Traveler's Home Guidebook
Necessities
Coffee, Laundry, Groceries, Nail Salons, Liquor Stores… you know, necessities!
The closet full size super market. You'll find all the staples here and you easily walk with a light load.
CarrsQualityCenter1805
1650 West Northern Lights BoulevardThe closet full size super market. You'll find all the staples here and you easily walk with a light load.
A near-by boutique liquor shop. This is the small counterpart of the flagship shop a few blocks further down Benson Blvd.
Offering craft beer & wine from all over the globe, specialty spirits, plus dedicated sections of cider, mead and sake.
18 locals recommend
La Bodega
1200 W Northern Lights BlvdA near-by boutique liquor shop. This is the small counterpart of the flagship shop a few blocks further down Benson Blvd.
Offering craft beer & wine from all over the globe, specialty spirits, plus dedicated sections of cider, mead and sake.
An excellent near-by laundry mat. They even have a coffee shop to hang out in while you wait or drop and go service!
Quantum Laundry Lounge
409 West Fireweed LaneAn excellent near-by laundry mat. They even have a coffee shop to hang out in while you wait or drop and go service!
Excellent local drive through coffee stop serving all the drinks and a couple made-in-house sandwiches.
Spenard Joe's
3831 Spenard RoadExcellent local drive through coffee stop serving all the drinks and a couple made-in-house sandwiches.
The HQ for Alaskan specific outdoor adventure apparel and gear. The team here knows gear and knows about adventuring on and off the beaten path throughout this huge state. An excellent resource for information and equipment.
20 locals recommend
Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking
2633 Spenard RdThe HQ for Alaskan specific outdoor adventure apparel and gear. The team here knows gear and knows about adventuring on and off the beaten path throughout this huge state. An excellent resource for information and equipment.
This strip mall houses many locally owned small businesses worth checking out and offers one stop parking for fresh baked breads, locally made ice-cream, boutique liquor, salon spa and yoga studio, a bike and ski shop and a tattoo parlor.
Metro Mall
530 East Benson BoulevardThis strip mall houses many locally owned small businesses worth checking out and offers one stop parking for fresh baked breads, locally made ice-cream, boutique liquor, salon spa and yoga studio, a bike and ski shop and a tattoo parlor.
A quirky, locally owned, new and used book shop with the classics, new releases and a substantial Alaskana selection.
39 locals recommend
Title Wave Books
1360 W Northern Lights BlvdA quirky, locally owned, new and used book shop with the classics, new releases and a substantial Alaskana selection.
You'll find specialty diet items and a large selection of vitamins and holistic products. Organic, Gluten free, Vegan, non-dairy, et. groceries and wide range of fresh veggie options. This is one of the most expensive shops in town but they carry things you won't find anywhere else.
42 locals recommend
Natural Pantry
3680 Barrow StYou'll find specialty diet items and a large selection of vitamins and holistic products. Organic, Gluten free, Vegan, non-dairy, et. groceries and wide range of fresh veggie options. This is one of the most expensive shops in town but they carry things you won't find anywhere else.
Great place to rent bikes. Easy 35 minute bike ride to the house from here. Connect via The Coastal Trail.
16 locals recommend
Alaska Pablo's Bicycle Rentals
415 L StGreat place to rent bikes. Easy 35 minute bike ride to the house from here. Connect via The Coastal Trail.
Todays Nails & Spa
1370 W Northern Lights BlvdSometimes you just need a good nail salon near by and this one does the trick!
Food scene
Head South on the trial running along the yard and you'll make your way to this super local, family run, Italian restaurant. You won't find many tourists here, but you will find a Whisky selection that is truly world class and a second generation bar tender who takes his craft extremely seriously. Pop still does all the cooking using old family recipes that will satiate and delight you! Plan to some time and go early to get a seat.
21 locals recommend
Fiori D'Italia
2502 McRae RdHead South on the trial running along the yard and you'll make your way to this super local, family run, Italian restaurant. You won't find many tourists here, but you will find a Whisky selection that is truly world class and a second generation bar tender who takes his craft extremely seriously. Pop still does all the cooking using old family recipes that will satiate and delight you! Plan to some time and go early to get a seat.
Take a short stroll over to this neighborhood lunch and dinner spot. The food is excellent and they have local beer on tap. The 2nd story deck is wonderful on a sunny afternoon. Worth calling ahead to make sure they are open as their hours/days change often.
124 locals recommend
Rustic Goat
2800 Turnagain StTake a short stroll over to this neighborhood lunch and dinner spot. The food is excellent and they have local beer on tap. The 2nd story deck is wonderful on a sunny afternoon. Worth calling ahead to make sure they are open as their hours/days change often.
A hidden gem within a nearby strip mall that you would probably overlook without a recommendation. The inside is classy and the service is excellent. We love the Denali roll!
16 locals recommend
Peter's Sushi Spot
3020 Minnesota DrA hidden gem within a nearby strip mall that you would probably overlook without a recommendation. The inside is classy and the service is excellent. We love the Denali roll!
Our absolute favorite go-to dinner spot for celebrations and special dinners. This is an old Anchorage Icon and you'll find the decor unchanged since the 50's. The steaks are fabulous. Reservations recommended.
65 locals recommend
Club Paris
417 W 5th AveOur absolute favorite go-to dinner spot for celebrations and special dinners. This is an old Anchorage Icon and you'll find the decor unchanged since the 50's. The steaks are fabulous. Reservations recommended.
Anchorage has a plethora of craft breweries, but this one is our favorite go-to for their beverages and their tasting room with 3 stories and a huge outdoor deck. There is usually a food truck in the parking lot too.
46 locals recommend
King Street Brewing Company
9050 King StAnchorage has a plethora of craft breweries, but this one is our favorite go-to for their beverages and their tasting room with 3 stories and a huge outdoor deck. There is usually a food truck in the parking lot too.
An iconic old Alaskan homemade burger joint! The walls are adorned with tributes to many of the states pioneers. Had great outside seating along a creek. Very family friendly as well.
34 locals recommend
Arctic Roadrunner
5300 Old Seward HwyAn iconic old Alaskan homemade burger joint! The walls are adorned with tributes to many of the states pioneers. Had great outside seating along a creek. Very family friendly as well.
Sightseeing
This is the street where the Iditarod kicks off every winter. There are historical landmarks and lovely vintage shop fronts. It’s also the downtown strip of tacky gift shops, dive bars and hole in the wall restaurants.
West 4th Avenue
West 4th AvenueThis is the street where the Iditarod kicks off every winter. There are historical landmarks and lovely vintage shop fronts. It’s also the downtown strip of tacky gift shops, dive bars and hole in the wall restaurants.
Nice walks and hikes
This is a lovely spot to access The Toney Knowles Coastal Trail for a scenic walk. You can park here and start or you can walk from the house in about 40 minutes.
91 locals recommend
Westchester Lagoon
This is a lovely spot to access The Toney Knowles Coastal Trail for a scenic walk. You can park here and start or you can walk from the house in about 40 minutes.
There's something for everyone at this trail head in Chugach State Park right on the upper edge of Anchorage. If you are a seasoned hiker, the view from the "Flat Top" summit is worth the scramble but don't be deceived, it's a real mountain climb. People are rescued off this mountain every year. For the less zealous Blueberry hill is a mellow and lovely curium navigation of a bump at the base of the mountain.
241 locals recommend
Flattop Mountain
There's something for everyone at this trail head in Chugach State Park right on the upper edge of Anchorage. If you are a seasoned hiker, the view from the "Flat Top" summit is worth the scramble but don't be deceived, it's a real mountain climb. People are rescued off this mountain every year. For the less zealous Blueberry hill is a mellow and lovely curium navigation of a bump at the base of the mountain.
This is the closest access point to The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail from our house. The park also has a nice playground, ball fields and tennis courts. It's about 15 minute walk through the Turnagain neighborhood.
7 locals recommend
Lynn Ary Park
2009 Foraker DrThis is the closest access point to The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail from our house. The park also has a nice playground, ball fields and tennis courts. It's about 15 minute walk through the Turnagain neighborhood.
A great multi sport park for all seasons and nice beach access in the summer.
197 locals recommend
Kincaid Park
9401 Raspberry RoadA great multi sport park for all seasons and nice beach access in the summer.
Where the locals shop
Looking for an authentic piece of Alaskan artwork or artifact? Or just love perusing cool vintage stuff. Go see Walter at the Antique Gallery!
The Antique Gallery
1001 West 4th AvenueLooking for an authentic piece of Alaskan artwork or artifact? Or just love perusing cool vintage stuff. Go see Walter at the Antique Gallery!
This shop is a little more off the beaten path and houses a none-tourist trap collection of real Alaskan art and souvenirs at reasonable prices.
2 Friends Gallery
341 E Benson BlvdThis shop is a little more off the beaten path and houses a none-tourist trap collection of real Alaskan art and souvenirs at reasonable prices.
This is the best of the kitschy downtown tourist traps in my opinion. A lot of locally made goods and nice souvenirs, not just the mass production stuff.
8 locals recommend
Cabin Fever
412 W 4th AveThis is the best of the kitschy downtown tourist traps in my opinion. A lot of locally made goods and nice souvenirs, not just the mass production stuff.
This shop is owned by a local artist and houses an collection of goods made by local crafters. My go-to shop for gifts and new earrings!
18 locals recommend
Sevigny Studio
314 G StThis shop is owned by a local artist and houses an collection of goods made by local crafters. My go-to shop for gifts and new earrings!
With the family
The whole thing is great but your kids will especially love the Discovery Center!
313 locals recommend
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
625 C StThe whole thing is great but your kids will especially love the Discovery Center!
An excellent park to let the kids romp before or after an extended road-trip South.
South Anchorage Sports Park
779 West Klatt RoadAn excellent park to let the kids romp before or after an extended road-trip South.
The best nearby park to get some energy out and play. It’s an easy off street, 10 minute walk to the South on the Fish Creek trail (right out front) or a 2 minute drive.
Kiwanis Fish Creek Park
3907 East Turnagain BoulevardThe best nearby park to get some energy out and play. It’s an easy off street, 10 minute walk to the South on the Fish Creek trail (right out front) or a 2 minute drive.
An easy go-to for younger families after long adventure days. It’s noisy inside and bustling so the same from your table won’t be an annoyance. They have all the staples and a nice kids menu with some healthier options.
6 locals recommend
Seward's Folly Bar & Grill
1811 Abbott RdAn easy go-to for younger families after long adventure days. It’s noisy inside and bustling so the same from your table won’t be an annoyance. They have all the staples and a nice kids menu with some healthier options.