Anchorage sprawls — a small downtown core but most neighbourhoods and attractions strung out along the Seward Highway and Glenn Highway corridors. A rental car is the easiest way to see the city and is essential for any of the day trips.
Public transit is the People Mover bus system. Fares are around $2 with day passes available, but service is infrequent outside the main corridors and most routes terminate by 10 pm. It is fine for hopping between downtown and the airport (route 7) and for reaching the Anchorage Museum, but inadequate for moving around quickly.
Taxis and rideshare (Uber, Lyft) both work in the city — the latter is generally cheaper and more reliable. From the airport into downtown is about $25–35 by either.
For getting between trailheads and viewpoints, bicycles are an excellent option in summer — Anchorage has a network of paved trails that link the downtown core to most of the outer neighbourhoods and parks. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is the showpiece. Several rental shops downtown rent by the hour or day.