From Wikitravel

Anchorage [1] is the biggest city in Alaska, located in the Southcentral region.

Contents 1 Getting in 2 Getting around 3 See 4 Do 5 Buy 6 Eat 7 Drink 8 Sleep 8.1 Budget 8.2 Mid-range 8.3 Splurge 9 Get out

Getting in

Anchorage is served by most major airlines. Air travel is the cheapest and most efficient form of transportation in and out of the state. Anchorage recently completed extensive remodeling and construction at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to help accommodate the upsurge in tourism (unofficial sources have estimated the numbers for 2004 at some four million tourists arriving in Alaska between May and September).

Anchorage is also accessible from the contiguous U.S. (locally referred to as "the Lower 48") via road. The Alaska Highway enters Alaska several hundred miles away from Anchorage and terminates in Fairbanks. You can either get to Anchorage via the Parks Highway from Fairbanks or the Glenn Highway from Tok (the first major Alaskan town after crossing the Canadian border). The Seward Highway serves traffic entering Anchorage from the Kenai Peninsula to the south and its Alaska Marine Highway System terminals.

Make sure to pick up a copy of The Milepost, which is widely regarded as the premiere road guide for western Canada and Alaska. Most roads in these regions have small white posts every mile or so indicating the number of miles from the start of the road. The Milepost has extremely detailed route descriptions of all of the roads, pointing out everything from scenic viewpoints and campgrounds down to the names of small creeks the roads pass over. If you're flying in to Anchorage and then driving around the state, wait and pick up a copy of The Milepost at one of the local Costcos or WalMarts--the price there is around half of list price.

Many cruise lines provide transportation from their terminals to Anchorage and may even include tours or your return air travel out of the state.

Getting around

Anchorage has a very poor public transportation system. It's also not very walkable, with the exception of the compact downtown area. As such, most people who want to travel in and around Anchorage rent cars.

Anchorage International Airport is serviced by all of the major national rental car chains as well as a number of independents. A few companies have off-airport locations. Renting from these locations avoids the 11-12% airport concession recovery fee. If you're arriving in the summer, plan ahead, as most rental companies are pretty much sold out from mid-June through the end of August. In the summer, cars are often not available without reservations, and even if they are, be prepared to pay top-dollar for them.

Three taxi companies serve the Anchorage area: Alaska Cab/Yellow Cab (they have combined service) and Checker Cab. The airport maintains a taxi stand on the arrivals level. The current municipality-set rate for all taxis is $2.00 for the flag drop and $2.00 per mile; the time-based rate is $.50 per minute. The average fare to downtown runs about $15 one way.

Many hotels offer also courtesy shuttle vans that stop at the airport near the taxi stand. Several courtesy phone banks are located inside the baggage claim areas.

If you're determined to save money, you can use the PeopleMover, Anchorage's bus system. Fares are currently $1.75 or $4 for a day pass. Most bus routes have one bus in each direction per hour, but some routes increase it to two buses per hour during peak times. Buses are frequently late. Route 7 of the PeopleMover, Anchorage's bus system, has a stop located at the far south end of the airport taxi stand area. Every hour, there is one bus going downtown and one bus going to the Dimond Center in south Anchorage. If you're riding the bus to the airport, note that only one out of two trips on Route 7 stops at the airport, so look for the airplane icon on the bus route display.

Anchorage features an extremely well-developed trail system, with over 200 miles of developed trails (120 of which are paved) winding their way throughout the city's parks and three green belts. The popular Tony Knowles Coastal Trail parallels the waterfront from Downtown to Kinkaid Park near the airport. Several companies offer bike rentals and trail tours. In the winter, many of the trails are groomed and used as ski trails.

See

• Alaska Native Heritage Center, 8800 Heritage Center Drive, (907) 330-8000, Summer (May 8-Sept 24) Every Day 9-6, Winter (Oct 29-Apr 16) Sat 10-5, General Admission Adults $23.50, Seniors/Military $21.15, Children (Ages 7-16) $15.95, Children (6 and under) free. This is much more than just a static museum of glass display cases. The various native Alaskan cultures are all represented in this center. A large stage holds native dance performances as well as other types of events for visitors. Behind the center, a short trail around the lake takes you to several stations that show aspects of life in each of the native Alaskan cultures with native guides with short demonstrations and happily answering questions. Back inside, many items such as artwork, kayaks and ulu knives are on display. A small theater runs various films and there is a gift shop (with a second location in downtown Anchorage). http://www.alaskanative.net/

• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, 43 miles south of Anchorage on Seward Hwy (mile 79), (907) 783-2025, Apr-May 10-6, May-Sept 8-8, Sept-May 10-5, Adults $5, Children 4-12 $3, Seniors 55+ $3, Active Military w/ID $3, Max charge per vehicle $20. AWCC provides refuge for orphaned, injured or ill animals. Visitors drive through the park and see animals large fenced habitat areas including bears, eagles, elk, moose, bison, and more. http://www.alaskawildlife.org/

Do

Buy

• Anchorage Market and Festival, Saturdays & Sundays (mid May-mid Sept) at 3rd Ave. and E St. (10-6), Wednesdays (Jul-Aug) in the Northway Mall parking lot (11-5), free entry. Several hundred vendors offer all sorts of items in this large open air market. Items include fresh produce, fresh local seafood, prepared food, arts and crafts, souvenirs, etc. Some items could be found anywhere in the lower 48 but many items are truly Alaskan. http://www.anchoragemarkets.com/

Eat

• Bear Tooth Theatrepub, 1230 W 27th Avenue, (907) 276-4200. A wonderful pizza location, similar to the Moose's Tooth described below. It also features a movie theatre where one can eat dinner. It mainly plays arthouse films and those that have been released for some time. http://www.beartooththeatre.net/index2.html
• Glacier BrewHouse, 5th Ave between H and G St, (907) 274-BREW. A very popular place to eat in downtown Anchorage. Wide selection of food, impressive selection of beers from their brewery. Hard to go wrong with this one if you're looking for a place to eat downtown. http://glacierbrewhouse.com/
• Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria, 3300 Old Seward Hwy near New Seward and 36th, (907) 258-2537. Brews their own beer and makes some fantastic pizza (all-ages welcome). Good atmosphere and walls covered with memorabelia about Alaska and beer. Can be busy. Frequently has outdoor concerts during the summer on the first Tuesday of every month ("first tap" is age 21+). Must-go if you like beer. Has vegetarian selections. Medium prices; it's possible to save by splitting a large pizza. Menu and beer list online. http://www.moosestooth.net/index2.htm
• ORSO Ristorante, 5th Ave between H and G Streets, (907) 222-3232. Located right next to, and owned by the same company as Glacier BrewHouse, this restaurant offers higher-priced meals inspired by traditional Italian fare. Located in the same block as a number of art galleries and smaller boutique shops, one can keep occupied while waiting (which in the summer season, is typical). http://www.orsoalaska.com/
• Simon and Seafort's, 420 L Street (end of downtown near the coastal trail), (907) 274-3502. Semi-fancy seafood restaurant and bar. On the expensive side, but it's worth it to get some of the best seafood in Alaska (and there's no dress code). They also have excellent non-seafood selections and a great lunch menu. You can also see the sunset over the water by the window. Menus online. http://www.r-u-i.com/sim/
• Solstice Bar & Grill. 720 West 5th Avenue (between H and G Streets), (907) 276-7676, While not as popular as Glacier BrewHouse, Solstice Bar & Grill offers meals of a similar quality for a slightly cheaper price. Located in the lobby level of the Westmark Hotel, this restaurant can get quite busy during the summer breakfast and dinner times, as Westmark plays host to a number of cruise line guests (its parent company is Holland America Line). http://www.westmarkhotels.com/anchorage-food.php

Drink

Sleep

Budget

• Spenard Hostel International, 2845 West 42nd Place, Ancorage, AK 99517. Phone: +1 (907) 248 5036 (mailto:stay@alaskahostel.org, Fax: +1 (907) 248 5036). Office Hours: 9am - 1pm (Summer), 7pm - 11pm (Summer and Winter). This hostel is a bit of a way out of the center of town but is a really clean and friendly environment compared to the inner-city alternative. It is serviced by PeopleMover route 7. http://www.alaskahostel.org/

• The downtown alternative is Hostelling International Anchorage, 700 H St., Anchorage, AK 99501, Phone: +1 (907) 276-3635 mailto:hianch@alaska.net This hostel is located one block from the downtown transit center (served by all PeopleMover routes except 1). http://www.alaska.net/~hianch.

• The Puffin Inn Hotel, 4400 Spenard, Anchorage, AK 99517, Phone: +1 (907) 743-1164 mailto:info@puffininn.net The hotel is located near the Ted Steven's International Airport and Lake Hood and just 10 minutes from downtown Anchorage. It is just a short drive from scenic Alaska and all of its natural beauty. http://www.puffininn.net
• Motel 6 Anchorage - Midtown, 5000 A Street, +1 907 677-8000, Fax: +1 907 677-8640, [2].

• Microtel Inn & Suites 5205 Northwood Drive, (907) 245-5002. Microtel is pleased to be the first economy/budget hotel brand to offer guests free local and free long distance calls in the continental United States, and free wireless high-speed Internet access in every room of our hotels, as well as advance online check-in and check-out with unlimited access to online folio information. These new amenities compliment our other standard amenities including remote TV with ESPN, CNN and one movie channel and complimentary continental breakfast.

Mid-range

• America's Best Suites, 4110 Spenard Road, +1 907 243-3433, Fax: +1 907 248-9258, [3].
• Anchorage Microtel Inn & Suites, 5205 Northwood Drive, +1 907 245-5002, Fax: +1 907 245-5030, [4].
• Best Western Barratt Inn, 4616 Spenard Road, +1 907 243-3131, Toll-free: +1 800 221-7550, Fax: +1 907 249-4917, [5].
• Best Western Golden Lion Hotel, 1000 E 36th Avenue, +1 907 561-1522, Fax: +1 907 743-4814, [6].
• Courtyard Anchorage Airport, 4901 Spenard Road, +1 907 245-0322, Toll-free: +1 800 314-0782, Fax: +1 907 248-1886, [7].
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Anchorage Midtown, 5060 A Street, +1 907 222-9000, Fax: +1 907 222-7611, [8].
• Hawthorn Suites, 1110 West 8th Avenue, +1 907 222-5005, Fax: +1 907 222-5215, [9].
• Holiday Inn Express, 4411 Spenard Rd., +1 907 248-8848, [10].
• Residence Inn Anchorage Midtown, 1025 35th Avenue, +1 907 563-9844, Toll-free: +1 800 314-0781, Fax: +1 907 563-9636, [11].
• SpringHill Suites Anchorage Midtown, 3401 A Street, +1 907 562-3247, Toll-free: +1 800 314-0783, Fax: +1 907 562-3250, [12].

Splurge

• Anchorage Marriott Downtown, 820 W. 7th Ave, +1 907 279-8000, Fax: +1 907 279-8005, [13].

Get out

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