Anchorage (paging Macanudo)

L

LadyHornAustin

100+ Posts
Due to a booking snafu (thanks a lot American Airlines), we are going to spend one full day in Anchorage before we go on our cruise. Any tips on things to do?
 
My boy and I are going to AK in August and I've done a bit of research. I might consider driving down to Girdwood, taking a hike and watching the tide bore, and there is a tram that goes over a river. It is behind the hotel in Alyeska near the gold mine. The tram is powered by you. I'd guess this is a drive of around 2 hours.

Going a little farther east, towards Valdez, you can probably touch a glacier.

They have a museum in Anchorage, but it's not going to fill up an entire day I'm told.

Like I said. I haven't been there yet. I've only been doing some reading. I have an entire day unplanned in that area so I've love to hear if you strike entertainment gold.
 
If I had one day I would rent a car and drive down the Turnagain Arm. If you're really ambitious, you could go down to Seward (2-3 hours each way depending on how you drive.) You can do a glacier cruise from there. If you don't feel like going all that way, about 30-45 minutes in that direction is the Portage glacier. The whole drive is pretty spectacular no matter how far you decide to go. If the tide is in, you might have a shot at seeing some whales out there. Or you also might get to see the tide shifting and creating the Tidal Bore. Along the route for the first 30-40 miles are plenty of turnouts for scenic shots and there are also hiking trails that go up the hillsides. Every time we visit Anchorage, we drive down south for something.

I would not attempt to drive north toward Denali. This is a 4+ hour drive (minimum) each way and there's no guarantee of seeing it. You wont have time to go into the park and the time spent getting there and back is better spent going south with your time frame.

Most of the museums in Anchorage are fairly small and I thought kind of cheesy. There is a fair amount of cheesy tourist stuff downtown so if you just want to stretch your legs, the area around the main hotels (the Hilton, Captain Cook, etc.) has restaurants and shops to buy trinkets.

For food I recommend:
The Moose's Tooth (Pizza) - On the Old Seward Highway a few minutes south of downtown. This place gets crazy busy during peak lunch/dinner hours so I would either plan on a late lunch or early dinner if you try and go there. They have some great brewpub beer.

The Snow Goose (American fare) - Downtown on 3rd Ave. They brew their own beer and they make really good food. Go upstairs to the outdoor deck that overlooks the Knik Arm. It might be a bit of a wait to sit out there but it's worth it.

I would avoid the Glacier Brewhouse (in downtown as well.) This one gets high marks by a lot of people but I think it's too expensive for what you get and not worth the wait for a table. It is good but not for the price you pay.
 
Thanks y'all - I should mention that we'll be checking out Seward, and then doing the glacier thing Sunday and later in the week on the cruise. So we're looking for stuff specifically in Anchorage, if there is anything.
 
Are you doing Seward as part of the cruise (like an excursion)? Because I would still drive down to Girdwood and see Portage. You're not going to be able to stop on the bus they'll put you on.
 
Mac, we're not doing Seward as an "official" cruise excursion. I really like your suggestions; we weren't planning on renting a car but we're going to look into it now. Thanks!
hookem.gif
 
For the record, Macanudo took plenty of time out of his day to give me suggestions. They factored in to my planning. His time and input are very much appreciated.
 
Sucking up now does no good.
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Although, I would like to think my input kept you from venturing up to Fairbanks.
 
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