Planning a cruise to Anchorage, Alaska? Endless summer days and abundant activities, attractions and wildlife beckon. With the Chugach Mountains looming and sparkling Cook Inlet summoning like a siren, Anchorage provides endless outdoor adventure paired with outstanding amenities and entertainment.

Lose track of time on more than 135 miles of lush, maintained, paved trails. Explore all day, then enjoy a gourmet meal. Live music fills the summer air downtown while salmon surge up Ship Creek steps away. With all that Anchorage has to offer, it’s no wonder that cruise travelers choose to spend a few days before or after their cruise and land tour.

Here are six fun things for visitors to do in Anchorage:

Ken Graham / Courtesy of Visit Anchorage There's nothing better than fresh Alaska wild caught seafood.

Fish for salmon — right downtown

There's nothing better than fresh Alaska wild caught seafood. Nearly all of the Anchorage restaurants serve this rich, renewable resource. Or, fish for some king or silver salmon in Ship Creek in the heart of downtown. License and equipment rentals are available on site, and fish processing and packing for shipping is readily available downtown.

Roy Neese / Courtesy of Visit AnchorageJust 20 minutes from downtown Anchorage, Flattop Mountain is the most-hiked peak in Alaska.

Hike Flattop Mountain

Hike a mountain. Just 20 minutes from downtown and accessible by a shuttle for a fee, Flattop Mountain provides hikers with an endless view of Anchorage and Chugach State Park. This is the most-hiked peak in Alaska. In August, pick a few blueberries along the route for a snack.

Roy Neese / Courtesy of Visit AnchorageA brown bear in the Alaska Zoo. Set in a forest, the zoo focuses on arctic animals and is a rescue site for abandoned or injured wildlife.

See wildlife up close

If you haven’t already seen an abundance of moose, black and brown bear, Dall sheep, fox and eagles, a visit to the Alaska Zoo is a must. Set in a forest, the zoo focuses on arctic animals and is a rescue site for abandoned or injured wildlife. It’s easy access for visitors without a car on the free shuttle. Book a behind-the-scenes tour for a close-up experience with the animals.

Jack Bonney / Courtesy of Visit AnchorageAlaska has more breweries per capita than any other state, such as Midnight Sun Brewing Co. in Anchorage.

Grab a brewski

Alaska has more breweries per capita than any other state, and Anchorage is home to many. Many are open to the public and offer tours on certain days or take a brewery tour and let someone else do the driving. Some favorites include Midnight Sun Brewing, King Street Brewing, Girdwood Brewing and Matanuska Brewing Midtown. 

Roy Neese / Courtesy of Visit AnchorageDowntown Anchorage brims with parks that are filled with festivals, music and events most days all summer long.

Head to one of our 223 parks

Green space is important to Alaskans and there is plenty in Anchorage. Visit some of the city’s 223 parks, including the 1,400-acre Kincaid Park, easily accessible by car or by bicycle from downtown via the scenic, 11-mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Town Square Park, Peratrovich Park and the Delaney Park Strip – all downtown – are filled with festivals, music and events most days all summer long. 

Ashley Johnston / Courtesy of Visit AnchorageExplore Alaska’s early beginnings and the rich Alaska Native culture at one or more of the many museums and cultural centers in Anchorage.

Explore Alaska Native culture

Explore Alaska’s early beginnings and the rich Alaska Native culture at one or more of the many museums and cultural centers in Anchorage. From aviation and veterans to art, history and Alaska Native culture, there is a venue where you can learn more about Alaska. The Alaska Culture Pass provides access to the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center at a discounted price with a free shuttle between the two.

Learn more about these adventures and more at www.Anchorage.net.

Day Tripping: Other articles in our series

• 6 fun things to do in Juneau
• 7 fun things to do in Skagway
• 6 fun sights for visitors to Sitka
• A day in St. Thomas: Best bets for cruisers
• How to spend a cruise day in St. Barts
• 36 hours in Panama — a Travel Dispatch