Downtown Anchorage
Explore. Enjoy. Engage
Anchorage began as a railroad construction camp in the early 1900s, transformed into a boomtown with the discovery of oil in the late 1950s, and was rebuilt after the 1964 Good Friday earthquake decimated much of downtown. Today, downtown Anchorage is the civic, cultural, and retail heart of the city, a charming blend of old and new, with buildings that date back to the city’s early days sitting alongside sleek, modern ones and amenities that match those found in large metropolitan cities down South.
Anchorage Museum
Choices for cultural activities are plentiful. The Alaska Center for the Performing Arts hosts shows, concerts, plays, and other local and traveling performances in its theaters and concert halls; look for the flashing lights that circle the building’s exterior to indicate a show is about to begin. For an in-depth dive into Alaska’s history, head to the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, which has world-class art and cultural exhibits, more than 600 on loan from the Smithsonian Institution.
Visitor Information Center
In winter, the streets of downtown host two of Anchorage’s most popular activities – the ceremonial start of the Iditarod and the annual Fur Rendezvous, a weeklong festival with only-in-Alaska activities like outhouse races, the running of the reindeer, and world champion sled dog races. In summer, the Anchorage Market sets up shop every weekend on West 3rd Avenue between E and C Streets. Alaska’s largest open-air market, enjoy food from a variety of vendors, fresh Alaskan produce, and gifts.
Glacier Brewhouse
For seafood lovers, the halibut sandwich at White Spot Café is a favorite or, head to Simon & Seafort’s or the Bubby Mermaid Oyster Bar for something a bit more upscale. Hungry for steak? Look for the neon lights of Club Paris if you’re hankering for a steak, or travel to the Lucky Wishbone at the edge of downtown for some fried chicken and a milkshake. Or grab a locally brewed beer and some elevated brewhouse fare at Glacier Brewhouse, Matanuska Brewing, or 49th State Brewing company.
Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall
Dozens of restaurants and retail shopping options make downtown Anchorage a destination location for visitors and locals alike. The 5th Avenue Mall houses three floors of national and Alaskan-owned shops; outside the mall, there are plenty of local boutique and specialty clothing, housewares, and outdoor gear for your Alaskan adventures.
Side Street Espresso
All that shopping works up an appetite, and downtown is a foodie lover’s dream. The King Crab benedict is worth the wait at perennial favorite Snow City Café. In a hurry? Grab a latte, pastry, and a daily dose of inspiration at Side Street Espresso, where owner George Gee creates a unique piece of art every day on the whiteboard outside the tiny café.
Special Occasions
For special occasions, the views from the Crow’s Nest, which sits atop the Hotel Captain Cook, are rivaled only by the food. Closer to sea level, the Marx Bros. Café still tosses its delicious Caesar salad tableside in its charming, cozy dining room.
Outdoor Living
Like the rest of Anchorage, the great outdoors are easily accessible from downtown. There are several access points to the paved and highly walkable Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Enjoy views of downtown Anchorage, Denali, Mount Susitna, and Fire Island while watching for Belugas in Cook Inlet. Or make it a day and rent a bike from one of the rental shops for a trip to Kincaid Park.
Featured Listings
Downtown Neighborhoods
Ready to find your perfect home? Click on one of the links below to learn more about the Hillside subdivisions and to search available homes.
Downtown Living
Downtown living puts you at the center of the best Anchorage has to offer –excellent dining, arts and culture, and spectacular views, all in a pedestrian-friendly and easily walkable grid. The best part? You’ll enjoy big-city amenities without the crowds.
LEARN MOREBootleggers Cove
A mix of condominiums, single-family, and luxury homes, Bootlegger’s Cove residents enjoy spectacular views of Belugas migrating through Cook Inlet and easy access to downtown, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, and surrounding parks.
LEARN MOREDelaney Park Strip
Named after a former mayor, the 13-block long park strip has served as a firebreak, airstrip, and a golf course. Today, the green space is home to Anchorage’s 4th of July festivities, as well as soccer fields, tennis courts, a hockey rink, and softball fields. A mix of older homes and new construction line the strip, which is steps away from downtown’s amenities and home to Anchorage’s most famous animal resident, Star the Reindeer.
LEARN MOREWestchester Lagoon
This charming residential neighborhood boasts beautiful homes, even more beautiful views, and outdoor recreation steps from your front door. Head to the lagoon to kayak, canoe, or paddleboard in the summer, or lace up your ice skates when it freezes over in winter. The newly renovated playground at Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park will keep the kids busy, or use the lagoon as the starting point for a walk; the Tony Knowles and Chester Creek trails intersect here.
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