Discovery and the Coastal Classic. Alternatively, it’s a 45-minute drive with scenic views along the Turnagain Arm.
Spencer Whistle Stop
Why go? A spectacular train ride combined with an easy-going backcountry hike.
Using the Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery train, travelers can be dropped off close to Spencer Glacier in the northern reaches of the Kenai Peninsula, and picked up again three hours later by the same train.
The Spencer Whistle Stop is a charming, isolated railroad station nestled in Alaska’s backcountry. Departing Anchorage in the morning, the train arrives at this quiet platform allowing just under three hours for passengers to hike a seven-mile out-and-back trail to Spencer Lake and glacier. The hike is flat and easy, complemented by a comfortable train journey with refreshments and light commentary.
By prior arrangement, adventurous travelers can organize a glacier float on Spencer Lake followed by a rafting trip through the adjacent Placer River.
How to get to Spencer Whistle Stop
The Glacier Discovery Train operates a round trip between Anchorage and Spencer Whistle Stop daily from May to September.
Flattop Mountain
Why go? A short yet challenging mountain climb on the outskirts of the city.
On a warm day in summer, the quintessential Anchorage activity is to head southeast to the Chugach National Forest and climb Flattop Mountain, a popular weekend destination for locals. Although it isn’t the tallest or most dazzling mountain in the region, Flattop is a well-loved choice for adventurous urbanites.
The trail spans just one-and-a-half rugged miles one-way from Glen Alps trailhead, ensuring plenty of fellow hikers along the way. You’ll encounter a bit of scrambling and be rewarded with breathtaking views upon arrival. Paragliders use the summit as a launch site, while more experienced hikers can continue to a taller summit immediately behind Flattop.
How to get to Flattop Mountain
The Glen Alps trailhead is a 25-minute drive from downtown Anchorage. For those without a vehicle, the Flattop Mountain Shuttle offers daily service to and from Downtown Bike Rental, available from May to September.
Eagle River
Why go? A bike-able suburb with options to branch out into a sprawling state park.
Eagle River, classified as a suburb of Anchorage, is conveniently located just 16 miles from downtown. A dedicated cycle lane parallels the Glenn Highway, providing beautiful views of Knik Arm and the Chugach Mountains.
The neighborhood feels like a quaint town, featuring a small urban core with coffee shops and pizzerias, and serves as a gateway to the wild beauty of Chugach State Park to the east. The 13-mile-long Eagle River Road dead-ends at a nature center, where several trails lead to salmon streams and beaver dams.
Each July, the town hosts the Bear Paw Festival—an exciting celebration known for the Slippery Salmon Olympics, featuring a unique race with a large salmon in one hand and a soda in the other.
How to get to Eagle River
Eagle River is less than half an hour northeast of Anchorage along the Glenn Highway. People Mover bus #92 provides transportation from Anchorage City Hall to Eagle River five times daily, Monday to Friday.
Palmer
Why go? Prime agricultural region with an interesting pioneering history.
If you appreciate large produce and retro-1930s charm, this small city of 6,000 residents located 43 miles northeast of Anchorage is worth a detour. Palmer represents an aspect of Alaska that is seldom considered—an agricultural hub brimming with historic farming buildings reminiscent of the American Midwest, surrounded by majestic mountains.
Originating during President Roosevelt’s New Deal, Palmer was a social experiment that relocated 200 farming families from the Great Plains to Alaska, establishing a new agricultural economy. Trainloads of Midwesterners settled in the Matanuska and Susitna Valleys, which the government deemed suitable for farming.
Historic buildings from the 1930s remain intact throughout Palmer, many of which showcase their sturdy, wooden farm design. Descendants of the original settlers, often called Colony children or grandchildren, preserve their history in the Colony House museum situated in one of the original farmhouses.
With 20-hour-long summer days, Palmer produces some extraordinarily large vegetables. To witness these impressive crops, visit during the 12-day Alaska State Fair in early September.
How to get to Palmer
Palmer is a scenic one-hour drive from Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. The Interior Alaska Bus Line operates between Anchorage and Palmer three times weekly, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday year-round.
Hatcher Pass
Why go? Former gold mining area recolonized by wilderness.
The alpine passage known as Hatcher Pass, located 20 miles northwest of Palmer, weaves through the Talkeetna Mountains, offering scenic meadows, ridges, and glaciers. While gold was once the main treasure sought here, today it’s the hiking trails, ski routes, abandoned mines, and popular climbs that dominate the landscape.
The prime attraction is Independence Mine State Historical Park, a sprawling 272-acre site encompassing an abandoned gold mine nestled in a beautiful alpine valley. The facility operated from the 1930s by the Alaska-Pacific Mining Company was among the top producers in Alaska until its closure in 1955.
Visitors can explore the remnants, hike various trails, and enjoy breathtaking views throughout Hatcher Pass. From the visitor center, the Hardrock Trail invites you past the dilapidated structures, including bunkhouses and a mill complex that appears woven into the mountainside.
How to get to Hatcher Pass
Travelers will need a car. Start by driving to Palmer on the Glenn Highway and continue for an additional 20 miles via the Fishhook-Willow road.
