Think experiencing Alaska has to come with a hefty price tag? Think again. Some of Anchorage’s most memorable experiences cost less than a movie ticket, and a few are completely free. One day you might be spotting bears and moose, the next you’re hiking mountain trails, exploring local art, or taking in glacier views that look straight out of a postcard. Anchorage makes it surprisingly easy to stretch your travel budget without missing out on the experiences that make Alaska unforgettable. If you’re looking to make the most of every dollar, these 12 ideas deliver plenty of adventure for the price.
Anchorage Trolley Tour
This one-hour, 15-mile trolley tour shows off some of Anchorage’s highlights. Tour the city on a narrated loop aboard the red trolley. Highlights aboard Anchorage Trolley Tours include Earthquake Park and Lake Hood, the world’s busiest seaplane base. Tickets are $12.50 kids, $25 adults, and include a coupon book for nearby attractions, shops, and restaurants.
Alaska Zoo
Find out about Alaska animals, and exotic species from similar climates around the world. Elusive amur tigers, moose, polar bears, grizzlies, and wolverines are among the top draws at the Alaska Zoo. In summer, there’s a free shuttle from downtown to the zoo as well. Tickets: Adult (non-resident) $25, Alaska resident $18, seniors or military $16, kids $12, and children under the age of 2 are free.
Flattop Mountain Trail
The most hiked trail in Anchorage, Flattop Mountain is great for hikers of all abilities and offers stunning views of the city and surrounding mountain ranges. Day-use parking at any state park trailhead is the same. Cost for parking: $5. Don’t have a car? Flattop Mountain Shuttle offers round-trip transport to the mountain for $25 during the summer.
Anchorage Museums
Explore Anchorage’s cultural side through more than ten museums across the city, offering budget friendly ways to learn and discover. Visit the Anchorage Museum for art, history, and hands on exhibits, or experience Dena’ina Athabascan culture at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. A variety of museums across the city feature everything from marine life and law enforcement to aviation history and ski heritage. Find experiences for every age and interest, with something for everyone.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Wood bison, bears, moose, musk oxen, and many other animals call the Portage-area Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center home. Get closer to learning about iconic Alaska species in a vast, natural setting. General admission $27, youth $22, Alaska residents and military $24, Alaska youth $20, and children under the age of 3 are free.
Alyeska Aerial Tram
Get a bird’s-eye view of Turnagain Arm, surrounding glaciers, kettle ponds, and maybe even a moose or bear browsing the slopes above Alyeska Resort. The Alyeska Aerial Tram ferries skiers all winter, and sightseers all year long. Admission: adults $43, senior $30, youth $33.
Alaska Botanical Garden
With more than 1,100 species of hardy perennials and 150 native plant species, the Alaska Botanical Garden is the place to experience the abundance of the summer sub-arctic growing season and to learn about flora native to Southcentral Alaska. Daytime Rates: Adults $14, Students, senior (65 and older) and military $10, and members and children under 6 are free.
The Bear Tooth TheatrePub
Named after Bear Tooth Peak in the Alaska Range, the Bear Tooth TheatrePub is not your ordinary movie house. A full-service kitchen features food made to order and delivered to you in the theatre (with the help of a glow-in-the-dark number). The movie house features second-run contemporary, independent, foreign, and classic films, with admission starting at $7.
Eagle River Nature Center
Just 20 minutes north of downtown Anchorage, the Eagle River Nature Center is nestled in a gorgeous glacier-carved valley. The center is open year-round and offers weekly interpretive programs and guided nature walks for summer visitors. Wildlife abounds here including brown and black bears, Dall sheep, moose, beavers and salmon. $5 parking.
Art Walk
Explore Anchorage on a self-guided public art tour, where you can find full-scale murals, hidden street art, and other public pieces on the streets. Showcasing the city’s history and culture, these vibrant works are well worth a stroll, and the best part? It’s free.
Coastal Trail
See Anchorage all in one place along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, where Chugach Mountains, city skyline, and Cook Inlet views come together. This 11-mile paved path winds along much of the city’s coastline, offering different scenic views from start to finish, along with opportunities for wildlife viewing and plane spotting. Rent a bike from local shops or explore on foot. With multiple access points from Ship Creek near downtown to Kincaid Park in South Anchorage, it is also a great accessible option to enjoy the outdoors.
Gold Panning
Nestled in the Chugach Mountains in the Girdwood Valley, the historic Crow Creek Mine offers a unique blend of historical buildings, antiques, and rare mining equipment as well as access to explore the mine’s original claims. Visitors can learn to pan for their gold and give it a try along Crow Creek (extra fees apply). Adult $13, seniors $11, and kids $6.
Crow Creek also offers guests the chance to gold mine for themselves. Tickets include a gold pan, shovel, bucket, demonstration, glass vial, and pay dirt packet. Adults $35, seniors, Alaska residents, and military $31, and kids $26.
