Things To Do In Anchorage In July

Things to Do in Anchorage in July

Alaska, United States / By

Nestled in south-central Alaska, Anchorage is the perfect gateway to enjoy mesmerizing natural beauty, learn about Alaska’s history, and immerse in outdoor adventures. Boasting the largest population in the state, this city is rich in arts and culture and houses many heritage sites.

This Alaskan town is perfect for visiting in the summer season between June and August. It offers a wealth of experiences to enjoy, including hiking, cycling, and wildlife safaris. As summer gets closer, let’s look at things to do in Anchorage in July.

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Table Of Contents
  1. Grab Your Camera and Take Wildlife Photos
  2. Spot Animals and Birds in Anchorage National Parks
  3. See and Hear Glaciers
  4. Experience the Unforgettable Dog Sledding Ride
  5. Explore Anchorage on Two Wheels
  6. Explore the City with a Trolley Tour
  7. Hike Along the Turnagain Arm Trail
  8. See What the Fuss is All About Gold Panning
  9. Travel in Luxury with these Air Tours
  10. Listen to Thrilling Crime Stories while Walking Down Spenard Neighborhood
  11. Learn a Thing or Two at Anchorage Museum
  12. Go On a Scavenger Hunt
  13. Paddle Around Icebergs on Kayak Tours
  14. Stuff Your Belly on a Food Tour
  15. Wash Down Your Meal with Classic Anchorage Beverages
Find the Best Anchorage Tours, Tickets, and Activities
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Grab Your Camera and Take Wildlife Photos

Bear
Enjoy wildlife photography in Anchorage.

Anchorage is home to diverse animals, birds, reptiles, and mammals. You can see everything from bears and moose to Orcas and rare birds. Witnessing these beautiful creatures up close will be a moment to remember.

Wildlife photographers often visit this Alaskan town to capture beautiful photos. There are many photo spots in Anchorage, such as the Arctic Valley, Beluga Point, Kincaid Park, Flattop Mountain, and more. Furthermore, you can shoot marvelous sunset scenery here. It looks perfect on sunny days in July.

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Spot Animals and Birds in Anchorage National Parks

Anchorage Parks
Anchorage has several national parks that are worth visiting.

July is the peak tourist month in Anchorage when outdoor activities like hiking, wildlife safaris, and camping are possible. You can also include visits to Anchorage’s five national parks in your travel plan. Each offers something new and exciting for visitors to learn.

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See and Hear Glaciers

Glacier
Enjoy teeth-chattering Anchorage glacier tours.

Alaska has the greatest concentration of glaciers in the US, and Anchorage alone has sixty glaciers within fifty miles. Travelers visit this town to get close and personal with these gorgeous glaciers. Moreover, glacier excursions are best done in the fall and summer months, including July.

Imagine kayaking around the Portage Valley or Prince William Sound. You can also opt to go hiking in Girdwood. Then, there is Spencer Glacier, which offers ocean adventures in summer. Finally, you can enjoy air tours, glacier climbing, and river rafting in the Matanuska Valley.

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Experience the Unforgettable Dog Sledding Ride

Dog Sledding
Enjoy a thrilling dog sledding ride in Anchorage.

Since you are already in Glacier Valley, you might as well go for dog sledding. You can enjoy this speedy ride even in the summer and fall. Hop up on a sled and experience how it feels to be pulled by a pack of huskies through snowy roads.

Dog Sledding tours will be the cherry on top of your Anchorage trip. They are perfectly safe and worth the money. However, we must warn you that dog sleds are pretty expensive; their prices range from $89 to $140 per person. You can compare their costs in Viator or GetYourGuide.

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Explore Anchorage on Two Wheels

Biking
The summertime is best for mountain biking in Anchorage.

Mountain biking is the best way to discover and explore everything this beautiful town has to offer. It’s a budget-friendly and fun way to travel around Anchorage. Furthermore, this region has many cycling routes ranging from easy to expert level.

Let’s start cycling with an easy route from Arnold L. Muldoon Park to Westchester Lagoon. Riders of all skill levels can try this 13.5-mile way. If you are at an intermediate level, ride down the Glenn Highway Multi-Use Trail, Bird to Gird Trail, Anchorage Loop Trail, Ship Creek Trail, and Chester Creek Trail.

Finally, this city has the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for those seeking a challenge, which is 21.1 miles long. Only riders with good physical fitness are advised to try this route, which takes more than two hours to complete.

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Explore the City with a Trolley Tour

Trolley
Hop on a trolley bus for Anchorage city’s tour.

If two wheels are not your forte, try a luxurious trolley tour. Take a comfortable seat in this luxurious vehicle and enjoy sightseeing. This trolley is often a 1 to 2-hour long ride and travels around Anchorage’s major attractions, such as Earthquake Park, Lake Hood, and Alaska Railroad.

Trolleys often have guides who tell passengers about the history and significance of the attractions. Visitors can ask questions to guides and take pictures along the way. Furthermore, this tour doesn’t cost much; prices range from $50 and above per person.

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Hike Along the Turnagain Arm Trail

Turnagain Arm Trails
Marvel at scenic views of Turnagain Arm.
  • Address: Seward Highway Anchorage; Google Map
  • Best Activities in Turnagain Arm: Hiking, Wildlife Watching, Nature Photography

As mentioned above, hiking is among the things to do in Anchorage in July. You can get the best hiking experience in Turnagain Arm Trail. This nine-mile easy hike follows the Seward Highway and leads to breathtaking sceneries.

You can start your journey from any trailhead, including Potter, McHugh, Windy Corner, and Rainbow. This hike is kid—and dog-friendly, so you can enjoy it with your family. It is also mosquito-prone, so pack insect repellent and wear long-sleeved clothes.

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See What the Fuss is All About Gold Panning

Gold Panning
Keep Gold Panning on your summer bucket list.

Have you ever tried gold panning? If not, you are in for a treat in Anchorage, as this is one of the famous tourist activities. You can see how gold is extracted and follow the process step by step with a guide. Indian Valley Mine is a go-to destination among gold panning lovers.

First, you will take a little mix from the riverbeds and put it in a pan. After water is poured halfway to the top, swirl the mixture and let the water out of the pan. If there is gold, it will remain at the bottom. That sounds easy, right? However, it takes time to master the skills.

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Travel in Luxury with these Air Tours

Helicopter
Enjoy helicopter and plane tours in Anchorage.

Let go of traditional ways of traveling and choose luxurious and convenient transport. For example, you can enjoy helicopter tours over Anchorage. They take passengers through the gorgeous Chugach Mountains, Knick River Valley, and Girwood.

Visitors can book a helicopter tour with landing. Other activities, such as glacier paddleboarding, glacial trekking, dog sledding, and ice climbing, are also available. Some agencies even offer heli weddings and other important events. Although helicopter tours are costly, the experience is worth the money.

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Listen to Thrilling Crime Stories while Walking Down Spenard Neighborhood

Spenard Neighborhood
Wander down the historic Spenard Neighborhood.

Aside from adventurous activities, travelers can also enjoy leisurely tour activities in Anchorage. If you prefer to do something in a relaxed atmosphere, take a stroll around the Spenard Neighborhood. It is a historic place formed long before the City of Anchorage and the Greater Anchorage Area Borough’s unification.

Initially a lumber camp, Spenard is now a tourist hub in Alaska. Visitors come here to explore the neighborhood’s eateries, shops, parks, and bike paths. Some of their go-to destinations are Earthquake Park, Lake Hood, Lake Spenard, Lyn Ary Park, etc.

You can enjoy a solo journey or pick from our following handpicked activities. Local guides will take a group down the neighborhood, filling them on the place’s history in the 1960s and 1970s. You will also hear thrilling stories about crime events that happened then.

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Learn a Thing or Two at Anchorage Museum

Anchorage Museum
Step back in time at Anchorage Museum.
(Source: Anchorage Museum Facebook)
  • Address: 625 C Street, Anchorage, AK 99501
  • Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM; Sunday 12 PM – 6 PM; Monday: Closed
  • Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook

Make your summer trip more fruitful with a visit to Alaska’s largest museum, Anchorage Museum. It houses many permanent collections and hosts exhibitions, all dedicated to preserving and studying this town’s history, art, and people.

This museum has over 100,000 photographs in its archive. You can also find maps, historical documents, periodicals, study guides, and other materials in the library. Moreover, the museum charges $25 for adult visitors, $20 for Alaska citizens, $18 for senior citizens, and $12 for children aged 6-12. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday for visiting.

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Go On a Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger Hunt
Challenge yourself with scavenger hunts.

Scavenger hunts are always fun, with their mind-puzzling riddles and barely any clues. Participants will be deeply engrossed in the quest and must beat the clock to win the prize. These games are more fun with many people.

Make the most of your July trip to Anchorage by participating in scavenger hunts. Team up with your friends or strangers and go on an epic quest with a time limit. Furthermore, participants will explore the town while searching for clues. It will be a fun-filled experience, with everyone taking something from the adventure.

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Paddle Around Icebergs on Kayak Tours

Kayaking
Enjoy kayaking with Orcas in Anchorage waters.

Unsurprisingly, Anchorage has no water shortage, thanks to its numerous glaciers. Likewise, there is no limit to water-based experiences in this region. There are many options, including kayaking, canoeing, and river rafting.

This town has many kayaking spots filled with people in peak tourist seasons. For instance, Eklutna Lake is a Kayaking hotspot surrounded by snowy peaks. You can enjoy a serene environment while paddling around icebergs.

Another great place for kayak lovers is Prince William Sound. It offers marvelous views of the Chugach Mountains, glaciers, and wildlife. You can also boat on the Blackstone Bay, Campbell Creek, Bird Creek, and Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge.

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Stuff Your Belly on a Food Tour

Reindeer Sausage
Enjoy local delicacies on your food tour.

Eat your way through Anchorage this July. Indulge in local delicacies, savor their taste, and repeat. This town’s specialties are seafood, reindeer sausage, birch syrup, and various vegetarian dishes. Reindeer sausages are local favorites served by street vendors and highly rated establishments.

You should also try rib sandwiches, panko-crusted Halibut, and salmon. Here are some of the best places to fulfill your cravings:

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Wash Down Your Meal with Classic Anchorage Beverages

Brewery
Finish your Anchorage summer trip with a visit to breweries.

After eating to your heart’s content, you can wash down your meal with a classic Anchorage beer. Many Anchorage restaurants serve their signature beverages with dishes worth trying again.

To learn more about your drinks, visit breweries around Anchorage. You can enjoy tasting while learning the production method. Midnight Sun Brewing Company, Double Shovel Cider Co., Anchorage Distillery, Odd Man Rushing Brewing, Big Swig Tours, and Two Seasons Meadery are renowned brewing houses.

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Find the Best Anchorage Tours, Tickets, and Activities

July is one of the best months to visit Anchorage, offering many unforgettable experiences. Visitors can engage with their friends and family in outdoor adventures, arts and cultural tours, and sightseeing. There is something for everyone; no one will be left alone.

Anchorage is also famous for viewing the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, July is not the time for that. You must visit this beautiful Aurora between August 21 and April 21. Overall, have a great trip in this Alaskan city.

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