With a car, you can stop anywhere you want for as long as you want, and its easier to carry food with you and get to the grocery store. Wreathed by the Chugach State Park, a half-million-acre natural playground with 5,000-foot peaks on one side, and the waters of the Cook Inlet on the other, you're never too far . Once youre finished, you can drive an hour and 44 minutes over to Girdwoods Alyeska Resort, where youll be able to enjoy a luxurious meal and snowy ski slopes. Houston, Los Angeles, and Tampa are the most dangerous cities for cyclists. Compared to the other areas of Anchorage, in Spenard, you will be able to find more affordable accommodation options. We'll be getting our car through Costco travel, and would pick it up at the airport, since the airport car rental agencies are open later for returning. No car? Save this link to stay updated on COVID-19 restrictions. Spenard the best area to stay on a budget & near the airport3. And Wonder Park, which is totally residential but just has a great name. Theres also the famous Tony Knowles Coastal Trail that runs around the edge of Spenard. Take a scenic train day trip from Glacier Discovery to Spencer Whistle Stop. Bootleggers Cove is in the northwestern corner of the main Anchorage town, up by Downtown and over a little. Midtownis the best area to stay in Anchorage. 15 US cities where you really dont need a car, Learn more about the options and costs here, Learn more here about visiting the Portage Valley and the many things to do, my Valdez Guide with 21 fantastic things to do in Valdez, Best Hotel To Stay In Vegas For Honeymoon, 8.5 Hour Kenai Fjords Northwestern Fjord Cruise, Why Does Linzess Have To Stay In Original Container, Best Places For Families To Stay In San Diego, Inexpensive Places To Stay In Charleston Sc. Are you ready to find a place to stay in Anchorage, Alaska? Spot Moose! But Downtown is also the best place to stay in Anchorage for nightlife. Alyeska Resort. The bus stops nearby for easy commuting. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Without a car and without the public bus system operating the best place to stay is downtown. See the Art Deco 4th Avenue Theatre, a landmark thats been standing and entertaining since the 1940s! Its here that the Iditarod Dog-Sled Race starts each year, drawing huge crowds of sports aficionados as well as animal lovers. Seward to Anchorage - 3 ways to travel via plane, shuttle, and car Guests can also make use of complimentary Wi-Fi. If you are visiting Anchorage for the first time, Anchorage Downtown is the best place to stay. Yes, you have a chance to see the northern lights if you stay in Anchorage between late September and April. Dont Miss: Where To Stay In Rhode Island With Kids. The staff are welcoming and go out of their way to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible. My main recommendation is to not leave Girdwood without visiting Virgin Creek Falls! As you know, the 4th is Labor Day which is probably why you're having a hard time finding a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Anchorage's tallest hotel is the best place to appreciate the gorgeous views of city and mountains - you may even see Denali on a clear day. The town square has a lovely flower garden worth stopping by to see. Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Anchorage - Cond Nast Traveler I hope you enjoyed reading this city tour. Its only about a mile southeast. Bootleggers Cove where to stay in Anchorage for sightseeing, The 32 Absolute Best Places to Stay in Banff for All Budgets, 8 Things you Need to Know Before Renting a Car in Canada, Your Ultimate Guide for Where to Stay in Oahu, Hawaii, Best Hotels for All Budgets to Stay on Big Island, Hawaii, Top 5 Neighborhoods to Stay in Vancouver, Canada, An Honest Guide for Where to Stay in Seattle, USA, Everything You Need to Know About Hotels in Portland, Oregon, Catch a show at Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Head to the National Parks Office to find out about the incredible nature of this Alaska, See an exhibition at Anchorage William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center, Head to the Alaska Native Heritage Center to explore the regions culture, Go for a walk to Lake Hood and check out scenic views, Eat authentic Korean food at one of the many restaurants, Drive one of the most incredible highways in the state down the Turnagain Arm, Visit the Alaska Public Lands Information Center, Go for a walk in the Valley of the Moon Park, Check out an indie film at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub, Go for a stroll at Charles W. Smith Memorial Park, Enjoy family time at Cuddy Family Midtown Park, Have a nice meal and drink at Bear Paw Bar & Grill, Go for dinner at Silk Restaurant & Sushi Bar. Start your day discovering the culture and history of the area at the Anchorage Museum and Alaska Veterans Museum. Hyatt House Anchorage is one of the best hotels to stay in Anchorage with its comfortable rooms, nice restaurant, and bar, and a good fitness center. Learn more about the options and costs here. On the last day of your trip , make your way up to Lowell Point in the early morning. By ALASKA_99559 "Very clean, first time staying here. July August are the best months to visit Anchorage as the weather is the warmest. Happy exploring! Afternoon The Anchorage depot is the jumping off spot for rail travel, but it also sits at the beginning of two of the best paved trails in Anchorage. The Voyager Inn is one of our favourites in Anchorage but theyre not taking guests right now. Staying here is absolutely fine, but its got a reputation for being a bit sketchy towards the late hours. Spenard the best area to stay on a budget & near the airport, 4. Some of Anchorages top landmarks and scenic viewpoints are accessible via the citys vast trail system. The area itself is residential and peaceful. By staying in North Star you will be very close to the city center while at the same time, have a chance to experience life like a local. The Alaska Railroad option is more expensive than the bus and both of them travel the incredibly beautiful drive between Anchorage and Whittier. : https://www.alaskarailroad.com/travel-planning/destinations/spencer-glacier-whistle-stop. Though theyre unlikely to be any threat, we thought youd probably like to know! Get it? To make matters worse, when I tried to book (online)it was wanting to charge the higher rate for the entire 2 weeks. Now that you know a bit about the main part of town, why not venture further afield, to see what you can see? icon-lightbulb Getting around without a car - Anchorage Forum - Tripadvisor The key to planning a trip to Alaska without a car is to understand your other options for getting around. This excursion takes about 12 hours, so that will take the whole day, but its well worth it! I love Alaska, so Ill surely be back in Anchorage again. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The routes vary quite a bit from year to year, generally bus service is available at least between Anchorage and Denali. One of the biggest decisions youll face planning for your Alaska Itinerary is how youre going to get around. Anchorage, AK Accommodation and Hotels - Tripadvisor Here are the best places to stay in this cool area that I handpicked for you: This hotel is one of the best places to stay in Anchorage with its upscale facilities and beautiful mountain view. Stay here, and you are a 15-minute walk to the Performing Arts Center, 1 mile from Denaina Convention Ctr and 6 miles from Anchorage Intl Airport. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. See the Art Deco 4th Avenue Theatre, a landmark thats been standing and entertaining since the 1940s! Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! You can also visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center outside Anchorage, said Golden. Here you will also find some great outlets with discounted outdoor gear and a great indoor farmers market. We'd like a vacation, not a whirlwind. Visit Earthquake Park and see the trees in a canyon that dropped 20 foot in the 64 quake. As the name suggests, these fjords are massive waterways that are home to some of Alaskas greatest sea life, including humpback and orca whales, seabirds like puffins, and plenty of otters. Learn more here about visiting the Portage Valley and the many things to do! Youll arrive in Fairbanks in the evening, usually around 8pm. Anchorage is in general a safe city but you can avoid walking at night in the Fairview and Mountain View areas. How to find a moose in Anchorage in less than an hour. We are going on on a small group adventure tour of the Kenai peninsula, so their van will pick us up in the city. On name value alone, our picks are Darwins Theory possibly a play on the idea of evolving into something else after a few and Mad Myrnas, who were all keen to meet! We'd probably stay near the airport or are open to other suggestions for places to stay if they would work better carless. This area is a great place to stay in Anchorage on a budget and also for those who want to stay close to the airport. From downtown, the paved Tony Knowles Coastal Trail runs for 11 miles along the Cook Inlet coast, connecting to the Chester Creek Trail before eventually ending in Kincaid Park: Rent a bike from a downtown shop, hit the Coastal Trail at Elderberry Park (at the western end of 5th Avenue), then spend a day visiting iconic Anchorage destinations like Westchester Lagoon, Earthquake Park, and Point Woronzof, all connected by trail to the heart of the city. This is an excellent photography opportunity and a place to learn about Alaskas many animals. These are the sit-down kind too, not the takeaway strip youll find further south (but pssst, its there if youre after fast food). Do you own an awesome hostel, hotel or apartment? They have a very convenient location in Mid-town Anchorage! East Anchorage & University of Alaska 3. A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. If youre looking for adventure for the evenings, there is plenty to choose from. Marriott Anchorage Airport offers a nice indoor pool, free airport shuttle, spacious rooms, and free parking, This hotel features an indoor swimming pool, a very good breakfast, a free airport shuttle, and a nice bar, Nestled in beautiful trees this Airbnb cottage has a large beautiful garden, spacious rooms, and free wi-fi. To help you make the right decision, weve answered the most commonly asked questions on Anchorage and its neighborhoods, so you can plan your trip without any issues. Between trips abroad and trips across his own backyard through the rugged wilds of Canada and the USA, he has spent the better part of the last decade always being somewhere. How do I find authentic Alaska Native art? Here, youll be able to visit the Alaska Wildlife Center. # 29 Best Value of 237 places to stay in Anchorage. 5 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Anchorage, #1 Bootleggers Cove Where to Stay in Anchorage your First Time, #2 Spenard Where to Stay in Anchorage on a Budget, #3 Downtown Best Area to Stay in Anchorage for Nightlife, #4 North Star Coolest Place to Stay in Anchorage, #5 Midtown Best Neighborhood in Anchorage for Families, Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Anchorage, Beautiful and Self-contained Home in Anchorage. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Chat to those in the know at the Alaska Public Lands Information Center. Although it's not possible to see the national park on a day trip from Anchorage, on Sundays. North Pole, Alaska! A brilliant way to start an evening out, or to follow up one, is at the Anchorage Market and Festival, home to 300 vendors every Saturday and Sunday! Alaska Zoo, too, is nearby. The excellent Anchorage Museum features the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center, a collection of Indigenous Alaska artifacts, and through Nov. 28, an intriguing exhibit, Black Lives in Alaska. There are a range of amenities on offer to guests of My Place Hotel-Anchorage AK, including a wake-up service, a lift and laundry facilities. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Weve put together a handy guide on where to stay in Anchorage, just for you. icon-lightbulb Somewhere with heating, preferably! If youre staying downtown, youll be within easy walking distance of a designated shuttle service zone on the 500 block of 4th Avenue. Start your day by grabbing a nice coffee and having a morning stroll through the Valley of the Moon Park or Charles W. Smith Memorial Park. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. Your email address will not be published. Its known as The City of Lights and Flowers by the romantics of the area, or Los Anchorage by others. he Voyager Inn provides spacious rooms equipped with cable/satellite channels, a microwave and tea and coffee making facilities. Some of the best hotels here are the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and the Historic Anchorage Hotel. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Plus, exploring Alaska on foot is a great way to experience this gorgeous state. Our favorite area: Downtown Anchorage 2. Anchorage is on the central southern edge of this big ol piece of land. And seeing them is a must if youre in the area! or 6th Ave.. Join the Coastal Trail walk at Elderberry Park. Her travel passion led her to step into over 40 countries and 200 cities. We've done the latter too many times, so we're being conservative, so we can experience, rather than just see the sights. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is very popular, beautiful views and many folks enjoy biking it. The hotel is 500 meters (1,640 feet) away from Dena'ina Convention . Enjoy a day trip out to Spencer Glacier (where guided and self-guided tours await), or take the train to Whittier for a day cruise through awe-inspiring Prince William Sound. Not bad when its permanent population is less than 750,000! Catch the train. In addition to the dormitory and camping accommodations, Spenard Hostel has a large yard with a barbecue and plenty of lawn furniture to enjoy during the long sunny days. What Matters When Choosing an Anchorage Hotel? - ALASKA.ORG Youll have to watch your step as it can be muddy here and there are giant tree roots to traverse. But its still wild enough that you might see a moose bolt across a city street, as I once did. But I think its silly to retrace your steps. Ive never been, but it has rave reviews on TripAdvisor and Ive heard great things from past Alaska travelers in my . The downtown is walkable, but there are many places a bit outside the city center that are worth seeing. Youre connected. Its south of North Star, and between the two highways bordering the central part of the city. I have already found the best 4 ones for you but in order not to miss them, make sure to make your booking in advance. Maria's Creekside B&B. Anchorage. Posted March 11, 2009. calmac. Click here to learn more about some of the top routes around the city. Its between the two highways and just up from the Northern Lights Boulevard. Safeway is just nearby with a good membership gas station. And, in my case, praying, cursing and regretting my decision to leave L.A. There are a number of green areas around here that are prime grounds for the four-legged behemoths. As this tour will take up most of your day, the rest of the day can be spent at your leisure. Just keep an eye out for those bears! Theres a fully equipped kitchen, a massive TV, a super welcoming living area and everything you could possibly ask for. Located in south Anchorage, Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary is described by visitors as a birders delight. 9 Alaska Itineraries from Anchorage (With A Car or Without One!) This hotel offers a free shuttle to the airport and allows your fur friends to bring it with you. While Anchorage is a sprawling city, downtown itself is compact and walkable. Watch the skies and waters at Lake Hood, where the floatplanes zoom in and out. For those wishing to dine out during their stay at this 3-star hotel, there are a selection of eateries situated nearby. If you stay longer than 7 days, you can also get access to the backyard and patio. Yes, Downtown is a safe area to walk at night and a great place to stay in Anchorage. From right around the summit, youll be able to see not one but seven glaciers in the distance! Some of the best hotels here are the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and the Historic Anchorage Hotel. 2023 Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau DBA Visit Anchorage, William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center, Mountain View, Russian Jack & Airport Heights, Sand Lake, Bayshore & Surrounding Neighborhoods. If youre looking for a budget place to stay, youll find many affordable motels in Anchorage in the downtown area. The northern lights are another teeny little attraction The Aurora Borealis can be seen from Anchorage from September to April. It surely can't hurt. There are also many miles of trail leaving from the visitor center to check out other glaciers and to see spawning salmon in season. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-83539381', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car or a good deal. Take a stroll for water views, mountain vistas, and even a look at urban salmon fishing. Learn how your comment data is processed. But in a city known for being the final frontier to a land of ice and snow, working out where to stay can be tough. This is the perfect place to catch a ride with a local tour company. You can certainly get around without a car in the city proper. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. What can I do in the evening in Anchorage? If thats not far enough for you, thanks to the Alaska Railroad Depot you can also easily take a train and take day trips to other parts of Alaska. It is critical to get reservations for either a rental car or the Alaska Railroad well in advance. Husband wants to see Anchorage a bit, plus a sleep in day after arriving late would be nice, but having no car would be restrictive. In this blog post on where to stay in Anchorage, Alaska I will talk about the 5 best areas to stay in the city and give you the top hotels for all budgets. North Star is more or less in the middle of the city, but in a more residential neighbourhood than the others. The Hotel Captain Cook. My preferred tour provider in Seward is Major Marine Tours, though there are others to choose from. If you are renting a car, do not attempt to do a one way road trip, this will cost an additional $800-$1000 for a one way rental in Alaska . Now, lets see the best places to stay in Anchorage for families. The Hotel Alyeska also has a great fitness center, offering a saltwater pool and hot tub with views of the mountains. No Car? No Problem: Here's How to Visit Anchorage Without a Vehicle The airport is just to the west so theres no arduous mission to your accommodation at the end of a long flight. Multilingual staff can assist with reservations or dining recommendations, and an express check-in facility is provided for guest convenience.