Guidebook for Anchorage
Food Scene
Great Mexican food. Lunch buffet during the week. 10 min. walk from my house.
Vallartas Mexican Restaurant
5437 East Northern Lights BoulevardGreat Mexican food. Lunch buffet during the week. 10 min. walk from my house.
One of Anchorage's favorite Pizza and Beer Pubs. They don't take reservations and it is busy so go early or plan to wait for a table. The wait is worth it though!
347 locals recommend
Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria
3300 Old Seward HwyOne of Anchorage's favorite Pizza and Beer Pubs. They don't take reservations and it is busy so go early or plan to wait for a table. The wait is worth it though!
Authentic Thai food frequented by the University crowd. Not the cutest setting but the food is good! Within a 10 min. drive from my house.
12 locals recommend
Thai Kitchen
3421 E Tudor RdAuthentic Thai food frequented by the University crowd. Not the cutest setting but the food is good! Within a 10 min. drive from my house.
My personal favorite restaurant. Has a great lunch buffet and often does Groupons so be sure to check if there is one. May have to wait for a table on weekends. About 15 min. drive from my house.
16 locals recommend
Bombay Deluxe Indian Restaurant
555 W Northern Lights BlvdMy personal favorite restaurant. Has a great lunch buffet and often does Groupons so be sure to check if there is one. May have to wait for a table on weekends. About 15 min. drive from my house.
Good variety of foods from salads to veggie sandwiches to tater tots! Also likely to wait for a table if busy so go early. About a 15 min. drive from my house.
141 locals recommend
Spenard Roadhouse
1049 W Northern Lights BlvdGood variety of foods from salads to veggie sandwiches to tater tots! Also likely to wait for a table if busy so go early. About a 15 min. drive from my house.
Not just a coffee shop - A favorite breakfast place for ALL of Anchorage (which means it is BUSY). Good food though. Downtown - about 15 min. from my house. Will usually have to hunt for parking.
231 locals recommend
Snow City Cafe
1034 W 4th AveNot just a coffee shop - A favorite breakfast place for ALL of Anchorage (which means it is BUSY). Good food though. Downtown - about 15 min. from my house. Will usually have to hunt for parking.
New restaurant 15-20 min. drive from my house that I have not yet been to. Everyone raves about it though and the wait is often long.
124 locals recommend
Rustic Goat
2800 Turnagain StNew restaurant 15-20 min. drive from my house that I have not yet been to. Everyone raves about it though and the wait is often long.
A hidden gem downtown. Great breakfast and lunch. No or very little wait as yet but it may be discovered soon! About 15 min. drive from my house.
16 locals recommend
The Red Chair Cafe
337 E 4th AveA hidden gem downtown. Great breakfast and lunch. No or very little wait as yet but it may be discovered soon! About 15 min. drive from my house.
Fancy downtown restaurant. Good food. 15-20 min. from my house. Close to Central Transit Center (bus station).
27 locals recommend
The Marx Bros Cafe
627 W 3rd AveFancy downtown restaurant. Good food. 15-20 min. from my house. Close to Central Transit Center (bus station).
Everything Else
Did you forget an item. Here is a way to buy it without breaking the bank! It is only a 10 min. walk from my house.
Value Village
501 E Dimond BlvdDid you forget an item. Here is a way to buy it without breaking the bank! It is only a 10 min. walk from my house.
UAA is only a 5-10 min. car ride away and about a 30 min. walk through neighborhoods and trails (ask me for directions).
9 locals recommend
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence DrUAA is only a 5-10 min. car ride away and about a 30 min. walk through neighborhoods and trails (ask me for directions).
APU is a 5-10 min. drive and about a 20 min. walk away from my house through neighborhoods and trails (ask me for directions).
6 locals recommend
Alaska Pacific University
4101 University DrAPU is a 5-10 min. drive and about a 20 min. walk away from my house through neighborhoods and trails (ask me for directions).
Both bases are very close to my house. Within a 5-10 min. drive.
Military and Family Readiness Center (JBER-R)
600 Richardson DrBoth bases are very close to my house. Within a 5-10 min. drive.
The gate to Elemendorf AFB is just down Boniface Parkway from my house. About a 5 min. drive.
Elmendorf Air Force Base
The gate to Elemendorf AFB is just down Boniface Parkway from my house. About a 5 min. drive.
Owned by the same owners as Moose's Tooth, there is a restaurant as well as a Theatre Pub that serves food. It is THE place to go if you want to see a movie for cheap (~$5) and get a meal too!
315 locals recommend
Bear Tooth Theatrepub
1230 W 27th AveOwned by the same owners as Moose's Tooth, there is a restaurant as well as a Theatre Pub that serves food. It is THE place to go if you want to see a movie for cheap (~$5) and get a meal too!
Good food and authentic french bread and pastries. Fairly close to my house (10 min. drive).
14 locals recommend
Paris Bakery & Cafe
Good food and authentic french bread and pastries. Fairly close to my house (10 min. drive).
Locally owned cafe and bakery near downtown. Great bread and pastries. VERY popular. About 15 min. from my house.
189 locals recommend
Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop
718 K StLocally owned cafe and bakery near downtown. Great bread and pastries. VERY popular. About 15 min. from my house.
Cheap movie theatre. Kind of run down but very close to my house. 15 min walk or 5 min. drive.
6 locals recommend
Regal Totem
3131 Muldoon RdCheap movie theatre. Kind of run down but very close to my house. 15 min walk or 5 min. drive.
This is a new shopping complex that has a lot of stores you will recognize (Lowes, Target, Kohls, Best Buy, etc.) About a 10 min. drive from my house.
33 locals recommend
Tikahtnu Commons
1142 North Muldoon RoadThis is a new shopping complex that has a lot of stores you will recognize (Lowes, Target, Kohls, Best Buy, etc.) About a 10 min. drive from my house.
The largest indoor mall in Anchorage with LOTS of chain stores as well as local stores. Downtown. 15 min drive from my house or bus #3 or #13 (takes longer).
5th Avenue & B Street WNW station
The largest indoor mall in Anchorage with LOTS of chain stores as well as local stores. Downtown. 15 min drive from my house or bus #3 or #13 (takes longer).
A smaller indoor mall that is closer to my house than the 5th Avenue Mall. Has a number of locally owned shops as well as a grocery store (Carrs/Safeway) and of course, Sears. (10 min. drive)
Midtown Mall
600 E Northern Lights BlvdA smaller indoor mall that is closer to my house than the 5th Avenue Mall. Has a number of locally owned shops as well as a grocery store (Carrs/Safeway) and of course, Sears. (10 min. drive)
Grocery, liquor, and pharmacy. Also in a strip mall with a nail shop, ice cream and a bank. About a 15 min walk from my house and 5 min by car.
Carrs Pharmacy
1650 W Northern Lights BlvdGrocery, liquor, and pharmacy. Also in a strip mall with a nail shop, ice cream and a bank. About a 15 min walk from my house and 5 min by car.
Closest post office to my house. 15 min. walk or 5 min. by car. Just behind Carrs/Safeway.
9 locals recommend
United States Postal Service
1601 W Northern Lights BlvdClosest post office to my house. 15 min. walk or 5 min. by car. Just behind Carrs/Safeway.
Excellent minor emergency clinic very close to my house. (10 min. walk or 5 min drive.) I have used this clinic on occasion and the doctors are very thorough.
Urgent Care Medical Clinic
5437 East Northern Lights BoulevardExcellent minor emergency clinic very close to my house. (10 min. walk or 5 min drive.) I have used this clinic on occasion and the doctors are very thorough.
Central public library in what we call "mid-town". It is the largest library and near lots of shops and a nice park. About a 15 min. drive from my house.
19 locals recommend
Z. J. Loussac Public Library
3600 Denali StCentral public library in what we call "mid-town". It is the largest library and near lots of shops and a nice park. About a 15 min. drive from my house.
Can walk here (30 min.) through neighborhoods and trails. Ask me for directions. Otherwise it is a 10 min. drive.
14 locals recommend
Providence Alaska Medical Center
3200 Providence DrCan walk here (30 min.) through neighborhoods and trails. Ask me for directions. Otherwise it is a 10 min. drive.
Alaska Regional Hospital
2801 Debarr RoadAnother hospital in town. 10-15 min. drive.
About a 15-20 min walk from my house (through neighborhoods and trails). Ask me for directions. Bus 13, which you can catch 2 blocks from here, goes right to it. It is a 5-10 min. drive.
12 locals recommend
Alaska Native Medical Center Craft Shop
4315 Diplomacy DrAbout a 15-20 min walk from my house (through neighborhoods and trails). Ask me for directions. Bus 13, which you can catch 2 blocks from here, goes right to it. It is a 5-10 min. drive.
Very near my house (within a 15 min. walk or a 5-10 min drive). Ask for directions if necessary.
12 locals recommend
Alaska Native Medical Center Craft Shop
4315 Diplomacy DrVery near my house (within a 15 min. walk or a 5-10 min drive). Ask for directions if necessary.
Alaska VA Healthcare System
1201 N Muldoon RdVery close to my house- within 10 min. drive.
Can walk to this loop from my house, through neighborhoods. It takes 45 min to an hour to walk there, walk the loop and walk back. You may see a moose but will definitely see lots of birds!
Baxter Bog Trail
Baxter Bog TrailCan walk to this loop from my house, through neighborhoods. It takes 45 min to an hour to walk there, walk the loop and walk back. You may see a moose but will definitely see lots of birds!
This is a little known jewel of a place and there are lots of trails to walk/hike around this area. You can also access it from the Campbell Airstrip Trailhead (5 min. drive up C. Airstrip Road.
18 locals recommend
Campbell Creek Science Center
5600 Science Center DrThis is a little known jewel of a place and there are lots of trails to walk/hike around this area. You can also access it from the Campbell Airstrip Trailhead (5 min. drive up C. Airstrip Road.
This is part of the Bicentennial Park trail system and is used for skiing, hiking, biking, horse back riding, and there are also dog sled trails that intersect the area. It is only about 5 min. drive
Campbell Airstrip Trailhead
Campbell Airstrip TrailheadThis is part of the Bicentennial Park trail system and is used for skiing, hiking, biking, horse back riding, and there are also dog sled trails that intersect the area. It is only about 5 min. drive
Great hiking and berry picking trails in summer. $5 per vehicle to park. Can access Rendezvous Peak and quickly get a lovely view of the surrounding area and Eagle River Valley. 30-40 min. drive.
20 locals recommend
Arctic Valley
18800 Arctic Valley RdGreat hiking and berry picking trails in summer. $5 per vehicle to park. Can access Rendezvous Peak and quickly get a lovely view of the surrounding area and Eagle River Valley. 30-40 min. drive.
Ski trails in winter and hiking, biking, etc trails in summer. About 30 min drive from my house. Lots of walking/hiking options including finding the hidden beach. (ask me)
197 locals recommend
Kincaid Park
9401 Raspberry RoadSki trails in winter and hiking, biking, etc trails in summer. About 30 min drive from my house. Lots of walking/hiking options including finding the hidden beach. (ask me)
Very busy bicycle path that runs along the inlet from downtown to the south end of town. Can bike there from my house (7 miles to get there) or rent bikes downtown and bike the trail from there.
32 locals recommend
Tony Knowles Coastal Bicycle Trails
Tony Knowles Coastal TrailVery busy bicycle path that runs along the inlet from downtown to the south end of town. Can bike there from my house (7 miles to get there) or rent bikes downtown and bike the trail from there.
Haven't used this but it is a bike rental place right on the coastal trail, which is a nice feature if you want to bike the trail. Phone number is: (907) 301-2165 This is a 15-20 min drive.
86 locals recommend
Coastal Trail - Elderberry Park
Haven't used this but it is a bike rental place right on the coastal trail, which is a nice feature if you want to bike the trail. Phone number is: (907) 301-2165 This is a 15-20 min drive.
501 L St
501 L StreetGot good reviews on Yelp. Close to the Coastal trail- 15-20 min. drive from my house.
This is where most of the larger concerts and plays are held. About 15-20 min. from my house. Parking can be a challenge downtown but the bus depot is just down the street a bit. (#3 and 13)
53 locals recommend
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
621 West 6th AvenueThis is where most of the larger concerts and plays are held. About 15-20 min. from my house. Parking can be a challenge downtown but the bus depot is just down the street a bit. (#3 and 13)
The big museum of natural history and art. Has an excellent display of Alaska Native items. Downtown: 15-20 min drive or buses 3 and 13 to the Transit Station and then walk up 6th avenue.
313 locals recommend
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
625 C StThe big museum of natural history and art. Has an excellent display of Alaska Native items. Downtown: 15-20 min drive or buses 3 and 13 to the Transit Station and then walk up 6th avenue.
Central Transit Station downtown. To get help with which buses/times to ride try this site: http://www.muni.org/Departments/transit/PeopleMover/Pages/default.aspx Use the PLAN A TRIP option on right
7 locals recommend
People Mover Travel Training
3600 Doctor M.L.K. Jr AveCentral Transit Station downtown. To get help with which buses/times to ride try this site: http://www.muni.org/Departments/transit/PeopleMover/Pages/default.aspx Use the PLAN A TRIP option on right
Love this store. The owner/designer does amazing work! Great place to buy that unique gift for someone! Downtown, close to central bus station. 15-20 min. drive from my house.
9 locals recommend
Octopus Ink Gallery
410 G StLove this store. The owner/designer does amazing work! Great place to buy that unique gift for someone! Downtown, close to central bus station. 15-20 min. drive from my house.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great downtown restaurant and brewpub serving fish and burgers. Also busy, especially in summer. 15 min. from my house. Will have to hunt for parking.
118 locals recommend
Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse
610 W 6th AveGreat downtown restaurant and brewpub serving fish and burgers. Also busy, especially in summer. 15 min. from my house. Will have to hunt for parking.
Another favorite Brewpub in Anchorage. Downtown (hunt for parking) and about 15 min. from my house. Food is excellent. Takes reservations but ask to sit in the bar if there are no tables.
211 locals recommend
Glacier Brewhouse
737 W 5th AveAnother favorite Brewpub in Anchorage. Downtown (hunt for parking) and about 15 min. from my house. Food is excellent. Takes reservations but ask to sit in the bar if there are no tables.
Cafe/bar that often has entertainment such as bands or open mic night. About 15 min. drive from my house.
29 locals recommend
TapRoot in Spenard
3300 Spenard RdCafe/bar that often has entertainment such as bands or open mic night. About 15 min. drive from my house.
Great place to go for happy hour after you bike the coastal trail! Try to get a window table in the bar overlooking the inlet. Good appetizers! 15-20 min. drive from my house.
185 locals recommend
Simon & Seafort's Saloon & Grill
420 L StreetGreat place to go for happy hour after you bike the coastal trail! Try to get a window table in the bar overlooking the inlet. Good appetizers! 15-20 min. drive from my house.
Popular bar downtown. 15-20 min drive but close to the Central bus station (buses 3 and 13 go closest to my house).
24 locals recommend
Darwin's Theory
426 G StPopular bar downtown. 15-20 min drive but close to the Central bus station (buses 3 and 13 go closest to my house).
Fancier downtown restaurant /bar. Restaurant takes reservations. We like to have appetizers in the bar during happy hour. 15-20 min drive from my house. Bus #3 or 13 to the downtown transit center
51 locals recommend
Orso
737 W 5th AveFancier downtown restaurant /bar. Restaurant takes reservations. We like to have appetizers in the bar during happy hour. 15-20 min drive from my house. Bus #3 or 13 to the downtown transit center
Shopping
Excellent museum of Alaska native history and culture. 10 minute drive from my house.
176 locals recommend
Alaska Native Heritage Center
8800 Heritage Center DrExcellent museum of Alaska native history and culture. 10 minute drive from my house.