3 to 4 Days in Anchorage: Coastal Trail, Turnagain Arm, Glaciers, Wildlife & Kenai Fjords

This route is structured so that Day 1 requires no car in Downtown Anchorage, Day 2 covers the southern Turnagain Arm, Girdwood and Portage Glacier corridor, and Days 3 and 4 cover walking on Matanuska Glacier and riding the Alaska Railroad to Kenai Fjords National Park. Read our transport and car-rental tips before Day 1.

Day 1 (Anchorage Icons): Coastal Trail, Ship Creek, Museums & Flattop Mountain

• Morning: have King Crab Eggs Benedict at Snow City Cafe, then rent a bike or e-bike on 4th Avenue to ride the 11-Mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail past Westchester Lagoon, Earthquake Park, Point Woronzof and Kincaid Park.
• Afternoon: grab an Alaskan Reindeer Sausage on 4th Avenue, watch salmon leap at Ship Creek, and visit the Anchorage Museum & Alaska Native Heritage Center via the free summer shuttle.
• Evening: take the shuttle or drive to the Glen Alps / Flattop Mountain Trailhead for a panoramic walk, followed by steamed Alaska Red King Crab Legs and Wild Sockeye Salmon downtown.

Day 2 (Turnagain Arm): Beluga Point, Alyeska Tram, Wildlife Center & Portage Glacier

• Morning: drive south on the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm, stopping at Potter Marsh (MP 117), Beluga Point (MP 110.5), and Windy Corner (MP 106.8) for Dall sheep.
• Midday: turn into Girdwood to ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram up Mount Alyeska, walk to Virgin Creek Falls, and have lunch at The Bake Shop.
• Afternoon: visit rescued bears, moose and muskoxen at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (MP 79), take the 1-hour MV Ptarmigan cruise to Portage Glacier, walk to Byron Glacier, and drive through the Whittier Tunnel before pizza at Moose's Tooth.

Day 3 & Day 4: Matanuska Glacier & Alaska Railroad to Seward

• Day 3, Matanuska Glacier & Hatcher Pass: drive 2 hours northeast up the Glenn Highway to Milepost 102 for a 2-hour guided ice walk on Matanuska Glacier, returning via the Musk Ox or Reindeer Farm in Palmer, Hatcher Pass, or Eklutna Lake.
• Day 4, Seward & Kenai Fjords (Or Lake Hood Floatplane): ride the Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic to Seward for the 6-hour Kenai Fjords glacier and whale cruise, or fly from Lake Hood Seaplane Base for Denali or bear viewing.