Guidebook for Anchorage
Food Scene
Take a drive out to Girdwood and enjoy the scene along Turnagain Arm as you make your way to Jack Sprat. My favorite place for brunch outside the city, I love to get up early for a drive, and make my way through Girdwood to this beautiful cafe and restaurant. Order the almond milk late which is made with almond milk right in the cafe, and as you wait for your meal start with the yam fries - yum!!
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Jack Sprat
165 Olympic Mountain LoopTake a drive out to Girdwood and enjoy the scene along Turnagain Arm as you make your way to Jack Sprat. My favorite place for brunch outside the city, I love to get up early for a drive, and make my way through Girdwood to this beautiful cafe and restaurant. Order the almond milk late which is made with almond milk right in the cafe, and as you wait for your meal start with the yam fries - yum!!
The best place in town to find a great vegetarian or vegan meal (though they do serve meat as well!), a healthy juice, or a decadent coffee or tea, Middleway is a super spot to hang out! Local art rotates on the walls on a monthly basis, and you'll find lots of locals here. My favorite item on the menu is huevos rancheros!
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Middle Way Cafe
1200 W Northern Lights BlvdThe best place in town to find a great vegetarian or vegan meal (though they do serve meat as well!), a healthy juice, or a decadent coffee or tea, Middleway is a super spot to hang out! Local art rotates on the walls on a monthly basis, and you'll find lots of locals here. My favorite item on the menu is huevos rancheros!
South's brunch is my favorite in Anchorage! From savory to sweet, there is a drool-worthy selection for everyone in your party. They also serve lunch and dinner, and the gin cocktails at night are mixed by crafty bartenders. In the summer, there is a firepit outside where you can enjoy the long nights.
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South Restaurant + Coffeehouse
11124 Old Seward HwySouth's brunch is my favorite in Anchorage! From savory to sweet, there is a drool-worthy selection for everyone in your party. They also serve lunch and dinner, and the gin cocktails at night are mixed by crafty bartenders. In the summer, there is a firepit outside where you can enjoy the long nights.
A newer pizza spot in town, Hearth has a wood-fired oven and creative pizza selection, plus local beer on tap!
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Hearth Artisan Pizza
1200 W Northern Lights BlvdA newer pizza spot in town, Hearth has a wood-fired oven and creative pizza selection, plus local beer on tap!
My favorite local spot for thai food! In a little strip mall on the east side of town, Thai Kitchen has been locally owned and run for over 20 years! I love the crispy tofu and tofu fresh rolls to start and the shu shee curry with shrimp or tofu as my main.
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Thai Kitchen
3421 E Tudor RdMy favorite local spot for thai food! In a little strip mall on the east side of town, Thai Kitchen has been locally owned and run for over 20 years! I love the crispy tofu and tofu fresh rolls to start and the shu shee curry with shrimp or tofu as my main.
A lovely spot for a fine dining experience, Glacier Brewhouse brews their own beer and has fresh local seafood every night!
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Glacier Brewhouse
737 W 5th AveA lovely spot for a fine dining experience, Glacier Brewhouse brews their own beer and has fresh local seafood every night!
The best place in town to watch the sunset from! I like to eat in the bar rather than the dining room and score a spot right by the windows, so I can watch the sun set over Sleeping Lady (Mt. Susitna) with a lavender martini. Simon's is also a nice up-scale dining spot - try their signature crab and macadamia nut stuffed halibut!
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Simon & Seafort's Saloon & Grill
420 L StreetThe best place in town to watch the sunset from! I like to eat in the bar rather than the dining room and score a spot right by the windows, so I can watch the sun set over Sleeping Lady (Mt. Susitna) with a lavender martini. Simon's is also a nice up-scale dining spot - try their signature crab and macadamia nut stuffed halibut!
I've traveled and lived around the world, and there is no better scone than at Fire Island! This gem of a place is in the downtown neighborhood, and the perfect place for your first stop as you walk around the city.
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Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop
718 K StI've traveled and lived around the world, and there is no better scone than at Fire Island! This gem of a place is in the downtown neighborhood, and the perfect place for your first stop as you walk around the city.
Drinks & Nightlife
Spenard Roadhouse is so much more than a bar, but I listed it in this category as Orion, one of their bartenders, has been voted best bartender in Anchorage a few years in a row now! His smile paired with one of their divine cocktail concoctions is sure to make you want to sit at the bar for a while. Have some popcorn or tater tots to start and then continue with a hearty salad, pizza, or main dish as you move on from happy hour.
141 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Spenard Roadhouse
1049 W Northern Lights BlvdSpenard Roadhouse is so much more than a bar, but I listed it in this category as Orion, one of their bartenders, has been voted best bartender in Anchorage a few years in a row now! His smile paired with one of their divine cocktail concoctions is sure to make you want to sit at the bar for a while. Have some popcorn or tater tots to start and then continue with a hearty salad, pizza, or main dish as you move on from happy hour.
Right downtown and across from town square, Williwaw is a great spot to see live music, or have a rooftop cocktail. Check out their calendar for what's on when you're in town, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed!
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Williwaw Social
609 F StRight downtown and across from town square, Williwaw is a great spot to see live music, or have a rooftop cocktail. Check out their calendar for what's on when you're in town, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed!
More than 50 beers on tap, and over half of them are local, this place is a paradise for beer lovers! Additionally, it is hands-down my favorite place to order fish & chips in the state!
118 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse
610 W 6th AveMore than 50 beers on tap, and over half of them are local, this place is a paradise for beer lovers! Additionally, it is hands-down my favorite place to order fish & chips in the state!
At the top of the Captain Cook Hotel, this upscale spot to have a drink gives great views of the city!
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Crow's Nest
939 W 5th AveAt the top of the Captain Cook Hotel, this upscale spot to have a drink gives great views of the city!
Sightseeing
Along the coastal trail, Point Woronzof is where many people flock to watch the airplanes land, watch the sunset, or go for a long walk on the beach. Dog friendly, and a nice spot for a picnic, I love to stop here on my way back from a ride to Kincaid and back in the summer sun!
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Point Woronzof
Point Woronzof RoadAlong the coastal trail, Point Woronzof is where many people flock to watch the airplanes land, watch the sunset, or go for a long walk on the beach. Dog friendly, and a nice spot for a picnic, I love to stop here on my way back from a ride to Kincaid and back in the summer sun!
The Coastal Trail goes from downtown all the way to Kincaid Park! That's 11 miles one way, and there are mile/km markers all along the path. From my place it is less than one block to the trail, and soon you're on the ocean. In the summer I go for a run right out my front door or go for a ride to Kincaid and back for a good workout. In the winter, I put my skis on right in my driveway, and pack my iceskates, heading right down the street to the trail and then Westchester Lagoon for a skate! You can't come to Anchorage without a walk on the Coastal Trail! http://anchoragecoastaltrail.com/
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Coastal Trail - Elderberry Park
The Coastal Trail goes from downtown all the way to Kincaid Park! That's 11 miles one way, and there are mile/km markers all along the path. From my place it is less than one block to the trail, and soon you're on the ocean. In the summer I go for a run right out my front door or go for a ride to Kincaid and back for a good workout. In the winter, I put my skis on right in my driveway, and pack my iceskates, heading right down the street to the trail and then Westchester Lagoon for a skate! You can't come to Anchorage without a walk on the Coastal Trail! http://anchoragecoastaltrail.com/
Parks & Nature
The book "50 Hikes in the Chugach" is perfect for exploring the amazing hikes right in Anchorage's back yard. I've got a copy in the room you can borrow while you stay with me, and I can tell you all my favorite hikes depending on how long you want to hike for and the level of difficulty you are seeking. The park is so big and has so much to offer - we love it!
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Parque Estatal Chugach
18620 Seward HwyThe book "50 Hikes in the Chugach" is perfect for exploring the amazing hikes right in Anchorage's back yard. I've got a copy in the room you can borrow while you stay with me, and I can tell you all my favorite hikes depending on how long you want to hike for and the level of difficulty you are seeking. The park is so big and has so much to offer - we love it!
If you decide to make the drive along Turnagain Arm to see the lovely little town of Girdwood, I highly recommend Winner Creek Trail. You'll meander along a mostly flat path through tall, mossy trees, lush fern undergrowth, and marvel at the gorge with glacier water rushing under you. Definitely walk all the way to the handtram and pull yourself across!
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Winner Creek Trail Alyeska Trailhead
If you decide to make the drive along Turnagain Arm to see the lovely little town of Girdwood, I highly recommend Winner Creek Trail. You'll meander along a mostly flat path through tall, mossy trees, lush fern undergrowth, and marvel at the gorge with glacier water rushing under you. Definitely walk all the way to the handtram and pull yourself across!
The most hiked trail in the state! Flattop is often an afternoon trail run for us locals, but is a good hike for people who are looking for a challenge. It is a steep uphill climb, and the very top has a little scramble, but making it to the iconic flat top gives you views of the whole city. You can choose just to drive up to the parking lot for the view, go partway up the mountain, of go south from the trail down to the flat walk of Powerline Pass trail as well.
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Flattop Mountain Trail
Blueberry Loop TrailThe most hiked trail in the state! Flattop is often an afternoon trail run for us locals, but is a good hike for people who are looking for a challenge. It is a steep uphill climb, and the very top has a little scramble, but making it to the iconic flat top gives you views of the whole city. You can choose just to drive up to the parking lot for the view, go partway up the mountain, of go south from the trail down to the flat walk of Powerline Pass trail as well.
Denali National Park is home to the biggest mountain in North America, and it has so much to offer. The park offers bus trips into the park, and I highly recommend the longest trip, which takes you to Wonder Lake. It takes a full day, but you'll be grateful you did it as you'll most likely see caribou at Eilson, possibly wolves around Teklanika, and bears roaming the hillsides near Polychrome Pass; on a clear day you may even catch a glimpse of "The Great One," Denali herself. There are tons of hikes in and around the park, and the talks that the park rangers give are all interesting. My favorite talk is on the dog teams in the park and you can pet them after!
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Denali National Park & Preserve
Parks HwyDenali National Park is home to the biggest mountain in North America, and it has so much to offer. The park offers bus trips into the park, and I highly recommend the longest trip, which takes you to Wonder Lake. It takes a full day, but you'll be grateful you did it as you'll most likely see caribou at Eilson, possibly wolves around Teklanika, and bears roaming the hillsides near Polychrome Pass; on a clear day you may even catch a glimpse of "The Great One," Denali herself. There are tons of hikes in and around the park, and the talks that the park rangers give are all interesting. My favorite talk is on the dog teams in the park and you can pet them after!
Arts & Culture
The best place to learn about Alaska and our distinct cultures. At the Alaska Native Heritage Center you get to experience the types of homes Tlingits, Athabaskans, Inuits, and our other native groups have lived in, as well see their modes of transportation over the years in traditions canoes and kayaks or dog-sleds. Throughout the day there are performances from local native dance groups, and the gift shop is full of native art from all over the state.
176 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Alaska Native Heritage Center
8800 Heritage Center DrThe best place to learn about Alaska and our distinct cultures. At the Alaska Native Heritage Center you get to experience the types of homes Tlingits, Athabaskans, Inuits, and our other native groups have lived in, as well see their modes of transportation over the years in traditions canoes and kayaks or dog-sleds. Throughout the day there are performances from local native dance groups, and the gift shop is full of native art from all over the state.
The Anchorage Museum is one of my favorite places to go in the city, especially on a rainy day. Permanent collections display Alaskan art and culture, while rotating exhibits offer something new about arctic life or local art. The Discovery Center inside the museum is perfect for kids and families as there are experiments to do, things to touch, and room to play. Lastly, the gift shop in the museum is the best in the city - you can find everything from local books to masks, and stunning native jewelry.
313 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
625 C StThe Anchorage Museum is one of my favorite places to go in the city, especially on a rainy day. Permanent collections display Alaskan art and culture, while rotating exhibits offer something new about arctic life or local art. The Discovery Center inside the museum is perfect for kids and families as there are experiments to do, things to touch, and room to play. Lastly, the gift shop in the museum is the best in the city - you can find everything from local books to masks, and stunning native jewelry.
Entertainment & Activities
The Anchorage Museum is one of my favorite places to go in the city, especially on a rainy day. Permanent collections display Alaskan art and culture, while rotating exhibits offer something new about arctic life or local art. The Discovery Center inside the museum is perfect for kids and families as there are experiments to do, things to touch, and room to play. Lastly, the gift shop in the museum is the best in the city - you can find everything from local books to masks, and stunning native jewelry.
315 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Bear Tooth Theatrepub
1230 W 27th AveThe Anchorage Museum is one of my favorite places to go in the city, especially on a rainy day. Permanent collections display Alaskan art and culture, while rotating exhibits offer something new about arctic life or local art. The Discovery Center inside the museum is perfect for kids and families as there are experiments to do, things to touch, and room to play. Lastly, the gift shop in the museum is the best in the city - you can find everything from local books to masks, and stunning native jewelry.
The Sealife Center in Seward is impressive! You can see many marine mammals up close who are being rehabilitated, and learn so much about the ecosystem of Resurrection Bay.
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Centro de Vida Marina de Alaska
301 Railway AveThe Sealife Center in Seward is impressive! You can see many marine mammals up close who are being rehabilitated, and learn so much about the ecosystem of Resurrection Bay.
There's always something going on at the PAC! Check out their schedule to see the symphony, ballet, musical performances, comedians, and plays.
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Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
621 West 6th AvenueThere's always something going on at the PAC! Check out their schedule to see the symphony, ballet, musical performances, comedians, and plays.
Getting Around
People Mover has greatly improved their bus schedule, and it is now easier than ever to get around. There is even a more direct line from the airport to downtown! Prices are affordable and using Google Maps you can find all the schedules.
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People Mover Anchorage
700 W 6th AvePeople Mover has greatly improved their bus schedule, and it is now easier than ever to get around. There is even a more direct line from the airport to downtown! Prices are affordable and using Google Maps you can find all the schedules.
The Alaska Railroad is a great way to see the state! Offering trips north and south, with tour guides on the train to give a narrative throughout the journey, this is a fun way to get from one destination to another, while seeing some incredible views along the way!
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Alaska Railroad Corporation
327 W Ship Creek AveThe Alaska Railroad is a great way to see the state! Offering trips north and south, with tour guides on the train to give a narrative throughout the journey, this is a fun way to get from one destination to another, while seeing some incredible views along the way!