Anchorage

[tccb]

We will have a full day in Anchorage at the end of our HAL cruisetour and are considering renting a car. We will be staying at the Westmark, if we rent from Midnight Sun we would have to take a cab to pick it up. How expensive is cab fair in Anchorage? Is parking difficult in the city? We are probably going to drive to the Wildlife conservation center, how much time would we need to drive there and see all there is to see?

Any places on the road that are good places to have lunch? Thank you

[AkSusan]

We will have a full day in Anchorage at the end of our HAL cruisetour and are considering renting a car. We will be staying at the Westmark, if we rent from Midnight Sun we would have to take a cab to pick it up. How expensive is cab fair in Anchorage? Is parking difficult in the city? We are probably going to drive to the Wildlife conservation center, how much time would we need to drive there and see all there is to see?

Any places on the road that are good places to have lunch? Thank you

I live about 5 miles from the airport (you'll be about 4 miles to get the car), and, it costs me about $15 before tip, so, I'd say $11 or $12 before tip, and, of course, that depends on how may stoplights you hit.

 

Downtown parking is either meters, some only good for 2 hours, lots or garages. Meters are free after 6 p.m. And, sometimes, according to what time it is, parking is hard to find. You just may have to park a bit away from the hotel! Though, there is a pay lot right next to and right behind the Westmark!

 

It will take over an hour or so to get to the Wildlife Conservation area. All depends on traffic. Also, it's the only road out of town, and, ranges from only 2 lanes, to sometimes 3 with passing lanes. If by chance, there is a wreck, it can close the highway down for hours.

 

You could probably do the Center in two hours, but, could be more according to how long you look at the animals, and, stay in the gift store!

 

I like Chair Five in Girdwood. Girdwood is about 45 miles south from here. http://www.chairfive.com/

 

If you stay later down on Turnagain Arm, I can also suggest the Double Musky http://www.doublemuskyinn.com/framed.html. It opens at 4:30 or 5:00 (closed Mondays), and, do not take reservations, and, sometimes have a line waiting for them to open.

 

Susan in Anchorage :)

[AKStafford]

My lunch suggestion: take the tram at Alyeska up to the Bore Tide Deli. Buy the tram/lunch combo ticket. The food is good, the view is amazing. http://www.alyeskaresort.com/resort/about-aerial-tram

[tccb]

Thank you AkSusan for the information. Both restaurants look great we will see where our schedule leads us.

AkStafford we are considering doing the Alyeska tram but I am on a low sodium diet so the deli won't work for us. Appreciate the link to the tram for prices.

[little britain]

AKSusan - can you suggest what to do on a Sunday in Anchorage in June please?

We would fly in from London getting there late Saturday night so will probably have jet lag!

Wondering where to go for a good Sunday breakfast/brunch? Or we could hire a car in the afternoon for a short drive to Alyeska as you suggested before (we are planning on getting the car on Monday morning early to drive to Denali anyway...so could get it earlier.)

 

Good places for dinner that night?

Thanks in advance!

[AkSusan]

AKSusan - can you suggest what to do on a Sunday in Anchorage in June please?

We would fly in from London getting there late Saturday night so will probably have jet lag!

Wondering where to go for a good Sunday breakfast/brunch? Or we could hire a car in the afternoon for a short drive to Alyeska as you suggested before (we are planning on getting the car on Monday morning early to drive to Denali anyway...so could get it earlier.)

 

Good places for dinner that night?

Thanks in advance!

Are you staying downtown Anchorage?

 

If so, I can recommend the following places for breakfast/lunch that are downtown - Simon & Seafort's http://www.simonandseaforts.com/menu.php?id=Brunch%20Menu

 

Snow City Cafe - http://snowcitycafe.com/menu/good-morning This place can be really crowded, but, just noticed they are taking reservations.

 

If you are going to have a car, I can recommend the following -

City Diner - http://citydineranchorage.com/menu/

 

Gwennie's - http://gwenniesrestaurant.com/

 

In regards to dinner, I have all kinds of places. A lot would depend on the car situation. If you are going to have a car, then I can recommend places further out, if not, then, I can recommend places downtown. If you let me know what your feelings are in that regard, then, I can recommend all kinds.

 

Places to visit - You wouldn't need a car if you're staying downtown to go to the Museum https://www.anchoragemuseum.org/

 

Also, the Alaska Native Heritage Center - they usually run shuttles from downtown to here in the summer http://www.alaskanative.net/

 

Also, I know it's little and don't know if you have any interest, but, we have a very nice small zoo (guess I'm a little bias, because, I am a Zoo Parent (currently, an adoptive Moose Mom) http://alaskazoo.org/, and, they usually run shuttles from downtown to out there during the summer.

 

This might also help you some too - https://www.anchorage.net/

 

Susan in Anchorage :)

[Glaciers]

The shuttles AKSusan mentioned depart from Log Cabin Visitor Center on the corner of 4th Ave & F St. There are free shuttles that depart from there to the Zoo, Ulu Factory as well the shuttle that goes to the Anchorage Museum and Alaska Native Heritage Center. You can purchase a ticket for both venues called the Alaska Cultural Pass for $29.95. For $20 there is a trolley tour that departs from there that travels around Anchorage, out to the airport/Earthquake Park with narration, about 1 hour long.

 

The Alaska Public Lands Information Center is across the street from the log cabin. They have free walking tours of downtown as well as presentations on various Alaska topics including wildlife, Denali, volcanoes, etc.

 

And, to everyone’s surprise, there’s a cannabis retail store opening across the street from the Log Cabin. Visit Anchorage who operates the Log Cabin and adjacent brochure building is remaining neutral although they do have flyers to inform folks of the regulations on who can partake and where.

[AkSusan]

And, to everyone’s surprise, there’s a cannabis retail store opening across the street from the Log Cabin. Visit Anchorage who operates the Log Cabin and adjacent brochure building is remaining neutral although they do have flyers to inform folks of the regulations on who can partake and where.

Though with that being said there would be no where for you to partake, because, the law is currently written, that the stores can not let you smoke there, or, it's still in question if they will allow them to open like pot cafes. Also, you can't smoke in public, and, all hotels in town are non smoking, and, you sure couldn't do it on a cruise ship. And, I do believe you would be breaking the law if you tried to take it home, because, it's still a federal offense.

 

Another issue is that the cultivation places weren't up to speed as fast as some thought and sometimes the stores can't open, because, they run out of inventory. So, they say it would probably take over a year, where, the cultivation will finally catch up to what the stores want to sell. Though, if you live here, you can personally grow 6 plants in your home (if you're over 21), up to 12 in a home.

 

So, that's the current marijuana update for Anchorage!:eek:

 

Susan in Anchorage :)

[Glaciers]

Though with that being said there would be no where for you to partake, because, the law is currently written, that the stores can not let you smoke there, or, it's still in question if they will allow them to open like pot cafes.

 

I'm not sure the people that actually indulge care about any new regulations other than that it can now be purchased. They've been smoking for years illegally and getting away with it and there are always edibles.

[little britain]

Are you staying downtown Anchorage?

 

 

In regards to dinner, I have all kinds of places. A lot would depend on the car situation. If you are going to have a car, then I can recommend places further out, if not, then, I can recommend places downtown. If you let me know what your feelings are in that regard, then, I can recommend all kinds.

 

Many thanks for that great info. Having seen the photos we definitely want to go to Alyeska so I am thinking we will have brunch/breakfast, then get a car, and in the evening, we would just want a place in town.....as we may collapse early! All recommendations gratefully received! :p

[AkSusan]

Many thanks for that great info. Having seen the photos we definitely want to go to Alyeska so I am thinking we will have brunch/breakfast, then get a car, and in the evening, we would just want a place in town.....as we may collapse early! All recommendations gratefully received! :p

Well, I'll give you all kinds of different types, and, then, you can check out the menus and see what tickles your fancy -

 

Humpy's - http://www.humpysalaska.com/ - their sister property across the street Williwaw - http://williwawsocial.com/

 

McGinley's Irish Pub - http://mcginleyspub.com/

 

Fat Ptarmigan http://fatptarmigan.com/

 

Glacier Brewhouse - https://glacierbrewhouse.com/ and their sister property Orso http://orsoalaska.com/

 

49th State Brewing Company https://www.49statebrewing.com/

 

Simon and Seafort's http://simonandseaforts.com/

 

Some of these places will make you let reservations, and, some won't. I know Williwaw you can make same day ones, others, especially like Glacier Brewhouse and Orso, if you don't have them, you may have to wait for a while. With Simon and Seafort's you can always eat in the Saloon (aka bar).

 

If you do go to Alyeska, and, have some time, and, want to do a nice hike, I recommend the Winner's Creek trail. Pretty easy trail that starts right at the resort.

 

Think I've given you a rounded out selection of places, hope it helps, and, enjoy your time here.

 

Susan :)

[AKStafford]

in the evening, we would just want a place in town.....as we may collapse early! All recommendations gratefully received! :p

F Street Station is my favorite place downtown. It's tiny and it may be a challenge to get a seat, but well worth it if you can.

[little britain]

Well, I'll give you all kinds of different types, and, then, you can check out the menus and see what tickles your fancy -

 

 

Think I've given you a rounded out selection of places, hope it helps, and, enjoy your time here.

 

Susan :)

Thanks again -my mouth is watering already....just a year to wait! Hotels not open for booking yet but I'm going to try and get Ship Creek which seems to be a CC favourite and I can see easily walkable to some of the restaurants. No drink/driving!!! LOL :halo:

[AkSusan]

Thanks again -my mouth is watering already....just a year to wait! Hotels not open for booking yet but I'm going to try and get Ship Creek which seems to be a CC favourite and I can see easily walkable to some of the restaurants. No drink/driving!!! LOL :halo:

You're welcome!

 

Do have to warn you, that's a heck of a hill to walk up from the Ship Creek hotel. Coming back down, you'll be okay, but, up, it's up, though you don't have to go straight up!:eek:

 

Susan :)