Christmas in Anchorage Alaska: Your Holiday Guide
Everyone who prefers to spend Christmas in Anchorage Alaska, goes through a festive experience, as this city is abundant with snowy landscapes. Here, you can immerse yourself in lots of cozy winter activities, including watching the Northern Lights. There are many breweries, restaurants, and pubs in this city that provide appealing and warm spaces where visitors can relax and enjoy Christmas to their hearts’ content.
Visitors who visit Anchorage during Christmas find this city to be changing into a winter wonderland filled with snow-capped scenery. In December, they remain prepared to get daylight hours for a limited period, and it turns into a unique experience for all who visit Anchorage during Christmas.
An extraordinary feature of this city that quickly grabs the attention of visitors is that it is surrounded by mountains under starry and bright skies.
Reasons Why You Should Choose Anchorage
1. Town Square Park
It is a prevalent spot in Anchorage that remains etched in the minds of all people who visit it. During this period, the park features an adorned Christmas tree that is popular for its festive display of bright lights. You can also see an ice-skating rink right at the center of the park that contributes to the holiday atmosphere of Christmas.
Even the physically challenged people can enter the park botheration-free, as its entrance is wheelchair accessible. You will also get a good parking space for your car.
2. The Anchorage Museum
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Anchorage Museum during Christmas, as you can see the best festive decorations from this spot. Though the museum refuses to specify any Christmas programming, you will find it to be a good place where you can come across the holiday spirit.
The museum also turns out to be one of the best places to enjoy different kinds of indoor activities. It offers its visitors various exhibits, like those that focus on the culture, art, and history of Alaska.
The Anchorage Museum caters to visitors, as they can learn about the region from this place. If you feel the outside weather to be snowy or unbearably cold, take shelter in this museum, as it will give you warmth. It will also offer you restrooms, a restaurant, and a café.
3. Enjoying Scenic Views and Winter Walks
Visitors flock to Anchorage because they can see splendid winter scenery. They can also take enjoyable walks besides exploring different scenic trails, including the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.
4 .Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
This proposes a scenic 11-mile paved path where you can enjoy views of downtown Anchorage, Cook Inlet, and wildlife sights like belugas and whales. If you love biking, you will be mesmerized by this place, as biking is a very common activity here.
The groomed sections of the trail remain confined for skiing purposes only. Though wildlife sightings are very rare here, if you are lucky, you can see moose, even in this weather. You can access the trail from different access points, and it makes it possible for everyone to make a 22-mile round trip.
5. Glen Alps Trailhead
If you are ready to confront snowy and cold conditions, you must not look beyond the Glen Alps Trailhead while celebrating Christmas in Anchorage Alaska. Hikers who are involved in winter hiking go through snowy and icy trails and limited hours of daylight. Anchorage is characterized by freezing temperatures that drop to 16°F or -9°C. However, it is a paradise for visitors who love snowfall.
You must be armed with ideal gear and footwear, as the trails will be covered with snow. A few trails, including the Flattop Mountain Trail, seem more challenging because of ice and snow. Some popular activities that keep the area busy are cross-country skiing, hiking, and snowshoeing.
6.Alyeska Resort
Visitors make it a point to visit Alyeska Resort, which is close to Anchorage. This is also a hugely prevalent destination for its outstanding scenery, festive decorations, and skiing. Alyeska Resort is bejeweled during Christmas Eve, and it offers different activities to visitors, including snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, and snowboarding. You can try out some other amenities too, such as a saltwater pool, fitness center, whirlpool, and spa.
Alyeska Resort permits visitors to opt for a tram ride to reach the Seven Glaciers Restaurant, where they can see beautiful scenic views. Some dining options you can prefer in Alyeska Resort are a bar and grill, an Asian bistro, and Tramway Café. A few visitors visit this resort to enjoy other facilities too, like on-site shops, concierge services, and a fitness center.
7. Earthquake Park
If your ardent wish is to enjoy a unique blend of winter scenery and historical reflection, then Earthquake Park will be perfect for you. Though this park can’t be called an ideal Christmas-themed destination, you will be enthralled by its surroundings and location. The Earthquake Park commemorates a significant seismic event that caused remarkable damage and land subsidence to this plot.
If you go through the information boards, you will know about the effect of the earthquake on Anchorage as well as the region surrounding it. When visitors visit this park, they reflect on the event besides enjoying a good time seeing its views and open spaces.
8 . Eagle River Nature Center
Your Christmas in Anchorage Alaska, can’t be complete if you don’t visit the Eagle River Nature Center. It offers a splendid setting where you can have the best Christmas holidays. This center allows visitors to enjoy the snowy landscape and winter hiking. However, if you expect Christmas light displays here, you will be disappointed.
This area is popular among both residents and visitors for its breathtaking winter scenery and snow-capped landscapes. The easy accessibility to this place enhances its popularity. You will find lots of parking spaces, and there is a wheelchair accessible entrance too.
As a precaution, you should be wary of wildlife, particularly if you visit it during winter. Always keep a safe distance. Additionally, dress in layers and remain prepared to confront snowy and cold conditions. For paying purposes, use your debit cards, NFC mobile payments, or credit cards.
9. Go for Ice Fishing
Nothing can be more fun than indulging in ice fishing. This is a popular activity where you can visit well-known spots close to Anchorage, including Campbell, Beach, Mirror, Goose, Sand, and Jewel lakes. You can access some of these lakes easily, as they are closer to hotels. Some visitors also opt for the Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area.
Ice fishing in Anchorage, Alaska, during Christmas can be a fun and unique experience. Before you go ice fishing, be mindful to get your license. Also, check whether you must bring your gear or rent it. Dress warmly, as you will face cold temperatures. Ensure that the ice is sufficiently thick before you target species like perch or rainbow trout.
To Sum Up
As Christmas is drawing near, plan your itinerary beforehand so that you do not miss spending quality time in Anchorage. Visitors who plan to travel to this city will experience an enchanting winter season that is stuffed with scenic holiday lights and legendary landscapes. Regardless of whether you have decided to travel solo or take a family trip, you won’t miss a single dull moment while spending Christmas in Anchorage Alaska.
Check out the best parties and events in Anchorage so that you can make your Christmas cherished and enjoy a season of celebration. This city is an adventure, entertainment, and cultural hub for all visitors who want to immerse themselves in different fun activities while celebrating Christmas.