Things to Do in Anchorage Without a Car

When visiting Alaska, the Historic Anchorage Hotel is the ideal home base for getting around Anchorage, with plenty of adventure waiting right outside our majestic doorsteps.

Located in the heart of the downtown district, our exquisitely restored luxury hotel is within easy walking distance of great shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. We are only six miles from the busiest seaplane base in the world, Lake Hood and just two blocks from the Alaska Railroad Depot, providing easy access to your next Alaska adventure with Anchorage as your basecamp.

Whether by foot, train, bike, taxi, rideshare, or float plane, there are plenty of things to do in Anchorage without a car.

Cultural and Historical Experiences

The most walkable neighborhood in Anchorage is the downtown area, which consists of 122 square blocks packed with non-stop fun and adventure. Some of the most popular museums, galleries, and historical attractions include:

• Alaska Native Heritage Center: The cultural center supports all Alaska native cultures, celebrating and preserving their languages, art, and traditions. Though not located in downtown, a free round-trip shuttle leaves daily from 9 am to 5 pm at the downtown Visitor Center log cabin just a block-and-a-half from the Historic Anchorage Hotel.

• Alaska Center for Performing Arts: For more than 35 years, the iconic downtown landmark has created a gathering place and supported the arts through music, dance, theatre, and other art forms.

• Alaska Zoo: The non-profit zoo is dedicated to promoting the conservation of Arctic species through research, education, and community enrichment. From brown bears to snow leopards, moose, and mountain goat, there are a plethora of animals to learn about at this family-friendly attraction. The zoo offers a free summer shuttle to and from downtown.

• Anchorage Museum: Partnering with the Smithsonian, this is the largest museum in Alaska. The venue is committed to recognizing the Indigenous people, helping to encourage dialogue, and expanding perspectives about the distinct environment of the past and present Northern lands.

• Oscar Anderson House Museum: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the oldest home in Anchorage, dating back to 1915, is now an interpretive museum open to the public.

Embracing Outdoor Adventures

In the summer, there is over 20 hours of sunlight every day to enjoy memorable day trips from Anchorage without a car, such as:

• Taking a Wildlife & Glacier Day Cruise: Phillips Cruises & Tours, LLC provides award-winning glacier cruises that allow passengers to experience the life-changing sights and sounds of carved fjords in Prince William Sound that have formed amongst the glorious mountains of the Chugach National Forest. The Alaska Railroad or daily coach services provide transportation to Whittier for those without a car.

• Walking or Biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail: The paved surface trail begins near the railroad depot and travels 11 miles through forested terrain with sweeping vistas of Cook Inlet, Mount Susitna (Sleeping Lady), and on a clear day the opportunity to see Denali and the Alaska Mountain Range.

• Visiting Denali National Park & Preserve: Daily motorcoach and train options whisk passengers away from the city and into the wilderness that Alaska is known for. Visitors must use the bus system within the park to reach tundra landscapes and glacial rivers while witnessing panoramic vistas of the highest peak in North America.

Other popular outdoor activities include:

• The Alaska Public Lands Information Center is located in Anchorage’s historic Federal Building

• Take a guided tour with the Anchorage Trolley located on the corner of 4th and F st. downtown.

• Sport Fish Hatchery Tours – both guided and self-guided options available

• Fishing in Downtown Anchorage

Book Your Stay at The Historic Anchorage Hotel

With so many things to do in Anchorage without a car, the friendly staff at The Historic Anchorage Hotel can help you make plans and offer guidance for turning your visit to Alaska into a memorable, relaxing, and enjoyable experience.

Contact us today to make a reservation at our luxury hotel and take advantage of our premium amenities throughout your stay in Anchorage.

Featured Image: Kenneth Sponsler / Shutterstock