Anchorage: Best Things to Do
Upstairs at Koots: Koots is a multi-level, multi-themed bar – kind of the grocery store approach to intoxication – that has one very cool feature that we drag all of our guests to see – the cold war museum. It’s hard to find and sometimes closed but in exchange for a tip for his time you can ask a bouncer to let you in. I don’t want to take away too much of the surprise but it is a surreal, fascinating, and one of the few genuine Alaska-Russian connections we’ve come across. Not to be missed, even if you have to pay a cover to get in. Also: While inside, check out the “bird house” and tell the bartender you’re new in town but have heard about the pickles.
The Bear at JC Penney’s: Okay, J.C. Penney’s isn't as cool as it used to be but near the 5th Avenue entrance, just past the luggage and children’s clothes, is the biggest god-damn stuffed bear we’ve ever seen. It’s apparently some sort of record (though they do those record books so there are a LOT of world-record class bears.) In any case, it’s worth poking your head in and taking some silly photographs.
The Coastal Trail: The Coastal Trail is 17 a mile, paved path along, well, the coast. It starts in downtown, cruises past the airport, and ends in Kincaid, one of the largest urban parks in America. Expect to see lakes, trees, and probably moose. In short, it’s a great place for a stroll, jog, or bike ride.
Note: There is talk about extending it but cranky landowners refuse. If you come one of these cranky landowners, identifiable by the smug scowl across their brow, remind them that the first stretch of coastal trail increased property values – that might help.
Pablo’s Bicycle Rental, near the downtown entrance to the trail, will rent bikes and such. This is run by some really nice guys, who sadly, had all their bikes stolen a few years back just as they were getting started.
They can provide maps but here is a trail map in case you're curious: 3 mb in PDF.
Drive to Girdwood and Back:About 45 minutes along one of the most beautiful highways in America. Chance of seeing beluga whales, mountain goats, and the occasional moose.
*** OKAY THINGS TO DO IN ANCHORAGE ***
The Anchorage Museum of Art and History has some 19th century paintings, photographs, and handicrafts relating to Alaska as well as a fewrotating exhibits. Until the expansion opens (who knows when) we’d rather go to a movie at the Bear Tooth.
The Native Heritage Center: We’re not sure how a museum to anyone’s culture doesn’t come across as hokey - and this one is no exception. You can expect native dancers and tours of traditional homes. But if you can look past the hokiness (and we’re not sure we always can) there are a lot of informative displays and materials about the various Alaska native groups.
Alaska Public Lands Information Center on 4th Avenue: Has lots of good information about federal land, a good place to make cabin reservations, watch some nature films, flip through maps and guidebooks, and gawk at a stuffed muskox. Annoyingly, though not surprising, nothing on state-owned land – would be nice to have one place that had information on both.
*** THINGS TO AVOID IN ANCHORAGE ***
Crab leg dinners: Always overpriced – better yet, go to the fishmarket at 10th and M street or Costco and buy a bunch of them, take them camping or to a cabin, and make ‘em yourself. (All crab legs are actually precooked – all you do is put them in a put with an inch of boiling water to heat them) If you insist on buying a crab-leg dinner the bucket of ‘em at Humpy’s is probably the best value.
Flattop Hike: This is a popular hike among locals keen on exercise and while the views are good, most folks never make it to the top (which always takes longer than people think.) Instead go to the Eagle River Nature Center.
