Waypoint to Anchorage, AK
Explore Anchorage and Beyond
Looking for things to do? Step outside The Wildbirch Hotel and into a city where wilderness and culture exist in seamless balance. Whether you’re scaling a nearby peak at sunrise, exploring indigenous art in the afternoon, or savoring Arctic-inspired cuisine beneath the northern lights, Anchorage offers a landscape of endless possibility. Our local staff is here to provide tips and insights that match your sense of adventure. The Urban Wild is yours to discover—on your own terms.
Outdoor Adventures
Rent a Bike & Ride the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
Step directly from our front door onto Anchorage’s most scenic trail, an 11-mile stretch where city and wilderness blur together. Watch for beluga whales surfacing in Cook Inlet on one side and moose wandering through coastal forests on the other. Whether you bike, run, ski, or stroll, this trail reveals Anchorage’s true character. Here, nature is always within reach.
Flattop Mountain
Ascend Alaska’s most climbed peak, just a short drive from downtown Anchorage. This three-mile roundtrip trail rewards hikers with sweeping views of Cook Inlet, the Alaska Range, and—on clear days—Denali towering on the horizon. Locals make this climb part of their weekly routine, proving adventure is never out of reach in Anchorage.
Anchorage Northern Lights Tour
Experience the Anchorage Northern Lights Tour, an intimate, small-group trip experience, to view and photograph the Northern Lights in and around the greater Anchorage area. Led by Greatland Adventures, trips start at $325 and include web-quality photographs and portraits, snacks and hot drinks, hotel pick up and drop off and transportation.
Duration: 8 Hours
Talkeetna Air Taxi Flightseeing
Experience Denali National Park from above, soaring between the towering peaks of the Alaska Range. Glaciers sprawl beneath you, ancient ice rivers carving valleys few humans have seen up close. Through your headset, pilots share stories passed down through generations, offering a rare glimpse into the scale and spirit of Alaska’s untamed wilderness.
Museums & Landmarks
Anchorage Museum
Two blocks from The Wildbirch Hotel, Alaska’s most dynamic museum weaves together art, science, and history in immersive ways. Touch ancient ivory carvings at the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center, step into contemporary exhibits challenging northern stereotypes, or watch digital auroras dance around you in interactive installations. This is not a place for passive observation! It’s an ever-evolving discover and exploration of Alaska’s complexity.
University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage’s academic hub is a gateway to Arctic research, indigenous knowledge, and climate studies shaping the future. Stroll through the university’s campus – home to moose and nesting owls – where lecture halls give way to boreal forests. Whether you’re attending an open lecture or an art exhibit, UAA offers an intellectual and natural immersion unlike any other.
Alaska Railroad Depot
Step inside this 1917 landmark where Anchorage’s story began, just a short walk from The Wildbirch Hotel. The iconic blue-and-yellow trains departing from this station still carry travelers deep into Alaska’s backcountry, connecting you to glaciers, mountains, and remote towns inaccessible by road. Even the waiting room tells a story, with historic photographs documenting a century of journeys into the wilderness.
Food & Drink
Midnight Sun Brewing
Experience Alaska’s pioneering craft brewery, where long summer days and dark winter nights inspire bold, award-winning beers. Sip on creations like the “Sockeye Red IPA” while locals swap trail stories over tasting flights. Don’t miss The Wildbirch Hotel’s exclusive collaboration brew—crafted in partnership with Midnight Sun and available only at Undertap, opening fall 2025.
Whisky & Ramen
Unexpected yet unforgettable, this downtown spot pairs steaming bowls of ramen with curated whisky flights. Locally sourced seafood and wild-harvested mushrooms elevate each dish, making every bite distinctly Alaska. With priority reservations available for hotel guests, you’ll have a seat at one of the city’s most sought-after tables.
Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop
Follow the scent of fresh-baked sourdough to this beloved Anchorage bakery, where every loaf and pastry is crafted by hand. The bakers here embrace slow food traditions, fermenting dough with wild Alaska yeast and folding in local flavors like high-bush cranberries and spruce tips. Arrive early—their cardamom braids and savory tarts sell out fast.
Events In Anchorage
Fur Rondy
Celebrate winter like a true Alaskan at this historic ten-day festival, where traditions run deep with contagious energy. Watch locals race down 4th Avenue with reindeer, cheer on sled dog teams mushing through downtown, or bid on native art at the annual auction. For Alaskans, Fur Rondy is a seasonal rite of passage.
Summer Solistice
June traditionally brings the annual Summer Solstice Festival: Make the most of the longest day of the year with food trucks and an exhilarating array of family-friendly fun on downtown Anchorage’s Fourth Avenue.
Marathons
With easy access to Chugach State Park and hundreds of miles of city trails and footpaths, Anchorage is the perfect place to go for a run, complete a marathon, or participate in a 5K or other footrace. There are even ultra-marathon options for athletes looking for an extended adventure.
Alaska International Film Festival
Discover the world through an Arctic lens at this winter gathering of filmmakers and storytellers. Screenings of independent films from around the globe unfold in downtown venues within walking distance of The Wildbirch Hotel.
Mayor's Marathon
In June, the popular Mayor’s Marathon — including a half-marathon, relay, 5K and kids’ mile — is popular with Alaskans and visitors alike.
Heyi Days
Step into Alaska’s indigenous winter festival, where Dena’ina Athabascan traditions light up the season from Thanksgiving through the New Year.
Iditarod
Feel the electric energy of the world’s most legendary sled dog race as mushers and their teams thunder from the starting line—blocks from The Wildbirch Hotel. This 1,000-mile test of endurance traces the route of the 1925 serum run, an epic journey across frozen rivers, mountain passes, and windswept tundra.
