Alaska’s most populous city, framed by the Chugach Mountains, contains more than 40 percent of the state’s population and has quite a lot of things to see and do. With about 300,000 people living here, the story of how Alaska’s biggest city came to be is an odd one. Neither a fishing or mining camp (no minerals to be found here), it was chosen as a railroad-construction port in 1914, two years after Alaska became a U.S. territory.
An interesting fact about the city: Anchorage’s location makes it an important stop on the global supply chain, as it is about ten hours by air to 90 percent of the industrialized world. (The Anchorage airport is ranked fourth in the world for cargo after Hong Kong, Memphis and Shanghai, and 2.6 million metric tons of air cargo pass through Anchorage in any given year.) Another thing to note: with Alaska being a wild state, there are quite a few animals roaming in the city limits of Anchorage and its surrounding area, so don’t be surprised if you see the occasional bear, moose, mountain goat or Dall sheep in the city.
The city has a lot of fantastic things to see and do—here are some of my favourite picks from my most recent research trip!
Best Breakfast and Coffee Shops
Snow City Café
The best breakfast spot in the city: Snow City serves breakfast classics and weekly specials in a homey atmosphere. It was good enough for former President Obama’s breakfast during his visits to Anchorage, so it must be good enough for us! We heard he cleared them out of their renowned cinnamon buns, and we can’t say we blame him.
SteamDot Café
Coffee connoisseurs can find pour over coffee worth the wait time and handcrafted espressos at one of SteamDot’s four cozy locations in Anchorage. They roast their beans themselves at their headquarters downtown and were recently awarded the title “Best Coffee in Alaska” by Food and Wine.
Middle Way Café
Fresh is the focus of Middle Way Café, who use only locally sourced ingredients in their dishes. Their coffee comes from an organic roaster in Homer and is best served in the form of a latte or mocha with a work of art on top by one of their expert baristas.
Anchorage Farmer’s Market
This not-for-profit market is a must-see if you’re visiting Anchorage on a Saturday. Find an array of local vendors selling 100% Alaskan-grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers as well as fresh-baked goods to enjoy while you peruse the stalls.
Best Pizza
Hearth Artisan Pizza
For innovative and delicious wood-fired pizza served in a warm atmosphere, head to Hearth Artisan Pizza. Pair your organic, Neapolitan-style pizza with one of their 17 craft beers and ciders available on tap.
Best Breweries
Glacier Brewhouse
Widely considered Anchorage’s best brewery, Glacier Brewhouse has been perfecting English and West Coast style ales since 1996. Mastering more than just beer, their menu of wild Alaskan seafood and rotisserie meats is also sure to impress.
Midnight Sun
A favourite among locals, Midnight Sun crafts barleywines and barrel-aged stouts, perfect for keeping warm during the frosty (and long) Alaskan winters. Begin your visit here with a tour of their brewery before enjoying their libations in their trendy, industrial-style loft.
Cocktails:
Blues Central
Found in the Williwaw building, a multi-gathering space in downtown Anchorage, Blues Central is a chic speakeasy bar concocting sublime cocktails. Inspired by the era of prohibition, there’s a password for entry that changes daily.
Crow’s Nest
Perched atop our favourite hotel in Anchorage, the Captain Cook Hotel, Crow’s Nest affords a 360-degree panorama of the bay and the downtown skyline. Take in the views with one of their craft cocktails or a glass of wine from their cellar housing over 10,000 bottles.