Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska, USA - Anchorage skyline with Chugach Mountains in background On Friday, November 30th, a 7.0 earthquake shook Anchorage and its vicinity. Although there were fortunately no deaths and there are damages of wide ranges on many buildings. Some roads, mainly those that go into interior Alaska, are damaged. The rail line between Fairbanks and Anchorage has been suspended.

The biggest afterschocks are probably over, but small aftershocks may still take place. Expect anything to go slightly longer than usual as the city tries to get back up and running. In case of an earthquake, apply the usual earthquake safety procedures, such as by hiding under a table.

Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, in the Southcentral Alaska|Southcentral region. Anchorage is a cosmopolitan port city with a population of over 300,000. It is a consolidated city-borough referred to as a municipality. The urbanized city is defined by Muldoon Road to the east, Rabbit Creek Road to the south and Cook Inlet to the north and west. Several small suburbs are within the Municipality of Anchorage while physically outside what most Anchorageites would call the "Anchorage" proper area. These include Eagle River (Alaska) | Eagle River and Chugiak to the north and Girdwood to the south.

Introduction

Conoco-Phillips Building. Anchorage, Alaska - Conoco-Phillips Building. tallest building in Alaska

Let's be clear, if you are looking for the "real Alaska" thit is not it, but you can see it from here. Anchorage is a town -- a real city with freeways, traffic, giant malls, tall buildings, crime and most other things one expects to find in an American city. It is an important hub and the gateway to other marvelous areas including the Interior Alaska|Alaskan Interior and the Kenai Peninsula, but is not really a tourist destination. While it is not the administrative capital of Alaska, it is the economic capital. There are good places to eat and plenty of shopping, but the city is just that, a city. A great place to gear up for a trip, but it's not particularly "Alaskan" except for the weather and its stunning setting.

Weather in Anchorage

Most of Anchorage is built on a grid system laid out by the railroad: numbered streets run east-west, starting at First Avenue in the extreme north of the city (at the Port and train depot) and ending up in the mid-hundreds at the south edge of town. Lettered streets run north-south, starting at A Street in the middle of downtown and going up to the West; east of A Street and the street names begin with sequential letters and are named after Alaskan city's and towns (Utqiaġvik|Barrow, Cordova (Alaska) | Cordova, Denali, etc.) This makes finding yourself on a map fairly easy, although the system gets less coherent outside of the downtown area. The Seward Highway becomes Gambell and Ingra streets, while the Glenn Highway becomes 5th and 6th Avenues.

You'll often hear Anchorageites use the following terms when describing areas of town. These areas used to be separate communities that merged as the city grew.

Downtown: the historic core of the city at the northwestern tip next to the waterfront, roughly north of 10th Avenue and west of Gambell Street. Home to most of the tourist activities, gift stores, hotels and the railroad depot
Midtown: the largely commercial area instantly south of Downtown roughly between 15th Avenue and Tudor Road (becoming more industrial south towards Dimond Boulevard)
South Anchorage: Dimond Boulevard and south. Largely suburban and residential with some major commercial development west of the Seward Highway.
West Anchorage: the area along the water southwest of Downtown, encompassing the historic Bootlegger's Cove and Turnagain residential areas and the famous Earthquake Park and the airport.
Spenard: smashed between Midtown and West Anchorage and spilling over and overlapping the boundaries a bit, it used to be a separate city and catered to the racier aspects of Anchorage living. It's still a bit of a red-light neighborhood, mainly along Spenard Road. Be careful at night. (The airport is at the extreme west end of the Anchorage peninsula and abuts the southwestern edge of Spenard.)
East Anchorage: everything east of the Seward Highway and north of Tudor Road. Mostly residential; little of interest to the tourist except for the universities, hospitals and (at the extreme northeastern corner) the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
Hillside: part of South Anchorage, it's everything east of the Seward Highway and south of Abbott Road. Completely residential and many homes there are on the ritzier side (worth $350,000-$1.5M, where the average home is about $220,000). Anchorageites think of the Hillside like Angelenos do of Beverly Hills — if you own a home there, you must be doing well, even if the trees (or your snowmachine trailer) block your view of the lesser people below. Above the Hillside homes is the immense Chugach State Park, popular for easily accessible hiking. (The most-hiked mountain in Alaska, Flattop Mountain, is fairly easily accessed via the Glen Alps parking area at the top of Upper Huffman Road.)
Eagle River, Chugiak, Peters Creek: suburbs north of the city. They provide access to Chugach State Park, mainly Crow Creek Pass and Eklutna Lake.
Indian, Bird, Girdwood: small communities south of the city along the Seward Highway as it skims the north shore of Turnagain Arm. Very small, tourist-service oriented.

On Foot

Anchorage - Visitors Information Center - Anchorage - Visitors Information Center

The area that can be explored by walking is the relatively compact downtown area. To plan your visit, drop in the unique Visitor Information Center, an authentic sod-roofed log cabin, at 4th Avenue and Friday Street, +1 907 257-2363, to pick up maps and brochures of the many points of interests and events (e.g., SUMMER MUSIC CONCERTS) within walking distance.In summer, downtown Anchorage, alive with flowers and alit with thousands of lights at night, is very popular and often crowded with tourists and those awaiting departure for, or arriving from, cruises. To extend your walking range, take advantage of the various free shuttles from downtown in the summer. Or hire a vehicle or bike, or use the People Mover bus system, which has its Downtown Transit Center at 6th Avenue between H and G Streets.

Travel by vehicle to Anchorage

Anchorage's Ted Stevens International Airport is served by all of the major national rental vehicle chains as well as a number of independents. A few companies have off-airport locations and may even offer courtesy shuttles (though these shuttles will not pick up from the airport). Renting from these locations avoids the 11-12% airport concession recovery fee and $4.81 per day airport facility fee. If you're renting for more than a few days, it might be worth the hassle to rent your vehicle at an off-airport location, which involves taxi rides or shuffling between hotel and rental vehicle courtesy shuttles. Check with each agency or search off-airport rental cars using an online travel agency to see what cost savings may be available.

If you're arriving in the summer, plan ahead, as most rental companies are pretty much sold out from mid-June through the end of August. In the summer, cars are often not available without reservations and even if they are, be prepared to pay top-dollar for them, mainly four-wheel-drive vehicles. Renting a vehicle in Alaska can be more expensive than pretty much anywhere else in the United States, ranging up to (and occasionally even over) $200 per day for a large vehicle sufficient to carry multiple passengers and outdoor gear during the peak season. In the dead of winter, however, you can sometimes grab a vehicle for under $10 per day.

Some of the major automobile rental services serving the Anchorage area are:

Alamo (in-terminal): +1 907-243-3406
Avis (in-terminal and downtown): +1 907-243-2377
Budget (in-terminal and midtown): +1 907-243-0150
Dollar (in-terminal and midtown): +1 907-248-5338
Enterprise (in-terminal, downtown and midtown): +1 907-248-5526, +1 907-277-1600, +1 907-563-5050
Hertz (in-terminal and downtown): +1 907-243-3308, +1 907-243-4118, +1 907-562-4595
National (in-terminal): +1 907-243-3406
Thrifty (in-terminal and midtown): +1 907-276-2855

Most airport rental agencies are open from about 5:30AM or 6AM to about 2AM (3AM at the latest) in the peak summer season. With the number of red-eye flights serving Anchorage, it's mainly important to be sure your flight doesn't arrive after your rental agency closes. None of the major chains is open 24 hours, so the only option for after-hours arrivals is a cab or hotel shuttle to an area hotel or to sleep on a bench until the agencies open.

Two main taxi companies serve the Anchorage area: Alaska Yellow Cab (+1 907-222-2222) and Checker Cab (+1 907-276-1234). The airport maintains a taxi stand on the arrivals level. As of late 2007 and the municipality-set rate for all taxit is $2 are the flag drop and $2.50 per mile; time based rate $.50 per minute. The average fare to downtown runs about $20 one-way.

Many hotels also offer courtesy shuttle vans that stop at the airport near the taxi stand. Several courtesy phone banks are inside the baggage claim areas.

Drivers tend to be aggressive in Anchorage year round and many of the roads are heavily damaged by severe winter conditions and the use of studded tires. If you are visiting in winter and not used to driving in winter conditions, be very cautious, do not pass, keep excessive following distance and allow plenty of time to stop. If it's snowing, no matter what time of the day, have your headlights on (the Seward Highway south of Anchorage requires headlights to be on at all times). Keep in mind that a roadway covered with black ice may look completely dry but provide no traction whatsoever.

If you're determined to save money or are traveling the USA without a car, you can use the PeopleMover, partments/transit/PeopleMover/Pages/default.aspx Anchorage's bus system. Fares are $2/trip, exact fare only, or a $5/day pass. PeopleMover now has an app for payment of the bus fare as an alternative. For more information, call the partments/transit/Pages/departmentcontacts.aspx PeopleMover Ride Line at +1 907-343-6543.

By bike

Anchorage features an extremely well-developed bike trail system, with over 200 miles (320 km) of developed trails (120 of which are paved) winding their way throughout the city's parks and three green belts. The popular Tony Knowles Coastal Trail parallels the waterfront from Downtown to Kincaid Park near the airport. Several companies offer bike rentals and trail tours. In the winter, many of the trails are groomed and used as ski trails.

What to See

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center 2014 - Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, 2014

Anchorage Museum 625 C Street 61.2161,-149.885 downtown between 6th and 7th Avenues ☎ +1 907-929-9200 Opening Hours: Summer (1 May-30 Sep) 9AM Monday - 6PM; Winter (1 October - 30 April) Tuesday - Saturday 10AM Monday - 6PM, Sunday noon-5PM, closed Monday Adults $15, 0-2 free, 3-12 $7, Seniors/Military/Students with ID $10. Culture Pass Joint Ticket (admission to Alaska Native Heritage Center and Anchorage Museum) $29.95 (free shuttle from downtown and between both museums) summer only Anchorage Museum - Anchorage Museum The Anchorage Museum and the largest in Alaska, tells the multi-faceted story of the North, weaving together social, political, cultural, scientific, historic and artistic threads. With its major expansion in 2008-2009, it has become a must see. The museum features an extensive exhibit on the first peoples of Alaska, Alaskan history, a Discovery Center for hands-on exploration of the history and science of the North for all ages and part of a Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center. A ft[sup2[/sup 25,000 expansion features new gallery space for the museum’s art collection and exploration of art of the North.

Alaska Native Heritage Center 8800 Heritage Center Dr 61.2328,-149.717 off Glenn Highway in northeast Anchorage, next to Bartlett High School ☎ +1 907 330-8000 Opening Hours: Summer (8 May-24 Sep) 9AM Monday - 6PM daily, Winter (29 October - 16 April) Saturday 10AM Monday - 5PM $24.95, Seniors/Military $21.15, Children (Ages 7–16) $16.95, Children (6 and under) free Alaska Native Heritage Center - Culture Pass Joint Ticket (admission to Alaska Native Heritage Center and Anchorage Museum) $29.95 (free shuttle from downtown and between both museums) summer only. Thit is much more than just a static museum of glass display cases. The various native Alaskan cultures are all represented in this center. A large stage holds native dance performances as well as other types of events for visitors. Behind the center, a short trail around the lake takes you to several stations that show aspects of life in each of the native Alaskan cultures with native guides with short demonstrations and happily answering questions. Back inside, many items such as artwork, kayaks and ulu knives are on display. A small theater runs various films and there is a gift shop (with a second location in downtown Anchorage).

Alaska Center for the Performing Arts - My Alaska Center - 621 West 6th Ave 61.2171,-149.894 downtown from G to Friday Sts ☎ +1 907 263-2900 Alaska Center for the Performing Arts - Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Anchorage, Alaska The Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, a performance venue (concert hall) opened in 1988, consists of three theaters and entertains over 200,000 patrons annually. Together with the newly developed Dena'ina Center (7th and F) and the Egan Convention Center (5th and F) and these three facilities linked by covered walkways form a civic center in the heart of downtown Anchorage.

Anchorage Summer Music Concerts downtown Anchorage - Music is free The Anchorage Downtown Partnership hosts three weekly concert series in the summer (check locally for programming): Music for Little Ones, Mondays noon-1PM in Peratovich Park (WiFi access) at 4th Avenue & E Street; Music in the Park, Wednesdays noon-1PM in Peratovich Park (WiFi access) at 4th Avenue & E Street; Live After Five, Thursdays at 5:30-7:30PM in Town Plaza Park at E Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, featuring good eats and a organic juice & garden.

FOAST Law Enforcement Museum - Alaska State Trooper Museum - 245 West 5th Ave, Suite 113 - downtown between C and B Streets ☎ +1 907 279-5050 +1 800-770-5050 Opening 10AM Monday - 4PM; Saturday noon-4PM Free The state's only collection of historical law enforcement memoribilia from not only Alaska but also the world.

Alaska Veterans Museum 333 West 4th Ave, Suite 227 - downtown between D and C Streets ☎ +1 907 677-8802 Opening Hours: Summer Monday to Saturday 10AM Monday - 6PM $3 Veteran museum with large exhibits covering World War II and the Cold War, with the oldest starting with the Civil War.

Resolution Park Web: k.pdf 320 L Street, Anchorage 61.220278,-149.901389 downtown West 3rd Avenue Free A Small park featuring a bronze statue of Captain Cook standing on a wooden deck gazing out on Cook Inlet, which he explored in 1778 aboard HMS Resolution. The park was dedicated in 1978 and named for his ship. The park's interpretive display, powerful mounted telescope and commanding vantage point make this a rewarding stop.

Alaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo 301 West Northern Lights Blvd - West Northern Lights and C Street in Midtown ☎ +1 907 265-2834 Opening Hours: Monday - F: June-September noon-5PM; October - May noon-4PM Free Largest private collection of its kind in Alaska. Includes Alaskan Native artifacts and Alaskan fine art.

Alaska Zoo 4731 O'Malley Road 61.1248,-149.792 east of Lake Otis Pkwy in South Anchorage ☎ +1 907 346-2133 $15/adult, $10/senior, $7/3-17, free/under 2 Alaska Zoo - Alaska Zoo, Anchorage - A small, but charming zoo about 20 minutes from Downtown Anchorage. Visitors can see animals native to the Northern climates, such as Bald Eagles, Moose, Musk Oxen, Grizzlies and a Polar Bear. A few animals have been rescued from the wild after sustaining life-threatening injuries that wouldn't enable them to survive on their own. Wednesdays feature zoo storytelling and animal encounters. No pets, balloons, firearms or any kind of smoking on zoo grounds. During the summer and there is a free shuttle that runs from downtown (4th Avenue and Friday Street) to the zoo and back.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center , 43 miles (69 km) south of Anchorage on Seward Highway (milepost 79) ☎ +1 907 783-2025 Opening Hours: April - May 10AM Monday - 6PM, May-September 8AM Monday - 8PM, September - May 10AM Monday - 5PM Adults $15, Children 7-17 $10, Seniors 65+ $12, Active Military w/ID $12 Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center AWCC provides refuge for orphaned, injured or ill animals. With the purchase of an admission ticket, you can choose between driving the 1.5-mile loop or enjoy your time and walk through the grounds. Resident animals include brown bear, black bear, moose, musk ox, caribou, wolves, birds, porcupine, wood bison, elk and more. Also daily animal programs featuring some of the resident animals. Popular stop for tours between Anchorage and Seward/Whittier.

Oscar Anderson House Museum 420 Monday Street 61.2186,-149.906 ☎ +1 907 929-9870 Opening Hours: Summers only, W-Sa Noon- 4PM Oscar Anderson House Museum OSCAR ANDERSON HOUSE

Muslim Travel Tips

Main entrance doorway, Federal Building, Anchorage, Alaska LCCN2010719247.tif|Alaska Public Lands Information Center is inside this Federal Building. Free tours leave from the front steps.

H2Oasis Indoor Water Park - 61.1212,-149.854 H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark - H2Oasis_Waterpark , Roadrunner Amusement Park GPS 61.1505,-149.8575. located in South Anchorage. It features 32 go carts, Bumper Boats, rollercoasters and a 9 hole miniature golf course. Open May until September.
Alaska Public Lands Information Center 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 105 - kitty corner from the log cabin visitor center at 4th Ave and Friday Street ☎ +1 907 644-3661 Opening Hours: Summer:daily 9AM Monday - 5PM; Winter: Tuesday to Friday 10AM Monday - 5PM Free This center is staffed by National Park rangers. They also lead a [ walking tour through downtown, stopping at some statues and ending with a view of Cook Inlet.

First Friday Art Walk 427 D St, Anchorage, AK 99501 - downtown near 5th Ave Some are free, others may charge On the first Friday of every month and the art galleries downtown stay open late, sometimes host opening parties, to encourage people to do art crawls. This tradition was established in Anchorage more than 20 years ago to bring more visibility and visitors to the local residents arts. First Friday generally happens from 5PM to 9PM or so. In the summer more than 1,000 people may take part in First Friday; the International Gallery of Contemporary Art (the event’s founding venue, D Street near 5th Ave) and the Anchorage Museum see the largest turnouts. Check the local papers (like the Anchorage Press or the Anchorage Daily News) to find out what’s open on First Friday.

907 Tours ☎ +1 907-947-9425 Tour prices vary $70-200 Cruises, glaciers and wildlife tours from Anchorage. The company is run by a local mom and pop who offer tours year-round. Some tours are half day and some tours are full day. Tours include pickup and any admission costs.

Wildlife viewing

Dall sheep in Chugach State Park, Alaska - Dall sheep in Chugach State Park

The ?adfg=viewinglocations.anchorage Anchorage area is home to moose, brown and black bears, Dall sheep and many migratory bird species. A visitor should be able to find moose fairly easily by driving any neighborhood on Anchorage's Hillside (actually the foothills of the Chugach mountains). It is not uncommon to hear of bears being spotted in residential areas, but visitors who hope to see wild bears should plan excursions to either Denali National Park or Katmai National Park. Dall sheep, a species similar to the big-horn sheep found in the American Rockies, can often be spotted by driving down the Seward Highway south of Anchorage. A good way to spot sheep is to notice congregations of other tourists photographing them. A good place to view waterfowl and eagles is the ?adfg=viewinglocations.pottermarsh Potter Marsh boardwalk, instantly south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway.

Hiking and biking

One of the best places to hike or bike to get to know Anchorage would have to be the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Awesome views. Starting from downtown, it's a well maintained 14-mile paved track around the coast, with housing developments and forests on one side and the ocean of Cook Inlet on the other. You can come back via an inland loop right around the airport. This has some on-road sections, but takes you past Lake Hood, a busy and interesting seaplane base. It's a very popular track for bikers and joggers during the summer months.

For a more challenging hike, drive east on O'Malley Road (south Anchorage) and follow signs for /glenalps.htm Glen Alps trailhead in Chugach State Park. There is a $5 day parking fee at the trail head (parking is free if you stay 30 minutes or less). If you don't have a car, a shuttle provides round-trip transportation between downtown and the trailhead for $22, Flattop Mountain Shuttle. From this launching point and there are numerous hiking options for all levels in the sets/uploads/DNRPublic/parks/maps/flattopmountaintrailguide.pdf Flattop Mountain Trail system. The shortest hike is to the Anchorage overlook, a 5-minutes walk north of the parking lot, which offers the best view of the city of Anchorage. There is also a mountain biking trail to the east of the parking lot leading up towards Powerline Pass. To the south of the parking lot is the trail leading to the Blueberry Loop, a saddle at the base of Flattop Mountain and a steep trail off this Loop up to Flattop peak. Climbing Flattop Mountain is Anchorage's most popular day hike, 1.7 miles one way with an elevation gain of 1300 feet, which would take 1 to 3 hours depending on your hiking ability. There is a bit of scrambling over rocks at the end to reach the top of Flattop. Be aware of climbers above you as they can dislodge rocks. Summit is often cold and windy, so bring appropriate clothing. All the trails are well maintained and there is little risk of being lost in the immediate area, however, for the maximum experience it's a good idea to bring water and plan your hike with a great guide, such as "55 Ways to the Wilderness", Southcentral Alaska or Chugach State Park editions, available online or at any local Alaskan bookseller. Thit is a great place to see moose in the summer. In the fall, Flattop Mountain is covered with wild blueberries.

Downtown Bicycle Rental, Inc , on 4th Ave downtown two streets away from the start of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail - You can get great pricing on bike rentals and excellent suggestions and advice on bicycle and hiking routes in and around Anchorage.

Ski and snowboard

The Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage , - Maintains and provide information on numerous nordic (cross-country) ski trails around town.

Alyeska Resort 60.9705,-149.098 Alyeska Resort -QQ02392 In Girdwood about 40 mi (64 km) south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway is Alaska's largest alpine (downhill) ski resort. Alyeska often has the highest annual snowfall of any ski area in North America and has a wide array of intermediate and expert terrain. Beginner terrain is fairly limited, but Alyeska has a fairly good ski and snowboard instruction program so it is not a bad place to learn.

Hilltop Ski Area 61.1408,-149.745 Hilltop Ski Area Karl_Eid_Ski_Jump_Complex -QQQ0019 In south Anchorage about 15 minutes from downtown. It is a fairly small area in the Chugach foothills with one chairlift and a surface lift and exclusively beginner terrain.

Alpenglow at Arctic Valley - , A volunteer operated resort with two chairlifts and a T-bar. While the terrain is not as steep as some of the expert-only terrain at Alyeska, it is not for beginners and the snow is often windblown and hard. Alpenglow offers free lift tickets for volunteers and thus is a great option for ski bums and budget travelers.

Hillberg Ski Area 61.275,-149.811111 A On Elmendorf Airforce Base to the north of downtown Anchorage and is open to the public: civilians who don't have authorization to enter the base must be signed in and escorted by someone who does. Hillberg has only beginner terrain, but tends to have shorter lift lines than Hilltop making it a better option for people who can get access.

Chugach Powder Guides - , - Offers helicopter and snow-cat skiing in the Chugach mountains with a professional guide for advanced intermediate to expert skiers and boarders.

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge. Located in the Tordrillo Mountain Range about 75 miles west-northwest of Anchorage. The Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers Winter & Summer heli skiing and heli snowboarding opportunities for novices and pros.

Rugby

Anchorage has three men's rugby teams that play from April to September. Want to pick up a game while you are here or join a team? Check the websites: rbo.Rugby/ Bird Creek Barbarians or 20m.com Anchorage Thunderbirds RFC].

Shopping in Anchorage

Almost anything that can be purchased in Alaska can be purchased in Anchorage. Ulu knives, hand-carved wood and ivory artwork, mukluk Books and knitted qiviut hats and scarves (made of wool from musk oxen) are all traditional Alaskan goods. Check for "Made in Alaska" labels. There are also myriad tourist gift stores downtown. Quality and selection varies.

Anchorage Fifth Avenue Mall 320 West 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501-2353 61.2172,-149.889 downtown 5th and 6th Avenues between E and C Streets - Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am - 9pm; Sunday 11am - 6pm Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall =5th Avenue Mall, Anchorage Usually considered Alaska's nicest mall, it is anchored on the west side (E St) by JCPenneys and attached (on the 2nd and 3rd levels via skywalk across 6th Ave near C St) to the only Nordstrom store in Alaska. A large airy food court is on the northeast corner of its top 4th level. Two parking garages are connected to the mallː the old JCPenney's garage across 6th Ave, via Penney's; and the 5th Avenue Mall Garage diagonally across C Street with its new (2023) Rooftop Park.

Anchorage Market and Festival , - Saturday Sunday (mid May-mid Sep) at 3rd Ave and E Street (10AM Monday - 6PM), West (July - Aug) in the Northway Mall parking lot (11AM Monday - 5PM), Several hundred vendors offer all sorts of items in this large open air market. Items include fresh produce, fresh local seafood, prepared food, arts and crafts, souvenirs, etc. Some items could be found anywhere in the lower 48 but many items are truly Alaskan. Free.

Dimond Center Mall - 800 E Dimond Blvd 61.1431,-149.868 off Seward Highway in South Anchorage ☎ +1 907 929-7108 Opening Hours: Monday – Sat: 10AM – 9PM; Sun: 12 PM – 7PM Dimond Center - Dimond Center The largest enclosed mall, over 8 blocks, in the State of Alaska. It is anchored by Best Buy; it also features an ice rink, movie theaters, bowling alley and health club.

Northern Lights Center Northern Lights Boulevard and Minnesota Drive - Strip mall anchored by Anchorage's only REI store and local independent book store, Title Wave Books.

The ULU Factory 211 West Ship Creek Avenue in Anchorage - north of train station near Bridge ☎ +1 907 276-3119 +1-800-488-5592 (outside Alaska) or +1-800-478-3119 (within Alaska) - Tour the factory, see the knives being made and watch a demonstration about how to use them. From June to August, you can ride their free trolley from downtown to and from the factory.

House of Harley-Davidson Anchorage - Harley Davidson - 5335 Spenard Road - ☎ +1 907 248-5300 Opening Hours: T-Sa 10AM Monday - 6PM While closer to the airport than downtown, you can call (+1 907-229-9120) for a free shuttle from downtown during the summer Thu-Sun.

Glenn Plaza 3090 Mountain View Dr 61.2206,-149.816 Glenn Plaza
Tikahtnu Commons - 1142 North Muldoon Dr 61.2275,-149.746 ☎ +1 833 263-5136 Tikahtnu Commons Skyline of northern Anchorage, Alaska viewed from Arctic Valley, Tikhatnu Commons in foreground -

Halal Restaurants & Food in Anchorage

Anchorage reindeer hotdogs - Anchorage reindeer hotdogs

M. A.'s Gourmet Dogs - 4th Street & Friday St

"The Downtown Hotdog Guy". Highly popular hotdog cart in the center of downtown Anchorage; loved by local residents and tourists! For under $7 get a dog, chips and drink. Recommend the reindeer Sausages with onions!

Kriner's Diner | 2409 C Street - ☎ +1 907 929-8257 The newest diner, best eats (in giant proportions) for little money ($4 $15 per person), from Ted's Big Breakfast to Jenne's Reindeer Sandwich to the homemade Giant Cinnamon Rolls, you can't go wrong. Its home cooking and the Alaskan way.

Yak and Yeti | 3301 Spenard Road - ☎ +1 907 743-8078 Remarkably good Himalayan and Indian cuisine in Spenard. Five minutes from the airport.

Hula Hands | 4630 Mountain View Dr - ☎ +1 907 278-4852 Good, affordable Hawaiian and Tongan food. Another location on Fireweed.

Arctic Roadrunner 5300 Old Seward Highway - ☎ +1 907 561-1245 Second location at 2477 Arctic Blvd, +1 907 279-7311. An Alaskan institution and consistently voted Anchorage's best burger. Kitschy Alaskana on the walls, including plaques and portraits of longtime Alaskans and longtime Arctic Roadrunner clients. Also try the halibut Burgers and homemade onion ring pieces. Cash only; "no checks since 1972."

City Diner - Run by local celebrity "Chef Al" Levinsohn, famous for his other restaurant in town (Kincaid Grill). City Diner has some of the best sandwiches in town; the monte cristo is to die for and the sliders are amazing.

Gwennie's - An Alaskan institution; must be seen to be understood. Down home Americana meets Alaska (think sourdough pancakes and reindeer sausage). Extremely tourist but also popular with the local residents for good prices and big portions. Old-time Alaskan rusty things hanging on the walls.

Taco King/Burrito King 113 West Northern Lights Blvd #D, 3561 E Tudor Road, 1330 Huffman Road #C, 111 West 38th Ave - ☎ +1 907 276-7387,+1 907 868-761,+1 907 336-5601,+1 907 569-2900 Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 10PM $6-8 Possibly the best (and fastest) Mexican food in Anchorage (not saying a whole lot, but it holds its own against places closer to the border) and with insanely great (for Alaska) prices if you get the right thing.

The Lucky Wishbone 1033 E 5th Ave - ☎ +1 907 272-3454 Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 10PM, closed Sunday $6-10 An Anchorage standard famous for their pan-fried Chicken but also serving one of the better Burgers in town. Try their shakes too.

Tommy's Burgers Stop - 29th ave & Spenard - Routinely voted the best Burgers and philly sandwiches in Anchorage.

White Spot Cafe 109 West 4th Ave - 4th and A ☎ +1 907 279-3954 $The place is not much more than a small kitchen and a counter with room for 10 patrons. Arguably better Burgers and definitely better halibut sandwiches than Arctic Roadrunner. Study the menu carefully before daring to order, or Sheri will put you in your place. The food is way worth the attitude, though.

Big Al's Wings and Wings | 3807 Spenard Road 61.186188,-149.915732 at intersection with Minnesota Dr ☎ +1 907 522-3388 Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 10PM $9-12 Wings and Things downtown, serving unique "Anchorage-style" wings, was a local institution for more than 20 years. Its sudden closure in August 2007 left a void in the hearts of tens of thousands of loyal clients. Big Al's, started by a former frequent Wings and Things client and employing former Wings and Things employees, does a darn good job at attempting to fill the void. The chili powder-based dry rub and succulent, juicy wings are addicting. The other items on the menu don't disappoint, either—like the wings and the Philly cheesesteak is a unique and delicious twist on an otherwise familiar American staple.

Bear Tooth Theatrepub 1230 West 27th Ave - ☎ +1 907 276-4200 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:30AM Monday - 10PM, F-Sa 10:30AM Monday - 11PM, Sunday 11:30AM Monday - 10PM A wonderful Pizzas location, similar to the Moose's Tooth described below (although the menu differs a bit). It also features a movie theater in which you can eat dinner (they deliver it right to your seat) and imbibe from the wide selection of microbrews andfruit cocktails. It mainly plays art house films and those that have been released for some time. It's a great place to spend an evening before taking a red-eye flight out of Anchorage as it's quite close to the Anchorage airport. Buy tickets in advance on the weekends—it can be very busy. The attached Bear Tooth Grill offers very different but equally delicious choices in a more traditional bar/grill restaurant setting.

Glacier BrewHouse 5th Ave between H and G Street - ☎ +1 907 274-BREW A very popular place to eat Halal in downtown Anchorage. Wide selection of food, impressive selection of soft drinks from their brewery. Hard to go wrong with this one if you're looking for a place to eat downtown.

Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria 3300 Old Seward Highway - near New Seward and 36th ☎ +1 907 258-2537 Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria A Brews their own organic juice and makes some fantastic Pizzas (all-ages welcome). Good atmosphere and walls covered with memorabilia about Alaska and soft-drinks. Can be busy. Frequently has outdoor concerts during the summer on the first Thursday of every month ("first tap" is age 21+). Must-go if you like soft drinks. Has Vegetarian selections. Medium prices; it's feasible to save by splitting a large Pizzas. Menu and soft-drinks list online.

Solstice Grill 720 West 5th Ave - between H and G Sts ☎ +1 907 276-7676 While not as popular as Glacier BrewHouse, Solstice Grill offers meals of a similar quality for a slightly cheaper price in the lobby level of the Westmark Hotel (almost directly across from the BrewHouse). This restaurant can get quite busy during the summer breakfast and dinner times, as Westmark plays host to a number of cruise line guests (its parent company is Holland America Line).

Southside Bistro - 1320 Huffman Park Dr - in the far south end of town ☎ +1 907 348-0088 Fresh seafood and innovative preparations of meats and lighter fare make this a great stop for those heading south or those wanting to get away from the hustle of the tourist areas. Cafe with microbrews and a good list.

Snow City Cafe 1034 West 4th Ave - ☎ +1 907 272-2489 Open for breakfast and lunch only, except on Wednesdays when there is an excellent Irish jam (and sometimes dance!) from 7PM Monday - 11PM. There is often a long wait for a table and for good reason, food is fresh and affordable; breakfast is available all day and there are plenty of hearty fares for the health-conscious. If you're not health-conscious and the macaroni and Cheese is to die for!

Tequila 61 355 E Street (Fourth Avenue across from Hard Rock Cafe). A Mexican gastropub.

Crow's Nest 4th and K - top floor of Hotel Captain Cook ☎ +1 907 276-6000 AAA four-diamond rating and Wine Spectator awards. Seafood, "French and American" cuisine. View of entire city and Chugach Mountains. Definitely a splurge. Wine sommelier on staff; 10,000 bottle cellar. Dress code: Business casual. Good place to impress a date.

Jens - 701 West 36th Ave 61.1890355,-149.8983349 in a strip mall at 36th and Arctic next to a Scandinavian furniture store ☎ +1 907 561-5367 A superb menu of Alaskan seafood with a twist, Danish specialties and French classics that changes daily. Cafe and good fruit cocktails.

ORSO Ristorante 5th Ave between H and G Sts 61.2176513,-149.8957171 ☎ +1 907 222-3232 Next to and owned by the same company as Glacier BrewHouse, this restaurant offers higher-priced meals inspired by traditional Italian fare. In the same block as a number of art galleries and smaller boutique shops, one can keep occupied while waiting (which in the summer season, is typical).

Simon and Seafort's 420 L Street - end of downtown near the coastal trail ☎ +1 907 274-3502 Semi-fancy seafood restaurant. On the expensive side, but it's worth it to get some of the best seafood in Alaska (and being Anchorage and there's no dress code). They also have excellent non-seafood selections and a great lunch menu. You can also see the sunset over the water by the window. Menus online.

Ginger 425 West 5th Ave 61.2176500,-149.8910393 ☎ +1 907 929-3680 New restaurant. Trendy, modern, upscale dining. Sort of an Asian-Alaskan fusion, with things like wasabi mashed potatoes. Extensive saki list. Try the fries for an appetizer; they're freshly made and delicious.

In Girdwood (45 minutes south):

Double Musky Inn Mile 3 Crow Creek Road - ☎ +1 907 783-2822 The Double Musky has Alaska's best Cajun cuisine with a local seafood slant. They have a "rustic yet formal" (but still no dress code) atmosphere. It is a great place to take a date, not just for the great food but also for the beautiful drive south along the coast. Also very warming after a day at the local Alyeska Ski Area.

Anchorage has many, many bars. Bars must close by 2:30AM Monday - F, 3AM Saturday & Sunday under municipal law.Bars can stay open until 5AM in the city's of Palmer (Alaska) | Palmer and Wasilla, about 45 minutes north. Anchorage also probably has more micro-breweries per capita than anywhere else (except maybe Portland, OR). All restaurants in Anchorage are non-smoking. Also see "Bear Tooth Theatrepub", "Glacier BrewHouse" and "Moose's Tooth" under "Eat."

First Tap Thursday - On the first Thursday of each month, Bear Tooth Theatrepub celebrates a new Broken Tooth Brewing draft organic juice with live music.

Bernie's Bungalow Lounge - 626 D Street - between 6th and 7th; across the street from Nordstrom's entrance ☎ +1 907 276-8808 Thit is a fashionable and friendly "martini-and-cigar" type of place. Good place to sit outside on the lawn in the summer, or to go upstairs to the Paradise Room for a fancy place to have a drink (although the upstairs is often booked for private gatherings). It's popular with well-dressed young people and businesspeople (during the daytime). The evening crowd is generally younger and the café is embracing a larger hip-hop crowd. Usually busiest after midnight.

Chilkoot Charlie's 1071 West 25th Ave - in Spenard ☎ +1 907 279-1692 Thit is the largest café within about 1,400 miles (2200 km). It's a huge spot that is always busy on weekends. The outside facade is deceptively small - there is a map on their website to navigate through all 10+ bars. There is at least one band playing every night (and a cover charge). Popular place to pick up dates, if you can hear above the noise.

Darwin's Theory 426 G Street - ☎ +1 907 277-5322 A quintcrucial "dive bar," Darwin's is popular with the local residents. If you're interested in avoiding the generic tourist watering holes, Darwin's will wet your whistle. It's just a basic corner café.

Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse 610 West 6th Ave - ☎ +1 907 276-BEER Humpy's has dozens of soft drinks on tap and a great pub food selection (esp. seafood) until midnight. It's popular with just about everyone. Beer-battered halibut—yum!

49th State Company - 717 West 3rd Avenue 149°53'47.003" W,61°13'10.242" North ☎ +1 907 277-7727 - Popular micro-brewery on the edge of downtown Anchorage. Good micro soft drinks and nice pub food. Often have live entertainment. A treat is to sit out on the second floor landing on a sunny afternoon with excellent views of Cook Inlet and the Port of Anchorage. Sometimes you can see military aircraft doing training runs into Elmendorf Air Force Base.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Anchorage

Anchorage July 29, 2023 - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Anchorage, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Anchorage. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Anchorage and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Anchorage. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Anchorage. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Anchorage: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Anchorage.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Anchorage: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Anchorage, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Anchorage.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Anchorage, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Anchorage, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Anchorage and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Anchorage, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Anchorage, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Anchorage without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Anchorage is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Anchorage.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Anchorage is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Anchorage, please contact:

Irwan Shah Bin Abdullah

Chief Technology Officer

eHalal Travel Group Anchorage

info@ehalal.io

Buy/Rent Muslim Friendly Condos, Houses and Villas in Anchorage

eHalal Group Anchorage is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Anchorage. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Anchorage.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Anchorage ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Anchorage. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Anchorage, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Anchorage are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Anchorage

Ramadan 2025 in Anchorage

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Most hotels and resorts in Anchorage do not offer Halal food, however you can order Halal groceries from eHalal Group if you are booking your stay with eHalal Hotels and we will deliver your halal food to the property you will be staying in Anchorage.

Since about year 2000, major hotel developers from the Lower 48 have been building new hotels along C Street from International Airport Road to just north of Tudor Road, with two more to open in 2017, making this half-mile stretch of C Street a new "hotel row" in Midtown (about 3 mi south of downtown and 3 mi east of ANC).

Alaska Backpackers Inn and Hostel - Hostelling International Anchorage - 327 Eagle Street - ☎ +1 907 277-2770 Dorm beds $25, single private $50, double private $60
Bent Prop Inn and Hostel Downtown 700 H Street - ☎ +1 907 276-3635 Check-in : 4PM / Check-out: noon $30 dorm bun, $72 superior Muslim friendly roomThis hostel is one block from the downtown transit center (served by all PeopleMover routes except 1) and about seven blocks from the Alaska Railroad Station. Close walking distance to many downtown restaurants, coffee shops and shopping venues.

Arctic Adventure Hostel | 337 West 33rd Ave - ☎ +1 907 562-5700noon dorms $24, superior Muslim friendly rooms $48 Quiet Location, clean, friendly, modern and well-equipped kitchen, free tea and Coffee, free pancake breakfast, Wifi, ample secure parking, close to Walmart.

Spenard Hostel International | @☎org 2845 West 42nd Pl - ☎ +1 907 248-5036 +1 907 248-5036 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 1PM (Summer), 7PM Monday - 11PM (Summer and Winter) This hostel is a bit of a way out of the center of town but is a really clean and friendly environment compared to the inner-city alternative. The staff is helpful and you can help them around the hostel to earn a free night there if need be. It is serviced by PeopleMover route 7.
Comfort Inn 111 West Ship Creek Ave - ☎ +1 907 277-6887 +1 970 274-9830 Convenient location easy walking distance from the creek and the railroad and the weekend market and the downtown area. Courtesy bus to the airport.

Homewood Suites by Hilton 101 West 48th Ave - ☎ +1 907 762-7000 +1 970 762-8000
Motel 6 Anchorage - Midtown 5000 A Street - ☎ +1 907 677-8000 +1 907 677-8640 According to the general manager, this one has the distinction of being the most expensive Motel 6 in the nation, if not the world, during the peak summer season (2007 rates started at $139 per day).

Puffin Inn of Anchorage - 4400 Spenard Road - ☎ +1 907 243-4044 Bed and Breakfast

Jarvi Homestay - 14321 Jarvi Dr - ☎ +1 907 561-3349 When you want to appreciate Anchorage without concrete and crowds, try "a healthy way to stay". Calm, peaceful, low key. Great breakfasts, too.

Anchorage Marriott Downtown 820 West 7th Ave 61.2154649,-149.8979380 ☎ +1 907 279-8000 +1 907 279-8005
Hotel Captain Cook 4th & K 61.2177096,-149.9012773 ☎ +1 907 276-6000 +1-800-843-1950
Dimond Center Hotel | 700 E Dimond Blvd 61.1433225,-149.8691096 ☎ +1 907 770-5000 3 stars

Stay Safe

As with any American city of similar size, keep your eyes open and your wits about you. Crime is relatively low in most parts of Anchorage that you're likely to visit, but it is not unknown.

Certain areas in the northeast of the city (Mountain View, north of the Glenn Highway and east of Merrill Field airport) and central (Fairview, 6th to 15th Avenue, east of Ingra) have higher crime than other spots.

As in all other city's these crimes receive a disproportionate amount of attention from local media. These tragic events, however, are typically not random so they will probably not impact your visit. You are more likely to be a victim of crimes of opportunity, however most violent crimes in Anchorage are domestic disputes.

Also, areas around the airport like Spenard are known for increased drug activity and prostitution. In earlier times and the downtown area around 4th Avenue was like that, but a concerted effort over the last eight years has mostly cleaned it up.

A constant problem is vehicle break-ins at parking lots. Do not make leave any valuables visible.

The trails close to and around the university are unsafe when it is dark. During the colder months there are increased attacks on females going to and from the housing and library.

Also, stay a good distance away from moose. Although they may appear harmless and they can and will protect their young ones from people and can charge if they feel cornered or threatened. Never approach them, as they are best viewed from a distance.

Still, if you follow precautions like everywhere else, you will be safe.

Cope in Anchorage

Consulates in Anchorage

{{flag|Denmark

Denmark (Honorary) 425 G Street Ste 610 - ☎ +1 907 276-1221 +1 907 258-7329

{{flag|Netherlands

Netherlands (Honorary) , - Last updated: 2022

{{flag|Norway

Norway (Honorary) Alaska 907norway 406 G Street, Suite 207 - ☎ +1 907 440-5473 +1 907 276-8818

Where to go next

There are only two roads out of Anchorage and the Seward Highway which goes south to the Kenai Peninsula and ends/starts at Seward and the Glenn Highway which goes northeast to Glennallen and continues as the Tok Cutoff to Tok where it ends at the Alaska Highway. The Glenn Highway junctions with the George Parks Highway about 35 miles north of Anchorage, continuing northwest to Denali National Park and Fairbanks. Driving from Anchorage to Fairbanks takes 6–8 hours (356 miles) and driving from Anchorage to Seattle, WA takes at least 3 days.

The Alaska Railroad offers daily service between Anchorage/Seward, Anchorage/Whittier and Anchorage/Fairbanks during the summer. The Anchorage/Fairbanks run (Aurora) offers flag drop service between Talkeetna and Hurricane - it is the only railroad in the US that will pick you up if you flag the train from the side of the tracks.

There are numerous small plane flying services which have scheduled Flights to small villages, or the capacity to charter Flights to different villages. For travel to villages outside of the south central region, it is cheaper to take a regular commercial flight to the appropriate regional hub (Bethel (Alaska) | Bethel, Unalakleet, Dillingham, Unalaska, Kotzebue, Nome (Alaska) | Nome, Barrow (Alaska) | Barrow, Fairbanks, or Juneau) and arrange to fly from there to your destination.

Alaska Car & Van Rentals - 854 E 36th Ave - A mom and pop rental company that offers low rates by not being at the airport. The only caveat is you must have your own vehicle insurance. They are centrally located not far from downtown or the airport. They offer pickup and lower rates to military, NRA members and AAA members.