Five Activities within Walking Distance of Copper Whale Inn
Staying at the Copper Whale?
Try these five activities within walking distance of the inn
One of the best things about staying in downtown Anchorage is the access to all kinds of activities without needing to hop in the car. Copper Whale Inn is located on L Street in historic downtown Anchorage and within easy reach of many popular attractions.
We’re always happy to help our guests plan a perfect day in Alaska’s largest city, so feel free to ask us for recommendations. The Log Cabin Visitor Center along 4th Avenue is also a great place to pick up maps, brochures, and information about our beautiful and unique community.
Here are some favorites of our team:
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
This 11-mile paved out-and-back trail begins downtown and hugs the shoreline of Cook Inlet all the way to Kincaid Park in South Anchorage. Perfect for those wanting a casual stroll or more vigorous workout, the Coastal Trail is popular with locals and visitors alike and bustles with activity during the summer months. Access the trail just below the Copper Whale Inn and head to the left (south). Watch for local wildlife like moose or black bears, and listen to the songs of shorebirds nesting and feeding along the silty Cook Inlet mudflats. Note: Stay OFF the mudflats. They are extremely dangerous.
Anchorage Museum
Located at 625 C Street, a 15-minute walk from the inn, the museum features three floors of Alaska history, art, and Indigenous cultural exhibits, along with a Discovery Center for budding scientists. Open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May through September, the museum also has a coffee shop and restaurant, and a beautiful outdoor garden space. Learn more information here, and check out their events and other seasonal exhibitions as well.
Ship Creek and The Bait Shack
If you’ve come to Alaska to catch a big fish, Anchorage is a great place to try your luck. Ship Creek runs from the Chugach Mountains to Cook Inlet, and each summer, thousands of salmon return to their ancestral home to spawn. From May to September, it’s common to see people at all times of the day and night casting lines from the creek’s muddy banks in hopes of hooking a big one. Don’t have your own gear? The Bait Shack rents gear and sells Alaska fishing licenses and offers free tips for those new to salmon fishing.
Alaska Public Lands Information Center
Enjoying the outdoors is one of the main reasons people visit Alaska, so a stop at the Public Lands Information Center at 605 W. 4th Avenue is a must. Here, you can watch an educational video about Alaska, pick up a map of local, state, or federal public lands, and browse the unique exhibits showcasing the wildlife, geology, and flora of Southcentral Alaska. Entrance is free, but a government-issued ID is required.
Alaska Veterans Museum
A few blocks east of the public lands center, the Alaska Veterans Museum is small, but full of historical stories, dioramas, and artifacts reflecting the important role Alaskans have played in national defense. Included are exhibits about the original Territorial Guard, the Aleutian Campaign during WWII, and an excellent display about Alaska women in military service. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, the museum is volunteer-run and a wonderful testament to the people and communities of Alaska. Admission is $5 for adults, and kids five and under are free. https://www.alaskaveterans.org/
And, don’t forget that our partner business Salmon Berry Tours offers a scenic city tour of Anchorage, with stops at Earthquake Park, Ship Creek, Lake Hood Seaplane Base, and the beautiful Glen Alps area. This popular tour is a wonderful way to become familiar with Anchorage, and is great for all ages. Pick up and drop off is available right from Copper Whale Inn as well!