Outdoor Activities & Entertainment

Entertainment: Discovering Entertainment in Our Community

Anchorage offers a vibrant mix of urban amenities and uniquely Alaskan entertainment options, providing year-round activities that cater to diverse interests and lifestyles.

Arts & Culture

  • Alaska Center for the Performing Arts ("The PAC")
    • Home to the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra
    • Hosts Broadway shows and national touring acts
    • Venue for Alaska Native dance performances
  • Anchorage Museum
    • Smithsonian affiliate with extensive Alaska Native collections
    • Contemporary art exhibitions
    • Imaginarium Discovery Center for hands-on science
    • Thomas Planetarium
  • Alaska Native Heritage Center
    • Living cultural center with traditional village sites
    • Native games demonstrations
    • Cultural performances and craft demonstrations

Live Entertainment

  • Live music venues with local and touring artists
  • Bear Tooth Theatrepub - dining, movies, and concerts
  • Seasonal outdoor concerts at Town Square and Delaney Park Strip
  • Alaska State Fair brings national acts (Palmer)
  • Moose's Tooth Pub hosts popular summer concerts

Sports & Athletics

  • Alaska Aces Hockey (ECHL)
  • University of Alaska Anchorage athletics
  • Great Alaska Shootout basketball tournament
  • Mayor's Marathon and other running events
  • Alaska Baseball League summer games

Dining & Nightlife

Anchorage's food scene reflects its diversity and access to fresh seafood:

  • Fine Dining Highlights:
    • Crow's Nest – panoramic views, award-winning wine
    • Glacier Brewhouse – fresh seafood & house-brewed beers
    • ORSO – upscale Italian and seafood
    • Simon & Seafort's – classic steakhouse with Cook Inlet views
  • Local Favorites:
    • Moose's Tooth – top-rated pizzeria
    • Snow City Café – featured on "Man vs. Food"
    • Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse – beer & live music
    • Wild Scoops – artisanal ice cream with local ingredients

Shopping

  • 5th Avenue Mall – downtown with national retailers
  • Dimond Center – Alaska's largest mall
  • Local artisan markets and gift shops
  • Farmers' markets during summer
  • Outdoor gear stores including REI

Annual Events & Festivals

  • Fur Rendezvous ("Fur Rondy") – winter carnival
  • Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ceremonial start
  • Summer Solstice Festival
  • Alaska State Fair in Palmer
  • First Friday Art Walk
  • New Year's Eve Celebration with fireworks

Movie Theaters

  • Century 16 and Regal Cinemas for new releases
  • Bear Tooth Theatrepub for indie and second-run films
  • Alaska Experience Theater – documentaries and local films
  • Outdoor movie nights in summer

Family Entertainment

  • Alaska Zoo
  • Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Portage)
  • H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark
  • Alaska Botanical Garden
  • Potter Marsh Wildlife Boardwalk
  • Indoor play spaces and ice skating rinks

The entertainment scene in Anchorage combines the sophistication of a modern city with distinctly Alaskan traditions and outdoor opportunities. While the options may be fewer than in larger metros, the quality and uniqueness of the experiences make Anchorage's entertainment offerings special and memorable.

Outdoor Activities: Embrace the Outdoors: Activities in Our Area

Anchorage's position as a gateway to the Alaskan wilderness makes it an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, offering year-round recreational opportunities within minutes of downtown.

Hiking & Trail Systems

The city boasts an exceptional network of accessible trails:

  • Chugach State Park (495,000 acres)
    • 280+ miles of maintained trails
    • Flattop Mountain – most climbed peak in Alaska
    • Glen Alps trailhead 20 minutes from downtown
    • Powerline Pass – wildflowers & wildlife
    • Crow Pass Trail – historic Iditarod route
  • Urban Trail System
    • 135+ miles of paved trails
    • Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (11 miles)
    • Chester Creek & Campbell Creek Trails
    • Year-round maintenance for multi-use

Winter Activities

The cold season brings unique outdoor opportunities:

  • Skiing
    • Hilltop Ski Area – 15 min from downtown
    • Alyeska Resort – 2,500 ft vertical, 76 trails, night skiing
    • Kincaid Park – world-class nordic skiing
    • Backcountry skiing in Chugach State Park
  • Other Winter Sports
    • Ice skating on lakes and rinks
    • Fat-tire biking
    • Snowmachining in designated zones
    • Ice climbing
    • Aurora viewing
    • Dog mushing tours

Water Activities

  • Kayaking & Paddleboarding
    • Lake Hood & Lake Spenard
    • Eklutna Lake
    • Prince William Sound
  • Fishing
    • Ship Creek downtown salmon fishing
    • Rainbow trout in local lakes
    • Halibut charters from nearby ports
    • All five Pacific salmon species
    • Ice fishing in winter
  • Other Water Sports
    • Rafting on Eagle River
    • Boat tours in Prince William Sound
    • Jetski rentals at Big Lake (1 hr away)

Wildlife Viewing

  • Coastal Wildlife:
    • Beluga whales in Turnagain Arm
    • Bald eagles
    • Harbor seals & sea otters
  • Land Animals:
    • Moose in the city
    • Black & brown bears nearby
    • Dall sheep & mountain goats
    • Wolves and foxes

Mountain Biking

  • Kincaid Park single-track
  • Hillside & Far North Bicentennial trails
  • Alyeska Resort downhill trails
  • Winter fat-bike groomed routes

Climbing

  • Sport climbing at Ptarmigan Peak
  • Bouldering in Chugach State Park
  • Ice climbing in winter
  • Indoor climbing at Alaska Rock Gym
  • Guided glacier climbing trips

Golf

  • Anchorage Golf Course – mountain views
  • Moose Run Golf Course – military course open to public
  • Midnight sun golf – tee times until 10pm in summer
  • Winter golf simulators

The outdoor opportunities in Anchorage are remarkable for both quantity and accessibility. Most are available within a 20-minute drive of downtown, with many trailheads accessible via public transit. With maintained facilities, convenient parking, and professional outfitters, Anchorage is a true year-round outdoor destination.

Recharge and Play: Recreation Options

Building on the extensive outdoor opportunities, Anchorage provides robust indoor and structured recreational facilities that support year-round activity. The city's recreational infrastructure demonstrates a strong commitment to community wellness, especially during the long winter months.

Community Centers & Indoor Facilities

  • The Alaska Club – Multiple locations, including:
    • South location – only indoor tennis courts
    • East location – full-size indoor pool with lap swim times
    • Group fitness, personal training, cardio & weights
  • Anchorage YMCA – Community-focused facility:
    • Aquatics center with year-round swimming lessons
    • Renovated climbing wall
    • Senior fitness & youth development programs
  • Alaska Mountain Safety Center
    • Avalanche education courses
    • Wilderness first aid & navigation training

Public Recreation Facilities

  • Anchorage Parks & Recreation
    • 223 municipal parks (14,000+ acres)
    • 82 playgrounds
    • 250+ miles of multi-use trails
    • 110 athletic fields
    • 5 public swimming pools
    • 11 neighborhood recreation centers
  • The Dome – Alaska's year-round sports venue:
    • 400-meter indoor running track
    • FIFA-sized soccer field
    • Courts for basketball & volleyball
    • Jump & vault areas
    • Youth sports programming
    • Climate-controlled at 65°F
  • Ben Boeke Ice Arena & McDonald Center – Winter sports:
    • Public skating sessions
    • Hockey & figure skating programs
    • Curling leagues
    • Party packages & rentals

Family Activity Centers

  • H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark
    • 84°F year-round
    • 505-foot Master Blaster Water Coaster
    • Wave pool with three patterns
    • Children’s lagoon & waterslides
    • Private party rooms
  • Top Playgrounds
    • Cuddy Family Midtown Park – accessible equipment
    • Valley of the Moon Park – summer concerts
    • Ruth Arcand Park – nature play areas
    • Russian Jack Springs Park – winter-lit trails

Specialty Recreation Venues

  • Alaska Rock Gym
    • 8,000 sq ft of climbing surface
    • Bouldering, classes, youth teams
    • Equipment rentals
  • Pickleball Facilities
    • Fairview Rec Center – 6 indoor courts
    • Kincaid Outdoor Center – 8 outdoor courts
    • Tournaments, clinics & senior programs

Youth Programs

  • Municipal Programs
    • After-school care at 11 locations
    • Outdoor-focused summer camps
    • Youth sports leagues
    • STEM & recreation integration
    • Scholarships for low-income families
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Anchorage
    • 5 clubhouses citywide
    • Mountain View – tech focus
    • Woodland Park – athletics
    • Jesse Owens – arts
    • Summer meals & school stations

Adaptive Recreation

  • Challenge Alaska
    • Adaptive skiing & summer camps
    • Specialized gear rentals
    • Veteran outreach programs
  • Special Olympics Alaska
    • 28,000 sq ft training center
    • Multi-sport training & competitions
    • Unified sports programs
    • Health screening initiatives

Anchorage's recreational infrastructure reflects major investment in community wellness. With inclusive facilities and programs for all ages and abilities, residents enjoy active lifestyles regardless of season or weather.

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