With its stunning natural scenery and wealth of outdoor activities, Anchorage is an ideal destination for a romantic getaway. From scenic hikes to flightseeing tours, Anchorage offers many unique date ideas for couples.
| Romantic Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Take a Scenic Drive | Enjoy panoramic views of Chugach Mountains and Turnagain Arm. |
| Ride the Alyeska Tram | Tram ride offering views of Chugach mountains and Turnagain Arm, with a hike and meal at the top. |
| Picnic at a Park | Relaxing picnic in scenic parks like Kincaid Park and Beach Lake Park. |
| Flightseeing Tour | Aerial views of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife on floatplanes or helicopters. |
| Stroll Downtown | Evening walk in downtown Anchorage, including local breweries and dining. |
| Go Paddling | Kayak or canoe in Ship Creek or moonlight canoe tours. |
| Visit the Anchorage Museum | Explore Alaskan culture, history, and art, including Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center. |
| Go Berry Picking | Pick wild berries along Seward Highway and Crow Creek Road. |
| Ride the Alaska Railroad | Luxurious train ride with panoramic views and dining options. |
| Go Dog Sledding | Winter dog sled tours or summer “dryland” tours to meet sled dogs. |
| Watch the Northern Lights | Experience Aurora Borealis away from city lights. |
| Have a Couples Massage | Relax with massages and spa treatments in Anchorage’s spas. |
Here are 12 of the most romantic things to do in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city.
Take a Scenic Drive
Name and Location: Scenic drives around Anchorage, Alaska. Popular routes include Seward Highway, Glenn Highway, and Denali Highway.
History and Significance: Anchorage’s surrounding mountain ranges, rivers, and wilderness offer breathtaking landscapes to take in by car.
What to Expect: Driving past glaciers, mountains, forests, and coastline. Stopping at scenic overlooks. Spotting wildlife. Seeing incredible natural beauty.
Visitor Information: Rental cars readily available. Drive carefully as conditions can vary. Pack food, water, warm clothing.
One of the most romantic activities in Anchorage is simply taking a drive together to admire the area’s beauty. Head north toquantized quads along the Glenn Highway for panoramic views of the Chugach Mountains. Drive south to see the Turnagain Arm, a narrow inlet of the Cook Inlet, on the Seward Highway. Stop at scenic overlooks along the way to take in the stunning vistas.
Ride the Alyeska Tram
Name and Location: Alyeska Resort near Girdwood, Alaska
History and Significance: This aerial tramway ascends 2,300 feet to the top of Mount Alyeska. It provides access to hiking trails and Alpine ski slopes.
What to Expect: Riding in the tram car up the mountain for panoramic views. Hiking the summit. Eating at the restaurant. Year-round operation.
Visitor Information: Adult tickets around $30 roundtrip. Tram runs 9am-9pm in peak season. Dress warmly.
A ride up the Alyeska Resort Tram is a breathtaking experience. As the tram ascends 2,300 feet, you’ll get unparalleled views of the Chugach mountain range and Turnagain Arm. At the top, take a scenic hike around the alpine environment while holding hands. End with a romantic meal at the Seven Glaciers Restaurant overlooking the valley.
Picnic at a Park
Name and Location: Parks in Anchorage such as Kincaid Park, Westchester Lagoon, and Russian Jack Springs Park.
History and Significance: Anchorage has over 250 parks offering wilderness access, trails, and open space within the city.
What to Expect: Picnicking and relaxing outdoors. Hiking, biking, wildlife viewing. Taking in surrounding mountain views while connecting with nature.
Visitor Information: Parks open daily. Pack picnic supplies, outdoor gear, bug spray. Trail maps at visitor centers.
Pack a picnic basket and savor an al fresco lunch at one of Anchorage’s scenic parks. Kincaid Park offers lush forests, coastline views, and walking trails perfect for strolling hand-in-hand. Beach Lake Park has scenic ponds and flower gardens. For mountain vistas, head to Hilltop Ski Area or Glen Alps trailhead. Spread out your picnic blanket and enjoy intimacy with nature.
Flightseeing Tour
Name and Location: Flightseeing tours departing from Anchorage, Alaska.
History and Significance: Aerial sightseeing tours provide unique views of Alaska’s dramatic landscapes like glaciers, mountains, and national parks.
What to Expect: 1-2 hour tours on small aircrafts or helicopters. Soaring over remote wilderness and landmarks not visible from the ground.
Visitor Information: Tours from $200-$500 per person. Book ahead online. Air sickness medication recommended.
Get your hearts racing together on an Anchorage flightseeing tour. Floatplanes and helicopter tours provide breathtaking aerial views of mountains, glaciers, rivers and wildlife. Take a glacier landing tour to set down on a secluded ice field for a thrilling once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Stroll Downtown
Name and Location: Downtown Anchorage, centered around 4th and 5th Avenues.
History and Significance: Downtown Anchorage has shopping, dining, museums and an historic pioneer-era district to explore on foot.
What to Expect: Walking around the pedestrian-friendly downtown area. Browsing shops, galleries, restaurants, and parks. Historic building viewing.
Visitor Information: Free 2-hour parking. Best experienced May-September when weather is mild.
Wander through Anchorage’s compact downtown area on a romantic evening stroll. Visit Town Square Park, graced by over 140 hanging flower baskets in summer, then walk the waterfront path from the port to Resolution Park. Stop for a drink at any of the area’s excellent local breweries and finish with a starlit dinner downtown.
Go Paddling
Name and Location: Lakes and waterways around Anchorage, Alaska.
History and Significance: Anchorage’s wilderness setting offers many scenic paddling routes for canoeing and kayaking during warmer months.
What to Expect: Kayaking or canoeing on calm lakes and rivers surrounded by nature. Spots to see wildlife. Rentals available. All skill levels welcome.
Visitor Information: Guided tours or rentals available from $50-$100. Know your limits and conditions. Wear a PFD.
Paddling a kayak or canoe is a fun outdoor date for active couples. Rent a two-person kayak and paddle calm Ship Creek. Take a guided moonlight canoe tour to watch Anchorage city lights reflect off the water. Sign up for a paddling lesson together to learn new skills and get your hearts pumping in sync.
Visit the Anchorage Museum
Name and Location: Anchorage Museum in downtown Anchorage.
History and Significance: This premier museum tells the stories of Alaska’s land, people, art and history through impactful exhibits and programs.
What to Expect: Immersive galleries with native artifacts, artworks, traveling exhibits. Programs and events. Museum store and cafe.
Visitor Information: Open daily from 9am-6pm. Admission is $20 for adults. Free for youth under 18.
Rainy day? Cozy up together exploring the excellent Anchorage Museum, full of Alaskan culture, history and art. The Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center lets you see wildlife up close. Take a romantic stroll through the Indigenous Cultures galleries hand in hand appreciating native Alaskan art and artifacts.
Go Berry Picking
Name and Location: Farms and pick-your-own berry fields around Anchorage.
History and Significance: Alaska’s late summer offers ripe blueberries, salmonberries, raspberries and more to pick straight from the bush.
What to Expect: Picking fresh tasty berries in the fields. Enjoying the outdoors. Farm stands selling berries and treats.
Visitor Information: Free or cheap entrance fee. Bring sun protection, bug spray, bags/containers. Call to confirm open dates.
Get out into nature and pick wild berries together in late summer. Drive along the Seward Highway to pick flavorful wild blueberries. Follow Crow Creek Road to gather tart highbush cranberries and fireweed that pops in your mouth. End your outing with homemade jam and other treats made with your hand-picked berries.
Ride the Alaska Railroad
Name and Location: The Alaska Railroad runs from Anchorage to Fairbanks, Denali and Seward.
History and Significance: Completed in 1923, the historic railroad transports passengers through Alaska’s remote and beautiful landscapes.
What to Expect: Train cars with scenic dome viewing. Commentary on sights. Meal service. Different classes of service.
Visitor Information: Book tickets in advance, especially in summer. Packages and tours available.
The Alaska Railroad offers first-class service with gold dome carriages for a luxurious ride together. Book the upper level for priority seating with panoramic views as you travel between Anchorage and Seward, Denali or Fairbanks. Order dinner aboard and toast with Alaskan wines or beers as you watch the stunning scenery unfold.
Go Dog Sledding
Name and Location: Dog sled tour operators located near Anchorage.
History and Significance: Dog sledding is an iconic winter activity and mode of transportation used historically in Alaska.
What to Expect: Riding on a sled pulled by a team of huskies. Learning commands and steering the sled. Bonds with the dogs.
Visitor Information: Tours typically last 1-2 hours and cost $100-$200 per person. Offered November through April.
Experience the ultimate Alaskan adventure together with a dogsled ride. Winter brings dog sled tours just outside Anchorage. Snuggle under a blanket as your sled dogs whisk you across snowy trails. Summer “dryland” tours without snow let you meet and play with the friendly sled dogs.
Watch the Northern Lights
Name and Location: Northern Lights viewable from around Anchorage, Alaska during auroral events.
History and Significance: Anchorage’s northern latitude makes it a premier spot to witness the aurora borealis’ magical glowing ribbons in the night sky.
What to Expect: Watching brilliant displays of green, purple, pink light dancing and shifting overhead when solar activity is high.
Visitor Information: Viewable September through April, peak is 2am-5am. Find dark sky areas outside city light pollution. Check forecasts.
Late fall through early spring offers opportunities to witness nature’s spectacular light show together. Drive away from city lights, bundle up, bring hot drinks, and wait for the magical Aurora Borealis to start dancing across the night sky. This moving natural phenomenon is sure to bring you closer.
Have a Couples Massage
Name and Location: Day spas and hotels around Anchorage, Alaska.
History and Significance: Couples massages allow partners to relax together and are offered at many spas.
Pamper yourselves with side-by-side therapeutic massages at one of Anchorage’s excellent spas. Relax sore muscles in the sauna or steam room before your treatment. Choose from Swedish, hot stone, or deep tissue massages then lounge together post-massage in the tranquility lounge or hot tub.
Conclusion
With stunning scenery from mountains to sea, Anchorage is a remarkable backdrop for romance. Outdoor excursions like scenic drives, tram rides and paddling tours let you appreciate Alaska’s grandeur together. Museums, Alaska Native culture, train rides and the Northern Lights display the uniqueness of the destination. You’re sure to fall deeper in love after a getaway enjoying these intimate activities unique to Anchorage.