Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, is a vibrant metropolis rich in history and culture and surrounded by stunning wilderness. 

Although the city and surrounding areas have plenty to do and see year-round, Anchorage is also the ideal home base for exploring the region's natural beauty. 

If you have time, taking multiple day trips from Anchorage is an excellent way to experience the diversity of South-Central Alaska and everything it has to offer, from majestic fjords and small historical towns to magnificent ice-blue glaciers to the wilderness of Denali National Park and countless other places. 

These are our 8 favorite day trips you can take from Anchorage and still make it in time for a nightcap in the city.  

Kenai Fjords National Park (2.5 Hours from Anchorage) 

Kenai Fjords National Park is a stunning wilderness area 130 miles south of Anchorage located on the Kenai Peninsula. The park opened in 1980 to protect 670,00 acres of Alaskan wilderness and is free to visit.  

This park is home to some of the most beautiful glaciers, including Exit Glacier and the impressive Harding Icefield- a 700-square-mile icefield. 

To enjoy Kenai Fjords, you can take a day cruise from the town of Seward to explore everything Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay have to offer, see the glaciers up close, spot whales, sea lions, and seabirds and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. 

The park is also home to fantastic hiking trails, such as the Harding Icefield Trail, a challenging 8.2-mile round-trip hike offering breathtaking views of the horizon of ice and snow that stretches as far as the eye can see. 

Kenai Fjords National Park is close to Seward, and it takes around two and a half hours to get there from downtown Anchorage on the Seward Highway. 

Click here for a full-day tour through scenic Sewards as well as Kenai Fjords National Park.

Seward (2.5 Hours from Anchorage) 

If you are visiting Kenai Fjords, you need to take some time to explore Seward. This unique and bustling town, located on the edge of Resurrection Bay, is nestled between mountains and glaciers and offers stunning views of the mountains and the sea. Seward is also home to a vibrant downtown with unique restaurants and shops you need to explore.   

Seward has many activities to enjoy, from hiking and kayaking to gourmet dining and even salmon viewing. Of course, if you make it to Seward, remember to check out the Kenai Fjords National Park! 

Seward is also home to the Alaska Sealife Center, a public aquarium and marine research facility where you'll learn about the biodiversity of the region's marine life. 

If you have the time, we'd recommend spending a night in Seward to enjoy all this amazing town has to offer. 

To learn more about tours and activities available in Seward, click here.  

Matanuska Glacier (2 Hours from Anchorage) 

Located about 100 miles north of Anchorage, Matanuska Glacier is the largest glacier accessible by car in Alaska and one of the largest glaciers in the US. Matanuska Glacier is a must if you'd like to experience a glacier up close and personal. 

Best of all, you can walk directly on the glacier and explore the stunning blue maze of ice! 

To get the most out of your visit, take a 1-2 hour guided tour of the glacier to explore its crevasses, ice caves, and unique formations. This glacier is over 27 miles long and 4 miles wide, and it's a must-visit for anyone who loves outdoor adventures.  

To get the best photos of the Matanuska Glacier, you must stop by the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Area. 

Talkeetna (2.5 Hours from Anchorage) 

Talkeetna is a charming historic town nestled at the base of Mount Denali, about 115 miles north of Anchorage. 

Talkeetna is known for being home to some fantastic views of Mount Denali, and it's a popular destination for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering various activities including hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching. 

The town is also the "Gateway to Denali," or the starting point for many mountaineering expeditions to Denali, North America's tallest peak. To capture the best bird-eye views of Mt. Denali and the surrounding wilderness, you can board a small plane and take a flightseeing tour from Talkeetna. 

To get amazing mountain views while getting your steps for the day, check out the Talkeetna Lakes Park Trail, a 3.7-mile loop that offers stunning views of the mountains and surrounding lakes. 

If you want to stay closer to the land, you can also go rafting on the Talkeetna River or take a speedboat down the Nenana River. If water and speed are not your things, you can check out the town's Main Street, with two blocks of historic buildings, restaurants, and a brewery. 

Check out some of the tours and activities you can book in Talkeetna. 

Spencer Glacier (60 Miles from Anchorage) 

Located over an iceberg-covered lake in the Chugach National Forest, Spencer Glacier is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Alaska. Getting there is an adventure since the glacier can only be reached by train.

Spencer Glacier is an impressive 5,800 acres and sits at 3,500 feet, making it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts who want to hike, kayak, and explore the glacier's stunning ice formations. 

Once you disembark the train at the Spencer Whistle Stop, you can hike along its edge and admire the views or take a guided tour by the US Forrest Service to explore the glacier's interior. If you enjoy kayaking, you can paddle on Spencer Lake and get close to the icebergs while admiring the local wildlife, including otters, beavers, and eagles. 

Spencer Glacier is a natural wonder that truly captures the beauty of Alaska. Whether hiking along its edge, kayaking on the lake, or taking a helicopter tour, you'll be amazed by the glacier's majesty.

Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and Potter Marsh 

Just south of Downtown Anchorage lies the Alaska Coast Wildlife Refuge and Potter Marsh, the best place to spot a wide diversity of birds and other wildlife in the Anchorage area.  

Stretching 16 miles between Point Woeonzof and Potter Creek, these tidal flats and marsh are home to over 120 species of resident and migratory birds. 

When visiting the Wildlife Refuge, you should stop by the Potter Marsh Boardwalk, a half-mile-long boardwalk where you'll see fantastic wildlife, including salmon runs from May to August.  

Getting here is easy since Potter Marsh is located at Mile 117 of the Seaward Highway, just 11 miles south of Anchorage. 

Hatcher Pass (1.5 Hours from Anchorage) 

Nestled in the Talkeetna Mountains between Willow and Palmer, Hatcher Pass is home to the Independence Mine State Historical Park, an old, abandoned gold mine next to a bowl-shaped alpine valley. Today you can explore the structure of the old mine, go for a hike, and check out the stunning views. 

Hatcher Pass is home to dozens of summer and winter activities, including several hiking trails for different skill levels, featuring superb views of the area's blue lakes, creeks, and the peaks of the Talkeetna Mountains. In the winter, Hatcher Pass becomes a paradise for all kinds of skiers, from snowboarders to downhill and backcountry skiers looking for world-class trails. 

Getting here is easy since it's just a 1 hour and 30-minute drive from Downtown Anchorage. 

Hope (1.5 to 2 Hours from Anchorage) 

This gold rush-era small town is 90 miles from downtown Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula. 

With less than 200 residents, Hope is a great place to learn and experience what the Klondike Gold Rush was all about. Home to old log buildings, visitors can pan for gold, fish for salmon, go rafting, visit a gold rush museum, and hike on several of the Kenai Peninsula's trails. Hope is a small town with dozens of fun cultural and outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy. 

To get to Hope from Anchorage, you will need to drive down the Seward Highway over Turnagain Pass to the Connection to the Hope Highway. 

Making Anchorage your home base for a few days and driving around the region can be an efficient way of seeing many destinations and enjoying South Central Alaska's offerings. Anchorage has something to offer for each season. 

There are many places to visit and things to do around Anchorage, but if you are looking for the best hikes around the Anchorage area, you should check out this article.