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Skyline of Anchorage, Alaska's Largest City 1 |
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Adventure and beauty await
travelers to Anchorage,
Alaska's largest city spanning 1955 sq mi (782 hectares) and containing almost
half of the state's population. Located in south-central Alaska,
along the coast of the Cook
Inlet and at the base of the Chugach
Mountains, Anchorage provides all of the amenities and services of a
modern city with the added bonus of being literally surrounded by wilderness
and natural beauty.
Some visitors to Anchorage
simply use the city as a starting off point to explore popular Alaskan attractions
including Denali
National Park or the Portage
Glacier, but Anchorage itself is a worthwhile destination to discover.
Known as the City of Flowers, Anchorage is filled with blooming flowerbeds and
hanging baskets. This colorful display of flora is just one of many attractions
in the summertime. With several museums,
a performing
arts center, theater groups and an orchestra,
Anchorage also has a thriving arts and culture scene. The city's most notable
attraction is its pristine wilderness, providing outdoor enthusiasts with several
opportunities within the city limits including hiking along the
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, which crosses through downtown to Kincaid
Park and salmon fishing at Ship
Creek, also centrally located.
Many of the city's attractions
are conveniently located within a short walk or drive from local lodgings. Travelers
to Anchorage will find all types of accommodations, from large hotels
and motels to smaller bed
and breakfasts. The WorldWeb.com
Travel Guide provides information about various lodging choices when
staying in Anchorage and can assist travelers by providing the following services:
- Accommodation
Directory – Users will be able to view a large inventory of accommodations
found in Anchorage including links to websites and information on amenities
and services provided.
- Reservations
– Save time by using this secure online reservation system, allowing travelers
to check room availability and book their stay.
- Maps
– This service allows travelers to pin-point accommodation locations in relation
to major attractions, restaurants, shops and services in the area.
ACCESS/TRANSPORTATION
Air
The Ted
Stevens International Airport is located 6 mi (10 km) from downtown
and is a main travel hub for Alaska. Major airlines that fly into and out of
Anchorage include Alaska
Airlines, Air
Canada, American
Airlines, Continental
and United.
Lake
Hood is a seaplane base that is operated by the airport and provides
floatplane and helicopter services, while Merrill
Field, located on Fifth Avenue, provides air charter operations. Visitors
will find parking, shuttle and rental car services at the airport as well as
shopping and dining options.
Car/Rentals/RV
Major highways leading into and out of Anchorage include the Alaska,
Glenn
and Seward
Highways. Visitors traveling by car can access the Glenn Highway that connects
to both the Alaska Highway and Parks
Highway. The Seward Highway travels south to the Kenai Peninsula, and
Parks Highway leads to the Denali National Park and city of Fairbanks.
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Alaska
Railroad 2 |
If traveling outside of
Anchorage, renting a car is a convenient way to navigate around out-of-town
sights and attractions, with rental
car agencies found at the airport and in town. During the summer season,
rentals are scarce so it is advisable to book well in advance.
Another popular way for
visitors to travel in and around Anchorage is by recreational vehicle (RV),
with specialty
rental companies available in town. RV parking can be challenging in
the downtown area but the Lower Bowl Lot on Third Avenue, between C and E Streets
has large spaces. Some of the larger discount stores also provide free parking
for recreational vehicles.
Railroad
The Alaska
Railroad offers visitors a scenic way to travel while viewing the wildlife
and natural beauty of the state. Service is available from Anchorage to Fairbanks
and Denali
National Park in the north and Seward
and Whittier in the south. Special event trains such as the Blues
Train and the Great
Alaska Beer Train are also held throughout the year by the Alaska Railroad.
Public Transportation
For an inexpensive method of transportation try People
Mover, the local, city-wide transit system that includes service to
the airport, downtown, midtown, south Anchorage and the community of Eagle River.
Many routes provide access to several of the city's attractions, shopping malls,
hotels, venues and services. Visitors can find more information and schedules
at the People
Mover Transit Center located on Sixth Avenue and G Street.
WHEN TO VISIT
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| Iditarod
Trail Sled Dog Race 3 |
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The main tourist season
in Alaska is from the end of May until early September. The advantage of visiting
in May and June is main roads are less busy and it is the start of longer days
with plenty of sunlight, up to 20 hours or more on summer solstice. July and
August can be a busy time on the highways, and the first signs of fall occur
in August, when it begins to get cooler at night. In September, the first frosts
usually appear and in some areas snow starts to fall. May is usually dry, while
August and September experience heavy precipitation. July is the warmest month
with average temperatures of 65°F (18°C). Due to its geographical location,
the weather in Anchorage can be unpredictable and visitors can best prepare
by dressing in layers. Bring comfortable, all-season walking shoes, as well
as warmer garments and accessories for winter months.
There is a misconception
that Anchorage experiences a harsh winter climate but in actuality it is fairly
mild, with an average low of 20°F (-7°C). Those visiting during the winter months
and in the low season will be rewarded with considerable discounts at accommodations.
Finding a place to stay during the summer high season can be very expensive
and difficult, with many larger hotels and chains filling up quickly. It is
important to plan ahead and book well in advance.
Anchorage hosts several
events throughout the year, providing all types of entertainment and activities
for travelers. Featured winter events include the Fur
Rendezvous in late February, followed by the Iditarod
Trail Sled Dog Race in early March. Other main events include Blues
on the Green Festival in June, Anchorage
Market and Festival from May to September and AlaskaFest
in October.
DISTRICTS & ACCOMMODATIONS
Anchorage has several neighborhoods
and districts but downtown, midtown and the area around the airport are the
main regions frequented by tourists. The city offers several lodging options,
from luxury hotels to intimate B&Bs to moderately priced motels. Most hotels
and motels are located within the downtown district, midtown and on Spenard
Road near the airport, while many B&Bs are found in the south and east sectors
of the city.
Downtown
Attractions
Anchorage's downtown is a hub of businesses,
restaurants,
shopping
and hotels.
Many visitors will start their trip at the Log
Cabin Visitor Information Center, providing brochures and travel resources.
Numerous cultural attractions are also found within this district including
the Anchorage
Museum of History and Art, the Imaginarium
and the four-story shopping destination, the 5th
Avenue Mall. Three state-of-the-art facilities including the Alaska
Center for the Performing Arts, the Dena'ina Center and the Egan
Civic & Convention Center are also found downtown.
Orientation
Downtown is fairly easy to navigate and is pedestrian-friendly, with lettered
streets running in a north to south direction and numbered avenues running east
to west. An easy way for visitors to orient themselves is to look for the Chugach
Mountains, located to the east and Cook Inlet to the west. Outside of downtown,
walking is more of a hassle as the neighborhoods are widely scattered. Traveling
by car or via public transportation is recommended.
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A
Couple Views Mount McKinley 4 |
Accommodations
There are several hotels concentrated in the downtown district, with many situated
close to attractions. Many cater to business travelers by providing business
centers, meeting spaces and first class service including the Hilton
Anchorage, the Marriott
Anchorage Downtown and the Sheraton
Anchorage Hotel, all of which are a short drive to the airport. Built
in 1964, the Hotel
Captain Cook was constructed by former governor of Alaska Walter Hickel,
and is known for its luxury accommodations and amenities, including three restaurants.
Travelers seeking budget-friendly
lodging choices can consider staying at the Anchorage
Ship Creek Landings RV Park and Creekwood
Inn and RV Park, both conveniently located near downtown and offering
camping/RVing options. The Anchorage
International Hostel provides dorm-style accommodations and shared facilities
with low costs compared to hotels.
Midtown
Attractions
While midtown has many practical amenities and services including schools and
grocery stores, it is also a popular region for the number of restaurants and
cafes found here. Several nightclubs and bars are situated in the district,
appealing to all ages and preferences, from the casual Bear
Tooth Theatre Pub, where patrons can watch a film and grab a meal, to
the soulful Blues
Central, showcasing live blues music nightly, and the well-known Chilkoot
Charlie's, with its 11 bars and three dance floors.
Orientation
Located approximately five to 15 minutes from downtown and the airport, midtown,
as the name suggests, is centrally located. Main roadways running through this
district include the Northern Lights Boulevard, Tudor Road and the International
Airport Road.
Accommodations
Similar to downtown, midtown offers an number of lodging options including moderately
priced hotels and motels and extended-stay suites. Popular midtown choices include
the Hampton
Inn, offering 24-hour airport shuttle services and the Residence
Inn Marriott, with spacious rooms and a business center.
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| Captain
Cook Park 5 |
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Airport
Attractions
There are several natural and recreational attractions located near the Ted
Stevens International Airport. Kincaid Park has an outdoor center offering facilities
for picnics, barbeques and other functions, and Lake Spenard, with its picnic
area provides opportunities to watch floatplanes landing and taking off from
the nearby Lake Hood Harbor. History buffs can visit the Alaska
Aviation Heritage Museum, displaying restored planes, dating back from
1924 to 1960.
The airport itself, offers
many services to passengers and travelers including three visitor centers that
are open daily, free wireless Internet service in both terminals (North and
South), baggage and freezer storage services and several shops and dining establishments.
Orientation
The airport is located in the western portion of Anchorage, conveniently situated
within minutes by car to downtown and midtown. Two main routes found in this
district include Spenard Road and International Airport Road.
Accommodations
The region surrounding the airport is convenient for visitors as there are many
hotels and motels situated in the area, only minutes by car to the airport.
Rates at these accommodations can be higher, especially in the summer season.
Two moderately-priced options near the airport include the Holiday
Inn Express and Courtyard
by Marriott, both containing large business centers, fitness rooms and
airport shuttle service. For travelers seeking a splurge, the Millennium
Alaskan is a luxury hotel, located on the shores of Lake Spenard, with
top amenities including a health spa, two restaurants, gift shops and 24-hour
room service and airport transfers.
Affordable lodging options
near the airport include the Spenard
Hostel International, located on a bus route to downtown and offering
24-hour check-in with no curfew. Another alternative is the Elderberry
Bed and Breakfast, open year-round and offering three guest rooms. Being
located close to the airport, the B&B has flexible check-in and check-out times
by arrangement.
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Anchorage
Performing Arts Center 6 |
East and South Anchorage
Most
B&Bs are concentrated in the east and south portions of the city in residential
areas. The south sector is popular among travelers because of the number of
trails and lakes found here as well as the quiet setting. As a result of the
influx of visitors to the area, a number of B&Bs have been established to cater
to their lodging needs. Notable stays in this area include the North
Country Castle, providing its guests with spacious suites that offer
views of the mountains from its bay windows, and the Aerie
Bed and Breakfast, where guests enjoy an exclusive stay, having the
privacy of the entire floor and continental breakfast provided.
Another residential area,
the east sector is located near walking trails, with shops and businesses found
in the area, many found on Muldoon Road. Accommodations in this district include
the Camai
Bed and Breakfast, in operation since 1981 and offering spacious suites
with a business/office area available with computer access. The South
Bluff Bed & Breakfast boasts fully furnished suites and six-person hot
tub overlooking the mountains and Cook Inlet.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Frank Flavin; c/o Alaska Travel Industry Association;
The Skyline of Anchorage, Alaska's Largest City; Anchorage, AK, USA
- Frank Flavin; c/o Alaska Travel Industry Association;
Alaska Railroad; AK, USA
- Robin Hood; c/o Alaska Travel Industry Association; Iditarod
Trail Sled Dog Race; Anchorage, AK, USA
- Clark Mishler; c/o Alaska Travel Industry Association;
A Couple Views Mount McKinley; AK, USA
- Ernst Schneider; c/o Alaska Division of Tourism; Captain
Cook Park; Anchorage, AK, USA
- Ernst Schneider; c/o Alaska Division of Tourism; Anchorage
Performing Arts Center; Anchorage, AK, USA
