Month guide · Anchorage · United States
Anchorage in May
What May is really like in Anchorage: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Christy747, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 13°C (55°F), lows of 4°C (39°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 17.4 hours of daylight. Dry, bright and green, with tours and the railroad's summer services starting mid-month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 13°C (55°F) / 4°C (39°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 17.4 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 4th-warmest month in Anchorage: days average 13°C (55°F) against a yearly average high of 7°C (45°F), and nights fall to about 4°C (39°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with April (7°C (45°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 17°C (63°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:12
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 22:40
- Daylight
- About 17.4 hours
Summer (June–August). Long daylight, the full range of tours, trains and cruises, salmon runs and the highest prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Anchorage, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Nature · Eagle River
Eagle River Nature Center
Walk the Rodak Nature Trail to the salmon-viewing deck in late summer, and keep alert for bears near the river.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
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Museum · Downtown
Anchorage Museum
The state's largest museum covers Alaska's art, history and science.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Museum · Northeast Anchorage
Alaska Native Heritage Center
Time your visit for a dance or Native games demonstration, and talk with the hosts at each village site.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Kids
Experience · Airport and Lake Hood
Lake Hood Seaplane Base and Alaska Aviation Museum
Lake Hood and neighbouring Lake Spenard form one of the busiest floatplane bases in the world, with bush planes taking off every few minutes in summer.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 13°C, lows near 4°C and 6 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Anchorage?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, June–August are better overall. Compare every month.
Anchorage in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Anchorage?
It is a shoulder-season month. Dry, bright and green, with tours and the railroad's summer services starting mid-month.
+How warm is Anchorage in May?
Average highs are around 13°C (55°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Anchorage in May?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.