Anchorage Recommendations

[BaltimoreCruise]

Hello, we have a HAL land and sea tour in May that begins in Anchorage.  We fly into Anchorage a few days prior to the beginning of the tour.  I am looking for recommendations for: hotels with good locations for walking around the city, tours based in Anchorage that in your experience should not be missed, places to visit (we will have a car), and restaurants with food you enjoyed.  Thank you. Baltimore Cruise.🚢 

[AKStafford]

When in May? Early May is still late winter...

If you have a car, I'd head to the Matanuska Glacier for a guided glacier hike. Along the way you could include a drive up into Hatcher Pass. It'll be too early for the mine to be open, but it's still a great drive.

[oaktreerb]

Snow City Cafe for breakfast/lunch.  Glacier Brewhouse for dinner.  Captain Cook Hotel is a nice centrally located hotel.  Check out the Ulu Factory.

 

If you have a car you can head down Turnagain Arm.   The Alyeska Resort and hotel is very nice.  Stop by the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for a close-up of Alaska native wildlife.  Portage Glacier area is interesting.

 

Go online and order a brochure from the Anchorage Visitor’s Center.  It will have maps and ideas of places to visit.  

[BaltimoreCruise]

Thank you AKStafford and Oaktreerb for the suggestions.  Our land tour begins on May 17 fyi.  
BC

[edinburgher]

18 hours ago, BaltimoreCruise said:

Anchorage that in your experience should not be missed, places to visit (we will have a car)

Another vote for the incredibly scenic drive on the Seward Highway.  This is one of the top scenic driving routes in N. America. With Anchorage as only a port of call, we joined with two American friends and rented a car for the day.  With less time than you will have we took the highway only as far as Portage glacier (you would have time to go as far as Seward) but we had several stops along the way as the route really is beautiful and there are special parking areas for photo stops and you will definitely want to take photos! Our first stop was at Potter Marsh(our friends were birders) and although we were not, there were so many birds to see from the boardwalks  that we enjoyed this stop more than we had expected to and we were there for quite a time. Also had a stop at the the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center but we had mixed views of that stop,( maybe read reviews first so you know what to expect ). Also stopped at Portage glacier, and on the return drive we took the side road to Alyeska only to find the chair lift wasn't running that day due to high winds, but  quite a scenic side drive nonetheless  so was still worth doing.  And as the route runs alongside the railway, as a bonus, the train passed us at one of our photo stops. I highly recommend you drive this route especially on a dry, clear day. It was one of our best days of that trip.

Edited December 28, 2023 by edinburgher

[diesel1973]

 

When in Anchorage try F St. Station for lunch. If you have a car check out Mooses Tooth for pizza.Also for lunch or dinner try Humpies. When in Girdwood The Bake shop for lunch and if you like Cajun food The Double Muskie for dinner. Anchorage has many restaurants depending on your taste.

[BaltimoreCruise]

Thank you Edinburgher and diesel1973 for your tips .They are very much appreciated.  I reserved a car today.  Next up is mapping the itinerary, then hotels.  If you think of anything else please let me know.

BC