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Anchorage, Alaska Port Reviews
Anchorage On Your Own Shore Excursion
By Tom Ogg
Overview:
Anchorage Alaska Totem Pole
Anchorage is Alaska's
largest city and over 40 % of Alaska's entire population
lives here. With a population of over one quarter of
million residents, Anchorage still retains its
independent feeling amid the mountains, glaciers and
fjords that surround it. Said to have first been
discovered by Captain Cook on his third voyage to the
western world in 1778. After Alaska was purchased from
the Russians for a little over 7 million dollars,
Anchorage became one of the first cities after the
construction of the Alaska Railroad was commissioned by
President Wilson in 1915.
Cruise
Port Location and Information:
Docked in Seward
Ships dock
in either Seward or Whittier and one must travel from
Anchorage to the respective port to catch their ship.
Fortunately, there is ample transportation from Anchorage to
the ports and it should be considered as enjoyable as any
part of the cruise.
Exploring on Your Own:
A Local Carriage Ride in
Anchorage
The
downtown center of Anchorage is quite compact and easy to
explore on your own. Unless you have included a trip to
Denali or Fairbanks, you will probably just spend the day
and evening in Anchorage.
The Anchorage Visitors
Center
At the very epicenter of Anchorage
is the Visitor's Center. The Visitor's Center offers a ton
of information on how to explore Anchorage on your own,
which is quite easy to do and the best way to discover
Anchorage.
The Ulu Factory Shuttle
Right next
to the Visitor's Center one finds the shuttle bus to the Ulu
Factory. While the Ulu Factory is not much, the shuttle does
deposit you near the historic Ship Creek (the location of
the original "Tent City", which was the very start of
Anchorage and the Anchorage Train Station.
Shopping Tips:
4th Avenue Shopping
Street
Anchorage
is all about shopping and the main shopping areas are on 4th
and 5th Avenues. Whether you have forgotten sundries for
your cruise, are looking for souvenirs, Alaskan clothing or
just want to immerse yourself in a unique shopping
experience, Anchorage will not disappoint you.
A Typical Anchorage Shop
You will find shops selling
many Alaskan products that will entice you.
One of the Many Furrier
Boutiques
Anchorage has many furriers
selling everything possible made from fur. While one sees
furriers throughout Alaska, this is the place to buy fur
products. The selection and pricing is better here than
anywhere else in Alaska. I would suggest flying into
Anchorage two days early if you intend to shop for a new fur
coat, as it will take that long to be diligent.
More Alaskan Products
We were on the last cruise of
August and there were only two more weeks that ships were
visiting Alaska. All of the stores had huge sales in
progress and everything from tee shirts to souvenirs wre
heavily discounted.
The 4th Avenue Marketplace
In addition to the numerous
shops and boutiques found on 4th Avenue, the 4th Avenue
Marketplace offers a number of cultural products.
The 4th Avenue Marketplace
Interior
This is a good place to find
authentic local art and items.
The 5th Avenue Mall
Of course Alaska's largest
city would also have to have Alaska's largest mall.
The 5th Avenue Mall's
Atrium
You will find all of the
national brands that you would find in your local mall here.
This is a great place to purchase items that may have been
forgotten while packing.
The Ulu Factory Shopping
Finally, the Ulu Factory
offers abundant shopping for unique Alaskan gifts. However,
be aware that your Ulu knife will be held by the cruise line
until the end of your cruise. They will also have to be
packed in your checked luggage.
The "Once In a Blue Moose"
Souvenir Shop
You will find shops with
unusual names and products. This shop offered a ton of
unique products.
Another Unique Shopping
Opportunity
Anchorage is known for its
huge moose population and you will see refences to it
everywhere.
Port
Highlights:
The Anchorage Visitor's
Center
The place
to start your exploration of Anchorage is at the Anchorage
Visitor Center. It is located downtown on 4th street right
in the center of everything. The visitor center in itself is
an attraction in Anchorage.
Fishing For Salmon on Ship
Creek
Ship Creek
was the location of the first settlement of Anchorage and a
massive tent city exploded here when the construction of the
Alaskan Railroad started at the beginning of the 20th
century.
Shop Creek Fishermen
Salmon run
in the late summer and fishermen do not have to go very far
to catch them. If you want to fish for salmon, this is one
of the excellent opportunities to do so. Fish Creek is
located right behind the Ulu Factory.
The Starting Point for the
Iditarod Starting Point
The famous
Iditarod dog sled race begins right in downtown Anchorage on
4th Avenue by this monument. This race from Anchorage to
Nome covers over 1,150 miles of rough terrain. Each team of
12 to 16 dogs and their master mushers race to see who can
finish the race first.
Anchorage, Alaska Historic City Hall
Anchorage
also has a couple of museums and parks, but for the most
part enjoying downtown Anchorage is what a short visit is
all about.
A Grizzly and Polar Bear On
Display at the Hilton Anchorage
No matter
where you go you cannot escape the fact that Alaska is still
made up of wilderness and enjoys a very unique culture.
Off the
Beaten Path:
The Alaskan Railroad
Anchorage
is the jumping off spot for tons of adventure. One can take
the Danali Star train to Damali or Fairbanks, the Coastal
train to Seward, the Glacier Discovery train to Whittier or
enjoy Alaska's wilderness on the Hurricane Turn train. Mt.
Alyeska offers world class skiing and the Coastal train
stops at Girdwood so that you can easily take the train from
Anchorage. Fishing, hunting, hiking, photo safaris, rock
hinting, panning for gold....there is no limit to the
activities that one can enjoy from Anchorage.
Dining
and Drinking Suggestions:
Anchorage (if
fact, all of Alska) offers some wonderful dining options.
Here are three that I would highly recommend.
The White Spot Cafe
Recommended to
us by locals, the White Spot Cafe is a must for lunch.
The White Spot Cafe Counter
In business
for 50 years, this place is wonderful. It has a simple menu,
but the items served are out of this world. I enjoyed
halibut and chips that were to die for. Don't even think
about going anywhere else. It is located at 109 W. 4th
Avenue west of the downtown area and well worth the walk to
get to it. (www.WhiteSpotCafe.com)
The Glacier Brewhouse
The Glacier
Brewhouse is another local favorite and it is easy to see
why. Excellent food, service and overall experience.
The Glacier Brewhouse
I ordered
salmon and it was excellent, as were all of the other
dishes. This restaurant was suggested to us by several
locals as one of the best in Anchorage. When we dined there,
it was packed with people enjoying their meals. I wish we
had one in San Diego. It is located at 757 West 5th. (www.GlacierBrewhouse.com)
Simon and Seaforts Restaurant
While we did not get an opportunity to dine here as
it was full the evening we tried, this restaurant was
the number one restaurant suggested as the best in
Anchorage by the locals we talked to. If you do dine
there, please write a review for us a ePortReviews.com
and let us know how it was. (ww.SimonandSeaforts.com)
Must Do
List:
Yes, I
would give the train ride from Anchorage to Seward a "must
do" rating. It is a unique and beautiful experience that
should not be missed.
Where to
Stay:
The Hilton Hotel Anchorage
The Hilton Hotel
Anchorage
While there are a number of hotels in Anchorage, I would
suggest that the Hilton Hotel is the best choice. It is well
located to the downtown shopping district, as well as the
train station. As you can see the hotel is right in the
heart of things.
The Historic Anchorage Hotel (http://www.HistoricAnchorageHotel.com)
This small property is located right next to the Hilton and
enjoys a wonderful location, as well. This hotel was built
in 1916 and is now operated as a boutique hotel for folks
that want a taste of Anchorage's history. With only 26 rooms
and suites, this is a great place to start a cruise.
The Sheraton Anchorage
Hotel
The
Sheraton Anchorage Hotel
We stayed at the Sheraton Hotel on our last stay and
other than being a few blocks from things, it was an
excellent choice. The Sheraton offers a free shuttle to
anywhere that you would like to go in Anchorage and they
will not only take you, but they will pick you up too. This
more than makes up for its location.
On Your Own
Reviews
(How to Venture On
Your Own with Detailed Information)
Taking the
Train From Anchorage to Seward On Your Own By Tom Ogg:
Here is a great article on exactly how to arrange and
take the train from Anchorage to Seward and see more while
paying less.
Reader
ePortReviews
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