ANC for 12 hours
Jun 27, 2017, 11:12 am
#16
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SMF
Posts: 1,251
I'd drive down the Turnagain arm and spend some time in Girdwood hiking or take the tram up to the top of the mountain. Alternatively you could also head down to Whittier and go kayaking or take a Portage Glacier cruise on the way. All of those would give you an enjoyable taste of Alaska. You could also head east from Anchorage and go visit the Matanuska glacier.
Jun 28, 2017, 12:27 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: Frontier Gold, DL estranged 1MMer, Spirit VIP, CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat/comped gold now dust.
Posts: 38,151
I would second that Turnagain Arm gives the most scenery in the closest range...with the Glenn Highway you've got more distance over and back.
Restaurant-wise I'm still very partial to the Paris steakhouse on 5th Street downtown. They basically OWN the best-of, year after year, despite some other places and even some chains being around. The ground filet mignon burger on a French roll at lunch is a must-try (and they have good clam chowder), and for dinner they have an outstanding grilled filet (a found flash-seared, IIRC), plus other stuff. Very popular with locals, and one of few places still in operation that pre-dates the 1964 earthquake.
Restaurant-wise I'm still very partial to the Paris steakhouse on 5th Street downtown. They basically OWN the best-of, year after year, despite some other places and even some chains being around. The ground filet mignon burger on a French roll at lunch is a must-try (and they have good clam chowder), and for dinner they have an outstanding grilled filet (a found flash-seared, IIRC), plus other stuff. Very popular with locals, and one of few places still in operation that pre-dates the 1964 earthquake.
Jun 28, 2017, 4:10 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
Aug 8, 2017, 11:48 am
#20
Join Date: May 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PLT, Marriott LTP
Posts: 493
Just wanted to say thanks again to those who suggested the Turnagain Arm run.
Got back last night. I had a picture perfect day, sunny mid-70's and your suggestions were right on for what I was looking to do.
Did the Portage Glacier boat ride where even the crew was commenting we were lucky to have such a nice day. Also did the tram to Alyeska and had a couple of cold beers and a sandwich at the top. Scenery the whole day was spectacular (sunshine helps that too).
Stopped at Bird Creek and watched maybe 100 people fish. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. They were getting bites almost as soon as the hook went into the water. Most were throwing them back but every so often someone would keep one.
Anyway Thanks again
Got back last night. I had a picture perfect day, sunny mid-70's and your suggestions were right on for what I was looking to do.
Did the Portage Glacier boat ride where even the crew was commenting we were lucky to have such a nice day. Also did the tram to Alyeska and had a couple of cold beers and a sandwich at the top. Scenery the whole day was spectacular (sunshine helps that too).
Stopped at Bird Creek and watched maybe 100 people fish. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. They were getting bites almost as soon as the hook went into the water. Most were throwing them back but every so often someone would keep one.
Anyway Thanks again
Sep 5, 2018, 10:30 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,140
My wife and I are arriving ANC 0630 after a redeye, We are staying for about 30 hours. We do not want to rent a car after being sleep deprived. Staying near the UA Campus.
Any advice about best things to do in Anchorage for a day? We don't want to commit the whole day to a glacier cruise, although under other circumstances, it would be a top-shelf choice for us.
Many thanks!
Any advice about best things to do in Anchorage for a day? We don't want to commit the whole day to a glacier cruise, although under other circumstances, it would be a top-shelf choice for us.
Many thanks!
Sep 6, 2018, 7:42 am
#22
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 11,801
My wife and I are arriving ANC 0630 after a redeye, We are staying for about 30 hours. We do not want to rent a car after being sleep deprived. Staying near the UA Campus.
Any advice about best things to do in Anchorage for a day? We don't want to commit the whole day to a glacier cruise, although under other circumstances, it would be a top-shelf choice for us.
Many thanks!
Any advice about best things to do in Anchorage for a day? We don't want to commit the whole day to a glacier cruise, although under other circumstances, it would be a top-shelf choice for us.
Many thanks!
Sep 29, 2018, 6:44 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,140
Had our brief stay in ANC, and just used it to walk around.
One thing I can highly recommend in ANC is to visit a restaurant which we stumbled upon: Crush. All the food we got there was fantastic, as was the service.
One thing I can highly recommend in ANC is to visit a restaurant which we stumbled upon: Crush. All the food we got there was fantastic, as was the service.