Anchorage
We almost skipped Anchorage so that we could spend more time outside the city, but were glad we didn’t. It was great, and guidebooks don’t give it enough credit in its own right. While there, we were lucky to be staying at the home of our friends Eric and Elizabeth, but most hotels are either located next to the airport or in the easily-walkable downtown. There were also several appealing Airbnbs and were always plenty of Lyfts around whenever we needed them (even for our 4am trip to the airport).
The Anchorage Museum
We don’t have many regrets from the trip, but looking back, we wish we had given ourselves more time in this excellent museum before its closing time (we should have planned for 3 hours vs. the 1.5 we had). What an awesome place- we loved the Alaskan history exhibit (which made awesome use of technology) as well as the Alaskan visual arts rooms. We regret not having more time to peruse the Inuit art exhibits.
The Alaskan art exhibit
Our only polar bear sighting of the trip at the Anchorage Museum
A display at the Anchorage Museum.
Anchorage Brewing Company
Our favorite of the many Alaska beers we tried on the trip. The sours were excellent and the tap room was new and well-designed.
At Anchorage Brewing Company
A great photo op with great beer
Other Anchorage FAvorites:
F Street Station- we both agreed that the fish and chips we had here were the best of any seafood we had on the whole trip. This spot is centrally located and has an interesting reputation for its history as a place were pilots gathered over beers
The Anchorage Trolly Tour- this was a compact, cheesy (with a winking self-awareness) literal and historical tour of Anchorage. We enjoyed the insight into Anchorage real estate, the city’s founding, the effect of the 1964 Earthquake, and thought that the Seaplane airport was an awesome site to see. It wasn’t cheap, but we had no regrets, and it’s short enough to fit into anyone’s Anchorage schedule.
Wild Scoops- outstanding. Make it a point to go (it’s located across the street from the trolly which was convenient). We were lucky to sneak in at a time there wasn’t a line, but it would have been worth it even if there had been
The Bubbly Mermaid is expensive, and it wasn’t the best service we experienced on the trip, but it’s adorable, with it’s boat-shaped bar and long list of sparkling wine.
The Bubbly Mermaid in downtown Anchorage
The best seafood of the trip at F Street Station
Champagne and Oysters at The Bubbly Mermaid