Our Anchorage Guidebook
Food Scene
A short drive from the place, this is quite possibly the best pizza we have ever had! Dine-in or take-out available. The place has a great atmosphere, with Alaska themed decor, outdoor fireplaces to warm up around after a long day, and if you're into beer, they have an impressive tap selection. If you plan to take-out, call in advance as they tend to be busy, seemingly year round.
347 locals recommend
Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria
3300 Old Seward HwyA short drive from the place, this is quite possibly the best pizza we have ever had! Dine-in or take-out available. The place has a great atmosphere, with Alaska themed decor, outdoor fireplaces to warm up around after a long day, and if you're into beer, they have an impressive tap selection. If you plan to take-out, call in advance as they tend to be busy, seemingly year round.
A local favorite with tasty treats! They don't do coffee, so plan accordingly.
189 locals recommend
Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop
718 K StA local favorite with tasty treats! They don't do coffee, so plan accordingly.
Glacier Brewhouse
737 W 5th AveA great downtown restaurant/brewery.
Great food and an amazing roof top deck (summer only) with views of the Alaska Range.
191 locals recommend
49th State Brewing Co - Anchorage
717 W 3rd AveGreat food and an amazing roof top deck (summer only) with views of the Alaska Range.
Middle Way Cafe
1200 W Northern Lights BlvdAmazing breakfast, art, and coffee!
Great food, and it's a Theater-Pub, so you can dine while enjoying a movie or concert.
315 locals recommend
Bear Tooth Theatrepub
1230 W 27th AveGreat food, and it's a Theater-Pub, so you can dine while enjoying a movie or concert.
We haven’t had the pleasure of dining here, but have been told it’s epic! Reservations required.
Whisky & Ramen
We haven’t had the pleasure of dining here, but have been told it’s epic! Reservations required.
If you're looking for a place outside of town for dinner, give this a look. It's not world class food, but we definitely appreciated our dinner here.
Knik River Lodge Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled Tour
29979 E Knik River RdIf you're looking for a place outside of town for dinner, give this a look. It's not world class food, but we definitely appreciated our dinner here.
Entertainment & Activities
Located on the Chester Creek trail west of the place, or a short drive across town. After "Freeze Up" in winter, the city maintains an ice rink on the lake, complete with warming fires. It's really special! Bundle up, and don’t forget a warm beverage. We recommend hot coco or mulled wine.
91 locals recommend
Westchester Lagoon
Located on the Chester Creek trail west of the place, or a short drive across town. After "Freeze Up" in winter, the city maintains an ice rink on the lake, complete with warming fires. It's really special! Bundle up, and don’t forget a warm beverage. We recommend hot coco or mulled wine.
This is a great place to go during inclimate weather. You'll meet some great folks while also getting in a work out.
19 locals recommend
Alaska Rock Gym
665 East 33rd AvenueThis is a great place to go during inclimate weather. You'll meet some great folks while also getting in a work out.
Highly underrated, and an easy 5 minute drive from the place. Well worth a visit!
9 locals recommend
Alaska Museum of Science & Nature
201 N Bragaw StHighly underrated, and an easy 5 minute drive from the place. Well worth a visit!
Title Wave Books
1360 W Northern Lights BlvdLots of books and a great selection on Alaska and the arctic.
Chester Creek Sports Complex
1860 A StBrace yourself for giant fruits and vegetables! The Alaska state fair takes place in late summer, and is full of all sorts of personalities.
40 locals recommend
Alaska State Fair Inc
2075 Glenn HwyBrace yourself for giant fruits and vegetables! The Alaska state fair takes place in late summer, and is full of all sorts of personalities.
Sightseeing
Access to many trails, including the must-hike Flat Top mountain. Requires the purchase of a parking pass (can be paid for in the parking lot).
23 locals recommend
Glen Alps Trailhead Rest Area
Glen Alps RoadAccess to many trails, including the must-hike Flat Top mountain. Requires the purchase of a parking pass (can be paid for in the parking lot).
Amazing hikes and Mountain View’s. About a thirty minute drive from downtown Anchorage.
90 locals recommend
Eagle River Nature Center
32750 Eagle River RdAmazing hikes and Mountain View’s. About a thirty minute drive from downtown Anchorage.
It’s a huge park, full of all things one hopes to see when visiting Alaska! Moose, bear, mountains, glaciers, and so much more!
9 locals recommend
Chugach State Park
18620 Seward HwyIt’s a huge park, full of all things one hopes to see when visiting Alaska! Moose, bear, mountains, glaciers, and so much more!
This is a hugely popular hike offering amazing views of the Alaskan and Aleutian mountain ranges, including several volcanoes, and Denali on clear days. It can be accessed from the Glen Alps trailhead or from the “backside” which is not always accessible in Winter. We recommend checking trail conditions on AllTrails prior to attempting the full hike. It’s the mountain behind the sunrise cover photo to this guidebook, which was captured from the back porch.
241 locals recommend
Flattop Mountain
This is a hugely popular hike offering amazing views of the Alaskan and Aleutian mountain ranges, including several volcanoes, and Denali on clear days. It can be accessed from the Glen Alps trailhead or from the “backside” which is not always accessible in Winter. We recommend checking trail conditions on AllTrails prior to attempting the full hike. It’s the mountain behind the sunrise cover photo to this guidebook, which was captured from the back porch.
Wildlife Center not too far from Girdwood with lots of incredible wildlife to see.
185 locals recommend
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
43520 Seward HwyWildlife Center not too far from Girdwood with lots of incredible wildlife to see.
Makes for an excellent day of skiing or snowboarding, and if you're not a downhill enthusiast, simply enjoying the sights and a tram ride up the mountain are well worth the drive from Anchorage.
7 locals recommend
Alyeska Resort Daylodge
104 Arlberg AvenueMakes for an excellent day of skiing or snowboarding, and if you're not a downhill enthusiast, simply enjoying the sights and a tram ride up the mountain are well worth the drive from Anchorage.
Whittier is famous for the fact that most of its residents live in a single, repurposed government building. It also offers access to the Prince William Sound! A trip here is well worth it, but requires a little extra planning due to the single-lane tunnel that alternates turns with traffic heading out of Whittier and the Alaska Railroad, plus is only operational during daytime hours.
Wild Catch Cafe
Whittier is famous for the fact that most of its residents live in a single, repurposed government building. It also offers access to the Prince William Sound! A trip here is well worth it, but requires a little extra planning due to the single-lane tunnel that alternates turns with traffic heading out of Whittier and the Alaska Railroad, plus is only operational during daytime hours.
A chance to see Denali, "The Great One", is a highlight to many trips to Alaska. It can be seen from Anchorage (130 miles away), but to view it from somewhere closer is even more amazing!
12 locals recommend
Denali State Park
A chance to see Denali, "The Great One", is a highlight to many trips to Alaska. It can be seen from Anchorage (130 miles away), but to view it from somewhere closer is even more amazing!
Alaska SeaLife Center
301 Railway AveGet up close and personal with all sorts of Sea Life!
Outdoor Gear
Nearly everything you could ask for a trip to Alaska!
REI
500 E Northern Lights BlvdOutdoor essentials!
Play It Again Sports
2636 Spenard RdGear rentals and more for all seasons.
Everything Else
Our favorite grocery store in town.
Fred Meyer
1000 E Northern Lights BlvdProbably the easiest grocery store to access from the place.
City advice
Getting around
People Mover Bus Line
There are two bus lines within walking distance of the place that have regular routes heading to downtown.
What to pack
Winter Time Packing
We can’t recommend traction spikes highly enough. If you haven’t heard of or used these before, they slip over shoes or boots, and help with traction immensely! You can literally walk up an ice covered hill. Local outdoor stores should have them, especially REI, and you may be able to rent them from Play it again. We recommend calling first.
Useful phrases
Local dialect
A “sourdough” is a longtime Alaskan. If you hear a strange use of the word “Outside” the speaker is likely speaking of a place “outside of Alaska.” The phrase “termination dust” refers to the first snowfall on the mountains, signaling the termination of the warm season.