Anchorage Guidebook
Food scene
Great Mexican and margaritas! Enjoy your dinner while watching a movie on the big screen. Get here early if you want to catch the movie.
315 locals recommend
Bear Tooth Theatrepub
1230 W 27th AveGreat Mexican and margaritas! Enjoy your dinner while watching a movie on the big screen. Get here early if you want to catch the movie.
Some of the most fun cocktails in town and a great brunch menu!
141 locals recommend
Spenard Roadhouse
1049 W Northern Lights BlvdSome of the most fun cocktails in town and a great brunch menu!
Don't miss the back deck right on Lake Hood for food and drinks in the summer.
9 locals recommend
The Lakefront Anchorage
4800 Spenard RdDon't miss the back deck right on Lake Hood for food and drinks in the summer.
Great food - particularly their wood fired pizzas - and lots of beer options!
124 locals recommend
Rustic Goat
2800 Turnagain StGreat food - particularly their wood fired pizzas - and lots of beer options!
Great brunch spot and lots of healthy options. Also a great spot to get a coffee!
111 locals recommend
Middle Way Cafe
1200 W Northern Lights BlvdGreat brunch spot and lots of healthy options. Also a great spot to get a coffee!
Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop
718 K StA fun stop for a coffee or pastry!
People rave about Moose's Tooth Pizza - it's the most popular pizza place in town. They also brew their own beer! In the summer they have large monthly concerts.
347 locals recommend
Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria
3300 Old Seward HwyPeople rave about Moose's Tooth Pizza - it's the most popular pizza place in town. They also brew their own beer! In the summer they have large monthly concerts.
If you're looking for a very fancy dinner with the best view in town - dine here! You will need a reservation and there is a minimal dress code (no shorts or flip flops). You can also just pop up for a drink in the bar but the dress code still applies.
62 locals recommend
Crow's Nest
939 W 5th AveIf you're looking for a very fancy dinner with the best view in town - dine here! You will need a reservation and there is a minimal dress code (no shorts or flip flops). You can also just pop up for a drink in the bar but the dress code still applies.
Tucked into a strip mall with a surprisingly interesting assortment of food and drink options!
9 locals recommend
Chicken Shack
1443 W Northern Lights BlvdTucked into a strip mall with a surprisingly interesting assortment of food and drink options!
The best macaron cookies in town - so many different interesting flavors! To counteract the cookies they also have incredibly tasty and unique salads. They also deliver.
11 locals recommend
Sweet Caribou
701 W 36th AveThe best macaron cookies in town - so many different interesting flavors! To counteract the cookies they also have incredibly tasty and unique salads. They also deliver.
The most popular ice cream stop in town, they make incredibly unique local ice cream. Be prepared to wait in a long line in the summer! You can enjoy your ice cream in a parking lot patio.
62 locals recommend
Wild Scoops
429 E StreetThe most popular ice cream stop in town, they make incredibly unique local ice cream. Be prepared to wait in a long line in the summer! You can enjoy your ice cream in a parking lot patio.
A fun and varied menu for food and drinks, many events, cooking classes - check out their menu before you visit!
121 locals recommend
South Restaurant + Coffeehouse
11124 Old Seward HwyA fun and varied menu for food and drinks, many events, cooking classes - check out their menu before you visit!
So Thai
2602 Spenard RoadOur favorite place for Thai food in Anchorage!
This place will be crowded in the summer and it's a little pricy for the type of food they have, but having lunch on the upper deck in the sun is worth it!
191 locals recommend
49th State Brewing Co - Anchorage
717 W 3rd AveThis place will be crowded in the summer and it's a little pricy for the type of food they have, but having lunch on the upper deck in the sun is worth it!
Gumbo and Jambalaya for days! Seriously, you will have leftovers. We love getting take out dinners from here.
10 locals recommend
Gumbo House
508 W 9th AveGumbo and Jambalaya for days! Seriously, you will have leftovers. We love getting take out dinners from here.
They added an outdoor patio in 2021, and even though it's on a busy road you will feel like you are somewhere else on a sunny day. Fun and funky place with my FAVORITE margarita in town.
Serrano's Mexican Grill
They added an outdoor patio in 2021, and even though it's on a busy road you will feel like you are somewhere else on a sunny day. Fun and funky place with my FAVORITE margarita in town.
Another surprise strip mall delight! Huge meals of amazing Ethiopian food run by a local Ethiopian family.
Queen of Sheba Ethiopian restaurant
Another surprise strip mall delight! Huge meals of amazing Ethiopian food run by a local Ethiopian family.
Bars
Historical bar in Spenard has grown into an interesting collection of bars, dance floors, and stages.
44 locals recommend
Chilkoot Charlie's
2435 Spenard RoadHistorical bar in Spenard has grown into an interesting collection of bars, dance floors, and stages.
Historic log cabin turned bar - great back patio for a cheap summer drink.
7 locals recommend
Reilly's Irish Pub
317 W Fireweed LnHistoric log cabin turned bar - great back patio for a cheap summer drink.
Pipers Sports Lounge & Dining
3450 Aviation AveDo not miss the deck for a drink in the summer!
This bar and restaurant added "igloos" during COVID to their outdoor seating area. They also have outdoor firepits to enjoy with a drink in hand.
You can reserve an igloo ahead of time at: https://www.inletpubhouse.com/igloo-calender
13 locals recommend
Inlet PubHouse
1020 W 12th AveThis bar and restaurant added "igloos" during COVID to their outdoor seating area. They also have outdoor firepits to enjoy with a drink in hand.
You can reserve an igloo ahead of time at: https://www.inletpubhouse.com/igloo-calender
Anchorage Distillery
6310 A StWe are huge fans of the really different cocktails the distillery makes!
Head into the bar for one of my favorite happy hours in town with a surprisingly beautiful view of the water and Mt. Susitna.
185 locals recommend
Simon & Seafort's Saloon & Grill
420 L StreetHead into the bar for one of my favorite happy hours in town with a surprisingly beautiful view of the water and Mt. Susitna.
Local gay bar that has been recently redone. They have Friday night drag shows and a fun dance floor.
19 locals recommend
Mad Myrna's
530 E 5th AveLocal gay bar that has been recently redone. They have Friday night drag shows and a fun dance floor.
Our all time favorite hole in the wall Anchorage bar! Not a ton of seating, but there is free popcorn!
24 locals recommend
Darwin's Theory
426 G StOur all time favorite hole in the wall Anchorage bar! Not a ton of seating, but there is free popcorn!
A fun spot in the summer to get a drink on their huge patio and enjoy outdoor music.
24 locals recommend
Bernie's Bungalow Lounge
626 D StreetA fun spot in the summer to get a drink on their huge patio and enjoy outdoor music.
Sightseeing
Learn all about the history of aviation in Alaska right next to Lake Hood where you can watch the float planes take off and land.
19 locals recommend
Alaska Aviation Museum
4721 Aircraft DrLearn all about the history of aviation in Alaska right next to Lake Hood where you can watch the float planes take off and land.
Historical information about the 1964 Earthquake. Go here to see some of the damage to the landscape first hand. Also a fabulous view of the city from across the water and frequent moose sightings - bring a good camera if you have one.
82 locals recommend
Earthquake Park
5101 Point Woronzof RdHistorical information about the 1964 Earthquake. Go here to see some of the damage to the landscape first hand. Also a fabulous view of the city from across the water and frequent moose sightings - bring a good camera if you have one.
Drive or bike here from Earthquake Park along the Coastal Trail for great views of the city, moose sightings, and the best place to watch planes fly overhead. Continue down the Coastal Trail all the way to Kincaid!
13 locals recommend
Point Woronzof Overlook
7251 Point Woronzof RdDrive or bike here from Earthquake Park along the Coastal Trail for great views of the city, moose sightings, and the best place to watch planes fly overhead. Continue down the Coastal Trail all the way to Kincaid!
If you want to access the beach this is one of the safest places to do so. Located along the Coastal Trail with great views of the water.
Anchorage Coastal Trail Beach Access
2009 Foraker DrIf you want to access the beach this is one of the safest places to do so. Located along the Coastal Trail with great views of the water.
Run by the National Park Service, this facility has TONS of information for all federal and state lands in Alaska. And there are a LOT. There are also hands on exhibits for kids and free films about Anchorage and Alaska. I used to work here and strongly recommend a visit. It's located on 4th Ave in the heart of downtown.
7 locals recommend
Alaska Public Land Information Centers
605 W 4th AveRun by the National Park Service, this facility has TONS of information for all federal and state lands in Alaska. And there are a LOT. There are also hands on exhibits for kids and free films about Anchorage and Alaska. I used to work here and strongly recommend a visit. It's located on 4th Ave in the heart of downtown.
This is a tucked away spot that many wouldn't think to visit, but it's been redone with some interesting sculptures and has great water views. You can also watch smaller boats come in and out and also see the Anchorage port in action.
Ship Creek Small Boat Launch
25 Small Boat Launch RdThis is a tucked away spot that many wouldn't think to visit, but it's been redone with some interesting sculptures and has great water views. You can also watch smaller boats come in and out and also see the Anchorage port in action.
Even if you aren't interested in fishing - head down here to see Ship Creek, particularly when the salmon are running. You can walk all the way along the creek on the Ship Creek Trail. It's a little less popular than downtown, but worth the walk down the hill.
7 locals recommend
The Bait Shack
212 W Whitney RdEven if you aren't interested in fishing - head down here to see Ship Creek, particularly when the salmon are running. You can walk all the way along the creek on the Ship Creek Trail. It's a little less popular than downtown, but worth the walk down the hill.
Part of Kincaid Park, but it feels other worldly and not like Anchorage at all! You can walk across these huge sand dunes right on the water.
Kincaid Sand Dunes Park
8200 Jodhpur StreetPart of Kincaid Park, but it feels other worldly and not like Anchorage at all! You can walk across these huge sand dunes right on the water.
Amazing views of the mountains and water. Lots of birds come in and out of the lagoon. There is a park for kids nearby, it's right on the bike trail with a bike rental right there. Great place to ice skate in the winter.
91 locals recommend
Westchester Lagoon
Amazing views of the mountains and water. Lots of birds come in and out of the lagoon. There is a park for kids nearby, it's right on the bike trail with a bike rental right there. Great place to ice skate in the winter.
This place has grown a lot over the years and is a beautiful place to take a walk in the woods and see local flora.
37 locals recommend
Alaska Botanical Garden
4601 Campbell Airstrip RdThis place has grown a lot over the years and is a beautiful place to take a walk in the woods and see local flora.
See all kinds of Alaskan Wildlife - this is a very nice zoo and a great spot to take kids.
121 locals recommend
Alaska Zoo
4731 O'Malley RdSee all kinds of Alaskan Wildlife - this is a very nice zoo and a great spot to take kids.
A wonderful visit on a rainy day. The library is huge and architecturally interesting and also right near a great park and pond for kids.
19 locals recommend
Z. J. Loussac Public Library
3600 Denali StA wonderful visit on a rainy day. The library is huge and architecturally interesting and also right near a great park and pond for kids.
You won't regret a trip here, I literally learn something new every time I go!
313 locals recommend
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
625 C StYou won't regret a trip here, I literally learn something new every time I go!
A wonderful little greenhouse to enjoy, particularly on a cold or rainy day
Mann Leiser Memorial Greenhouses
1321 Lidia Selkregg LnA wonderful little greenhouse to enjoy, particularly on a cold or rainy day
You can walk all the way around the lake and watch the sea planes come and go on a sunny day!
Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Anchorage, AK 99530, USA
You can walk all the way around the lake and watch the sea planes come and go on a sunny day!
Shops
One of our favorite local book stores, you can get a snack or a drink and read a novel on the front patio or inside this cozy unique spot.
16 locals recommend
The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe
3956 Spenard RdOne of our favorite local book stores, you can get a snack or a drink and read a novel on the front patio or inside this cozy unique spot.
The best place to get anything and everything for your outdoor Alaskan adventures!
66 locals recommend
REI
500 E Northern Lights BlvdThe best place to get anything and everything for your outdoor Alaskan adventures!
Dos Manos
1317 W Northern Lights BlvdBeautiful and unique art store featuring local artists.
So many interesting items from around the world to explore and take home as a souvenir!
6 locals recommend
Grassroots Fair Trade Store
1317 W Northern Lights BlvdSo many interesting items from around the world to explore and take home as a souvenir!
One of my favorite art stores/souvenir shops in town featuring local artists. Inventory is always changing!
18 locals recommend
Sevigny Studio
314 G StOne of my favorite art stores/souvenir shops in town featuring local artists. Inventory is always changing!
Cabin Fever
412 W 4th AveGreat gifts featuring local Alaskan artists and items.
A smart place to get used gear and outdoor clothing. Since Anchorage has such a thriving outdoor scene you can usually find really good deals here.
9 locals recommend
The Hoarding Marmot
1231 W Northern Lights BlvdA smart place to get used gear and outdoor clothing. Since Anchorage has such a thriving outdoor scene you can usually find really good deals here.
Amazing greenhouses filled with plants, but also lots of local gifts that will surprise you!
Bell’s Nursery
13700 Specking AvenueAmazing greenhouses filled with plants, but also lots of local gifts that will surprise you!
Not just antiques - lots of unique home decor and gifts. This place is much larger than you would expect.
Ozarks
4131 Old Seward HwyNot just antiques - lots of unique home decor and gifts. This place is much larger than you would expect.
Groceries
If you're looking for gourmet or unique ingredients to cook up a meal stop in here! There is also a Kaladi Brother's Coffee inside if you need a quick pick me up.
34 locals recommend
New Sagaya City Market
900 W 13th AveIf you're looking for gourmet or unique ingredients to cook up a meal stop in here! There is also a Kaladi Brother's Coffee inside if you need a quick pick me up.
The closest larger grocery store to the Airbnb - everything you would need.
114 locals recommend
Carrs
1650 W Northern Lights BlvdThe closest larger grocery store to the Airbnb - everything you would need.
In-Town Easy Hiking/Walks
Take an easy hike around this lake in the woods, and you can even jump in afterwards! It's also beautiful here in the fall.
Little Campbell Lake
Take an easy hike around this lake in the woods, and you can even jump in afterwards! It's also beautiful here in the fall.
Beautiful prairie trail that can take you down to the Campbell Creek Estuary. You can walk a short way through the woods to a blind and if the cranes are in you can see them here!
Campbell Creek Estuary
Selkirk DriveBeautiful prairie trail that can take you down to the Campbell Creek Estuary. You can walk a short way through the woods to a blind and if the cranes are in you can see them here!
Great place to see moose, take a walk or a bike ride, and explore the woods and the coast! The Coastal Trail runs right through the park.
197 locals recommend
Kincaid Park
9401 Raspberry RoadGreat place to see moose, take a walk or a bike ride, and explore the woods and the coast! The Coastal Trail runs right through the park.
Campbell Airstrip
4700 BLM RoadA good spot to catch many shorter flat trails and get into the woods.
Many easier trails branch off from this trailhead and you can get amazing views of the city at the same time.
8 locals recommend
Prospect Heights Trailhead
Wolverine TrailMany easier trails branch off from this trailhead and you can get amazing views of the city at the same time.
Swimming
You may not think of Anchorage as a place to spend a day at the lake, but in the summer on a sunny day this place is a scene! A good place for a picnic, a float, or a dip. The ice cream truck also comes by frequently.
DeLong Lake
You may not think of Anchorage as a place to spend a day at the lake, but in the summer on a sunny day this place is a scene! A good place for a picnic, a float, or a dip. The ice cream truck also comes by frequently.
Goose Lake is also a good place to go for a dip on a hot day.
It has a nice sandy beach. Later in the summer it can get a little mucky however. The ice cream truck will also stop by here frequently and there are great views of the mountains.
Goose Lake
Goose Lake is also a good place to go for a dip on a hot day.
It has a nice sandy beach. Later in the summer it can get a little mucky however. The ice cream truck will also stop by here frequently and there are great views of the mountains.
It's a little hard to get in and out of the lake since the access is via dock only, however this is still a great place to float. Just be aware that float planes can land in this lake. In the winter you can also walk or ski around the frozen lake and check out all the lake homes!
9 locals recommend
Sand Lake
It's a little hard to get in and out of the lake since the access is via dock only, however this is still a great place to float. Just be aware that float planes can land in this lake. In the winter you can also walk or ski around the frozen lake and check out all the lake homes!
Who knew Anchorage had an indoor waterpark?! Great place to go during a rainy day with kids (and even adults, trust me).
20 locals recommend
H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark
1520 O'Malley RdWho knew Anchorage had an indoor waterpark?! Great place to go during a rainy day with kids (and even adults, trust me).