Anchorage trip planner

Home to nearly half of Alaska's population, the port city of Anchorage covers a staggering area of over 4,900 sq km (1,900 sq mi) surrounded by mountains. The city was born out of the need for railroads and grew quickly after oil was discovered in the 1950s. Much of the land officially included within Anchorage proper is uninhabited and mountainous; in fact, black bears and grizzly bears are regularly spotted in many suburban areas. Despite its subarctic climate, the city is subject to strong maritime influences. The climate is especially favorable for tourism during the summer, when the city gets an average of nearly 20 hours of sunlight each day. Start your Alaskan adventure with a tour of the historical core of the city. To personalize your trip to Anchorage, create itinerary details specific to you using our United States online attractions planner.