How to Virtually Visit Anchorage, Alaska

If the current global climate has your travel plans on hold, no need to stop exploring. Virtual tourists can visit Anchorage, Alaska without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Here are a few livestream opportunities and interactive experiences you can explore 24 hours a day to put together your virtual vacation. This a great opportunity to “travel” with kids and teach them more about the world around them.

Birds eye view of Anchorage Town Square park

Town Square Park

In the heart of downtown Anchorage is Town Square Park, and you can jump right into the park via a Borealis Broadband livestream. In the summertime, the area is full of flowers and features live concerts as well as family-friendly events. In the winter, visitors can enjoy ice sculptures and a public skating rink. On the livestream, keep your eyes peeled for holiday lights, colorful flowers, the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, or the occasional wildlife visitor.

Anchorage 4th Avenue

Fourth Avenue

Fourth Avenue is the center of downtown Anchorage and a year-round visitor destination no matter your interests. There is always a lot going on here, including historic City Hall, the Visit Anchorage Log Cabin Visitor Information Center, Anchorage Trolley Tours, and the ceremonial starting point of the Iditarod. A handful of the city’s 223 parks are located in the vicinity as well. You can jump into a livestream view for a front-row seat to all of the excitement. Eagle-eyed virtual visitors will be able to spot the city’s famous statue of Balto.

concert hall seating

Anchorage Symphony Orchestra

Even before Alaska was recognized as a state, the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra has been performing for local audiences and has only grown in size and skill since. Its home base is the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Anchorage. However, visitors from around the world can now tune in to a virtual version of the 2019-20 season finale featuring works by Tchaikovsky, Ravel, Rossini, and more.

crowded banks of ship creek

Ship Creek

Located just north of Fourth Avenue, Ship Creek is the most popular urban salmon fishing site in Anchorage. It is also a great location to spot shorebirds and ducks. Between June and September, tourists and locals alike can watch anglers catch massive salmon in the midst of downtown or visit the hatchery. In the wintertime, jump on to Google Maps to watch the sheets of ice covering the inlet.

Anchorage Museum Streetfront

Anchorage Museum

The Anchorage Museum is an art, history, ethnography, ecology, and science museum dedicated to studying the people and history of Alaska, making it a great stop for those interested in history and culture. Some exhibits and elements of the Anchorage Museum are available for virtual visiting in partnership with Google Arts and Culture. The main focus right now is the online exhibit ILATKA: The Inuit Word For My Relatives, in addition to over 200 photographs available for browsing.

Lake Hood

This is the busiest seaplane base in the country and is home to hundreds of aircraft. It is open to the public and handles an average of 190 flights per day. Clear weather means you can enjoy perfect views of the Alaska Range and other mountain ranges in the area. During the winter, the surface of the frozen lake is maintained for ski-equipped planes. You can tune into a livestream to watch planes take off and land, take in the mountain scenery, and spot the Northern Lights or the occasional moose.

Alaska Aviation Museum

The state of Alaska has more planes and pilots per capita than anywhere else in the country. You can learn more about the state’s rich history of aviation at the Alaska Aviation Museum located on the shores of Lake Hood. The museum is composed of four hangars full of educational exhibitions and vintage aircraft to be explored. Virtual visitors can explore dozens of the exhibit aircraft online, including photos and a historical background of each piece. This is a perfect stop for kids as well as air travel enthusiasts.

The Alaska Zoo

The Alaska Zoo is a popular tourist destination each year with over 200,000 visitors annually and is home to over 50 species of animals and birds. Even though the zoo is currently closed to visitors, you can watch beloved resident polar bear Cranberry explore her enclosure via livestream—appealing to kids and adults alike!

Glen Alps Webcam

This livestream is powered by the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources. The Glen Alps Webcam lets you take in a real-time view of one of the most popular trailheads in Chugach State Park. There is also a second webcam that features a view of the mountain summits.

Seward Highway

Surrounded by idyllic Alaska scenery, Seward Highway runs south for 125 miles from the city of Anchorage along Chugach State Park and the Turnagain Arm coast down to the city of Seward located on the Kenai Peninsula. It has been designated a National Forest Scenic Byway, an All-American Road, and an Alaska Scenic Byway. It is traditionally famous for its wide variety of outdoor activities and opportunities to spot beluga whales. If you do not want to visit in person, you can use Google Street View to explore lush forests, jagged mountain peaks, peaceful lakes, and foggy mountain passes.

Musk Ox Farm

For over 60 years, this nonprofit Musk Ox Farm has promoted sustainable agriculture in the local community and supported the domestication of the musk ox. They have moved their daily tours to live features on their Facebook page. This virtual experience will help you learn about sustainable farming practices, the production of wool, and the largest captive herd of musk oxen in the world. You can also shop their unique gift offerings online.

Anchorage, Alaska makes a great travel destination for the entire family whether it’s virtual or in person. There is plenty to see, do, and learn about no matter your interests. The adoption of technology by many local staples has made accessing new places easier than ever before, and now is a great time to take advantage of virtual options in order to add a new destination to your bucket list.

9 Ways to Enjoy Anchorage from a (Social) Distance

Anchorage is the great outdoors you deserve, the magical cure to the not-so-great indoors that you’ve spent too much time in lately. This city is well prepared to keep you safe, entertained, and far away from COVID-19’s reach. Being the biggest city in the USA’s largest state means there is plenty of space for everyone. Here are some of the activities you can look forward to in Anchorage.

Mug of Hot Coco

Cook like an Alaskan, eat like a bear

It’s ok if you don’t know anything about Alaskan cuisine. Lucky for you, the Anchorage Daily News gathered 10 creative recipes to get you started. Imagine feasting on some parmesan-roasted Alaska carrots, a classic halibut olympia, and to top it off, a rhubarb almond coffee cake followed by a cup of rich hot chocolate by the fireplace. Anchorage’s local food establishments might not be able to offer dine-in services for the time being, but they would be delighted if you order take-out or delivery from them.

Glassy lake beneath snowy mountains

Walk it off

Social distancing is easy when you can enjoy the hundreds of miles of trails running across Anchorage and Chugach State Park. Whether you ski, cycle, or use your own two feet, there is plenty of space to explore. Hiking the valley scenes surrounding Eagle River Nature Center trails is unforgettable. The sheer beauty of our pristine natural surroundings is a great boost to your health and mood. It is hard not to leave Alaska fitter than when you arrived.

Girl admiring a painting

Connect to a museum

Anchorage’s museums might be currently closed as a safety measure, but that does not mean that you won’t be able to enjoy the region’s history and cultural output online. If you can read this article, you can just as easily head over and browse the Smithsonian Institute’s Alaska Native Collections, or experience several other Anchorage Museum exhibits without waiting in any lines.

Support the local businesses

You didn’t come all the way to Anchorage to return home empty-handed. Fortunately, you can do a good deed and help out the small-business community by picking up a little something to hold the memories of your visit. You might even be inclined to bring home some local gifts for your loved ones. No masks are required online, so don’t worry and stay cozy at home while you choose from a variety of local retailers.

guitarist hands

Enjoy a virtual performance

Nothing can stop you from immersing yourself in the local culture. Alaska’s culture and creativity have survived harsher winters, and with a little Alaskan spirit, so can you. You don’t have to stand outside in the cold to join. It takes little effort to participate in live-streamed concerts and shows. Check out Anchorage’s own Medium Build, a local band that live streams some of their concerts. You can also find virtual storytelling and storytime events from the Anchorage Public Library and the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

alaska train

Speak like a true Alaskan

As a cheechako (someone newly arrived in Alaska) you will likely not understand some of the ways we sourdoughs express ourselves. Alaska’s unique lifestyle, history, and geographic location require its people to come up with many terms that nobody in Hawaii or the lower 48 will understand the first time around. Catch up with this Alaskan lingo starter pack to avoid misunderstandings in Anchorage.

Compass, globe, and quill

Understand Alaska’s unique history

A state that comprises over 1/6th of US territory and would be the 18th largest country on its own is bound to be full of interesting history. For example: did you know that Alaska was a part of Russia and was sold to the USA for less than what it cost to create New York City’s Central Park around the same time? If not, you might want to catch up on some history. There are lots of fascinating things to learn about the Inuit natives, the explorers that put the area on the world map, and how they have all influenced how powerful the state is today.

Grizzly bear and cubs crossing river

Learn about Alaska’s legendary wildlife

There are bisons, and salmons, and bears, oh my! The spectacular species that inhabit this unforgiving land are one of the state’s main attractions. Fall in love with all of the four-legged, high-flying, and fast-swimming Alaskans. If you are looking for a safe way to connect with the state’s fauna while helping to preserve it, pay a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. They are accepting visitors and are located just an hour’s drive away from Anchorage. They rescue orphaned and injured bald eagles, black bears, brown bears, coyotes, deer, elks, muskoxen, lynxes, bisons, wolves, reindeer, and porcupines. In one day you can knock off twelve different animals off your bucket list and provide some relaxed fun for the whole family.

Design your very own adventure

This is a perfect time to research which railroad trips, tours, galleries, and cruises you might want to experience. Join a virtual tour or a photo gallery, and plan the perfect future adventure with the help of the city’s local blog or visitor guide. Anchorage’s own visitor site is an excellent place to start putting your dream vacation together. Or see our full blog!

As you have learned by now, Anchorage surprises its visitors with an abundance of opportunities to immerse yourself in Alaska’s world-famous nature while simultaneously offering the same sense of exploration when you discover the charm of the city’s local businesses, arts, and culture. Your Alaskan adventure awaits you in Anchorage. Come and live it!

How to Enjoy the Taste of Alaska at Home

Whether you have never been to Anchorage or it is one of your favorite travel destinations (or you are a local looking to mix up your dinnertime routine), incorporating ingredients and recipes native to Alaska is a great way to expand your culinary horizons. Try any of these recipes and you feel like you’ve taken a small vacation to Anchorage.

Alyeska Blueberry Muffins

Makes 8 servings, ready in 30 minutes

Highbush blueberries grow more abundantly than their lowbush counterparts and are not as sweet, making them the perfect addition to these muffins. They favor cold winters, making them a common sight in not only Alaska but also the northern contiguous United States.

Muffin ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 cup fresh Alaska High Bush Blueberries
  • A pinch of cinnamon (optional)
  • Butter, shortening, or cooking spray to grease the pan

Crumb topping ingredients:

  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup butter, cubed
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400º F. Grease 8 muffin cups or line the cups with muffin liners. Combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1-cup measuring cup; add the egg and then add enough milk to fill the cup. Combine with flour mixture and then fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups to the tops, and sprinkle each with the crumb topping mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffins comes out clean.

Rhubarb Crumb Coffeecake

Makes 16 servings, ready in 1 1/2 hours

Rhubarb’s naturally bitter flavor pairs well in sweet recipes such as pies and this crumb-topped coffeecake. It is in season April through June.

Coffeecake ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 4 cups chopped rhubarb (can use fresh or frozen; note cooking times below)
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Shortening or butter to grease the pans

Crumb topping ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup cold butter

Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease two 8-inch pans with shortening or butter. In a small bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and rhubarb. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat together sugar, butter, eggs, baking soda, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Pour into prepared pans.

Prepare crumb topping, combining ingredients with a fork or pastry blender. Sprinkle cake batter with a crumb topping and gently press it down. Bake for 40 minutes if using fresh rhubarb, and 50 minutes if using frozen rhubarb.

Beer-Battered Alaska Halibut

Makes 6 servings, ready in 45 minutes

Alaska halibut is best known for its mild, slightly sweet flavor and adaptability in recipes. This recipe is best served with Alaska Yukon Gold potato chips and coleslaw made from giant Alaska cabbages.

  • 1 12-ounce bottle of beer—Alaskan Pale Ale or similar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ tablespoon mustard
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 ½ pounds halibut filets
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Cut halibut fillets into approximately 1.5” cubes. Mix dry ingredients and add egg. Pour beer until batter is smooth and runny, but thicker than water. Add oil to a frying pan, approximately half of the height of the halibut cubes. Heat on medium-high until bubbling.

Test one piece: coat halibut in batter, add to oil, fry for four minutes two minutes on each side, flipping with tongs. Using a fork, split the piece in half to check for doneness; if it does not split easily or the middle of the piece is not opaque, it is not completely cooked. Repeat this process with remaining halibut pieces. Serve warm with tartar sauce.

Salmon Cakes

Makes 10-12 servings, ready in 2 hours

Five different species of salmon are native to Alaska. These salmon cakes make a great alternative to traditional hamburgers or can be served as a main course similar to how you might enjoy crab cakes. Try making them miniature-size for the perfect appetizer.

  • 3 cups cooked and flaked salmon, bones removed
  • 2 cups shredded hash browns
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 cup bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced
  • 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon dill—can use fresh or dried equivalent
  • 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • Panko
  • ½ tablespoon red pepper flakes—optional; can also omit jalapeño peppers and add more red pepper flakes instead
  • 1 tablespoon each butter and olive oil, plus additional olive oil for cooking

Sauté the onion, pepper, and jalapeño in 1 tablespoon each butter and olive oil until fork tender but not browned. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional two minutes. Remove from heat, place in a large bowl, and allow to cool completely.

To the bowl, add the salmon and hash browns. Add in the mayonnaise, mustard, egg, dill, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add more mayonnaise as needed. Mix until just combined.

Form into 10–12 patties. Roll in panko and cook in olive oil until browned on both sides are heated through.

Both natives and tourists alike will find Alaskan cuisine fresh, flavorful, and unique. These recipes highlight ingredients unique or native to the region – such as halibut, salmon, wild blueberries, and rhubarb – to create new, delicious dishes that the whole family is sure to enjoy. Try something new for dinner tonight and consider it a brief trip into the Alaska wilderness.

Anchorage Parks and Trails: A Traveler’s Guide

Known as America’s final frontier, Alaska is home to countless trails and parks to explore. Anchorage itself boasts more than 200 parks and 250 miles of trails perfect for a hike, run, or even bike. With all these trails within city limits, you don’t even need to leave to enjoy all that the beautiful state of Alaska has to offer.

Anchorage’s trails feature wooded areas, paved pathways, and the opportunity to discover wildlife and beautiful vistas. These are some of Anchorage’s must-see parks and trails:

Ride Down the Coastal Trail

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail takes you along the shore of Cook Inlet, through the city’s bustling downtown, and on to Kincaid Park, a 1,400-acre park with even more trails to discover. The 11-mile paved trail takes you on a tour of Alaska’s diverse scenery, from coastal marshes to tree-lined hills. Many visitors have also spotted eagles, moose, and other wildlife on the trail.

The best way to enjoy this trail is by bike, and there are numerous bike rental companies offering a cheap way to explore the city. As the trail takes you out of the city and along the coast, you’ll find breathtaking views of Mount Susitna—and even Denali and Mount Foraker on a clear day.

You can even cross a few other sights off your Anchorage bucket list as you traverse the Coastal Trail. Take a stop at one of the many viewpoints and parks along the way, including Earthquake Park and Point Woronzof.

In the summer, you’ll find a lot of running events taking place along the Coastal Trail, from the Mayor’s Marathon to the Anchorage RunFest. There are also Segway tours and other group tours available to explore the trail.

Discover History at Earthquake Park

On March 27, 1964, a magnitude 9.2 earthquake struck Anchorage, the largest ever recorded in North America. The Alaskan landscape was forever changed by this historic event, and Earthquake Park allows visitors to get an up-close encounter with the damage.

A massive landslide destroyed the neighborhood now commemorated by the park, and evidence is shown in a sharp drop-off above peculiar-looking rippling hills north of the park. Several displays educate visitors on what happened that fateful day in 1964 and tell the story and aftermath of the natural disaster.

Earthquake Park is accessible just off the Coastal Trail, and there are several miles of trails with spectacular views of the city. Of course, there’s always a chance for a moose sighting as well!

Explore the Wonder of Kincaid Park

If you rode the Coastal Trail the full 11 miles, you’ll end up at Kincaid Park, a 1,400-acre city park rife with wilderness and wildlife. While it’s close to the city, you’ll forget you’re near civilization at all with the park’s 40 miles walking trails and 20 miles of bike paths on the Cook Inlet coast.

There are opportunities to go fishing, play disc golf on an 18-hole course, and even relax on a secluded beach. If you’re interested in viewing wildlife, Kincaid Park offers plenty of opportunities, especially on the drive into the park. Follow Raspberry Road, and you’re sure to run into moose and black bears.

The region once acted as a military installation. You’ll notice old sheds and buildings converted from old bunkers. The Kincaid Park Chalet, a venue known for hosting scenic Alaskan weddings and other events, offers awesome views of Denali and Fire Island. In the winter, the trails turn into cross-country ski pathways.

Go Bird-Spotting at Potter Marsh

Bird spotters and other avid wildlife junkies ought to have Potter Marsh on their bucket lists. Take a walk on the half-mile-long boardwalk that stretches over the shore, and take in the peaceful sights and sounds. From nesting waterfowl to schools of salmon, there’s always some form of wildlife enjoying the day at Potter Marsh.

As a part of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, the marsh is home to about 130 species of birds. There are plenty of sightseeing tours that take visitors to the marsh, and you can even spot it along the Alaska Railroad.

Escape the City at Westchester Lagoon

Westchester Lagoon offers an urban getaway—in the middle of the city. While it’s nearly steps from downtown, the secluded park makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a whole new world. It’s the perfect respite for lunch breaks, evening strolls, or weekend picnics.

Bird watching is very popular at the lagoon, and visitors often spot ducks, pigeons, geese, and other species known in the region. The boardwalk gives you a chance to closely observe the salmon as they return to the area to spawn.

Take to the water via canoe, paddleboard, or kayak, or watch the kids enjoy an afternoon at the playground. There’s even a cafe if you need a quick refreshment. Westchester Lagoon is another stop along the Coastal Trail and is easily accessible by foot or bike.

Explore Anchorage’s Interconnected Trails

The Coastal Trail is just one of many trails connecting Anchorage’s neighborhoods. The vast network connects different areas of the city, and there are so many to explore.

The 2.6-mile Ship Creek Trail offers a peaceful jaunt along a creek, past a fish hatchery, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature. It also links to the Glenn Highway bike path, a 15-mile paved trail.

The Chester Creek Trail branches off the Coastal Trail at Westchester Lagoon and takes you on a four-mile stretch through city parks to Russian Jack Park, another one of the city’s green areas with plenty of trails to hike. The 7.5-mile Campbell Creek trail takes you downstream past local restaurants and shopping while connecting two major South Anchorage neighborhoods.


When you’re visiting Alaska, you’ll find there are so many opportunities to explore the wilderness. In Anchorage, you don’t even have to leave the city to encounter wildlife and discover beautiful vistas. Add the above parks and trails to your Anchorage bucket list for a fulfilling trip with memories that will last a lifetime.