Southcentral Interior Southeast Southwest Far North

Anchorage, Alaska: Facts and Travel Information

Anchorage: Alaska's largest city, is a popular visitor destination. It is the hub of commerce and business for the southcentral region of Alaska. The city offers a wide selection of accommodations including luxurious five-star hotels, international hostels and campgrounds. Sample delectable Alaskan cuisine including the freshest seafood or savor the fare of one our many local gems, which offer the best of Alaskan food and hospitality. Exclusive shops and galleries offer the finest in Alaskan art and clothing or visit familiar national retailers throughout the city. Informative and educational historical sites and museums, present an inside perspective of the city and state's diverse culture. Take an adventure on one the cities mapped-out bike trails or walk along the famous Coastal Trail, which stretches along panoramic views of Cook Inlet and the mountains beyond.

Anchorage serves as Alaska's major port, receiving over 95% of all freight, as well as a major hub of the famous Alaska Railroad. Major industries include government and military, Petroleum, and tourism. There are two strategically important U.S. military bases bordering Anchorage on the north: Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson. Nearly all Alaska Interior-bound tourists pass through Anchorage at some stage of their journeys in Alaska.

Anchorage is usually the starting or ending point of most visitors' Alaska vacations with Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport serving as the airline hub for the state. Anchorage is served by many national airlines, primarily Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, as well as a number of international and interstate airlines. The Alaska Railroad offers daily summer service to Seward, Talkeetna, Denali National Park and Fairbanks. These communities are also served by bus line from Anchorage, while rental cars are available from several companies at or near Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, just six miles from downtown Anchorage. The railroad also provides limited access to the international airport. Transportation to downtown Anchorage is available by taxicab, airport shuttle or hotel courtesy shuttles. Upon arrival, visitors can stop by the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitor Information Center or the Alaska Visitors Center for direction. Cruise passengers with a few hours or a full day to explore Anchorage can store their luggage (and fish) at the airport. The Ship Creek Shuttle connects key downtown Anchorage locations with the Ship Creek area, including stops at the Alaska Railroad Depot.

Anchorage Day Tours and Vacation Options:

The links on the right hand side of this page will help you plan day tours and vacation activities in the Anchorage area. One can easily set out from Anchorage to take in a wide variety of tours and activities: everything from fly out fishing, bear viewing, hiking, and glacier tours in Prince William Sound or Kenai Fjords National Park.

Eagle River, one of the city's largest suburbs is a ten-minute dash north of Anchorage. Explore scenic, mountain trails and discover dramatic views of the jagged eastern horizon called the Chugach Mountains. Become part of one the city's yearly festivals or embark on a rafting trip on the river itself. Get a glimpse into Athabaskan and Russian Orthodox heritage preserved at Eklutna Village Historical Park just north of Eagle River.

If you head south, stop in Girdwood and take in a breathtaking view of Turnagain Arm. Hike the Crow Pass trail, a portion of the trail that took gold panners to the gold fields of Interior Alaska. Visit Alyeska Resort, a year round playground featuring world class skiing, five-star accommodations, and majestic views. Take a tram ride up mount Alyeska, enjoy lunch or dinner and a soaring view of the Cook Inlet and Chugach Mountains.

Anchorage Facts:

Size: Anchorage is nearly the size of the state of Delaware. Stretching more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Portage glacier to Cook Inlet and northto Eklutna, it encompasses 1,955 square miles (640 hectares).

Population: 260,283 (2000 Census).

Anchorage Weather:

Average Temperatures: July: 65F; January: 20F
Annual Precipitation: 15.71 inches
Daylight: 19 hrs, 21 minutes of daylight in the summer, 5 hrs, 28 minutes in winter.
Average Snowfall: 69.5 inches