Quick Summary:

  • Anchorage, Alaska, is an urban epicenter of a lush wilderness awaiting exploration.
  • The city epitomizes modern convenience, offering access to the region’s major airport, highways, and the Alaska Railroad.
  • Alaska day trip ideas include glacier tours, beaches, hiking, and immersive experiences with Alaskan wildlife.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Turnagain Arm ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Turnagain Arm | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© cec72/stock.adobe.com

2. Chugach National Forest ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Chugach National Forest | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© Pecold/stock.adobe.com

3. Katmai National Park

Category: Activities
Katmai National Park | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© knelson20/stock.adobe.com

4. Portage Valley

Portage Valley | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© ralph/stock.adobe.com

5. Alaska Railroad

Category: Kids & Family
Alaska Railroad | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© bummi100/stock.adobe.com

6. Eagle River Nature Centre

Category: Activities
Eagle River Nature Centre | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© jon manjeot/stock.adobe.com

7. Rendezvous Peak

Category: Activities
Rendezvous Peak | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© helivideo/stock.adobe.com

8. Kenai Fjords National Park

Category: Activities
Kenai Fjords National Park | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© National Parked/stock.adobe.com

9. Alyeska Resort Aerial Tram

Category: Accommodations
Alyeska Resort Aerial Tram | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© Aliaksei Smalenski/stock.adobe.com

10. Crow Creek Gold Mine

Category: Activities
Crow Creek Gold Mine | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© ronm/stock.adobe.com

11. Roundhouse Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Roundhouse Museum | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© Roundhouse Museum

12. Prince William Sound

Prince William Sound | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© troutnut/stock.adobe.com

13. Matanuska Valley Glaciers

Matanuska Valley Glaciers | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© Rocky Grimes/stock.adobe.com

14. Trail of Blue Ice

Category: Activities
Trail of Blue Ice | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© erwin/stock.adobe.com

15. Williwaw Fish Viewing Site

Category: Food & Drink
Williwaw Fish Viewing Site | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© Olga Vasik/stock.adobe.com

16. Glacier View

Glacier View | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© destillat/stock.adobe.com

17. Denali National Park and Reserve

Category: Activities
Denali National Park and Reserve | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© Av8erPhotography/stock.adobe.com

18. Homer

Homer | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© Dennis Donohue/stock.adobe.com

19. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Category: Activities
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© Paul/stock.adobe.com

20. Fairbanks

Fairbanks | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© David W Shaw/stock.adobe.com

21. Valdez

Valdez | Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
© Christian/stock.adobe.com

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