Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
10,776 posts, read 23,927,567 times
Reputation: 14706
This is one of those that I don't really want to have to decide. They are both magnificent settings. Alaska and Hawaii are next level in terms of scenery and topography in the US. Anchorage has more of an impressive mountain rise as the Chugach range is very striking when landing and when viewed on the ground. The colors of the blue water and volcanic mountain ranges covered in tropical greens do make Honolulu stand out a bit more.
Neither city really has good architecture. Anchorage is a utilitarian city with a mid/late 20th century superblock lay out, and Honolulu has a lot of ugly concrete. Anchorage is on an inlet a fair ways inland, and Honolulu has direct Pacific Ocean access on a stunning volcanic island setting so I'll say Honolulu by a hair as Anchorage is in a remarkably beautiful area.
Been to both and prefer Honolulu, just more my vibe with the beaches, waves and lush green everywhere. Anchorage is a little depressing looking even if the backdrop is stunning on a clear day. In Alaska I'd prefer Sitka and Ketchikan's scenery (again, on a rare clear day) anyway.
If you had said Juneau, it would have been a tighter race, IMO. The city itself I found to be underwhelming, but its natural setting is spectacular.
But you didn't; you said Anchorage. Again, its natural setting is spectacular, if maybe a little less so. But I'm going to give the nod to Honolulu. Maybe it's because the mountains are closer to the city proper, but you "feel" them more in Honolulu than you do in Anchorage.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
