anchorage visit

[teekaye]

We are cruising Sept 4th on the Island Princess,from Vancover. Have about 8 hours to spend in Anchorage before catching our plane back to Albuquerque. Does anyone have some ideas on where to go and see or eat.:confused:

[Host Caroline]

You can check the Alaska board here on CC but some tips: Earthquake Exhibit, Alaska Museum (it's natural history museum but can't think of the "official" name) or just explore downtown.. walk down to Cook Inlet...

[spongerob]

Go to Humpy's for a cold one. Not to be missed.

[judynorth]

We rented a car and drove around Anchorage. We ate at a great place - the Moose's Tooth. Great pizza and salads but you need a car to get there. We also went to the Ulu Factory and bought Ulu knives to take home. They sell the real thing there, not the Asian knockoffs.

[cactusrose]

You can kill a whole day at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Wonderful place and there a free shuttles from different locations around town. http://www.alaskanative.net/8.asp

[Nancyquilts]

We like the Museum of History and Art (or vice versa) - especially nice on a rainy day, and they've had a lot of them this last week or so.

[chfs_home]

One you might not hear too much about...

If you are looking for authentic native artwork (not souvenirs, real artwork) try the Tudor Road Native Hospital. The gift shop there sells high end arts and crafts. It is all native made, the proceeds go directly to the artist (at the price they request) with the 20% markup going to hospital programs. No gallery owner making a profit. The things they have are as good or better quality than what we saw at any shops in Juneau, Anchorage, Skagway or Ketchikan and the prices, for similar quality products, were 25%-30% better. We bought a beautiful basket, but they also have ivory and whale bone carvings, baleen baskets, leather and fur mocassins (sp?), etc. Also, there is a museum quality native art display in the hospital. You go up to the 5th floor and walk down the stairs which have beautiful native artwork in display cases on each floor and in the stairways. Best of all the display is free!

[Nancyquilts]

THe Native Hospital is our favorite place to shop - you really need a car - we usually get there between 11 and 1 and it is open - I'm not sure what the official hours are. I forget about recommending it, and it's the best place to shop in Alaska.