Where to Stay in Anchorage (Best Places & Areas)

6 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Anchorage

Getting around Anchorage is easy, given its convenient grid layout. As a smaller city, it only takes between 20 and 30 minutes to cross from one end to the next. Despite its smaller size, Anchorage still has distinct neighborhoods and areas.

Downtown Anchorage

👉 Best Area For First Time Visitors | ✨ Best Downtown Anchorage Hotels: Hotel Captain Cook • Snob Hollow Inn • The Wildbirch Hotel

Downtown is a great place to stay for first-time visitors to Anchorage. The Anchorage Museum houses many fascinating exhibits and Native Alaskan artifacts. The scenic Tony Knowles Coastal Trail makes for a great hike or bike ride in spring and summer.

Many restaurants downtown serve a diverse and delicious array of food. There’s also no shortage of hip breweries and cozy coffee shops, making downtown the coolest area to chill a little and pass the time.

Anchorage is a smaller city, so the main attractions are almost all within walking distance. Many hotels, such as the luxurious Hotel Captain Cook and The Wildbirch Hotel (my top recommendation), offer rooms with stunning views of Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains.

Many hotels also offer free parking. The Anchorage Train Depot connects Anchorage with several other locations in the state. These include landmarks like Mount Denali and Portage Glacier, as well as cities like Fairbanks and Seward.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Anchorage:

• Central location
• Lots of great shopping and dining options
• Close to many of the best things to see in Anchorage

Cons of Staying in Downtown Anchorage:

• Noisier than most other areas at night
• Some parts (primarily the main bus stop) feel a little dicey
• Many hotels tend to be expensive, especially in summer.

Midtown Anchorage

👉 Best Area For Business Travelers | ✨ Best Midtown Anchorage Hotels: Hyatt House Anchorage • Embassy Suites Anchorage • Home2 Suites • Hampton Inn Anchorage

Midtown lies just south of downtown and generally, is within walking distance of the city center. If you don’t mind a longer walk, you can save money with a Midtown hotel and still see plenty of downtown sights. 

This area is home to Anchorage’s REI, which has all the gear you need for an Alaskan adventure. There are lots of great dining options in Midtown, too. Check out Kaladi Brothers and SteamDot for some of the best espresso in Alaska. 

Several of the long stay-friendly hotels in Anchorage, such as Home2 Suites by Hilton, are found in Midtown. The rooms at these properties feature full kitchenettes, making them a great option for anyone who wants to save a little money by buying groceries. Those really looking to save should also consider lodging at the Hampton Inn Anchorage, my top budget pick. 

There are a few pleasant parks located across Midtown, perfect for a stroll at the beginning or end of the day. The Beartooth TheatrePub is a great option if you want to enjoy dinner and a movie (especially on winter evenings when the sun sets early).

Pros of Staying in Midtown Anchorage:

• Quieter than downtown, but not too far from it either
• Lots of great restaurants and stores
• Plenty of hotels to choose from, often cheaper than downtown.

Cons of Staying in Midtown Anchorage:

• Not as many cultural attractions as downtown
• A car may be more convenient for many travelers here.

Ted Stevens International Airport

👉 Best Area For Transit Travelers | ✨ Best Anchorage International Airport Hotels: Comfort Suites Anchorage International Airport • La Quinta by Wyndham • Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport

Anchorage’s airport on the western end of town has several hotels from well-known chains nearby, such as the La Quinta by Wyndham. The area is a great place to rest before the next leg of your journey if you’re connecting elsewhere in Alaska.

Getting elsewhere in Alaska can sometimes be a bit tricky due to the weather, so you may involuntarily visit Anchorage for a day or so (which I’ve done a few times). On the plus side, the delay could get you closer to a free night with your loyalty program!

There are a few points of interest to explore here, such as Earthquake Park and the Alaska Aviation Museum. Lake Hood serves as a hub for local float plane charter companies and is a pleasant place for a walk. A few restaurants and lounges offer excellent views of the planes landing and taking off for rural Alaska.

Pros of Staying near the Ted Stevens International Airport:

• Great for long layovers and early morning connections
• Lots of options for lodging
• Most places offer a free shuttle service

Cons of Staying near the Ted Stevens International Airport:

• Fewer attractions
• Limited dining options in the immediate area
• You’ll need a car to get around from here

Southern Anchorage

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Southern Anchorage Stays: Dimond Center Hotel • Alaska Sundance Retreat Bed & Breakfast • Jewel Lake Boutique Stay

Southern Anchorage is a great option if you’re traveling with family. There’s only one hotel (the Dimond Center Hotel) but plenty of great rentals and B&Bs in quiet, cozy neighborhoods. Parks like Jewel Lake Park and Kincaid Park are great for picnics and outings. The Alaska Zoo has a wide variety of wildlife and makes a great outing for the whole family.

There are plenty of shopping options in this part of town. The Dimond Mall has dozens of stores, as well as an indoor ice skating rink. There are lots of restaurants here, too, from fancy bistros to fast food. In the winter, it may be easier to see the northern lights from the backyard of a home here, as there’s not as much light pollution as in the city center.

Pros of Staying in Southern Anchorage:

• Generally quieter than the more northern, central parts of town
• Several great parks
• Lots of great vacation rental homes in quiet neighborhoods
• The Dimond Center area has lots of great shops and restaurants

Cons of Staying in Southern Anchorage:

• Fewer hotels here
• Further from the main attractions

Girdwood – Alyeska

👉 Best Area For Outdoors Adventures | ✨ Best Girdwood-Alyeska Hotels: Alyeska Resort • Brown Bear Saloon & Motel • Carriage House Accommodations

Girdwood is the place to be if you want a taste of Alaska’s great outdoors within the general Anchorage area. This tiny town to the south of Anchorage is home to the state’s premier ski area, Alyeska Resort. Its hotel sits at the foot of the ski hills and makes a great basecamp for a day on the slopes or exploring the area.

Even if you’re not big on skiing, other attractions at the resort (several restaurants and lounges, plus a spa) are more than enough to make your stay worthwhile. Alyeska is also worth visiting in summer. As the snow melts, it reveals hiking trails commanding sweeping views of the area.

It’s a great place to get to know people because, along with tourists, many locals make the resort their go-to for special occasions and in-state vacations.

Pros of Staying in Girdwood-Alyeska:

• Immediate access to ski slopes and hiking trails (depending on the season)
• Alyeska Resort is the most popular luxury hotel among local Alaskans
• Beautiful surroundings

Cons of Staying in Girdwood-Alyeska:

• Lodging options are limited and tend to be pricey
• Fewer dining options than back in the city
• You need a car to get here

Eagle River

👉 Best Area For Exploring More of Alaska | ✨ Best Eagle River Hotels: Eagle River Lodge • Alaska Chalet Bed & Breakfast

Eagle River is a great basecamp for a trip to Denali National Park and other day trip destinations, such as Matanuska Glacier. Eagle River also has several worthwhile sights of its own, such as Mt. Baldy (some of the best views of the area, especially in autumn!) and Thunderbird Falls.

On your way to or from Eagle River, be sure to check out the Alaska Native Heritage Center on the outskirts of Anchorage. Here, you can find a vast collection of art and artifacts from the different tribes across the state. There are also performances of traditional Native dances from time to time.

Eagle River has some awesome accommodations, such as the Alaska Chalet Bed & Breakfast. This cozy B&B is tucked away in the quiet suburbs and surrounded by trees. Properties like this give you a taste of the more laidback, close-to-nature mode of life Alaska is known for.

Pros of Staying in Eagle River:

• Quieter, suburban setting
• Easy access to hiking trails 
• A great jumping-off point for day trips from Anchorage

Cons of Staying in Eagle River:

• Fewer options for dining, lodging, and shopping
• You’ll need a rental car to get here

Tips for Staying in Anchorage

Bring Layers

Wearing layers goes without saying when visiting Alaska in the winter. Even in summer, the evenings in Anchorage may be a bit cooler than what many visitors from the Lower 48 are used to. Make sure extra layers are part of your Alaska packing list so you’re prepared when the temperature starts to drop.

Mind the Moose!

These majestic herbivores are more aggressive than you might expect! They prefer that people keep a wide berth, even though they often stray into suburban (and even urban) areas.

Pack Bug Spray

Summer is one of the best times to visit Alaska. However, that’s when mosquitoes come out in the greatest numbers. You’re more likely to encounter them in parks or on hiking trails. It’s always good to have some bug spray on hand, even if you stick to the urban areas where they’re often fewer in number.

Bring a Sleeping Mask

Alaska’s long summer days are great for fun in the sun. The same can’t always be said for getting enough shut-eye, though. It never hurts to have a sleep mask on hand to block out the broad daylight in the dead of night!

Make Flexible Plans

The weather in Alaska can change rapidly, especially in the fall and winter. For Anchorage, the winter is usually the only time that severe weather will ground or delay flights. But wind and fog can roll in at any time of the year throughout Alaska’s destinations along the coast.

You may find your trip extended by a day or two. Take this factor into mind when planning your Alaska itinerary and give yourself a little leeway, just in case.

📚 Related Reading: Continue planning your trip with our guides on where to stay in Juneau and Kodiak Island.

FAQs

Is it better to stay in Midtown or downtown Anchorage?

Midtown is better if you want a quieter location while maintaining easy access to restaurants and attractions. Hotels are cheaper than downtown, too. You might prefer staying in downtown Anchorage if you have a larger budget and want to be near the most famous attractions.

Is Anchorage a walkable city?

Downtown Anchorage is walkable, but you’ll need a car to see other places in and around the city. You could walk, but it would take longer than most people would want to spend. At most, you could walk between downtown and Midtown. 

How many days should I stay in Anchorage?

You can stay in Anchorage for three days and see most of the main attractions.

***

Thanks for reading! Drop me a comment if you have any questions. Also, check out my guide on where to stay in Alaska for more travel inspiration.