Anchorage 2 Days pre Cruise in August

Question

Hello. My husband and I are doing an AK cruise from Seward in early August. We have extended for 3 days in Seward and 2 days in Anchorage. Looking for itinerary ideas and tips in Anchorage with a car. Unless packaged tours are recommended? We arrive at 7pm from TX and go straight to Wildbirch Hotel downtown. Have 2 full days in Anchorage then taking Coastal Classic to Seward the next morning. We are 65 & 70, like to do moderate hikes (5 miles per day total walking), enjoy mountains, scenery and wildlife. We are doing Exit Glacier, Bear Glacier kayak trip and Major Marine full day tour in Seward.

I'm thinking of going South one day to Turnagain Arm, Girdwood and Portage Valley, including the Wildlife Conservation Center.

Chugach Mountains next day for hikes and views.

Are there other things that would be better for hiking and scenery? Any specific areas that are awesome?

Any and all help in planning would be greatly appreciated, even a link to see pre planned sample itineraries.

TIA!

Answer

With 2 full days in Anchorage and a car, you can see a lot of scenic highlights while keeping walks moderate. Since you’re already planning to do several active excursions in Seward, it makes sense to focus on accessible hikes, viewpoints, and wildlife close to the city.

Day 1 – South of Anchorage: Turnagain Arm, Girdwood, Portage Valley

Your plan heading south along Turnagain Arm is excellent. The drive itself offers some of the most scenic views near Anchorage.

Turnagain Arm: Stop at Beluga Point for wildlife viewing. You may see beluga whales, eagles, and other wildlife along the coast. Short accessible walking paths are available.
Girdwood: Consider a moderate hike to Winner Creek Trail (about 3 miles round trip). The suspension bridge is a highlight and adds interest without overexerting.
Portage Valley: Stop at the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center to view Portage Glacier. The short, easy trails here provide great glacier and mountain views.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: This is a must-visit for wildlife. It’s easy to explore, with animals in naturalistic habitats, and you can spend 1–2 hours walking the paths.

This route can fill most of a day without being overly strenuous, and the drive is very scenic along the Seward Highway.

Day 2 – Chugach Mountains and Anchorage Hillside Trails

For a day closer to Anchorage:

Flattop Mountain Trail: One of the most popular hikes near Anchorage. Round trip is about 3 miles to the summit. Moderate effort with spectacular city and mountain views. You can adjust distance to your comfort level.
Kincaid Park: Offers gentle trails and panoramic views of Cook Inlet and the Alaska Range. Great for a more relaxed walk and possibly spotting moose.
Glen Alps Trailhead: Shorter trails with stunning views of the Chugach Mountains. The area is well-maintained and accessible.
Earthquake Park: Interesting historical site with easy walking paths and views of the city and inlet.

Optional/additional ideas:

Eklutna Lake: About 45 minutes from Anchorage. Flat trail along the lake for easy walking, with mountain scenery. Paddleboard or bike rentals are available if you want a bit of variety.
Hatcher Pass: If you are willing to drive about 1.5 hours, there are moderate hikes and excellent alpine scenery. The Independence Mine trail is scenic and not too strenuous.
Wildlife tours or short boat excursions: Consider a half-day Prince William Sound or Turnagain Arm cruise if you want to see marine wildlife without hiking.

With 2 days, your plan to do one day south toward Seward and another exploring Chugach/Hillside trails is realistic and provides a good balance of scenery, wildlife, and moderate walking. Pre-planned sample itineraries can be found on the Anchorage Visitors Bureau website, which includes recommended routes for 1–3 days.

Anchorage 2 Days pre Cruise in August

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