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What are some of the first things that come to mind when you think about Alaska? It may be snow, mountains, nature, bears, moose, fishing, glaciers, or whales. What most people don’t think about is the city. I admit the city (if you can call it that) is not the place to spend your time in Alaska. Yet, as the homeplace of the major airport in Alaska, Anchorage provides several options to entertain visitors. If you do spend a day in Anchorage, here is a 1-day Anchorage itinerary of the best things to do and places to eat in the most populated Alaskan city.
Breakfast at Snow City Café
Snow City Café is a staple of Anchorage and is the perfect place to start your day. They have delicious breakfast food and have been visited by celebrities like President Barack Obama.
You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu at Snow City Café. If you are looking to incorporate an Alaskan dish into your meal, I highly recommend the crab cake eggs benedict. It is some of the best eggs benedict I’ve ever had. Also, don’t leave without trying their famous cinnamon rolls. Don’t worry if you are full or don’t have someone to share it with. They also have mini cinnamon rolls that are just enough to satisfy that sweet tooth!
Bike the Coastal Trail
After walking out the doors of Snow City Café, you will be right by the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. The trail provides the perfect opportunity to get moving and relax by the water after breakfast. An Anchorage itinerary wouldn’t be complete without it. The 11-mile paved path lines the coast and is perfect for walking or biking to give you a taste of the coastal beauty of Alaska. If you want to bike, you can pop right over to Alaska Pablo’s Bicycle Rentals next door to Snow City Café or Trek Bike Rentals down the street.
Lunch at Bear’s Tooth
If you look up the best places to eat in Anchorage, you are sure to come across the name “Moose’s Tooth”. Moose’s Tooth is known for their DELICIOUS pizza and is popular among tourists for that reason. Don’t worry; it’s not a tourist trap, and the food is definitely worth it. But what you might not know is that you can experience that same delectable pizza without dealing with crowds of tourists and long wait times. Bear’s Tooth is the local’s alternative to Moose’s Tooth. It is the same owner and same food as Moose’s Tooth without the hassle. And it’s only a 5-minute drive from Moose’s Tooth!
Now, I love using my meals out as a way to sample some of the local cuisine. With that said, pizza may not seem like the way to go for local cuisine. Yet, there is one pizza that will give you the best of both worlds. I recommend ordering the Call of the Wild pizza where you can sample Alaska reindeer sausage as a pizza topping. Trust me, it does not disappoint!
Visit a Museum
When you think about visiting Alaska, museums are probably not the first thing to come to mind. I would definitely not prioritize museums in other parts of Alaska. However, Anchorage has two great museums that can help give some insight on the history and culture of Alaska.
Anchorage Museum is the place for you if you want a museum close to downtown that provides an overview of several Alaska-related topics. The museum is an interesting hodge-podge of the history, culture, art, science, and everything in between of Anchorage and Alaska. If you are someone who enjoys learning about the places you visit, this is a great place to spend an afternoon.
If you want to deep dive into the history and culture of the Natives of Alaska, visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center. This museum is a further out of the way but is worth the journey if you are interested in native culture. This is especially true if you visit during the summer season. The winter season is free admission but does not include the typical, interactive experience they have in summer. The summer season includes education and “culture through art, dance, Native Games demonstrations, exhibits, traditional Native dwellings, films and more”. Summer season is mid-May to mid-September and costs an admission price of $29 for non-resident adults.
Dinner at 49th State Brewing
Here I am going after those local specialties again. First off, you can’t visit Alaska without trying some of that Alaskan-brewed beer. 49th State Brewing is a great place to do so. It is also one of the few places you can have a Yak burger. Yes, you read that right, YAK. The owners of 49th State Brewing have their very own yak farm, making them one of the only places in Alaska to offer this. Another amazing choice is their crab grilled cheese and seafood chowder. They don’t skimp on the crab, and it’s so savory that my mouth is currently watering just thinking about it.
Stroll Downtown Anchorage
After a delicious meal, a few beers, and a day of excitement, take some time to wind down and walk the streets downtown. You can even stop in some stores like “Grizzly’s Gifts” (which is open late) to get some souvenirs from your trip!
Treat Yourself to Wild Scoops
Several sources claim that Alaska consumes the most ice cream per capita out of all the U.S. states! I don’t know if it’s true, but I do know that Wild Scoops is the place for an ice cream treat. Located right downtown, it is a perfect place to end your Anchorage itinerary for the day.
It may not be the main attraction of Alaska, but Anchorage is a great place to spend a day of exploring and eating delicious food! This Anchorage 1-Day itinerary is the perfect way to spend your first or only day in the city to get an overview of what Anchorage has to offer.
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