Things To Do In Anchorage Alaska

From ice hockey to summer college baseball, Anchorage has long been known for being a sporting town full of fun loving outdoor enthusiasts. Below we will break down some of the many sporting activities in Anchorage by the season but first a quick look into the variety of festivals that seem to describe the unique flavor of Alaska's largest city.

Also See Things To Do along the Seward Highway South of Anchorage. & Things To Do North Of Anchorage.

Spring is Extreme Activities and Festivals to keep you entertained in the “City Of Lights”.	Summer in Anchorage Activities and Festivals to keep you entertained in the “City Of Lights”.	Fall in Anchorage Activities and Festivals to keep you entertained in the “City Of Lights”.	Winter in Anchorage Activities and Festivals to keep you entertained in the “City Of Lights”.

Anchorage Festivals

Annual Events

• Anchorage Folk Festival - an annual free 2-week festival taking place each January.
• Bear Paw Festival - Another annual festival that takes place in Eagle River, a suburb of Anchorage to the north. Events include a 5K fun run, a teddy bear picnic, a renaissance fair, a car show, a pageant, a bicycle safety rodeo, a chili cook-off, a quilt show, a dog and owner look-a-like contest, carnival rides and games galore.
  Downtown Eagle River Alaska - Early in July.
• Iditarod Sled Dog Race - The race starts in Downtown Anchorage in early March when one by one the teams take off on a 1150+ mile race through some of the most formidable yet alluring country on Gods great earth.
• Fur Rondy - Held each February, the Anchorage Fur Rondy is centered around the outdoor activities of Anchorages colorful past. From sled dog racing, World Championship Dog Weight Pull, Grand Prix Auto Racing, Snowshoe Softball, Rondy Carnival and the Grand Rondy Parade.

Anchorage Spring Activities - Spring Break-Up

Springtime in Anchorage is when the much waited for thaw occurs and the people of Alaska begin to become restless in anticipation of another summer full of fishing, camping, hiking and other outdoor activities. But spring in Anchorage is also known for it's melting of the snows that has blanketed the streets, lawns and parking lots all around town. Here in Alaska, this time of year is commonly referred to as “Spring Break-Up”.

• Extreme Spring Skiing - You know you are in Alaska when your mornings dilemma begins with having to choose between a heli-skiing adventure, a snow-cat expedition, or a day pass to the world class ski resort located just a few short miles from Anchorage. Yes, you've made your way to the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska, without a doubt the greatest spring skiing triple threat on the continent.
• Alyeska Ski Resort Spring Carnival and Slush Cup - Alyeska ski resort in Girdwood hosts a crazy Alaskan event as skiers dressed in outrageous costumes compete in a final fling as the ski season comes to an end. This event requires participants to attempt to ski across a large puddle of ice water directly at the base of a ski slope.

Anchorage Summer Activities

Summer comes to Anchorage ushering in the warmth of days without ends, really, as summer solstice arrives and the sun only barely sets on the distant horizon, Anchorage becomes a literal buzz of activity 24 hours a day. Anchorage at this time of year is appropriately called the “City That Never Sleeps”.

• Ship Creek Salmon Fishing Derby - The King Salmon Slam'n Derby held in June on Ship Creek in downtown Anchorage is one of the most popular fishing derby's in Alaska. Stop by Ship Creek in Downtown Anchorage and watch the anglers compete for cash and prizes.
• Anchorage July 4th Celebration and Parade - Yup, it happens on the Fourth of July with fireworks and all.
• Delaney Park Strip comes alive in the summer with countless music festivals and celebrations.
• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage Alaska.

Anchorage Fall Activities

Anchorage in the fall has been described as one of the most beautiful cities in America. With loads of deciduous trees, bushes and shrubs throughout the city and areas hills and mountains, the area gets painted in every color of the rainbow. People enjoy hiking on the local trails or taking a bike ride in the local greenbelts as the sights and smells of autumn descend upon Anchorage with all the grace of the snowflakes soon to follow.

• Alaska State Fair in September, head on up to the town of Palmer to experience the finest in northern festivities when all the stops are pulled and Alaska puts on the fair of fairs. The Alaska State Fair is the place to see the record-setting giant vegetables and beautiful flower gardens that make the Matanuska-Susitna Valley so popular among gardeners everywhere.

Anchorage Winter Activities

Anchorage in the winter, with an average of 26 degrees showing on the mercury offers an array of alpine skiing, dog sledding and Skijoring, a fast growing sport that involves cross-country skiing while being towed by a dog, along with the famous Iditarod sled dog race and the 2000 mile Irondog snowmobile race. 40 miles south of Anchorage in the small town of Girdwood is the states largest ski resort of Alyeska. Alyeska, pronounced (alley-eska) is an Aleut word meaning "great land of white to the east." With an average snowfall of over 600 inches, Alyeska Resort is a snow-lovers heaven. Some of many outdoor activities include, in addition to Nordic and alpine skiing. Put the snow and cooler temperatures to good use, with snowmobile tours, dog sledding tours, flight seeing, heli-skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing and snowboarding.

• Seward Polar Bear Jumpoff Festival - Third Saturday in January, 907-224-5230. An annual event that has garnered world wide attention as hardy adventure seekers take the plunge into the frigid waters of Resurrection Bay. The plunge starts at 12:30 but this is a full day event. Community breakfasts, Parade, bazaar, Seafood Feed, Karaoke Contest and much more. This is actually a 3 day event starting Friday with the Bazaar and Auction and ending on Saturday Evening following the hair cutoff and Pool Tournament.
• Alaska Fur Rendezvous Winter Festival held in February.
• Irondog Snowmobile Race - First Saturday in March, imagine how grueling a 2000 mile snowmobile race would be! Now imaging that race being held in the wilderness terrain of Alaska's remote back country.
  • Thrill Seekers, check out the world's longest, toughest, snowmobile race.
• Iditarod Sled Dog Race - held every March. The race starts in Downtown Anchorage in early March when one by one the teams take off on a 1150+ mile race through some of the most formidable yet alluring country on Gods great earth.

Sporting Events.

Additional Things To Do In Anchorage Alaska

These items are available all year long.

• Alaska Heritage Aviation Museum 4721 Aircraft Drive, Anchorage, AK 99502
• Alaska Zoo located at 4731 O'Malley Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
• Alyeska Resort - Ski Resort & Activity Center located in Girdwood Alaska.
• Alaska Native Heritage Center 8800 Heritage Center Dr., Anchorage, AK 99504
• Sullivan Arena 1600 Gambell Street, Anchorage, AK 99501
• Alaska Center for the Performing Arts 621 West 6th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
• William A. Egan Civic and Convention Center 555 West Fifth Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
• Dena'ina Center 600 West Seventh Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
• Dimond Center Mall 800 East Dimond Blvd., Anchorage, Alaska 99515
• Portage Glacier & Begich, Boggs Visitor Center Mile 5.5 Portage Glacier Road, Girdwood, AK 99587. Located 50 miles south of Anchorage at the tip of Turnagain Arm on Portage Glacier Road which is accessed across the Seward Highway from the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
  • Open May through September
  • Fees: $3.00 for adults. Children 15 years and younger are free.
• Anchorage Historic & Fine Arts Museum 625 C Street, Anchorage, AK 99501
• Eklutna Historical Park 26 miles from Downtown Anchorage you come to the historical park of the Dena'ina Athabaskan people. Dating back to 1650, this site has tiny buildings called "Spirit Houses" built on top of the graves of many generations of Athabaskan people. Next door, the Heritage House Museum is filled with photographs and craft displays portraying the native lifestyle and Russian influence found in this area. The oldest building in the greater Anchorage area (dated back to 1830) is the St. Nicholas Church , located in the Eklutna Historical Park.
• Anchorage Coastal & Wildlife Refuge extends from Point Woronzof southeast to Potter Creek, a distance of 16 miles. Best known for the wetlands portion of the refuge known as "Potter Marsh" located along the Seward Highway heading south out of Anchorage. Excellent opportunities for viewing the large variety of birds in the Anchorage area. Over 160 different species of birds have been spotted in the area.

Getting to the Things to Do in Anchorage is easy.

Car rentals from the top rental agencies in Alaska. Anchorage Airport car rentals to RV rentals can be located here. Rent a car in Alaska from the top names like Hertz, Avis, Budget Car Rental and more.

Are you considering one of the many B and B's available for your vacation lodging? Read Anchorage Bed & Breakfast for some fascinating in site into this booming industry. We will be adding information over time about the most recognized of the Alaska B&B lodgings in the area.

Also See Things To Do along the Seward Highway South of Anchorage. & Things To Do North Of Anchorage.