Aurora borealis arching over the Alaskan wilderness near Anchorage
🏔️Alaska (USA)

Anchorage

✦6/10

Alaska first-timers using Anchorage as a hub for aurora touring and Denali/glacier adventures

Aurora Score
6/10 ✦
Daily Budget
$170/day
Access
✈️ Easy access
Dark Hours (Winter)
15h

About Anchorage

Anchorage is Alaska's largest city and the most accessible gateway to Alaskan wilderness. For dedicated aurora chasers, the coastal location and city light pollution mean it ranks lower than Fairbanks — but Anchorage's enormous advantage is its international airport, connecting directly to Japan, South Korea, and major US cities. Most aurora-focused travellers use Anchorage as a hub, then drive or fly to Fairbanks. That said, aurora viewing from Anchorage is very possible — guided tours head into the Chugach Mountains and Mat-Su Valley where dark skies begin just 30 minutes from downtown. The city is excellent year-round: Denali National Park is accessible, glaciers are nearby, and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ceremonial start takes place in Anchorage every March to significant fanfare.

Best Time to Visit

DecJanFebMar

Monthly Weather & Aurora

MonthAvg TempDark HoursAurora Chance
Jan★ Best-9°C15hMed
Feb★ Best-7°C12hMed
Mar★ Best-3°C7hMed
Apr+4°C2hLow
May+10°CMidnight sun—
Jun+15°CMidnight sun—
Jul+17°CMidnight sun—
Aug+16°CMidnight sun—
Sep+9°C3hLow
Oct+1°C9hMed
Nov-6°C13hMed
Dec★ Best-8°C15hMed

Activities

Northern Lights ToursDog SleddingSkiingSnowmobile SafariWildlife WatchingGlacier ToursIditarod StartNorthern Lights PhotographySnowshoeingGlacier HikingKayakingHikingPhotography ToursIce FishingAurora CampIndigenous Cultural ExperiencesFat Biking

Getting There

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is a major hub. Direct flights from Seattle (3.5h), San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, Tokyo, Seoul. Very well connected.

Accommodation Highlights

  • ✓City Hotels
  • ✓Wilderness Lodges
  • ✓Aurora Viewing Cabins

Location

Budget Estimator

3 nights21 nights
Budget
$893
Typical
$1,190
Comfort
$1,666

Based on avg $170/day in Anchorage. Includes accommodation, food, local transport & one guided tour. Flights not included.

Quick Info

LanguageEnglish
Regionsubarctic
Coordinates61.22°N, -149.90°E

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Plan by Month

DecJanFebMar

🏨Where to Stay(10)

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Arctic Fox Vacation Rentals

Arctic Fox Vacation Rentals

⭐ 4.5

327 E 2nd Ct, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

housing complex
Yeng´s Den

Yeng´s Den

⭐ 4.4

25 E Tudor Rd, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA

hotel
Bird Creek Motel

Bird Creek Motel

⭐ 4.2

29433 Seward Hwy, Bird Creek, AK 99540, USA

motel
Comfort Suites Anchorage International Airport

Comfort Suites Anchorage International Airport

⭐ 4.1

2919 W International Airport Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502, USA

hotel
The Lakefront Anchorage

The Lakefront Anchorage

⭐ 4.0

4800 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK 99517, USA

hotel

Merrill Field Inn

⭐ 3.6

420 Sitka St, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

hotel

Puffin Inn of Anchorage

⭐ 3.5

4400 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK 99517, USA

hotel

Baymont Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anchorage Airport

⭐ 3.3

5205 Northwood Dr, Anchorage, AK 99517, USA

hotel

Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport

⭐ 2.9

4411 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK 99517, USA

hotel

Ramada by Wyndham Anchorage Downtown

⭐ 2.7

115 E 3rd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

hotel

🍽️Where to Eat(10)

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Palmeira tropical fusion

Palmeira tropical fusion

⭐ 4.8$$

329 Barrow St, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

restaurant
49th State Brewing - Anchorage

49th State Brewing - Anchorage

⭐ 4.6$$

717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

restaurant
Club Paris

Club Paris

⭐ 4.6$$$

417 W 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

steak house
Rustic Goat

Rustic Goat

⭐ 4.4$$

2800 Turnagain St, Anchorage, AK 99517, USA

american restaurant
Spenard Roadhouse

Spenard Roadhouse

⭐ 4.4$$

1049 W Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA

restaurant

Gwennie's Old Alaska Restaurant

⭐ 4.4$$

4333 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK 99517, USA

american restaurant

Glacier Brewhouse

⭐ 4.4$$$

737 W 5th Ave #110, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

bar and grill

Orso

⭐ 4.4$$$

737 W 5th Ave #110, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

seafood restaurant

Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse

⭐ 4.3$$

610 W 6th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

american restaurant

Simon & Seafort's Saloon & Grill

⭐ 4.3$$$

420 L St, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

american restaurant

🎯Things to Do(10)

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Welcome Anchorage Tours

Welcome Anchorage Tours

⭐ 5.0

5100 Cordova St, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA

tourist attraction
Alaska Helicopter Tours

Alaska Helicopter Tours

⭐ 5.0

1842 Merrill Field Dr, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

adventure sports center
Alaskas Finest Tours & Adventures

Alaskas Finest Tours & Adventures

⭐ 4.9

509 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

point of interest
Salmon Berry Travel & Tours

Salmon Berry Travel & Tours

⭐ 4.9

515 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

tour agency
Greatland Adventures

Greatland Adventures

⭐ 4.9

854 E 36th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA

travel agency

Alaska Tour & Travel

⭐ 4.9

3900 Arctic Blvd STE 304, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA

tourist information center

Anchorage Trolley Tours

⭐ 4.8

546 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

tourist information center

Alaska Tours

⭐ 4.8

600 Barrow St Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

tour agency

Anchorage Tours and Transfers

⭐ 4.8

330 King Cir, Anchorage, AK 99507, USA

tour agency

PicTours Alaska, Inc.

⭐ 4.8

600 W 7th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

tour agency

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see the northern lights in Anchorage?+
The best months for aurora viewing in Anchorage are 12, 1, 2, 3. Anchorage has an aurora score of 6/10.
How much does a trip to Anchorage cost?+
The average daily budget in Anchorage is around $170 USD, covering accommodation, meals, and activities.
How do I get to Anchorage?+
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is a major hub. Direct flights from Seattle (3.5h), San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, Tokyo, Seoul. Very well connected.
What activities are available in Anchorage?+
Popular activities in Anchorage include Northern Lights Tours, Dog Sledding, Skiing, Snowmobile Safari, Wildlife Watching, Glacier Tours, Iditarod Start, Northern Lights Photography, Snowshoeing, Glacier Hiking, Kayaking, Hiking, Photography Tours, Ice Fishing, Aurora Camp, Indigenous Cultural Experiences, Fat Biking.