Thus our SUV became more comfortable for 6 people. It's free to everyone during hospital's normal visitng hours. You can also visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center outside Anchorage, said Golden. I created Miss Tourist travel blog to help you organise the perfect holiday. The train depot is here in Downtown, so its perfectly situated for day trips on the scenic railway. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. SafetyWing is convenient, cheap, and trouble-free Insurance was never this easy! Ive never been, but it has rave reviews on TripAdvisor and Ive heard great things from past Alaska travelers in my . Much like the city of Santa Claus, Indiana, the town of North Pole, Alaska looks like Christmas all year long. icon-lightbulb If you do have time to stay in Seward for an extra day, make sure to book a cruise to the Kenai Fjords! Want more deetz on why we love itso damn much? With a car, you can stop anywhere you want for as long as you want, and its easier to carry food with you and get to the grocery store. Enjoy a walking tour. Westmark Anchorage Hotel 4 Map Website Go on a historic ride on the Anchorage Trolley Tours. Getting around without a car - Anchorage Forum - Tripadvisor Grab a quick dinner at one of many, many food chain outlets. or 6th Ave.. Marriott Anchorage Airport offers a nice indoor pool, free airport shuttle, spacious rooms, and free parking, This hotel features an indoor swimming pool, a very good breakfast, a free airport shuttle, and a nice bar, Nestled in beautiful trees this Airbnb cottage has a large beautiful garden, spacious rooms, and free wi-fi. And the parks are everywhere, including the Cuddy Family Midtown Park. I love Alaska, so Ill surely be back in Anchorage again. Migrating birds visit in all seasons, which makes this a great year-round destination. Around Seward, also, you can do Exit Glacier and Caines Head trail. Close distance to the University of Alaska, the Consortium Library, restaurants and the New Saguya Market, this private renovated studio is ideal for those who want to explore the area later during the day and still be able to go walk home. See whats on at Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Girdwood was initially known as Glacier City for the frozen behemoths that border its mountains. Its south of North Star, and between the two highways bordering the central part of the city. Have a picnic or a wander in Cuddy Family Midtown Park. Recommended Reading: Best Places To Stay In Bologna Italy. It even has family in the name! Downtown Anchorage - where to stay in Anchorage for the first time 2. I love all the suggestions that a previous poster listed. See the Art Deco 4th Avenue Theatre, a landmark thats been standing and entertaining since the 1940s! This area is a great place to stay in Anchorage on a budget and also for those who want to stay close to the airport. Accessibility, Wheelchairs & Reduced Mobility. And Seward for 2 days without a car. If you are visiting Anchorage for the first time, Anchorage Downtown is the best place to stay. These are the best places to stay in Anchorage: In Bootleggers Cove:Beautiful and Self-contained Home in Anchorage In Downtown:Charming Cottage in Anchorage Downtown In Midtown:Bent Prop Inn. Flights are cheap on the 3rd, but the car rental selection isn't very good until the 5th. Doesnt it sound like a cool area to stay in Anchorage? The famous Anchorage Museum and Alaska railroad are within walking distance, and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is just a 15 minutes drive. Where to Stay in Anchorage - A Guide to the Great City of Alaska The Best Areas to Stay in Anchorage, Alaska 1. Autocorrect does not like the word carless. United States ; Alaska (AK) Anchorage ; Anchorage Travel Forum; . Here, youll be able to visit the Alaska Wildlife Center. Other parts will have cool views of mountains and the Alaska Pipeline meandering over hillsides. Best Hotels To Stay In Anchorage Alaska - WhereToStayClub.com Spenard is the area near the International Airport, to the southwest of Bootleggers Cove and Downtown. This is the perfect place to catch a ride with a local tour company. But even if you choose to use another rental agency call them to book and ask for the off season rates. Great views and/or take an easy hike/walk around Blueberry Loop, http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/chugach/glenalps.htm, - visit the great display of AK Native arts/crafts at the AK Native Medical Ctr (ANMC). Seward to Anchorage - 3 ways to travel via plane, shuttle, and car I also gave you some information about the things you can do there so you could pick the perfect one for you! This road trip takes you from Anchorage up through Wasilla and Talkeetna, before spending time in Denali National Park. At Portage Glacier, you can take a boat tour across a lake to see the glacier, or you can hike Portage Pass to see it on foot. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. Multilingual staff can assist with reservations or dining recommendations, and an express check-in facility is provided for guest convenience. Here is a map about where to stay in Anchorage with the 5 best areas I will be talking about in this travel guide so you can easily visualize them: Downtown Anchorage is the heart of the city and is where you will find the main attractions. The local Exit Glacier area also makes for great mid-day hiking. The town square has a lovely flower garden worth stopping by to see. I liked Jennifer's advice and I would prefer to have a car, but if it doesn't work out, you will be fine in Anchorage for one careless day. I hope you enjoyed reading this city tour. Flag a rideshare. If youre looking for adventure for the evenings, there is plenty to choose from. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Load up on caffeine and cake at Coffee Queen highly rated and huge sweet treats! Migrating birds visit in all seasons, which makes this a great year-round destination. Houston, Los Angeles, and Tampa are the most dangerous cities for cyclists. Once youve worn yourself out on the natural features of the area, you can head back into town for a peaceful dinner. We only recommend the things we actually use ourselves and never accept useless sponsored crap. The biggest question is where you are staying for the first night or two. Call to verify schuttle times/schedule, http://anmc.org/files/ANMC-Shuttle-Schedule.pdf, - breakfast at Snow City Cafe (reservation recommended), - dinner at Simon & Seaforts (get a reservation & ask for a window seat in the late evening for cool 'almost sunset over the arm), - get a cold beer (or other) at the Snow Goose. With the super quite and safe location, this will feel like a real home away from home! Anchorage is an isolated place, but a spectacular one. Alternatively, you can spend your early morning hiking around Portage Glacier before getting lunch in town. In any case, its definitely worth doing and wont cost you a dime! It also features a 24-hour reception, meeting rooms and an express check-in and check-out feature. How to find a moose in Anchorage in less than an hour. You dont have to explore Seward in the evening, but if you have the energy, you can take advantage of the gorgeous waterfront views the city boasts. There are parks all around here, for wandering, for picnics, or for whatever. A 5-hour flight from LAX, it offers visitors a variety of hotels, restaurants and museums. But Anchorage is the dream destination for those who are all about once in a life-time adventures. You can go on a walk to Lake Hood, enjoy beautiful nature at Earthquake Park, and challenge yourself on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. There is something here for all tastes! Doesnt it sound like a cool area to stay in Anchorage? Streets are lined with public art and dotted with pocket parks, historic attractions, and unique Alaska landmarks; find photo ops with a famous sculpture of Balto the sled dog in the 4th Avenue Mushing District, visit the nearby Anchorage Museum, and take time to smell the garden beds and hanging baskets that helped earn Anchorage the nickname City of Lights and Flowers.. Nice way to ease into your trip with a good chance of spotting moose. You can make Alaskas Capital Inn Bed & Breakfast your home base for exploring Juneau! There are things you can see and do here that would be nigh on impossible in most other places. Its only about a mile southeast. The Ship Creek Trail and the Coastal Trail each start just a few blocks away. The airport is just to the west so theres no arduous mission to your accommodation at the end of a long flight. Catch the train. Are they being idealist or ironic? Treat yourself at the highly-rated Snow City Cafe. And, in my case, praying, cursing and regretting my decision to leave L.A. What are some things to do and see as day trips around Anchorage? Instead, buy an eSIM! A satisfying breakfast is prepared every morning at The Voyager Inn, and there are numerous cafs and eateries nearby. Over 1 in 4 cyclists don't wear helmets during rush hour, from 5-7 p.m. 82% of cyclists are scared to bike in their city. A map of the best Alaska road trip itinerary for adventurous travelers. But I think its silly to retrace your steps. Midtownis the best area to stay in Anchorage. Alaska juts out of the northwestern corner of Canada and is just across the Bering Strait from Russia. Where to Stay in Anchorage without a car Please Read: COVID-related Discussion. Edit.careless should be carless! You might want to rent a car while youre here, as the city is small but the great outdoors arewell great! That being said, if you like a hotel in another area I say go for it as distances between attractions are not too far in Anchorage. They are just walking distance to stores, and restaurants. Spenard is the area near the International Airport, to the southwest of Bootleggers Cove and Downtown. We are outdoorsy, like pretty views and have simple tastes. Best Place To Stay In Anchorage Without A Car This excursion takes about 12 hours, so that will take the whole day, but its well worth it! Best affordable accommodation in the center. Visit the Alaska Public Lands Information Center. Setting up your base at our best hotel overall, La Quinta Inn & Suites, has you in affordable yet stylish accommodation thats in the midst of it all. You can enjoy the private garden and make a BBQ for a perfect sunny afternoon. Anchorage's tallest hotel is the best place to appreciate the gorgeous views of city and mountains - you may even see Denali on a clear day. Midtown best area for familiesFrequently asked questions about Anchorage. . FUN FACT: Bootleggers Cove got its name due to the fact that it was a favored location among alcohol smugglers during the prohibition era. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-83565739', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car, and it sounds like downtown would be the best place. Do you need chains in the winter? To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The downtown is walkable, but there are many places a bit outside the city center that are worth seeing. The location had access to both the port and the train station while simultaneously being hidden from the view of the authorities at Ship Creek. You can follow her adventures @eylul_travels on Instagram! Yes. . Downtown Anchorage is just a 10-minute drive away giving it a perfect location for your stay in Anchorage. I definitely recommend you to stay in one of these if you cant decide between the awesome options in this list! Home to 220+ species of birds, visitors can enjoy a walk along the 1,550-foot-long boardwalk or visit the wetland habitat. A small community-driven hostel run by outdoor enthusiasts. It surely can't hurt. Deb. If you stick to the area from Ship Creek to the Delaney Park Strip, but particularly 4-6th Ave., youll be rewarded with a quirky historic aesthetic and hanging flower baskets and gardens. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Float-planes, an unusual sight for most people, are commonplace here. Theres also the famous Tony Knowles Coastal Trail that runs around the edge of Spenard. Embassy Suites Anchorage features spacious rooms with stunning views, an indoor swimming pool, a nice restaurant, and free wifi. Dont Miss: Cheap Places To Stay In Bradenton Fl. Join the Coastal Trail walk at Elderberry Park. What Matters When Choosing an Anchorage Hotel? - ALASKA.ORG # 29 Best Value of 237 places to stay in Anchorage. For those who want to explore the beautiful outdoors of Anchorage, you should definitely take advantage of the Flattop Mountain Shuttle to go hiking and see the scenic views nearby the city. To help you make the right decision, weve answered the most commonly asked questions on Anchorage and its neighborhoods, so you can plan your trip without any issues. Call the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The baskets downtown were created with our state flag as inspiration with stars of blue on a field of gold. It is up near Bootleggers Cove, just west of where East 5th Avenue turns into a highway. If youre visiting in the summer, you can also do a helicopter tour or glacier cruise and kayak or hike this town many beautiful natural areas. We'd probably stay near the airport or are open to other suggestions for places to stay if they would work better carless. Eyll grew up in Istanbul, Turkey, where solo women travelers are rare and work-life balance is tough. Now that you know a bit about the main part of town, why not venture further afield, to see what you can see? Youll arrive in Fairbanks in the evening, usually around 8pm. The Most Dangerous Places for Cyclists - Velotric Where to Stay in Anchorage without a car. How do I find authentic Alaska Native art? Renting a car is also expensive but also gives you lots of flexibility. Watch the skies and waters at Lake Hood, where the floatplanes zoom in and out. Nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet, their convenient downtown location provides visitors with walking access to bus, train and national park shuttle services as well as the many events and activities in downtown Anchorage. Perhaps if you explained a little more of your Kenai Peninsula thing could better answer. Get your fix by staying at one of these amazing hostels in Anchorage! Youre closest too to Turnagain Arm, the big stretch of water sweeping down under Anchorage, where beluga and orca are known to play. Anchorage, Alaskas largest city with a population of about 290,000, sits on the Cook Inlet in the south-central part of the state. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and is sandwiched between nature with the Chugach Mountains Range to the east, Cook Inlet to the west, and the Turnagain Arm to the south. The location is amazing too you can get anywhere in town from here in 10 to 20 minutes and youll be close to Highway 1. Without a car and without the public bus system operating the best place to stay is downtown. This drive will take just under two hours, as Seward rests some 90 miles away from Girdwood. Hyatt House Anchorage is one of the best hotels to stay in Anchorage with its comfortable rooms, nice restaurant, and bar, and a good fitness center. Husband has seen Wild West Guns on TV and thinks he wants to go there, LOL. Alyeska Resort. he Voyager Inn provides spacious rooms equipped with cable/satellite channels, a microwave and tea and coffee making facilities. You cannot drive in most of Denali National Park so your expensive rental car will be parked for the days you travel into the park. Not worried about where youll be and just looking for a fit for you? Summon a car by app, or call a local cab service Anchorage has plenty of those, too. This easy and short 5-minute hike will take you to Alaskas most scenic moss-blanketed waterfall. The rooms at SpringHill Suites Anchorage Midtown feature a refrigerator, movies-on-demand and a minibar. I love the idea of going to Spencer whistle stop and hiking there. Key Takeaways Florida, Louisiana, and Arizona are the states with the highest incidence of fatal bike accidents per million residents. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are also many miles of trail leaving from the visitor center to check out other glaciers and to see spawning salmon in season. The alleyways between B & F are known locally as Ziggys alley as one artist covers the walls with images of Alaska, but he is a white dude If you are looking for a beautiful Native painted mural, then head over to the Covenant House on 8th and Barrow for beautifully created by Apayuq. Stay another night at your Seward accommodation. It offers a fantastic introduction to native culture, with all the major tribes represented. Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market andditch the plastic. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-83539459', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Anchorage, without a long drive to Denali, on your last day. Its known as The City of Lights and Flowers by the romantics of the area, or Los Anchorage by others. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The first option is to take the ski lift/ aerial tram at Alyeska Resort up Mount Alyeska. United States. Many Anchorage hotels offer shuttle service to and from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. The routes vary quite a bit from year to year, generally bus service is available at least between Anchorage and Denali. driving alaska highway in december or january 10 replies Anchorage Hotels and Places to Stay The Hotel Captain Cook 2,439 Reviews View Hotel Anchorage, AK Alyeska Resort 2,950 Reviews View Hotel Girdwood, Anchorage The host is known to be incredibly attentive and helpful, so youll be in good hands. The Anchorage to Fairbanks Loop Route Map. Where is the best bear viewing in Alaska? If you are around in the winter, then check out the town square for ice skating and twinkle lights. Spend an afternoon at the Wells Fargo Museum to Alaskan culture. Might just park the car when we're there and leave it! My preferred tour provider in Seward is Major Marine Tours, though there are others to choose from. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Also Check: Best Area To Stay In Maui For Honeymoon. Save this link to stay updated on COVID-19 restrictions. The excellent Anchorage Museum features the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center, a collection of Indigenous Alaska artifacts, and through Nov. 28, an intriguing exhibit, Black Lives in Alaska. Keep an eye out for wildlife I saw lots of moose just off the road in this part of the state. On the last day of your trip , make your way up to Lowell Point in the early morning. What can I do in Alaska during a spring visit? Downtown Anchorage is full of historic charm and lots of blooming flowers in the summer. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Your Nuclear Attack Map for 2023 - mirasafety.com Comfort Inn Ship Creek Comfort Inn Downtown is located within steps of the downtown business hub and Anchorages most popular tourist attractions. For dinner, try The Cookery. The best plan however is to go to the Denali NP, there is a shuttle from Anchorage, then stay several days of backcountry camping in the park, where you can use the shuttle busses. Join the Coastal Trail walk at Elderberry Park. They gave me the off season rate for the whole trip. They all have good reviews and great locations! Check out my Valdez Guide with 21 fantastic things to do in Valdez for more. I highly recommend you go to Cuddy Family Midtown Park to enjoy nature while your kids, theres a pond, a playground, and even an ice skating track in winter!Midtown is also the best location to take day trips to all the best family-oriented attractions like the Roadrunner Amusement Park, Castle On OMalley mini golf, and Alaska Zoo! Bootleggers Cove where to stay in Anchorage for sightseeing4. Arguably, the Hotel Captain Cook in downtown Anchorage has the nicest fitness center. Its actually a museum of Alaskan culture, with some Native artifacts and a bunch of fantastic exhibits. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-68049687', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car I would find it rather inconvenient plus the wait time for shuttle(s) to arrive. Their focus is creating a welcoming atmosphere for those visiting Alaska on a budget. Besides, Aptel offers luggage deposit service. North Star is more or less in the middle of the city, but in a more residential neighbourhood than the others. On name value alone, our picks are Darwins Theory possibly a play on the idea of evolving into something else after a few and Mad Myrnas, who were all keen to meet! Many of the hotels in Anchorage have a free cancelation, so dont worry if you change your mind! Closer to home, though, theres a number of places in town to keep you entertained. Staying here is absolutely fine, but its got a reputation for being a bit sketchy towards the late hours. They have a very convenient location in Mid-town Anchorage! Our winters are so dark, and Anchorage explodes with lots of twinkle lights to keep you entertained while walking downtown. The hotel has 14 rooms and has been recently refurbished. To make matters worse, when I tried to book (online)it was wanting to charge the higher rate for the entire 2 weeks. I always use Midnight Sun car rental in Anchorage. Explore by bike. Anchorage public transportation connects hotels, parks, farmers markets, public art, and other attractions. Portage Glacier is just a 30 minute drive from Girdwood with lots of activities and scenery to explore. While away an evening at Bear Tooth Theatrepub. Recommended Posts. Compared to the other areas of Anchorage, in Spenard, you will be able to find more affordable accommodation options. Enjoy the free tea and coffee making facilities. No car? The museums are great for rainy days. There are a couple of great ways to see glaciers in the summer: But there is more to do than check out glaciers! I'd love to see moose and have heard that it's possible to see them (from a DISTANCE! Head down to Turnagain Arm to see Beluga whales. The Perfect Alaska Road Trip Itinerary: How to See the State in 7 to 10 These trails let you see some amazing natural beauty including meadows, mountains, lush forests, and mining ruins. Historic Anchorage Hotel and Copper Whale Inn are the best boutique hotels in Anchorage. Moose, bears, orca, beluga whales, timber wolves, foxes, porcupines the list of mammals you can see in Anchorage, Alaska, just goes on and on! Dont worry, youre not completely in the woods, you will also find nice local restaurants and shops in this area. If you have the stamina, the 250 miles of hiking tracks in Juneau are worth exploring. In addition to the dormitory and camping accommodations, Spenard Hostel has a large yard with a barbecue and plenty of lawn furniture to enjoy during the long sunny days. In this blog post on where to stay in Anchorage, I talked about the best places to stay from luxury to budget as well as Airbnbs in each area. (Our return flight would be the JetBlue redeye that leaves around 1:00am.). No problem: Follow these top tips for enjoying a unique Anchorage experience without the rental. Afternoon The Anchorage depot is the jumping off spot for rail travel, but it also sits at the beginning of two of the best paved trails in Anchorage. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Located in Anchorage, 3.6 km from Sullivan Arena, Hyatt Place Anchorage-Midtown provides accommodation with a fitness centre, free private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant. If you are into outdoor adventures you will have so much fun here. Girdwood, Anchorage . Finally, its home to the Bear Tooth Theatrepub, which puts on indie movies while serving microbrews. Bootleggers Cove where to stay in Anchorage for sightseeing, The 32 Absolute Best Places to Stay in Banff for All Budgets, 8 Things you Need to Know Before Renting a Car in Canada, Your Ultimate Guide for Where to Stay in Oahu, Hawaii, Best Hotels for All Budgets to Stay on Big Island, Hawaii, Top 5 Neighborhoods to Stay in Vancouver, Canada, An Honest Guide for Where to Stay in Seattle, USA, Everything You Need to Know About Hotels in Portland, Oregon, Catch a show at Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Head to the National Parks Office to find out about the incredible nature of this Alaska, See an exhibition at Anchorage William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center, Head to the Alaska Native Heritage Center to explore the regions culture, Go for a walk to Lake Hood and check out scenic views, Eat authentic Korean food at one of the many restaurants, Drive one of the most incredible highways in the state down the Turnagain Arm, Visit the Alaska Public Lands Information Center, Go for a walk in the Valley of the Moon Park, Check out an indie film at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub, Go for a stroll at Charles W. Smith Memorial Park, Enjoy family time at Cuddy Family Midtown Park, Have a nice meal and drink at Bear Paw Bar & Grill, Go for dinner at Silk Restaurant & Sushi Bar.