In Anchorage, exploring nature isn’t only for a rare free day or a well-planned vacation; it’s a part of daily life, as integral to the city as its infrastructure and cultural offerings. A day here may start with a morning walk on any of the hundreds of miles of trails, continue with freshly caught salmon for lunch at a restaurant with coastal views, and end with a sunset picnic on a rocky outcropping, where the only sounds are crashing waves and the fleeting glimpses of beluga whales.

Located on a coastal plain that shifts into alpine slopes farther east, Anchorage is unique in how its different ecosystems overlap, creating rich diversity in wildlife, botany, and geology. You can experience the best of nature while still enjoying all the creature comforts of urban life and stumble across breathtaking sights without even looking for them.…