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Anchorage History Tour

Sunset view at Mt. Baldy trailhead in Anchorage, AK

Our Tour season has ended, we will resume in June!

Explore Anchorage through layered histories of land, people, and place ---- from Alaska Native homelands to later settler communities.

Gain a better understanding of Alaska's complex history, beginning with the Dena'ina's generations-long presence, tracing the transformative journey of exploration and settlement from maritime quests of the 1770s to the pioneering families establishing permanent homes in the early 1900s, reimagining landscapes with each generation.

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  • Picture yourself as a crew member aboard the Resolution during Captain James Cook's expedition.

  • See the homes of some of the first settlers of downtown Anchorage and understand how putting down roots and starting a business was a novelty in the early 1900s.

  • Discover Anchorage's pivotal role in World War II, exploring how this remote city became a critical military strategic point in defending the North American continent.

  • Marvel at the ingenuity of bush pilots, who advanced the interconnectedness of far flung regions of Alaska that were previously inaccessible.

  

  • Consider the seasonal rhythms of Dena'ina hunters, and their profound communion with nature passed down through generations.

The Captain Cook Monument
Anchorage Alaska Public Lands Information Center (AAPLIC)
Town Square Park
Oscar Anderson House
View from Mt Baldy trailhead
Mount Susitna, Sleeping Lady, (Dena'ina_ Dghelishla)
View of Kenai Peninsula from Seward Highway SE of Anchorage
Portage Lake east of Anchorage
Portage Lake east of Anchorage
Wetlands near the mouth of Portage Creek
Delaney Park Strip
Centennial Rose Garden at Delaney Park
Path in Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery
Palmer, AK directional signage sculpture
Alaska Rail Road Depot Anchorage
Hostetler Park Anchorage
View of Muse restaurant and Anchorage Museum sculpture garden
Engine 556 at Delaney Park Anchorage
View entering Resolution Park

Helpful Tips

Tour length?

Legacy Landscape: 2 Hour Tour

Approx 1.5 to 2 miles (total walking distance) 

Recommended for walking enthusiasts with stamina and agility who enjoy a more immersive experience with extended historical discussions. Some rest stops.

  • Mixed terrain including paved sidewalks, gravel trails and some uneven surfaces

  • A steep incline by sidewalk with spots of gravel

  • Multiple stair sections

WHEN is the Tour?

All tour dates and times in our Booking Calendar are listed in AKDT

We offer our Legacy Landscape tour every day from June 22 - August 22 from 1pm-3pm. (For additional times by special request/availability, please contact us.)

 

               

Choose a date that is best for you and your family or group.

GETTING THERE

People Mover Bus Routes:

  • Route 3 (closest to downtown)

  • Fare: $2 per ride

  • Check summer schedule

Ride Share Options: Uber or Lyft

  • Corner of 5th Ave/ L St. (recommended drop-off)
  • From downtown hotels, cost range: $5- $8
parking

Tourists with Cars:

  • L Street at either 4th Ave or 5th Ave

  • H St and 5th Ave

  • 5th Ave Mall Garage

  • City Hall Parking Garage

  • Anchorage Museum Lot

  • Rates: Average $2 - $3/hour

  • Daily Rates: $10 - $15

Helpful to arrive early, check time limits, and bring quarters/use mobile pay app. (5-10min walk from most parking locations to meeting spot.)

What to Wear/What to Bring?

Comfortable walking shoes strongly advised. Dress in layers for the changing weather. Bring water.

 

(Note: The tour takes place rain or shine, and in summer rain is quite common. Please dress with changing weather in mind.)

TOURIST WALKING ROUTES

Average walking time to meeting place for tour

  • From Hilton Anchorage: 10-12 minutes

  • From Marriott Downtown: 8-10 minutes

  • From Captain Cook Hotel: 5-7 minutes

Accessibility

Wheelchairs and scooters may

not be best suited for this

outdoor terrain with stairs to

climb, uneven pavement and

spots of gravel. Please inquire.

Where do We meet?

The meeting place is Resolution Park in front of the statue of Captain Cook.

Exhibit inside Anchorage Museum
Serena at Flattop MountainTrail in Anchorage, AK

About

SERENA WILLIAMS

I’m Serena, and Alaska has always been my dream. I finally made that dream come true in my 40s—and instantly fell in love. I've traveled through the Southeast on the Alaska Marine Highway, explored from Glacier Bay to the Kenai Peninsula, stood awestruck before glaciers, and marveled at the Alaska Range in Denali and the Brooks Range from the Dalton Highway. I've dipped my toes into the Arctic Ocean at Prudhoe Bay and flown in a small plane over braided rivers in the Gates of the Arctic, tracing paths few ever see.

As a passionate reader of Alaskan authors and poets, I seek my own authenticity in Alaska's vast outdoors and rich stories. I created this walking tour to share Anchorage’s layered history—stories often hidden right beneath our feet. Whether you're a longtime local or visiting for the first time, I hope this tour deepens your connection to this remarkable place and inspires you to explore Anchorage's captivating past and vibrant present.

Contact:

Phone: 907.406.8642

Land Acknowledgment:

We acknowledge that we gather here today on the traditional lands of the Dena'ina People of Upper Cook Inlet. For thousands of years, the Dena'ina People have been and continue to be the stewards of this land. I am committed to diversity and inclusion, and it is with honor and respect that we recognize all Indigenous people who live and learn in our community.

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