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Destination of the Day
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a multifaceted city at the gateway to Alaska's most visited destinations. Centrally perched in the nation's least densely populated state, Anchorage offers the best blend of urban and natural appeal to the leisure traveler. In the summer, with long hours of sunlight, you'll have more time to experience Anchorage's spectacular scenery and culture during your stay. (In fact, Anchorage will experience 22 hours of functional daylight on the summer solstice, June 21; it's bright enough that golfers at Anchorage Golf Course can tee off as late as 10 p.m.!) Here's how to make the most of your trip.
Things to Do
Anchorage has a wealth of museums, attractions, and scenic vistas (the twin peaks of Denali and Mt. Foraker are often visible from Downtown Anchorage on a clear day). Learn about the history and art of Alaskans throughout history at the Anchorage Museum, which has one of the world's largest collections of Northern art, and get a glimpse into 11 distinct native cultures at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Visit grizzlies and moose at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, or take off on a sightseeing cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park. Explore more Anchorage activities with our articles on the best things to do and the best free activities.
Where to Eat
For a relatively small city, Anchorage punches well above its weight in the restaurant scene. The city's diversity factors heavily into the city's restaurant scene, and you can find everything from Korean and Indian to Hawaiian, Japanese, and Himalayan cuisine. Travelers may get just a sample of Alaska's food scene during their brief visits, but there are a few local must-stops that make Anchorage stand out, from quirky cash-only coffee houses to venerated dining rooms that have charmed patrons for decades.
Where to Stay
Most global hotel chains operate in Anchorage. Many full-service brands have hotels in the supremely walkable downtown area, whereas all-suite and select-service hotel brands are clustered around the airport and in the Midtown sprawl of strip malls, offices, and big-box stores. While there are plenty of places to stay, the Alyeska Resort and Historic Anchorage Hotel are two particular standouts, as is the new Aloft Anchorage.
Your Packing List
In the summer, shorts, T-shirts, and lightweight clothing are fine even in Alaska. But be sure to pack an extra layer or two, and a light jacket just in case. The nights can be chilly at times, and you'll be glad you have some extra warmth if you need it.
Planning to spend a lot of time outside? Sunscreen and insect repellant will both come in handy. Pack hiking boots and trekking poles, too, if you plan to hike.
If you're going on an Alaskan cruise, you may want to pack a plastic poncho, especially if you're carrying the kind of expensive camera a traveler might invest in before a bucket list trip like this one. A pair of binoculars will come in handy for wildlife and glacier peeping from the ship as well.
Often called "the last cathedral" (even though it's not technically a cathedral), the Sagrada Familia inspires, delights, torments, and disturbs in equal measure. Designed by Spanish-Catalan architect Antoni GaudÃ, the distinctive edifice is a blend of the Spanish late gothic, Catalan modernism, and Art Nouveau architectural styles. Though construction started on the cathedral 150 years ago, the Sagrada Familia is still a work in progress, slated to be complete in 2026. When finished, it will be the tallest religious structure in Europe, standing over 560 feet high.
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