Anchorage
Anchorage is Alaska’s most populous city, located in the south-central part of the state it is a cosmopolitan port city. Anchorage makes an interesting travel destination in all seasons. Although the winter is spectacular most visitors come to Anchorage between May and September. Anchorage attractions include learning about the native culture and heritage as well as exploring the untouched beautiful natural surroundings.
Anchorage Must Sees!
Anchorage Museum
At this Anchorage museum, the art, history, science, and Alaskan native culture is exhibited offering visitors a chance to get to know this incredible state. Every aspect of the state’s history from the early explorers to the Eskimo culture is covered. There is a planetarium on the site and a section focusing on Earth and life science. There is a gallery geared towards kids under 5 years old where they can explore interactive exhibits. There is a Bubble Space where you’re surrounded by bubbles and a Kinetic Space. Learn about the unique native culture through two multimedia instillations and an enormous gallery space. The museum is innovative, interactive, exciting, and truly unique. Located at 625 C Street the museum charges $12 for adults and $7 for kids aged 3 to 12 years.
Portage Lake and the Portage Glacier
Begin your visit to this Anchorage attraction at the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center where you can see exhibits and a film about the glaciers. Then take a stroll along the shore of the lake to see the glaciers. To get a closer look at them go to the boat dock and take a cruise out onto the lake and get really close to the glaciers. The cruise boat gets you within 300 meters of the Portage Glacier, a remnant of the Ice Age. A 1-hour cruise costs $34 for adults and $17 for kids and a 4-hour tour costs $79 for adults and $39 for kids. Another way of seeing the Portage Glacier is by taking the USFS hiking trail or the Portage Pass Trail. The glacier which is one of Alaska’s most popular attractions is within the Chugach National Forest.
Alaska Native Heritage Center
This Anchorage attraction is both a museum and a cultural center. Here you can learn about the state’s indigenous people. You can see tools, arts, musical instruments, clothing, watercraft, and more showcased in the Hall of Cultures. Five different cultures are covered in the exhibits. The native people of Alaska are comprised of 11 cultural groups with their own distinct languages and traditions. The center is unique in having “live” exhibits, visitors can see traditional dance, hear storytelling, and even create their own native art or learn to throw a spear. Outside in the center grounds, there is 6 life-size traditional ancient dwellings representative of the Alaskan indigenous cultures. The center is open to the public in the summer from May 12th to September 3rd. In the fall and winter, it is only open to the public on special occasions and for special events. Admission is $24.95 for adults and $16.95 for kids.
Eklutna Historical Park
This Anchorage attraction is marketed as an Alaska Native and Russian Orthodox Church experience. Here you can see traditional spirit houses, an Orthodox Church, and other traditional and historic buildings. Learn about the history, culture, and customs of the Dena’ina Athabascans and the Russian Orthodox Church. The site has a number of historic buildings which have been brought here for preservation. In the Heritage House, you can see exhibits about the different beliefs and art as well as historical photographs. In the Eklutna cemetery, you can see colorful spirit houses built above the ancestor’s graves. This is a tradition from a blended heritage of Russian Orthodox and Native Alaskan cultures together. Admission is $5 for adults and $2.5 for kids aged 12 to 18 years.
Anchorage Must Eat!
Simon & Seafort’s Saloon & Grill
This fine dining establishment serves American cuisine and typical steakhouse fare as well as a selection of seafood. They are located at 420 L Street in Downtown Anchorage and they stay open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and also serve breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. There is a happy hour with a varied drink menu and a wide choice of wines. The service is excellent and the atmosphere warm and inviting. The restaurant is an Anchorage landmark (open since 1978) loved by locals, it has a breathtaking view across Cook Inlet all the way to Mount Susitna. On the menu are prime cuts of meat, wild mushroom ravioli, seafood fettuccine, asiago-almond crusted scallops, roasted crab and artichoke dip, and delicious desserts like Key lime pie.
Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria
This must be a really special Anchorage restaurant as it is the overall number one on Urbanspoon’s list of best Anchorage restaurants and also Trip Advisor’s number one! The pub has a sports bar atmosphere and they are located at 3300 Old Seward Highway. The restaurant serves up gourmet-type, made from scratch pizza with many creative twists but there are other dishes on the menu like the grilled halibut, Mexican dishes, smoked salmon salad, Philly cheesesteak, hummus, grilled garlic, and mixed berry cobbler. Being a pub there are also more than 20 draft beers and 2 sodas produced by the Broken Tooth Brewery. This Anchorage restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner and stays open late on Friday and Saturday nights.
Snow City Café
This Anchorage restaurant is #3 on the Trip Advisor best Anchorage restaurant list and #4 on the Urbanspoon’s list. They serve breakfast and lunch (7 am – 3 pm) seven days a week and can be found downtown at 1034 West 4th Avenue. The restaurant offers gluten-free food, vegan-friendly options, and the restaurant is kid-friendly. You can make special requests for healthy variations on your meal like whites-only omelets and fat-free cooking. The restaurant tries to locally source their ingredients and always use healthy fresh produce. You can also use their free WiFi. They have been voted “best breakfast” by the Anchorage press for the last 9 years.
Lucky Wishbone
This is a classic diner serving simple but delicious ice creams and desserts as well as small meals like homemade chili, corn muffins, burgers, bacon and egg sandwich, pan-fried chicken, and soup. The menu is quite extensive and even includes a children’s dinner menu. This Anchorage restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner all week except Sundays and is located in Fairview at 1033 East 5th Avenue.
