ANCHORAGE NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE activities | maps | itineraries
WELCOME Land Acknowledgment
Anchorage lies within Dena’ina Ełnena, the homeland of the Dena’ina Athabascan people and the Native Village of Eklutna. We’re grateful for their ongoing stewardship of this land and everything it holds.
U
nique character, rich culture,
fill a few hours or a full day. There are
diverse cuisine — Anchorage
dozens to explore.
neighborhoods introduce locals
The areas featured in this guide
and visitors alike to all the best parts of the city. Spend a day exploring. Learn something new about the place we call home. Go see a new side of town. You’ll find public art and lush
represent a colorful cross-section of Anchorage life, from Mountain View to Oceanview, Downtown to Girdwood. Consider them your starting point. Anchorage encompasses so
parks, distinct Alaska flavor, and
many unique spaces and places,
fascinating Anchorage landmarks.
it’s impossible to contain them all
Some neighborhoods feature
in one guide — instead, let this be a
compact, walkable routes dotted with
springboard to your own personal
activities and attractions for all ages.
exploration of the diverse Anchorage
Other areas cover a larger distance
areas we call home.
and require a car, bringing visitors
So come get to know the
to tucked-away trailheads, secluded
neighborhoods. Wander a favorite
natural areas, and other favorite
trail, enjoy lunch at a farmers market
destinations. All of them sparkle with
or food truck festival, and experience
local color and flair. Each can easily
new sides to Alaska’s largest city.
Learn about the traditional Dena’ina Athabascan names for landmarks in the Anchorage area: Look for artistic signage — part of the Indigenous Place Names Project — installed at public gathering places like Westchester Lagoon and Chanshtnu Muldoon Park. Visit Anchorage.net to see more.
11
2
1 6
3
4
5
7
9 8
10
WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD: 1
Downtown // 1
2
Government Hill // 5
3
Fairview // 9
8
Hillside Area // 29
4
Mountain View Area // 13
9
Sand Lake Area // 33
5
Northeast Area // 17
10
Girdwood // 37
6
Spenard Area // 21
11
Eagle River Area // 41
7
Midtown Area // 25
Supported by a grant from the Municipality of Anchorage.
DOWNTOWN
O
ne of the city’s first neighborhoods, Downtown Anchorage encapsulates the community’s buzzing blend of urban and wild. Go fish for king salmon in Ship Creek, then treat yourself to fresh seafood at an upscale restaurant just a short stroll away. Catch a show at Town Square Park, Peratrovich Park, or the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Or connect to the nearby Tony Knowles Coastal Trail to explore 11 miles of scenic shoreline (and ties to many other city trails and neighborhoods). Peruse the Anchorage Museum, the largest museum in the state, with its treasure trove of Alaska Native artifacts. Then browse the eye-catching public art that lines local streets and alleyways. 1 | Downtown
Unwind with an outdoor yoga session on the Delaney Park Strip. Shop for handmade Alaska goods at an outdoor market. In the winter, try ice skating at a local pond or rink. See Star the Reindeer (Anchorage’s unofficial mascot), or gather near the statue of Balto on Fourth Avenue in the heart of the Mushing District to cheer teams during the Open World Championship Sled Dog Races or the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Downtown does it all. Brimming with life and bustling with hotels, restaurants, shops, historical landmarks, and artistic and cultural attractions, Downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods offer an engaging introduction to everything the city has to offer. Anchorage.net
Scan for an interactive map.
bit.ly/3ycPNVW
13
14
12
10
9 7
11 6
8 5
16
15
4
3
1 2
You are here.
HISTORIC SITES & CITY SCENES For locals and visitors alike, Downtown Anchorage is one of the best places to enjoy sightseeing in the city. Spend time learning more about Anchorage’s colorful history, then find even more local color with bright murals, outdoor performances, and other only-in-Anchorage attractions.
1
entennial C Rose Garden
2
Star the Reindeer
3
Hope Wall Mural
4
Town Square Park
5
istoric H Kimball Building
6
nchorage A Light Speed Planet Walk
urban &
7
Peratrovich Park
12 Resolution Park
8
A nchorage Mushing District & Balto Statue
13 Grandma Olga Statue
9
A laska Public Lands Information Center
leeping Lady Mural 10 S lderberry Park & 11 E
14 Ship Creek 15 SEED Lab 16
reetings from G Alaska Mural
Oscar Anderson House Museum
Downtown | 2
Downtown
FLOWER GARDENS || MURALS || HISTORIC LANDMARKS
ATTRACTIONS Catch a Ride
The stretch of Fourth Avenue directly in front of the Log Cabin Visitor Information Center is a prime spot to catch a variety of seasonal tours and shuttles to area attractions. Find a ride to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, or hop aboard an Anchorage Trolley Tour for an hour-long exploration of Downtown and West Anchorage.
Inside Insight Two adjacent visitor
information centers are an ideal first stop for locals and visitors alike. Learn about dozens of tours, attractions, and activities, and chat with local volunteers for the inside scoop into favorite Anchorage day trips and destinations. The two visitor centers are also fascinating historical landmarks in their own rights: The Log Cabin Visitor Information Center was originally constructed in Homer in the 1950s, and the neighboring Downtown Visitor Information Center — located in the historic city hall building — was once home to the local fire department (look for a photograph displayed on the visitor center wall).
Cast a Line
Thanks to Ship Creek, you never need to travel far to cast a line for a king (or silver) salmon in the city. Bring your own tackle or rent gear on-site, then stroll the shoreline to find a perfect place to angle for wild Alaska salmon. Don’t leave without diving into a little local history: The Ship Creek area was an important Dena’ina fishing site and, later, the location of the tent city that grew into Anchorage. Signage along the Ship Creek Trail tells the tale.
3 | Downtown
Anchorage.net
DOWNTOWN ITINERARY
Stop and Smell the Roses
Tucked into the west end of the Delaney Park Strip, Anchorage’s Centennial Rose Garden cultivates aromatic serenity in the heart of the city. Planted in 1967 to commemorate the centennial of the Alaska Purchase, the garden has since grown more than 100 varieties of roses. Towering hedges offer shade and seclusion, and benches and picnic tables provide a picturesque place for a midday picnic lunch.
MORNING Savor a cup of coffee, a fresh donut, or a hearty serving of crab benedict from a local cafe or diner. Rent a bike and hit the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, or spend the morning seeking out modern murals and historic landmarks on a self-guided tour of the neighborhood. AFTERNOON
All-Alaskan Art
Downtown is the epicenter of Anchorage’s public art scene. Alleyways are adorned with larger-than-life murals, and unique statues and sculptures tell stories of the region’s rich Dena’ina Athabascan heritage and unique Alaska history. Make sure to visit the SEED Lab to see a
Pick up a to-go meal, then enjoy lunch in a local park (you’ll catch a midday musical performance if you’re lucky). Board a shuttle or join a sightseeing tour from Fourth Avenue, or head to an area museum to catch up on the latest exhibits.
collection of new work by Alaskan muralists, and
EVENING
head down to the small boat harbor at the mouth of Ship Creek to see a cultural exhibit featuring a statue of Dena’ina matriarch Grandma Olga Ezi, created by Alaskan artist Joel Isaak.
Enjoy dinner and drinks at a downtown restaurant with a view, then unwind with a concert in Town Square Park or an art show at a neighborhood gallery. Check out Anchorage.net/Events to find something fun. Explore the neighborhood by foot.
urban &
Downtown | 4
GOVERNMENT HILL
F
lush with local history, Government Hill was Anchorage’s first established neighborhood. Today it’s a tight-knit community marked by historic landmarks, accessible parks, and plenty of unique views. Several places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a stroll through the Government Hill Federal Housing Historic District, an architectural time capsule where modern designs sit alongside original houses and duplexes built between 1915 and 1950 to house government employees moving to Anchorage in the city’s early days. The nearby Wireless Station was the community’s first radio communications hub: Built by the
5 | Government Hill
Alaska Engineering Commission in 1917, the elevated location provided better radio reception than a temporary location first established in the rail yard below. Superior radio reception isn’t the only perk of the neighborhood’s location on the hill. Local parks offer skyline views you won’t find anywhere else, plus another dose of city history: Several Government Hill parks are named in honor of trailblazing Anchorage residents, and thoughtful memorials help preserve the memory of a few community-minded Alaskans. Spend some time exploring to get a sense of Anchorage life in its earlier days. Anchorage.net
Scan for an interactive map.
bit.ly/3BU5yU4
5 8
7
4
6 9
3 1
2
vernment Hill Neighborhood Government Hill Neighborhood Government Hill Neighborhood Government Hill Neighborhood Government Hill Neighborhood Brown's Point Park 3 3Government HillHill Federal Housing 5 Brown's Point Park Government Federal Housing Brown's Point ParkNeighborhood Government Federal Housing 1 1Brown's Point Park 3 3Government HillHill Federal Housing overnment Hill
Bluff Trailhead #2 #28 8Government HillHill Commons 5West West Bluff Trailhead Government Commons West Bluff Trailhead Government Commons 5 5West Bluff Trailhead #2 #2 8 8Government HillHill Commons District District Hill Federal Housing 6 6The 1West Brown's Point Park 3Historic Government 5The West Bluff Trailhead 8Sunset Government West Bluff Trailhead #1 #1 Historic Wireless Station 9 9Sunset Park Bluff Trailhead Wireless Station #2 Park Hill Commons Historic District Historic District 2 West Bluff Trailhead #1 6 The Wireless Station 9 Sunset Park 2 West Bluff Trailhead #1 6 The Wireless Station 9 Sunset Park Historic District 43 4Suzan Nightingale McKay Park Suzan Nightingale McKay Park 2 WestPoint BluffPark Trailhead #1 6Harvard The Wireless Station 9 Sunset Park Brown's Government Hill Federal Housing West Bluff Trailhead #2 8 Government Hill Commons Park Park Suzan Nightingale McKay Park 75 7Harvard 4 4Suzan Nightingale McKay Park Harvard Park 7 7Harvard Park 4 Suzan Nightingale McKay Park Historic District 7 Harvard West Bluff Trailhead #1 6 The WirelessPark Station 9 Sunset Park
You are here. 4 Suzan Nightingale McKay Park
7 Harvard Park
EXPLORE EARLY ANCHORAGE Historic buildings and hidden stories abound in Government Hill. Get to know this quaint corner of the city via picturesque parks, city landmarks, and tales of early Anchorage.
1
Brown’s Point Park
8
Government Hill Commons
2
West Bluff Trailhead #1
9
Sunset Park
3
Government Hill Federal Housing Historic District
4
Suzan Nightingale McKay Park
5
West Bluff Trailhead #2
6
Wireless Station
7
Harvard Park What’s that nestled between those trees? @spenardskies
urban &
Government Hill | 6
Government Hill
FAMILY PARKS || LOCAL HISTORY || CITY LORE
ATTRACTIONS Neighborhood History
Named after Anchorage residents Jack and Nellie Brown — two of the first settlers to arrive in the Ship Creek area in 1915 — Brown’s Point Park is a secluded place to soak up views of Downtown, Mount Susitna, and the Port of Anchorage. A pathway marked with a parallel set of human and canine footprints honors the memory of Stuart C. Hall, the
In Common
unofficial mayor of Government Hill, and his dog Pal.
A fruit tree orchard, a mural by Alaskan artist Linda Infante Lyons, and a deep well of community support make the
A Walk Back in Time
The recently reconstructed West Bluff Trail
Government Hill Commons
follows a .75-mile route connecting Brown’s
a hub for harvesting and
Point Park with Suzan Nightingale McKay Park,
seasonal events, from
following in the path of a century-old route
live readings to concerts.
traveled during Anchorage’s tent city days.
Check Facebook.com/ GovernmentHillCommons for upcoming opportunities.
7 | Government Hill
Anchorage.net
GOVERNMENT HILL ITINERARY MORNING OR AFTERNOON
Mammoth Views
A woolly mammoth-themed playground is a prominent feature of Suzan Nightingale McKay Park, and can be enjoyed by children of all ages, stages, and ability levels. With sweeping views of Knik Arm and Mount Susitna, the park is a prime location for evening photography. Named for the late (and much-loved) local journalist Suzan Nightingale McKay, the park also includes a dedication that honors the neighborhood legacy of longtime Government Hill residents Howard and Mavis Hancock.
Find some caffeine and a bite to eat at a local coffee shop, then head out to a park with a view. Stroll the West Bluff Trail, or bring the kids to the inclusive playground at Suzan Nightingale McKay Park. Watch for Denali when the weather’s clear; a wayfinding marker helps identify the peaks on the northern horizon. AFTERNOON OR EVENING Tour Government Hill’s historic housing district and distinct landmarks to get a deeper sense of the city’s past. For lunch or dinner, savor fresh pho, tantalizing tacos, or delicious Chinese cuisine at a neighborhood restaurant. Check out the Government Hill Commons, then catch the sunset from one of the west-facing parks. Explore the neighborhood by foot.
{
{ DID YOU KNOW?
The Hollywood Shopping Center, Anchorage’s first strip mall, was located at the intersections of East Loop Road, East Bluff Drive, and Arctic Warrior Drive.
urban &
Government Hill | 8
FAIRVIEW H
istoric Fairview is one of Anchorage’s four original neighborhoods, and to this day the area remains a welcoming community that reflects the diversity of the city around it. Architectural landmarks around the area help tell its story. In the city’s early days, it was one of the few neighborhoods that allowed Black homeownership, and it’s home to the first Black church in Alaska: Greater Friendship Baptist Church, established in 1951. Today the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the congregation continues to play an active role in community life. The neighborhood is also home to Lucky Wishbone — one of the city’s oldest continually operating restaurants, nestled
See Full Size
near the place where Fairview meetsbit.ly/2V0x3up Downtown. Recreational opportunities dot the area. The Fairview Community Recreation Center features a gym, arts and crafts space, a weight room and dance room, a commercial kitchen, and sauna facilities (visit Muni.org for current schedules). Fairview Lions Park is home to a lush and beloved community garden, and Eastchester Park offers a convenient connection to Anchorage’s vast trail system. Head to the north end of the neighborhood to find a Ship Creek Trail connection along North Post Road. At the Chester Creek Sports Complex, ice rinks and baseball fields draw crowds throughout the year. Leaflet
Fairview Neig Points Of Interest
1 Fairview Lions Par
2 Fairview Communi Center
9 | Fairview
Anchorage.net
Scan for an interactive map.
bit.ly/2V0x3up
1
2 3
4
5
6
7
9 8
10
ghborhood
rk
3 Fairview Mural
6 Fishing Reel Bridge
ity Recreation
4 Greater Friendship Baptist Church
7 Mulcahy Stadium & Chester Creek Sports Complex
5 Anchorage Farmers Market You are here.
8 Chester Creek Trail Mural by William Kozloff 9 Chester Creek Mural by Rejoy
MUST-SEES IN FAIRVIEWArmamento Tied to Anchorage’s trail system via the Ship Creek and Chester Creek trails, Fairview is also connected to Anchorage history and modern culture through a mosaic of local landmarks, streetside murals, and neighborhood gathering spaces.
1
Fairview Lions Park
5
A nchorage Farmers Market
2
airview Community F Recreation Center
6
Fishing Reel Bridge
7
M ulcahy Stadium & Chester Creek Sports Complex
8
C hester Creek Trail Mural by William Kozloff
3
Fairview Mural
4
reater Friendship G Baptist Church
urban &
9
hester Creek C Trail Mural by Rejoy Armamento
10 Eastchester Park
Fairview | 10
10 Eastchest
Fairview
STREET ART || BALL FIELDS || BIKE TRAILS
ATTRACTIONS Play Ball!
Treat yourself to a cold beer, a Polish hot dog, and a John Mellencamp classic tune while watching a game under the midnight sun. Mulcahy Stadium, home to the Anchorage Bucs and Anchorage Glacier Pilots college baseball summer teams, was named after Bill Mulcahy — the Alaska Railroad auditor who first brought Little
Anchorage Farmers Market
League Baseball to Anchorage in the 1950s.
Find fresh flowers and local produce on Saturdays May October in the parking lot of Central Lutheran Church, 1420 Cordova St. Visit AnchorageFarmersMarket.org for a current schedule.
{
{ DID YOU KNOW?
The neighborhood now known as Fairview was once called Eastchester, named for its location on the eastern shores of Chester Creek.
Mark of the Neighborhood Painted across a retaining wall at the
corner of Hyder Street and 10th Avenue, this unique mural includes work by Anchorage artists including William Kozloff, Justin Parsons (aka C.ON.A.H.), and Andrew Garcia (aka Vow-One). The art is a vibrant conglomeration of local styles and tells you exactly where you are: Fairview.
11 | Fairview
Anchorage.net
@killersmileninja
FAIRVIEW ITINERARY
Chester Creek Trail
Lace up a pair of skates, hop on a bike, or just leash up the dog and hit the trail: The 4-mile Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail can take you on a quick spin to Westchester Lagoon, or take you all the way east to University Lake, Airport Heights, and Russian Jack. The trail is paved, mostly flat the whole way, and
MORNING OR AFTERNOON Fuel up at a drivethrough coffee shop, then head down to Eastchester Park to connect with the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail. Stroll west to discover new mural work by Alaskan artists and eventually reach scenic Westchester Lagoon. Satisfy your sweet tooth with fresh malasadas from a local shop.
named in honor of Nan Elaine “Lanie” Fleischer, the woman who helped lead the effort to create it.
AFTERNOON OR EVENING Browse the selection at the neighborhood farmers market, then savor a slice of Anchorage history with fried chicken or a burger at Lucky Wishbone. Seize a photo op in front of the neighborhood’s iconic Fairview mural, then head down to Mulcahy Stadium for an evening ball game.
Murals by the Creek
Explore the neighborhood by foot, bike, or vehicle.
Salmon-themed murals by Alaskan artists Rejoy Armamento and William Kozloff line the Chester Creek Trail as it passes underneath A Street and C Street, just west of Mulcahy Stadium and the Chester Creek Sports Complex.
urban &
Fairview | 12
MOUNTAIN VIEW
Russian Jack & Airport Heights
W
elcoming, lively Mountain View and the surrounding areas sparkle with community gems and vibrant neighborhood character. Summer days mean basketball courts busy with pickup games, the scent of barbecue drifting up from park pavilions and backyard grills, bike lanes whirring with cyclists and skaters, and community gardens lush with carefully tended greens. Walkable sidewalks and accessible trail connections make for fast and easy bike rides between bordering Downtown, Russian Jack, and Airport Heights. Neighborhood green spaces feature accessible play structures and Little League fields, a disc golf course, rugby pitches, sledding hills, and picnic facilities. In Russian Jack, the Mann Leiser Memorial Greenhouse provides a publicly accessible tropical oasis. The adjacent Airport Heights neighborhood is home to Tikishla Park and the Scotty Gomez Hockey Rink, the childhood ice rink of homegrown NHL star Scotty Gomez. Work up an appetite? Neighborhood restaurants reflect the cultural diversity of the community around them — along Mountain View Drive, diners can find cuisines ranging from Hawaiian and German to Vietnamese, Polynesian, Mexican, and more. Savor this slice of the city to experience the full flavor of Anchorage.
13 | Mountain View Area
Anchorage.net
Scan for an interactive map.
bit.ly/3ihCu13
2 7 1
3
4 5
6
8
9
10
ew-Area Neighborhoods
ead
3 Grow North Farm
5 Los Picaflores
nandez Sport Fish
4 Alaska Museum of Science and
6 Welcome to Mountain View Mural
Nature
7 Davis Park
8 Polar Bear Playground and Skate
10 Tikishla Park
Park 9 Mann Leiser Memorial Greenhouse
You are here.
CITY CONNECTIONS The Peterkin Bike Boulevard ties the eastern end of the Ship Creek Trail to the Glenn Highway Bike Path; cross Mountain View Drive and head south at the McCarrey Street overpass to connect to the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail via Russian Jack Park.
1
Ship Creek Trailhead
5
L os Picaflores Mural
9
2
illiam Jack W Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery
6
W elcome to Mountain View Mural
10 Tikishla Park
3
Grow North Farm
7
Davis Park
4
laska Museum of A Science and Nature
8
olar Bear Playground P & Skate Park
urban &
ann Leiser Memorial M Greenhouse
Mountain View Area | 14
Mountain View Area
ATTRACTIONS Fish Facts
SCIENCE & NATURE || COMMUNITY GARDENS || ART
Mountain View Murals
A collection of vivid murals traces a walkable route through the heart of Mountain View.
The William Jack Hernandez
Find works by a diverse collection of Alaskan
Sport Fish Hatchery is a
artists, and pieces reflecting the vibrant,
recirculating aquaculture
welcoming soul of the neighborhood.
system on the north shore of Ship Creek. Free and open to the public, the facility gives guests an up-close view of more than 100 rearing tanks capable of producing some 6 million sport fish annually. A footpath outside the hatchery leads visitors to the creek, where adult salmon can often be seen from early July through September.
Welcome to Mountain View: Overlooking a pocket park at the east end of the Peterkin Bike Boulevard, this mural extends a bright introduction to the neighborhood. Created by artist Andrew Garcia (aka Vow-One), it includes a wayfinding map depicting the park’s location along Anchorage’s 32-mile Moose Loop bike route. Los Picaflores: A pair of hummingbirds flutter along the side of the Hispanic Cultural Center in this vivid mural by artist Linda Infante Lyons.
Convenient Connections An accessible neighborhood artery
connecting Mountain View to Downtown, the Ship Creek Trail is a paved 2.5-mile path running parallel to Ship Creek. While fishing is prohibited along this stretch of creek, multiple bridges and creekside overlooks provide prime spots for salmon viewing (watch for bald eagles, moose, and occasional black bears, too).
15 | Mountain View Area
Anchorage.net
Hands-On History
The Alaska Museum of Science and Nature occupies a colorful space in a former boat showroom on North Bragaw
MOUNTAIN VIEW AREA ITINERARY
Street. The interior is now filled with an eye-popping variety of anthropological, biological, geological, historical, artistic, and educational objects and artifacts; the outside is painted with full-scale mural work by Alaskan artist James Havens.
MORNING Start with breakfast from a local cafe or bakery — Fire Island Bakery in Airport Heights is a neighborhood favorite — then set out for a selfguided tour of the public art along the Mountain View Mural Walk. Spend some time exploring the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature. AFTERNOON Sit down for lunch at one of the area’s diverse local restaurants, then take a spin on the Ship Creek Trail. Divert to the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery to learn more about the life cycles of Alaska’s staple fish species.
Cultivating Community
Grow North Farm is a flourishing patch of urban farmland rooted in a central stretch of Mountain View Drive. A partnership between the Anchorage Community Land Trust and Catholic Social Services’ Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services, the space offers a base for neighborhood farmers and food-based businesses. Pick up some fresh greens for a cool summer salad, try a rhubarb tamale, stock up on spices, or savor new flavors with a cookbook compiled by local chefs. Visit AnchorageLandTrust.org/ Grow-North-Farm for current opening dates
EVENING Check out the vendors at Grow North Farm — you might find hot food options perfect for dinner. Otherwise, neighborhood restaurants offer plenty of mouthwatering choices. Cap off the evening with a craft beverage at the local brewery. Explore the neighborhood by foot or bike.
and hours.
urban &
Mountain View Area | 16
NORTHEAST Muldoon, Scenic Foothills, Nunaka Valley & JBER
S
tretched along the dramatic backdrop of the Chugach Mountains, Northeast Anchorage includes the neighborhoods of Muldoon, Scenic Foothills, and Nunaka Valley, to name a few. Muldoon Road runs through it all, stretching approximately 3.5 miles between Far North Bicentennial Park and the Glenn Highway. The surrounding area is home to some of Anchorage’s best outdoor markets, tucked-away trailheads, family-favorite restaurants, plus Anchorage’s only urban campground, and one of Alaska’s premier cultural institutions — the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Muldoon is named after early Anchorage settler and homesteader Arnold L. Muldoon; his cabin was originally located in an area near the intersection of Muldoon and Debarr Road. That land later became the site of the famous Alaska Greenhouses, a beloved commercial nursery operated by the late Mann Leiser. Today, the same site is home to Chanshtnu
17 | Northeast Area
Muldoon Park, whose arched play structures pay tribute to the greenhouses that once stood in their place. The surrounding neighborhoods form a mosaic of well-loved parklands and bustling commercial corridors. Enjoy restaurants ranging from sushi to Thai cuisine to popular local diners, waffle and pancake houses. Unwind at a historic tavern located in an old Alaska cabin complete with a sod roof. Dine in, then get out to enjoy other area green spaces. Nearby Cheney Lake ripples across a residential area about a mile west of Muldoon Road. Surrounded by a peaceful foot path and stocked with rainbow trout, the lake is also an ideal winter destination — when it’s frozen, city park crews groom it for ice skating. To the south, bordered by Tudor Road and Far North Bicentennial Park, the Alaska Botanical Garden covers 110 acres with landscaped trails and Alaska flora.
Anchorage.net
Scan for an interactive map.
bit.ly/2W4GRUr
10 9 8
7
6
5
4 3 2 1
rtheast Anchorage Neighborhoods
Alaska Botanical Garden
4 Baxter Bog Park
7 Chanshtnu Muldoon Park
Klutina Drive Trailhead
5 Arnold L. Muldoon Park
8 Pena Park Market
Chugach Foothills Park
6 Cheney Lake
9 Glenn Highway Bike Path
You are here.
10 Alaska Native Heritage Center
GARDENS, MARKETS & MORE
Find farmers markets and flower gardens in the summer, skating rinks in winter, and lots of Anchorage culture all year long.
1
laska A Botanical Garden
5
A rnold L. Muldoon Park
9
lenn Highway G Bike Path
2
Klutina Drive Trailhead
6
C heney Lake
10
laska Native A Heritage Center
3
hugach C Foothills Park
7
C hanshtnu Muldoon Park
4
Baxter Bog Park
8
Pena Park Market
urban &
Northeast Area | 18
Northeast Area
SKATING RINKS || FARMERS MARKETS || ALASKA CULTURE
Locally Grown Greens
Known as “the market by the mountains,” the Muldoon Farmers Market features everything from locally harvested veggies to fresh seafood, baked goods, live music, and Alaska arts and crafts. Open
@valsfoodpage
ATTRACTIONS Pena Park Market
A Muldoon summer staple, the Pena Park Market sizzles with fresh hot food and Alaska-grown Asian vegetables. Open summer weekends at the Pena Sports Fields, 8400 Starview Dr. Visit Facebook.com/ PenaParkMarket for current hours and offerings.
on Saturdays in the summer at 1301 Muldoon Rd.; visit MuldoonFarmersMarket.org for a current schedule.
A Hidden Trailhead
From the quiet dead end of Klutina Drive, access an easement trail heading south. The trail crosses the North Fork of Campbell Creek and Stuckagain Creek en route to the Basher Drive Trailhead, an access point for the vast network of trails in Far North Bicentennial Park. 19 | Northeast Area
Anchorage.net
NORTHEAST AREA ITINERARY
MORNING
All in One Park
Fruit trees, edible shrubs, and berry bushes blossom in Chanshtnu Muldoon Park’s lush
Breakfast options abound, and you might have a hard time choosing which cafe, pancake house, or diner to try first. Spend the morning immersed in Alaska culture at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
food forest and community garden. In the winter, skaters lace up to spend time on the
AFTERNOON
ice at the park’s popular skating ribbon. The play structure draws a crowd all year long. Located at 1301 Muldoon Rd.
{
{DID YOU KNOW?
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) was originally two installations – Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base – individually established in 1940. They merged in 2010. Learn more about Anchorage’s military history at the Alaska Veterans Museum. Find details at Anchorage.net.
Pick up lunch from a neighborhood restaurant or a hot food vendor at Pena Park Market (when open), then head for the Alaska Botanical Garden for a moment of zen among the flowers. Keep the horticultural theme going with a visit to Chanshtnu Muldoon Park. EVENING Fill up on Mongolian BBQ or Mexican food for dinner, then settle in at a local watering hole, enjoy an IMAX cinema experience at Tikahtnu Commons, or catch a discount show at Regal Totem movie theater, where tickets can be found for under $5. Explore the neighborhood with a vehicle.
urban &
Northeast Area | 20
SPENARD & Turnagain Area
R
ich with Anchorage history and local flavor, Spenard and the adjacent Turnagain neighborhood are studded with popular parks and community gathering places. Explore walkable commercial corridors. Find some of the city’s favorite eateries, bike paths, and green spaces. Winding Spenard Road (and the neighborhood around it) got its name from Joe Spenard, the infamous bootlegger and businessman who developed a resort on the shores of Lake Spenard – formerly Jeter Lake – in 1916. More than 100 years later, the area is still a lively microcosm of Alaska life.
At the south end of Spenard Road, Lake Hood and Lake Spenard are prime plane-spotting locations. The adjoining Turnagain neighborhood features a handful of cozy parks and Coastal Trail access points: Make time to watch the sunset from Point Woronzof or Lyn Ary Park, or stroll through a chapter of Anchorage’s natural history at Earthquake Park. Stay for an afternoon or the whole weekend; this neighborhood has routes to suit all speeds and modes of exploration.
Stroll the renovated pedestrian corridor at the north end of Spenard Road to find the Bear Tooth Theatrepub (the only dinner movie theater in the city), plus an eclectic collection of small shops, bookstores, and family restaurants. Motor-powered bikes are available to rent near the north end of Spenard Road – cross the road to Hillcrest Drive for picturesque views of Downtown Anchorage, plus a downhill connection to both the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.
21 | Spenard Area
Anchorage.net
Scan for an interactive map.
bit.ly/3BTXH8N bit.ly/3BTXH8N
14
13 6
12 11
10 9
7
5
8
4
2 3
1
You are here.
PUBLIC ART AND SEAPLANES Winding, whimsical Spenard Road is lined with colorful stops and bright community spaces: Weave your way through the neighborhood and explore local gems via bike trails and sidewalks.
1
Alaska Aviation Museum
2
ake Spenard & L Spenard Beach Park
3
Northwood Park
4
Fish Creek Park
5
Balto Seppala Park
urban &
6
L yn Ary Park
7
M innesota Park
8
T he Nave
9
J ohn the Flower Guy Mural
yes of 10 E
11 Spenard
Farmers Market
12 Life Enlightened Mural 13 Hillcrest
Drive Overlook
14 Tony Knowles
Coastal Trail Access
Spenard Mural
Spenard Area | 22
Spenard Area
FOOD TRUCKS || COLORFUL DETAILS || LIVE MUSIC
ATTRACTIONS Lake Hood
The largest floatplane base in the world keeps Spenard buzzing with the sound of small planes overhead. Walk the path around the lake to see aircraft come and go, skimming across the surface of Lake Hood and the adjacent Lake Spenard.
@thenavespenard
Tasty Bites
Sample Guatemalan cuisine, Southeast Asian street food, Russian or Turkish fare, BBQ, and Cajun favorites. The Spenard Food Truck Carnival cooks up a rotating selection of diverse Alaska flavors, served every spring and summer under the windmill at 2555 Spenard Rd. Visit Facebook.com/ SpenardFoodTruckCarnival for current hours and opening dates.
The Nave
Once a church, now a community and cultural hub, The Nave houses everything from art studios to craft classes to neighborhood events. Located at 3502 Spenard Rd., check out ChurchOfLoveSpenard.com for more information and upcoming events.
At the Spenard Farmers Market look for everything from fresh Prince William Sound shrimp or succulent oysters to Alaska-grown produce, artisanal goods, and occasional live music. Located at 2555 Spenard Rd.; go to Facebook.com/ SpenardFarmersMarket for dates and times.
23 | Spenard Area
Anchorage.net
SPENARD AREA ITINERARY
MORNING
Artistic Details
Surround yourself with eye-catching public art along Spenard Road: Pieces pay tribute to beloved locals, history, and colorful neighborhood character. John the Flower Guy: Jean Jilwan, affectionately known as “John the Flower Guy,” was an icon of Anchorage’s bar scene, roaming the city and selling $5 stems from a bucket brimming with roses. When he passed away in September 2020, Anchorage artists Garrett Perkins, Reed Leslie, Justin Parsons, Rejoy Armamento, and Shara Kay Diamond collaborated to honor his memory with a detailed, gorgeous mural on the side of local eatery Pancho’s Villa. The Eyes of Spenard: A wheat paste mural by James Temte, based on a photograph by Michael Conti, this 50-foot visage keeps an eye on Spenard Road.
Watch the sunrise over the city skyline from the Hillcrest Drive overlook. After a plate full of pancakes at a local diner, set out to explore the murals along Spenard Road, then head for Fish Creek Park or Northwood Park to watch the birds, surrounded by the neighborhood’s serene natural setting. AFTERNOON Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or the seasonal Spenard Food Truck Carnival, then rent an electric bike and cruise the section of the Coastal Trail stretching from Westchester Lagoon to Point Woronzof. Loop back into the neighborhood via Lake Hood; pause to watch the floatplanes buzzing across the water.
Life Enlightened: Icons of the animal kingdom and solar system come together
EVENING
in a massive abstract mural by artist Taylor Gallegos. Find it at the corner of Spenard Road and W. 26th Ave.
{
{ DID YOU KNOW?
The Dena’ina name for Fish Creek is “Ch’atanaltsegh,” which means “yellow water comes out.” Learn more about local culture via a series of artistic interpretive signs coming to the Fish
Try Italian or Himalayan cuisine for dinner, then catch a live show. In Spenard, it could be anything from a local band to a big-name musical group to a stand-up comedy set at Koot’s, “the most historic bar in Alaska.” Explore the neighborhood by foot, bike, or vehicle.
Creek Trail in 2022. urban &
Spenard Area | 24
MIDTOWN North Star, Taku/Campbell, Tudor & UMed
S
pread across the center of the city, Midtown occupies a contrasting cross-section of Anchorage life. Shopping plazas, hotels, office buildings, and eateries line the main roads; tuckedaway parks and trail connections tie the neighborhood to other parts of town to the east and west. Spend time exploring the local brew scene. Midtown Anchorage and its adjacent neighborhoods boast a buzzing concentration of breweries, a meadery, and a distillery, so craft connoisseurs can enjoy a self-guided tour of some of the city’s favorite taps and tasting rooms.
25 | Midtown Area
Some are located conveniently close to neighborhood trailheads, inviting patrons to cap off a bike or stroll with some refreshing suds. In the summer months, a neighborhood farmers market brings locally grown greens to the heart of Midtown. A nearby rock gym is the perfect place to gain some year-round elevation. In winter, the groomed skating oval at Cuddy Family Midtown Park is a unique spot to spend some time on the ice. In every season, Midtown is a bustling destination for shopping and leisure.
Anchorage.net
Scan for an interactive map.
bit.ly/2WBPgyT
1 2
3 4 5 6
7
8 9
10
ghborhoods
4 Cuddy Family Midtown Park & Playground
6 Campbell Creek Trail 7 Campbell Creek Park
5 Helen Louise McDowell Sanctuary You are here.
8 Bancroft Bridge Wildlife Viewing
10 Taku Lake
Deck 9 Ware Park
THE MIDDLE OF TOWN Connected via bike trails and several major roadways, Midtown and the surrounding neighborhoods might be some of the most easily accessible areas of Anchorage.
1
Midtown Mall
6
Campbell Creek Trail Access
2
Midtown Farmers Market
7
Campbell Creek Park
3
Loussac Library
8
B ancroft Bridge Wildlife Viewing Deck
4
uddy Family Midtown C Park & Playground
9
Ware Park
5
Helen Louise McDowell Sanctuary
10 Taku Lake
urban &
Midtown Area | 26
Midtown Area
ATTRACTIONS PARKS || SHOPPING || BREWERIES
Wild Views
Visit Bancroft Park for the ball fields,
ng
int ot he week end.
picnic facilities, or nearby Waldron
a. @andreainalask
i at Flo
Lake viewing area, then follow the Campbell Creek Trail south to find the Bancroft Bridge Wildlife Viewing Deck, a small, secluded boardwalk overlooking the creek.
Great Green Spaces Weaving a winding course
across Anchorage, the Campbell Creek Greenbelt is dotted with neighborhood parks, trail access points, scenic creek overlooks, and other community gems. Launch a kayak or packraft to float Campbell Creek if you’re feeling adventurous. Just remember to wear a life jacket and be prepared to maneuver around shallow areas and fallen logs.
Local Leaves
Find Alaska-grown produce and other fresh foods at the Midtown Farmers Market, held weekly throughout the summer in the parking lot at 900 E. Benson Blvd.
Campbell Creek Trail
This popular paved crosstown route connects the east and west sides of the city, running parallel to its namesake Campbell Creek, cushioned by the Campbell Creek Greenbelt as it passes residential streets, commercial corridors, and major roadways. Ski it in the winter, bike it in the summer, and make plans to stop and refuel at a trailside eatery along the way (try the deck at the Peanut Farm for lunch or dinner with a creek view).
27 | Midtown Area
Anchorage.net
MIDTOWN AREA ITINERARY
MORNING OR AFTERNOON
A Family Affair
Tucked into the heart of Midtown adjacent the Loussac Library, Cuddy Family
Start the day with a bite to eat at a local cafe or neighborhood diner, then hit the Campbell Creek Trail. Go for distance and follow the trail all the way to its eastern or western terminus, or simply wander until you find the closest wildlife viewing platform. Exploring with kids? Don’t miss the playground at Cuddy Family Midtown Park. Craving adventure? Bring a packraft or kayak and paddle Campbell Creek itself. AFTERNOON OR EVENING
Midtown Park comes with play structures and a duck pond, a walking path and an amphitheater, grassy open spaces and a speed-skating oval that doubles as a rollerblading or skating course in the winter. Pick up lunch to go from one of the nearby neighborhood restaurants, enjoy a picnic in the park, then stretch out with a stroll.
Taku Lake Park
Grab a bite to eat at an area restaurant (everything from buffet options to drive-thrus to upscale eateries abound). Visit the Midtown Farmers Market in season, then set a course for a local brewery to sample Anchorage’s awardwinning beer scene. Explore the neighborhood by foot, bike, or vehicle.
Tennis courts, a skate park, a picnic area, fitness equipment, a rain garden, and a floating dock make this park a perfect destination for some weekend recreation. Access via the Campbell Creek Trail, or via the parking lot at 100 E. 76th Ave.
urban &
Midtown Area | 28
HILLSIDE
Huffman/O’Malley, Abbott Loop, Glen Alps, Rabbit Creek & Bear Valley
T
here are great green spaces in every Anchorage neighborhood, but the parks in this part of town have a little something extra. Acreage, for one. Between Far North Bicentennial Park, the Bureau of Land Management’s Campbell Tract, and several popular Chugach State Park trailheads, Hillside and surrounding South Anchorage neighborhoods open the doors to thousands of acres of wooded wild spaces and trail-laced public lands. From Abbott Loop to Bear Valley and beyond, this slice of Anchorage is filled with natural splendor and outdoor serenity. Hunt for cranberries growing thick in hidden groves. Hop on a mountain bike and speed along tree-lined singletrack. Grab cross-country skis and glide along groomed trails at Hillside Park. Pack or rent a snowboard or downhill skis to
29 | Hillside Area
explore the slopes at Hilltop Ski Area. Climb Blueberry Hill or Flattop Mountain for a sweeping look at the city. Besides impressive parkland and miles of trails, Hillside and its adjacent areas are home to a selection of sporting facilities and other outdoor institutions. The stables and arenas at Ruth Arcand Park host everything from rodeos to equine-assisted therapy. Explore a behind-the-scenes tour at the nearby Alaska Zoo, or visit the neighborhood golf course for a round under the midnight sun. Between these greens and Glen Alps, the Hillside area has some of the best city views around. You’ll need a car to make the most of this side of town — with a little planning, you’ll find experiences as big as Chugach State Park itself.
Anchorage.net
Scan for an interactive map.
bit.ly/3zV26Xv
1 2
3 5 Seward Hwy
6
4 9
7 8
10
11
12 13
14
Southside Neighborhood
k Science Center
4 Ruth Arcand Park
7 Anchorage Golf Course
10 Forsythe Park
Trailhead
5 Hilltop Park & Ski Area
8 South Anchorage Farmers Market
11 Glen Alps Trailhead
tennial Park Trails rk
6 Prospect Heights Trailhead You are here.
VARIED VIEWS
9 Alaska Zoo
12 Upper Rabbit Creek & R Trail
13 Potter Marsh Bird Sanctu
From sea-level marshland to Chugach State Park summits, Hillside-area neighborhoods open the door to a wide swath of Anchorage topography. Explore boardwalks, bike tracks, walking paths, and ski trails to find picture-perfect views at all elevations.
1
Campbell Creek Science Center
6
P rospect Heights Trailhead
2
mokejumper S Trailhead
7
A nchorage Golf Course
3
ar North Bicentennial F Park Trails/Abbott Loop Park
8
S outh Anchorage Farmers Market
9
Alaska Zoo
4
Ruth Arcand Park
5
illtop Ski Area & H Terrain Park
urban &
11 Glen Alps Trailhead 12 Upper Rabbit Creek & Rabbit Lake Trail
13 Potter Marsh
Bird Sanctuary
14 Potter Section House
10 Forsythe Park
Hillside Area | 30
Hillside Area
ATTRACTIONS BIRD-WATCHING || HIKING || GREENBELTS
Immersive Natural Science
Operated by the Bureau of Land Management, the Campbell Creek Science Center offers a variety of hands-on educational programming for kids. The adjacent Smokejumper Trailhead provides a portal to a network of trails lacing across the Campbell Tract and Far North Bicentennial Park. Access via BLM Road.
Potter Marsh You might encounter a school field trip, a wedding ceremony on the boardwalk, or a moose browsing in the bog below: Potter Marsh is a popular and scenic South Anchorage fixture. Make sure to stop and read the signage along the way — it offers an in-depth introduction to the area’s natural history and human heritage.
Far North Fun
Covering more than 4,000 acres at the foot of the Chugach Mountains, Far North Bicentennial Park has it all — groomed ski trails, tree-lined paths for walking or mountain biking, Hilltop Ski Area, and the Karl Eid Ski Jumping Complex. Find trail maps at Muni.org/Departments/Parks.
{
{ DID YOU KNOW?
The Dena’ina Athabascan name for the Potter Marsh area is “Hkaditali,” meaning “drift lumber.” 31 | Hillside Area
Anchorage.net
HILLSIDE AREA ITINERARY
MORNING
Zoo Should See This
Home to Anchorage’s resident tigers, polar bear, snow leopards, and other animals, the Alaska Zoo offers up-close educational wildlife encounters, spring break and summer camps for kids, behind-the-scenes experiences, and more.
Start the day with coffee and pastries from a local bakery (the Flying Dutchman is a neighborhood favorite), then hit the trails: It’s easy to spend all morning exploring expansive Far North Bicentennial Park by foot, bike, or skis. For a different kind of outdoor experience, head to Potter Marsh for a morning of birding and wildlife watching. AFTERNOON Do lunch at a favorite hangout, then spend the afternoon mingling with resident animals at the Alaska Zoo. The neighboring Anchorage Golf Course is a scenic place to tee off under the seemingly endless midnight sun. EVENING
Time for Tee
Sprawling between the Alaska Zoo and the Abbott O’Rabbit Little League Fields off O’Malley Road, the Anchorage Golf Course is especially appealing at the height of
Pick up dinner to go, then drive up to Glen Alps to catch the sunset over the city. Climb as far as you want, but know you don’t have to go far: Panoramic, picture-perfect views are available even from the accessible parking lot overlook point.
summer, when the midnight sun presides over late-night tee times surrounded by panoramic Chugach Mountain views. A bar
Explore the neighborhood by vehicle.
and restaurant provide options for those who want to sit and enjoy the scenery.
urban &
Hillside Area | 32
SAND LAKE Dimond, Bayshore & Oceanview
T
his side of the city balances bountiful shopping and dining with an abundance of locally loved lakes, waterways, and a coastal refuge. Explore places for swimming and paddling in the summer. Visit an area farmers market or craft fair. Enjoy fishing in the summer and ice fishing in the winter; savor fresh Alaska ingredients and nostalgia-inducing fare at neighborhood restaurants all year long. A local fast-food favorite, the Jewel Lake Tastee Freez has served Alaska families since 1958. Dimond Boulevard, Sand Lake, and the surrounding neighborhoods are connected to Midtown and East
33 | Sand Lake Area
Anchorage via the Campbell Creek Trail, which parallels the creek as it winds past residential streets and commercial areas. In Bayshore and Oceanview, a collection of quiet neighborhood parks lead to access points for the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge: Enjoy bird-watching in spring, fat tire biking in winter, and peaceful moments of sweeping beauty in every season. Near the north edge of the Sand Lake neighborhood is Connor’s Bog, a popular off-leash dog park. Like Hillside and other South Anchorage areas, Sand Lake and the sprawling neighborhoods around it are best explored via vehicle.
Anchorage.net
Scan for an interactive map.
bit.ly/3zK0Nu4
7
6
9
5 8
1
3 2
4 11 10
12
13 14
mond Area Neighborhood
cess
4 Kent Roth Memorial Fishing Dock
7 Connor's Bog
10 Campbell Creek Estuary Park
13 Turnagain Refuge Park
5 Sand Lake Public Access
8 Kincaid Sand Dunes
11 Campbell Lake
14 Johns Park
6 DeLong Park & Lake
9 Kincaid Park & Chalet
12 Carr-Gottstein Park
FROM SAND DUNES TO DOG PARKS Explore with a fat tire bike, a four-legged friend, a fishing pole, or a stand-up paddleboard: Sand Lake and the surrounding neighborhoods have parks, lakes, and other places to spend time with all of them.
You are here.
1
Anchorage Market
6
D eLong Park & Lake
12 Carr-Gottstein Park
2
ampbell Creek Trail C Access
7
C onnor’s Bog
13 Turnagain Refuge Park
3
Jewel Lake Park
8
K incaid Sand Dunes
14 Johns Park
9
Kincaid Park & Chalet
4
ent Roth Memorial K Fishing Dock
10
C ampbell Creek Estuary Park
5
and Lake S Public Access
urban &
11 Campbell Lake
Sand Lake Area | 34
Sand Lake Area
ATTRACTIONS WILDLIFE || FISHING || SAND DUNES
Sand Lake
Rippling across the middle of its namesake neighborhood, Sand Lake is good for paddling in the summer, skiing in the winter, and fishing year-round (the
lin @
et he r!
Alaska Department of Fish and Game has dy b8 g to 6. g Firs n i d t tim e paddle boar
stocked it with rainbow trout and other species). Access the lake via the canal at the far end of W. 80th Avenue, or via Sand Lake Park, 3886 Caravelle Dr.
Jewel of the Neighborhood
Sparkling Jewel Lake is a yearround attraction. Enjoy a sandy beachfront park, supervised swimming area, or fishing in the summer, and return in the winter @ohemmygreen
for the Jewel Lake Jamboree, an all-ages ice fishing event traditionally held in February. Access from Jewel Lake Park off W. 88th Ave., or from the Kent Roth Memorial Fishing Dock at 4401 W. Dimond Blvd.
Dune Not Miss This
Sand dunes in Anchorage? Kincaid Park
is the place to go. Created by strong Turnagain Arm winds carrying sand from the surrounding bluffs, the Kincaid dunes sit adjacent to the Jodhpur Motocross Track, easily accessible from the Jodhpur Street parking lot at the far west end of Dimond Boulevard. This is just one access point to the sprawling coastal park: Find accessible paved trails and abundant wildlife-watching opportunities via a parking lot at the west end of Raspberry Road. 35 | Sand Lake Area
Anchorage.net
SAND LAKE AREA ITINERARY
@kristenknorr
MORNING OR AFTERNOON
Carr-Gottstein Park
This unexpected delight offers access to the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge. Watch for migratory birds, and paragliders honing their skills. Surround yourself with the serene sound of waves and wind in the grass. From the entrance to the park, cross the broad grassy lawn to find a narrow, secluded trail down to the shore; plan an evening trip to catch a perfect sunset view. Access via 3130 Discovery Bay Dr.
Amazing Outdoor Markets Pick up local arts and crafts as gifts for
loved ones, or fill a bag with Alaska-grown produce and food products to add color and flavor to your own kitchen table: There are two incredible outdoor markets from
Find a selection of cafes and diners for breakfast, then head to Jewel Lake or Sand Lake to spend a few hours fishing, boating, swimming, or strolling the shoreline. Between lake-caught rainbow trout and fresh produce from one of the two local markets, you’ll have all the fixings for a delicious homemade Alaska meal. AFTERNOON OR EVENING Enjoy dinner, drinks, and desserts at a Dimond-area restaurant, then head west to watch the sunset from a Cook Inlet-facing overlook. Try the Kincaid Park sand dunes, or the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge access point at Carr-Gottstein Park. Explore the neighborhood by bike or vehicle.
which to choose. The Anchorage Market, formerly a downtown fixture, now opens on 88th Avenue next to the Dimond Center, Friday - Sunday, May - September. Visit AnchorageMarkets.com for current hours. The South Anchorage Farmers Market opens Saturdays and Wednesdays, May October, in two locations; visit SAFM.org for details.
urban &
Sand Lake Area | 36
GIRDWOOD I
as a warming hut and gathering place before being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
The ski resort community is steeped in Alaska history and its own distinct character, and it’s an all-seasons destination. In winter, skiers flock to Girdwood’s world-class slopes. Summer brings even more adventure. Browse for blueberries. Hike alpine paths. Bike Gird to Bird (or vice versa). Ride the aerial tram for a visit to the historic Roundhouse at Alyeska Museum. The octagonal structure, built in 1960, served
Browse made-in-Alaska gifts and goods at Girdwood’s small shops, or pan for precious metal at the Crow Creek Historic Gold Mine. Newer local landmarks include colorful mural art and a hidden climbing wall under a bridge over Glacier Creek. A few miles down the Seward Highway, the mouth of the Twentymile River is a popular site for residents to try hooligan dipnetting in the summer. Come for a day or stay for a long weekend; experience a side of the city you won’t find anywhere else.
t’s technically part of the Municipality of Anchorage, but Girdwood has a whole different vibe — which makes it perfect for a quick weekend getaway outside the hustle and bustle of the city.
37 | Girdwood
Anchorage.net
Scan for an interactive map.
bit.ly/3ihOaRr
To
12 Crow Pass Trailhead
7 4
8 6
10
11
5 2
3
9
13 1
Downtown Anchorage
WATCH FOR WILDLIFE A drive to Girdwood on the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm brings prime opportunities to spot wildlife ranging from Dall sheep to bald eagles to beluga whales. You are here.
1
Bird to Gird Trail
8
Alyeska Resort
2
Girdwood Disc Golf Course
9
Alyeska Bike Park
3
Girdwood Skate Park & Playground
10 Alyeska Aerial Tram
4
Crow Creek Historic Gold Mine
11 North Face Trail
5
Girdwood Climbing Wall
12 Crow Pass Trailhead
6
Moose Meadows
13 Virgin Creek Falls Trail
7
Winner Creek Trail
urban &
Girdwood | 38
Girdwood
SKIING || GOLD PANNING || MOUNTAIN TRAILS
ATTRACTIONS Crow Pass
One of the Anchorage area’s most popular thru-
Alyeska Trails While Alyeska is
Alaska’s biggest downhill ski resort, it’s also a great summer
hikes, the Crow Pass Trail is a 24-mile foray into Chugach State Park’s breathtaking backcountry. Spend a couple days hiking end-to-end, or plan a day trip hiking up to the Raven Glacier overlook, a 3.7-mile trek from the trailhead on Crow Creek Mine Road.
hiking destination. Trails of varying difficulty levels lead up the mountain or through the woods, and everything from @momofmamony
waterfalls to panoramic views await hikers at the end. Craving more adrenaline? The Alyeska Bike Park — Alaska’s only lift-accessed downhill bike park — features three separate runs for mountain bikers of all ability levels.
Elevated Views
Survey a bird’s-eye view of the Girdwood Valley via the Alyeska Aerial Tram. Rising more than 2,000 feet above the valley floor (and with restaurants at the top), it’s a picturesque way to elevate a date night or enjoy an all-seasons perspective of one of Anchorage’s favorite ski areas.
39 | Girdwood
Anchorage.net
GIRDWOOD ITINERARY
@cinndesigner
MORNING
Get Your Bearings
Dive into the local skate scene at the Girdwood Playground and Skate Park, where skaters of all ages enjoy a mixed set of ramps and rails. The surrounding Chugach Mountains might make this one of the more scenic skate parks in the country.
Start the day with sourdough pancakes or an egg scramble with spinach and mushrooms (all local favorites), then lace up your hiking boots or buckle on your bike helmet to explore Girdwood’s miles of scenic trails. Bring a bucket: Blueberries blanket the mountainsides in the late summer months. AFTERNOON Head to a local park for a picnic lunch, try your hand at the Glacier Creek climbing wall, and pose for a picture in front of Girdwood’s namesake mural. This is also a good time to do some shopping: You’ll find everything from gold and jade jewelry to original Alaska artwork. Ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram to catch the first hints of purple evening alpenglow on the surrounding mountain peaks. EVENING
Go Bird to Gird
Park at the Bird Point parking lot then take the bike path six miles south to Girdwood. The (mostly flat) trail parallels the Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm, shaded by the Chugach Mountains before reaching the mouth of the Girdwood Highway. Refuel with pizza, ice cream, or a cinnamon roll from one of the popular shops at the base of the Alyeska Highway before biking six miles back to Bird Point.
urban &
Sample refreshing local suds at the local Girdwood Brewing Company, enjoy dinner at a renowned neighborhood restaurant (the Double Musky’s famous French pepper steak is an Alaska favorite), then seek out some live music at Jack Sprat or another neighborhood gathering place. Explore the neighborhood by foot, bike or vehicle. Girdwood | 40
EAGLE RIVER Chugiak, Birchwood, Peters Creek & Eklutna
S
pend time in Eagle River, Chugiak, and surrounding neighborhoods, and it’s easy to feel like you’ve left the city entirely. Here, residential areas are interspersed by sweeping swaths of undeveloped land and wide-open park space. Explore waterfalls, Chugach State Park access points, lakes stocked with fish, plus summer biking and winter ski trails and sledding hills (try Eagle River Town Square Park). Sit down for breakfast at a historic World War II barracks building-turned-diner, then get up into the mountains at one of the area’s popular hiking areas. Catch a free baseball game at Chugiak’s Loretta French Park. The nearby Native Village of Eklutna dates back at least 800 years, making it the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the Anchorage area. At the Eklutna Historical Park, visitors can
catch a glimpse of the region’s rich Dena’ina heritage, while nearby Eklutna Lake is another gorgeous spot to admire the natural beauty and abundance of the area. Visit a local farmers market or nature center for another taste of everything this part of Anchorage has to offer. Toss a disc at the Peters Creek Disc Golf Course. Spend time in the area in early July to catch the Bear Paw Festival or the traditional Independence Day fireworks show. Eagle River, Chugiak, and adjacent neighborhoods are connected to the rest of Anchorage via the Glenn Highway and the bike path running parallel to it. The Glenn Highway Bike Path stretches for more than 17 miles from northeast Anchorage to Chugiak. There’s a lot to see, so bring a vehicle to cover the most ground.
Eagle
1 Eag
2 Sou
3 Barb
41 | Eagle River Area
Anchorage.net
Scan for an interactive map.
bit.ly/3C4yDfF
13 12 11 14
10
9
8
7
6 5 4
3
1
2
e River - Chugiak - Eklutna Neighborhood
gle River Nature Center
4 Eagle River VFW Farmers Market
7 Little Lithuanian Museum & Library
10 Peters Creek Disc Golf Course
13 Eklutna H
uth Fork Eagle River Trailhead
5 Eagle River Town Square Park
8 Beach Lake Park
11 Mirror Lake
14 Eklutna L
6 Mount Baldy Trail
9 Loretta French Sports Complex
12 Thunderbird Falls
bara Falls Trail
GO FOR THE GLENN While the Glenn Highway is the fastest way to travel between Eagle River, Chugiak, and Eklutna, the parallel Old Glenn Highway opens the door to even more parks, landmarks, and neighborhood trailheads. Drive both to fully experience the area.
You are here.
1
Eagle River Nature Center
8
B each Lake Park
2
South Fork Eagle River Trailhead
9
L oretta French Sports Complex
3
Barbara Falls Trail
eters Creek Disc Golf Course 10 P
4
Eagle River VFW Farmers Market
11 Mirror Lake
5
Eagle River Town Square Park
hunder Bird Falls 12 T
6
Mount Baldy Trail
klutna Historical Park 13 E
7
Little Lithuanian Museum & Library
14 Eklutna Lake
urban &
Eagle River Area | 42
Eagle River Area
ATTRACTIONS
WATERFALLS || DENA’INA CULTURE || PARKS & TRAILS
Natural Beauty
The Eagle River Nature Center offers educational programs for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, and its short, scenic Rodak
Experience Eklutna
Anchorage is located within the traditional Dena’ina
Nature Loop yields
Athabascan homelands of the Native Village of Eklutna,
some of the best
and Eklutna Historical Park is an important place to
views in the valley.
learn more about the area’s original residents. Nearby
There’s a reason
Eklutna Lake is a popular place for hiking, biking,
Walter Mendenhall
camping, and paddling in Chugach State Park.
called the area “a miniature Yosemite.”
43 | Eagle River Area
Anchorage.net
EAGLE RIVER AREA ITINERARY
MORNING Start the day with a hot drink from an Eagle River coffee shop or a sit-down meal at the Chugiak Cafe, then spend some time surrounded by natural beauty at the Eagle River Nature Center.
Thundering Falls
Go chasing waterfalls — this is one of the neighborhood favorites. A mile-long trail brings hikers an up-close view of the impressive 200-foot Thunder Bird Falls; along the way, an elevated observation deck
AFTERNOON
@eaglerivervalleyalpinefarm
provides a different perspective.
Eagle River Flavor
The Eagle River VFW Farmers Market is stocked with an abundance of Eagle River flavor and flare. Look for everything from fresh salsa to local honey to ripe sourdough starters. Traditionally open May - September, Tuesdays from 3 - 7 p.m., 10527 VFW Rd.
Mirror Lake
Pack a lunch to enjoy at a lakeside park (try the picnic pavilion at Mirror Lake), then make a stop at Thunder Bird Falls for a quick, scenic stroll and an awe-inspiring photo op. Visit the Eklutna Historical Park to learn more about the area’s deep Dena’ina roots, or make plans to explore the Little Lithuanian Museum & Library for an immersive look at Anchorage’s international ties. EVENING Pair dinner plans with a stop by a local brewery. Eagle River has several from which to choose, including Odd Man Rush and Matanuska Brewing. If you’re lucky, you’ll find some live music while you’re there. Explore the area by vehicle.
Head out to the lake on a sunny summer day and you might find a cookout, kayakers, people swimming or floating with stand-up paddleboards, and kids playing in the sand along the shore. An adjacent singletrack course is a fast three-mile ride along winding forest trails. urban &
Eagle River Area | 44
MOOSE LOOP
C ST A ST MBELL GAINGRA
3RD AVE 6TH AVE 15TH
Lyn Ary Park Earthquake Park
RD
TIONAL AIR POR T RD
DIMOND BLVD
DOWLING RD C ST
TER J. HICKEL PK WY
RASPBERRY RD
TUDOR RD
1
SEWARD HWY
SP
JEWEL LAKE RD
Kincaid Park
SAND LAKE RD
INTERNA
D AR EN
ARCTIC BLVD
NORTHERN LIGHTS BLVD BENSON BLVD 36TH AVE
WAL
What an absolutely perfect day to ride “The Moose Loop” of Anchorage! Happy 10-Years-In-Anchorage Anniversary, James! @ohemmygreen
45 | Moose Loop
Anchorage.net
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
1
ELMORE RD
LAKE OTIS PKWY
DR M.L.K. JR
k
es Ch
er
MULDOON RD
DEBARR RD Cr ee
Russian Jack Springs Park
t
BONIFACE PKWY
AVE
G
AV
Far North Bicentennial Park
HILLSIDE DR
O’MALLEY RD
RD
DE ARMOUN RD
EK RABBIT CRE
1 urban &
AR CTI C VAL Y RD LE Follow the Moose Loop on a 32-mile ride through the city. The route connects Anchorage’s four main trails – the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, the Campbell Creek Trail, and the Ship Creek Trail – creating bikeable, scenic ties between neighborhoods. Go from Oceanview to Downtown, Mountain View to Midtown. Spend a day cycling the city. Find wildlife, public art, and access to a few favorite local restaurants and breweries. Enjoy the city from a different perspective. Popularized by the Anchorage Park Foundation, the loop traces the rough profile of a moose over a map of the city (thus the name). Bike the whole thing and you’ll pass teeming salmon streams, picture-perfect coastal views, popular parks and playgrounds, and plenty of scenic overlooks, perfect for a mid-ride snack or stretch. With a little more than 1,000 feet in elevation gain, the route is accessible for cyclists of all ability levels. Bring your own bike or secure a rental, then hit the trail: Access points are available in neighborhoods all over town.
ABBOTT RD
HUFFMAN RD
WY
NH
LEN
E
Merrill Field
BRAGAW ST
Ship Creek
Scan for an interactive map. bit.ly/3jL0TeS
OUT & ABOUT The Municipality of Anchorage covers 1,961 square miles, and there’s something special around every corner: Post your top shots on social media, tag @VisitAnchorage, and we’ll share
,J
ew e
l L ake
favorite scenes from the city we love.
lie _s
la
an da rei ser , Eklu tna Lake
sk
an
ho
m e,
Kincaid
@
in e ist chr
a at re g @
ta
te
.r e
f le x
, Downtown
m @a
er
o.
s
Coastal Tr
dy
ail
_a
k,
Ea
gle
Rive
r
@z
ii n
To
ny
Kn
ow les
@C
owntown
y, all
sw
an
n, D
c @va
s by
47 | Out & About
@k
t irs
en
, Midtown av el s
_
tr
g st_
o ol
ird
wo o
d
@ju
s o_
G
t
hl
Native Heritag
ee
n,
nt e Ce
er
Hil lto p
Ski
Area
rs.
8,
ka
m
ith
18 1
, Al
aska
@_
ah s ar
.s
ld or @w
tru
ck
, Sp
en ard
tr a
ve lc
lan,
Girdwo od
@a
od
@m
12 r ed
@
n s pe
ar
df
o
Photography: Alaska Stock: 25a; Alaska Zoo: 32a; Asia Bauzon: front cover, 8a; Brian Adams: front cover, welcome, 4a, 5a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 11c, 15c, 16a, 17a, 20a, 24a, 28a, 29a; Bryan Cadavos: 1a; Chris Arend: 41a; Donna Dewhurst: back cover, 40b, 43a; Frank Flavin Photography: 3b; iStock: 11b, 19d, 20b, 23c, 27c, 31c, 35c, 39a, 43b; Jack Bonney: 9a, 15a, 33a; JodyO.photos: front cover, 3a, 13a, 15b, 19c, 27b, 32b, 43c, 44a; Kathleen Bonnar: 4b; Rejoy Armamento: 12b; Roy Neese: 21a; State of Alaska/Matt Hage: back cover, 11a; 31b; State of Alaska/Michael DeYoung: 37a; Tara Storter: 39b; Terika Kons: 19a, 23a; Visit Anchorage: front cover; Wayde Carroll: 31a; @brandonchiu: cover
ANCHORAGE NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE
Admire murals in Mountain View. Catch a ball game on a Fairview field. Discover the beach in Bayshore. Visit a Muldoon farmers market. Explore a hidden trail in Government Hill. Learn about local landmarks Downtown. Hit the Hillside ski slopes. Sample a Midtown microbrewery. Anchorage neighborhoods have it all: Find more at Anchorage.net.