Anchorage Travel Forum

Hi there,

We will be spending a few days in downtown Anchorage before heading off on a camping trip and we need to buy a few things when we arrive (good quality sleeping bags, MSR tent footprint, backpack, waterproof trousers, camping food etc) I had heard that Anchorage is full of camping supplies shops but I can't find much evidence of this on the internet. Can you confirm whether this is true and do you have any advise on good places we could head for. (or specific streets?)

Many thanks again!

Karen

We're going to be flying into Anchorage spending a few days then onto Seward this July and are a little torn as to what to do & where. Both places look fantastic as bases to see things. We will arrive late on 24th and stay thru the 31st then on to Florida. We live in China and this 1/2 family vacation (Alaska) and half annual family visit (FL).
Planning so far for Anchorage: Float plane trip to view Bears, Jetboat trip, Stay at B & B (Mangy Moose)

Planning so far for Seward: Kenai Fjords cruise, some easy kayaking, stay at Princess lodge or Fox?? Fox's prices are up there, is it worth it? Princess seemed nice.

Wondering, if we're going to to the Jetboats in ANC is it worth doing the 26 Glacier cruise there too? Keeping in mind that as we live in China we are going to be under some heavy duty jetlag and it might be rough doing too long a day and our 9 year old might not be able to keep up (or we with him more likely) Last year at Yellowstone we were awake at 04:00AM and dead to the world at three in the afternoon.
Anyone compare the Helicopter to glacier dog sled adventures? Which are better the ones out of Seward or Anc?

Thanks,
BC
PS I'll post same in Seward forum

Hi everyone.

I will be in Anchorage for 5 weeks, starting March 18th. I was there for a month last summer, but it seems like almost everything is closed for the season. I would love to do some day-hikes while I am there, something like Flattop. Any suggestions? Also, any fantastic things to do in the city? I went to the museum and a couple of the touristy places, but Im looking for more of a local feel while Im there. If anyone could help, I would greatly appreciate it. Oh and anywhere to grab a good beer, please come and join me!

Thanks Kel!

we are 3 couples that booked a cruise from vancouver on princess ship and arrive to wittier on august 4 in the morning. we fly back to israel on august 6 in the afternoon, so we have couple of days to tour around. i would appreciate any suggestions regarding where to go and what to see and where to rent a car that will be big enough for the 6 of us with all the luggage.
i am especially interested in Denali national park. do i have enough time to get there and see it and return? where should i plan on sleeping the 2 nights?
thanks for your help
giora

If I have one day in Anchorage, what are my top things to see and do? Any restaurant suggestions? I can't wait to go....thank you!

I am flying into Anchorage tomorrow night. My friend is picking me up at the airport and we were going to head north. Can anyone give me some info on the wildfires between Anchorage and Fairbanks? Thanks all. (Brand new to this forum). Linda

Anybody gone flightseeing to Prince William Sound from Anchorage? What are your thoughts/suggestions?

I'll be flying into Anchorage on Delta which I understand uses the North Terminal. But, I understand I'll need to get to the South Terminal to get to my car rental which is apparently where the car rental check-in counter is located. I know there is a shuttle bus to take passengers from one Terminal to anohter, but I am wondering if it might just be quicker to walk. With my luck, I'll be walking out the North Terminal just as the bus to the South Terminal departs. So, I figured I may as well just plan on walking to the car check-in counter in the South Terminal. But, is there a walkway from the North/Delta terminal to the car rental counters in the South Terminal? From the Terminal maps on the Anchorage airport web site, they give the impression the two terminals are seperate, but close to each other. The same seems to be the case when viewing the airport from Google Map and Google Earth. Therefore, I was wondering if there is a walkway between the two terminals. Thanks.

We are planning an Alaskan trip (first time) and plan to tent camp in Denali,
Chugach and down along the Seward Hwy. to Seward. We will not be doing any
backcountry camping, just in camp sites. Please give me some good suggestions
for good campgrounds - scenery, water, etc. Do most camp sites have grills?
Other than Denali, will we be able to find a camp site without a reservation
in July or August? I will appreciate any information and suggestions.

We plan to stock up on our camping supplies in Anchorage and would like to
get some good fresh King Crab, halibut,shrimp, beef or bison. Also, fruit and vegetables, etc.
Fred Meyer has been suggested as good quality and price. Do you agree
or can you give us better suggestions?
I appreciate your help.

Would anyone that has plans to be in Anchorage Alaska on Friday Aug 10, 2007 be interested in a day kayaking trip with a local outfitter? I will be there and want to paddle but there are only 2 of us in my group that are interested and at least 4 are needed to reserve a trip. This is rather expensive but looks like a great experience and I'd hate to miss the chance to paddle in Alaska. So I'm just trying out some alternatives to finding others that may be in the same "boat" so to speak. Thanks, Mike

I was reading that if you rent a car away from the Airport then you pay much less. I am going to be landing in Anchorage on June 27 and departing on July 7, 2007. I plan to drive to Homer and back. Anyone have any lesser expensive car rental agency alternatives that are reliable?
From what I am seeing, I would be paying a ridiculous $800 for this time period.

My hubbie and I are coming to Anchorage the last week in Augst for 5 days and are looking for inexpensive accomodations. We don't want to stay in a hostel or way off the beaten path but we also would prefer not to sepdn more than $$80-100/night. Please advise

Hi, this summer, me and a good friend of mine are planning to move to Anchorage for a couple of months. We are each 20 year old, college students and have dreamed of going to Alaska since we were freshmen in highschool. We managed to save about 500 dollars on plane tickets because my aunt is a flight attendent. However, our biggest dilemma thus far is that we have no place to stay yet. I was wondering if anyone here knew some cheap apartments and/or a house that rented our room and board. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a ton.
-Zak

Am planning a trip to Alaska, want to go on land from Seattle or Vancouver one way and the ferries the other. Is there a train or a bus. It appears one cant hire a car in alaska and drop it in the states. Answers please

My girlfriend and I are making an Alaskan trip the first week of March. I'm doing the winter thing though because I'm taking a flight to Bettles to check out the northern lights and to pop the question. Can anyone give me some pointers on a winter visit. All I have now is to watch the start of the race while in Anchorage.

Thanks!

Is it true that to buy less expensive but good quality souvenirs including food items ones we should just go to the Walmart in Anchorage? Besides salmon, what other foods should we buy that are nice and representative of Alaska? Any specific brands, types you would recommend? For salmon, any specific type that would be easy to transport on flights (without refrigeration needed)? If we want to buy fresh salmon and ship it any particular place you would recommend getting it? (We will be driving Anchorage - Valdez - Fairbanks loop, Seward, and Homer.) Or is it possible, better, or cheaper to buy somewhere in Anchorage and pack in luggage with dry ice? I would appreciate any shopping tips... Thanks!

Is the People Mover bus just going from the airport to downtown (or vice-versa) or is it also stopping at certain places on the way? Is it usually very crowded? I guess it depends on the time.
Do you think it would be convenient to take the People Mover bus from the airport to downtown and a taxi from the bus station to our accomodation some blocks away, rather than taking a taxi from the airport?

Is there a limit on the amount of liquor you can bring into alaska from another U. S. City for personal consumption?

My girlfriend and I are heading to Anchorage for a couple aof weeks in July. We're just wondering whether Humpys and Bernies are still a good choice for a downtown restaurant?

We can do posh or regular places so any other downtown tips would be great. What about Club Paris, Orso, Alaska Salmon Chowder House and the Glacier Brewhouse...any good?

Is the Sourdoughs Mining Restaurant as cheesey as it sounds or is it worth a visit?

Thanks for your help...really looking forward to the trip!

Vic

Hi there,

My girlfriend and I are heading to Anchorage for a couple of weeks in the middle of July. We have planned a few excursions around the area, in fact I think we'll be taking most modes aof transport whilst we're there..train, plane, coach, boat etc.

My question is about Anchorage itself. Is it a walkable place or will we need to hire a car or plan to the public transport carefully if we are to see all the delights of the town.

Thanks for looking

Vic

Has anyone been here? Is it worth the day? I will be in Achorage 3 days and want to make the most of every minute! Can we take a city bus from Captain Cook Hotel or are there shuttles?

Has anyone ever eaten at 7 Glaciers Restaurant? I know it is expencive but I was wonering about the views while eating and also on the tram ride there. We will be celebrating our 30 yr. anniversay and wanted to find a beautiful place for dinner. Any other suggestions?

Can someone provide a list of several B&BS? Is anyone familiar
with Bed & Breakfast on the PArk?

Do you know this accomodation?
Have you tried it?
I would like to hear any positive or negative comments.

hi, we are searching for an alaskan coule (male and female we think) who were travelling in ecuadow in january this year. we believe they stayed at the princessa maria hostel in banos between the 2nd and 15th of January 2006. They may be able to help us as this was the last place jennifer pope stayed at before going missing on the 11th january. we would love to find and talk to these people as they may have talked to jennifer and remember something they dont think is important but is very useful to our investigations. they are NOT suspects. If you can help trace these people (we have no descriptions whatsoever) please contact jenpope06@hotmail.com as soon as possible. for more information on jennifers case please see the official website www.jennypopeappeal.org. if youd like to help us then please circulate this information to anyone/place you feel might be useful, hopefully someone out there can help us, thank you and have happy and safe travels, yours, kim harrison x

I live on Elmendorf, and am really intrested in seeing the Aurora. I was told that if the magnetic field is high, and the moon is dull, then it is visible if the aurora is active. But I've been told that it is all about location. Does anyone have any great spots in Anchorage or Eagle River area, or up on base or post? Just wondering

would love to hear from anyone that has made the drive from alaska, thru canada, to the the lower 48 via the alacan highway........if so would you know how the driving is in august. we are wanting to move to oklahoma, and will be driving all the way. would love any advice, directions, etc.

HELP!!!!! I'm driving to Palmer Alaska on Tuesday 02/28/06!! I'm coming from Wenatchee, WA and it's a 45 hour drive (I'll be doing it in 15 hours each day, so 3 days of driving). I'm stopping in Dawson Creek, BC for the first night. I know of 3 hotels there. BUT THEN I CAN'T FIND ANY HOTELS ALONG THE HIGHWAY FOR MY SECOND NIGHT!!! And I do NOT want to sleep in my car along the AlaCan Highway.

DOES ANYBODY KNOW OF ANY HOTELS ALONG THE ALACAN HIGHWAY?!!??!! PLEASE HELP!

We spent last summer in Alaska and ABSOLUTELY LOVED it and so now we are going back to Anchorage for the start of the Iditarod. We spent most of our time during the summer on the coast, Denali, or just driving around and not much actual time in Anchorage. Realizing driving will be a problem this time of year, I am looking for interesting things to do around Anchorage or tours/transportation to other interesting places (don't really know what's possible this time of year). Would a train ride (as opposed to driving icy roads) be a good choice for viewing Alaskan winter scenery? Other than renting a car, is there any transportation from Anchorage to Wasilla for the restart? Are there any Iditarod or Fur Rondy festivities that we should see or do? Any reasonable air flights to watch part of the Iditarod? Any chance of riding on a dog sled this time of year? Any suggestions on viewing places for the Northern Lights? Restaurant suggestions? We live in Florida, so I don't think long snowy hikes would be a good choice for us!
We only have 10 days and want to make the most of it, but unfortunately price is also a concern! Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.