There is so much nature to explore when you come to Alaska, but there is also a lot of history and culture. The Anchorage Museum is a great place to spend a few hours between the adventures on the water and among the glaciers. Located in the downtown area, the Anchorage Museum is a multilevel complex full of Alaskan art, Alaska Native cultural collections, history exhibits and more. It’s a great place to visit on a rainy day or when you just need a place to relax and go at your own pace. We’ve got all the info for visiting the Anchorage Museum on your Alaska trip.
I have to say before getting too deep into the museum, it’s very much worth it to plan some more calm, cultural experiences like an art or history museum. For our kids it gives them a chance to wander a bit on their own and for us it’s a chance to appreciate a different side of the destination. The Anchorage Museum is ideal for both of these things!
Highlights of the Anchorage Museum
I will always love indigenous cultures wherever I’m traveling. The Anchorage Museum has a fantastic collection of art and artifacts from all around the state. From Yupik clothing and tools to Tlingit totem carvings, you’ll find a broad collection of Alaska Native exhibits in the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center collection.
The other highlight of visiting the Alaska Museum is the art of Alaska There are modern pieces, including local Alaska Native artworks, but then there is also a wonderful collection of historic art. Think Turner and Tintoretto… but with the subjects being the Alaskan landscape and wildlife. I love it!
The Anchorage Museum with Kids
While the Anchorage Museum is NOT a children’s museum it does have a kid-focused section and lots of kid-friendly exhibits. There’s a healthy helping of science, focusing on geology and Alaska, as well as exhibits about the Northern Lights and other phenomena. The kid-friendly stuff doesn’t end there.
Kids will love the small carvings in the collection from the Arctic Circle peoples, the Inupiaq culture. And then there are fun art installations like the feather covered polar bears and the salmon art displays. My kids are big into museums, and the Anchorage Museum doesn’t disappoint.
Tips for Visiting the Anchorage Museum
I always prefer to have my museum days when it’s rainy or between really active travel days. The Anchorage Museum is large enough that you can plan to explore it for 2-3 hours while the weather changes, or while some of your travel party is catching up on their rest.
When you visit, there are lockers for rent on the first floor to store umbrellas and bags. They take quarters, but if you don’t have any you can bring a few dollars cash to the front desk and they’ll help you out with quarters. There is also a museum store at the Museum. Here you can find anything from original pieces to reproductions of works you saw in the exhibits, books to qiviut (musk ox wool) products. It’s a great store.
Parking for the a Day at the Anchorage Museum
The Anchorage Museum is walking distance from most downtown hotels, like the Hilton or the Captain Cook. If you’re staying in mid-town or just think you want to drive, there is limited street parking and then also a paid parking lot at both 6th and A Street or 7th and C Street. If you’re walking to the museum, be sure to check out the outdoor art installations, and as you walk through town, look up and you’ll notice lots of murals, amping you up for a day of Alaskan art.
Museum Operating Info
To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan your time at the Anchorage Museum.
- Operating Dates/Season: year-round; 10:00 am -6:00 pm 7 days a week May through September; closed on Mondays October through April, opens at 12:00 pm on winter Sundays
- Tour office phone number: 907-929-9200
- Museum Website: Exhibits and Programs
- Museum address: 625 C Street, Anchorage AK 99501
More Things to do in Anchorage
I think Anchorage is a great city to visit, whether it’s the main area you choose to visit on your Alaska trip or it’s the jumping off point for an epic Alaska road adventure. Anchorage has changed a lot in the last 25 years (I still remember my first visit) and it’s become a city with great dining, interesting things to do within the city, and of course incredible nature just beyond downtown.
A visit to Anchorage needs to include activities like the Alaska Native Heritage Center, visiting Kincaid park for walking and wildlife watching, and enjoying some hiking outside of town. It’s really easy to add activities to your Anchorage visit both down on the Turnagain Arm (Seward Highway) or in Chugach State Park (Eklutna Lake and Thunderbird Falls). If you’re ever bored in Anchorage, you’re not paying attention.
Here are some things to do in Anchorage that can be added to part of your day when you visit, just in case you don’t have lots of time:
- Anchorage Museum
- Alaska Native Heritage Center
- rent bikes for the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
- watch for beluga whales at the Anchorage Small Boat Launch
- day trip to Eklutna Lake and town site
- day trip to Portage or Whittier for a Prince William Sound adventure
Here are some Anchorage ideas:
Where to Eat in Anchorage
Let’s assume that you’re staying in the downtown area of Anchorage and you’re looking for a great meal. Well, there are lots of choices, but I’ve picked my favorites that are both solid Anchorage standards and are new and awesome.
- Snow City Cafe – breakfast
- K Street Market – bakery, breakfast, lunch and cool shops
- F Street Station – vintage Anchorage with delicious food. And a cheese block.
- 49th State Brewing – busy but really good food and beer
- Tequila 61 – modern and trendy Mexican favorites w/ great cocktails
- Whisky & Ramen – fantastic Asian fusion food and craft cocktails
- Double Shovel Cider Co – not downtown, but it’s worth the visit for awesome ciders
Where to Stay in Anchorage
When you’re looking for a hotel in Anchorage, you’ll see that the city is broken into several areas with hotels mostly being in downtown, midtown and at the airport. If you’re just here for one night, any area will do, but for several days, downtown is the best area to stay because it’s such a walkable city. I enjoy staying in the hub of Anchorage activities because there are lots of things to do, restaurants and easy access to biking routes and the Alaska Railroad. Check out the options below.
I hope you’re excited to visit the Anchorage Museum. It really captures both modern and historic elements of Alaskan culture and history. I know you’ll love it. If you have any questions about visiting the museum, Anchorage itself, or need some specific recommendations please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help with travel planning for an Alaska Trip!
