At some point, the majority of Alaska visitors will pass through Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city and home to the state’s hub airport. We’re big fans of this epicenter for culture, history, and business, so naturally, showing off our hometown is an important part of the Greatland Adventures mission. It’s also a chance to provide insight into the traditions and centuries-old practices of Anchorage’s Native people, who have lived on local lands for at least 9,000 years.
In three hours, guests will be introduced to Anchorage, its bustling downtown core, and stretching into the nearby Chugach mountains that provide a dramatic backdrop to the city’s landscape.
This Private Anchorage Sightseeing Tour of Alaska’s largest city begins with pick up at your Anchorage hotel (check out the tour’s full description about pick up and drop off details), and from there, the adventure begins. Read on for a look at some of the sites you’ll visit, and why they are significant.
Historic Ship Creek is the location of Anchorage’s original townsite began with a collection of tents in 1915, but for centuries before that, Ship Creek was an important location for subsistence fishing and other activities by the Dena’ina people, who called it Dgheyaytnu or Dgheyay Leht, “Stickleback Creek” or “Where Stickleback Run”. Ship Creek was a local name recorded by the USGS in 1906. Today’s Ship Creek is a thriving urban salmon stream, where anglers often fish on their lunch break from the office. The area is also home to the Alaska Railroad’s original depot, so watch for the blue and gold trains as we transit this interesting part of Anchorage.
At the west edge of downtown sits one of the most significant areas in Anchorage’s history. On Friday, March 27, 1964, Southcentral Alaska was rattled by a magnitude 9.2 earthquake that led to significant damage across the area. A fairly young city then, Anchorage nonetheless had begun to stretch its boundaries toward the east and west edges of town. The newish Turnagain Heights neighborhood had been built upon the bluffs overlooking Cook Inlet and provided a quiet respite for residents, many of whom worked in the downtown area. The earthquake, disturbing the silty soils of the bluff areas, caused landslides that devastated nearly the entire neighborhood. Today, visitors can see the former neighborhood site and view the unique sloping features of the earth that seem to mimic the seismic waves of the quake.
You’ll also continue west to Point Woronzof, where stunning views of the Alaska Range and Cook Inlet make for great photos. Moose are often spotted in this area as well, another highlight of this popular location.
The busiest seaplane base in the world, where you’ll watch bush pilots maneuver to and from their landing slips. From there, transit the Seward Highway along famous Turnagain Arm to Beluga Point, where you’ll take in majestic views of the mountains while searching for Dall sheep, black bears and bald eagles along the cliffs, and beluga whales in the silty water of the Arm.
Your journey continues on the way back to town, with a stop at Potter Marsh, part of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and home to several migratory bird species during the summer months. Then, the van turns east for a visit to Chugach State Park and the sweeping views of the Anchorage “Bowl” from Glen Alps Trailhead, and Sleeping Lady (also known as Mount Susitna), Denali, and the Alaska Range on clear days.
Anchorage Northern Lights Tour
Journey to view and photograph the Aurora Borealis in the greater Anchorage area.
Private Anchorage Sightseeing Tour
Get a perfect introduction to the greater Anchorage area on this 3-hour tour. Stops include Earthquake Park, Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Beluga Point, Potter's Marsh, and Flattop Mountain.
Turnagain Arm Glacier & Wildlife Tour
Travel the scenic Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm to Portage Valley. Take a scenic tram to the top of a mountain, cruise an iceberg dotted lake to view a glacier, and view Alaska's iconic animals up close. The choice is yours!