Anchorage Alaska: Cool Things To Do // Destinations Explained

sure you've heard of the running of the bulls but what about the running of the reindeer living the big wildlife is exactly what happens here along with hosting the most famous dog sled race in the u.s they also host the outhouse races the weekend before although the city itself is rather beige it's surrounded by mountainous national parks and filled with alaskan wildlife so strap on your snowshoes and pack your blackout curtains because we're headed to anchorage alaska [Music] jacob here welcome to destinations explained a fun series i do that dives into destinations from around the world if you haven't already like this video watch till the end and down below comment any places i missed before british explorer captain james cook first landed in what is now anchorage in 1778 archaeological evidence suggests that habitation began 5 000 years ago by a tribe of alleged people who were displaced by the arrival of the deniana at the baskins in the 19th century russia's presence was well established in the area bringing smallpox with them which cut the local native population in half damn russians in 1867 u.s secretary of state william seward purchased alaska from imperial russia for about two cents an acre soon after gold was discovered in the area leading to a new influx of prospectors and small towns began to spring up the city grew and became a railroad construction port and anchorage formed at a time when prohibition was gaining traction and was a means to try and stop the alcohol trade the city experienced massive growth over the next several decades as air transportation and the military became increasingly important in 1964 an earthquake rocked the city at a magnitude of 9.2 killing 115 people the remainder of the 1960s was dedicated to recovery and rebuilding of a city but in 1968 alaska struck liquid gold which led to an oil boom and led to further growth in anchorage today over 290 000 people call anchorage home with the metro population at almost 400 000 the city is alaska's largest with 41 of the state's population and is the fourth largest in the u.s by area the summers are cool and mostly cloudy with a high average of 67 degrees fahrenheit to a low average of 55 degrees fahrenheit and of course the winters are extensive freezing and snowy with a high average of 24 degrees fahrenheit to a low of 13 degrees fahrenheit something you won't experience in any other state is alaska's extreme daylight hours averaging about 19 hours of sunlight a day during the summer and six hours during the winter i suggest you plan your trip during summer as you can take advantage of the long days but there's actually a benefit of visiting during the winter and that would be of course the northern lights and on a clear dark night without the midnight sun to compete with you have a better chance to see the earth's light show just make sure you're away from the city's lights and look up some places with the best views with that let's head to the first tourist destination on our list in the heart of downtown anchorage committed to recognizing and honoring the land culture and language of the denying of people this museum helps connect locals and tourists alike to the alaska native people the anchorage museum the museum displays material from its permanent collection for instance alaska history and art galleries along with regular visiting exhibitions each year it presents 16 to 20 changing exhibitions completed by education programs and activities the museum's library archives are in frequent demand by publishers scholars and other researchers for its information and images between may and september the museum is open seven days a week from 10 am to 6 pm hours and days vary between october and april you know because that's the time locals like to stay inside in fear that their own saliva will freeze and choke them but you should still totally visit just don't worry about the sub-zero temperatures the earthquakes the potential volcanic eruptions landslides tsunamis bears yeah it's fine it's a good time started in 1963 by a retired air force colonel and world war ii vet our next tourist attraction started as a flying service to transport fishermen and hunters to remote parts of alaska but now it has grown to a sightseeing tourist agency rust's flying services with over 10 different flight seeing activities like bear viewing wildlife and glacier tours and guided fly fishing this is a convenient way to see the wildlife and nature that alaska has to offer ticket prices vary to each activity and can be expensive so make sure to check out their website and make reservations in advance next we head to the south border of anchorage this scenic turnout and whale watching spot over the waters of the turnigan arm adjacent to the seward highway is named for the white whales that are often spotted beluga point be aware that the belugas are often seen from mid-july through august when salmon are running in a cook inlet where their numbers have hovered between 300 to 375 whales since 2000 even if you're visiting outside of beluga season or you just get unlucky this is still a gorgeous scenic view of the mountains and is worth visiting regardless about 30 minutes further down the seward highway from beluga point is our next attraction this resort town is located within the southern extent of the municipality of anchorage gerdwood gerdwood is home to the alieska ski resort that offers typical activities namely skiing and snowboarding and more unique activities including snowshoeing and fat tire biking those are some big tires um rental service shops there's a better name for you you can have it you're welcome not interested in physical activities take in the views of the famous alieska aerial tram an all-year cable car scenic ride from the resort to the upper tram terminal at 2 300 feet in elevation another outdoor activity in gerdwood to visit is the virgin creek waterfalls a quick half mile hike to and from these falls located at a rainforest makes this an easy stop looking to grab a bite or get a drink you might as well if you're driving all the way down here my personal favorite joints include gerdwood brewing company jack spratt or double muskie inn definitely save a whole day for this trip or even better book a room for tonight so you don't have to drive all the way back to anchorage after a busy day you deserve it our last tour stop is located less than 50 miles southeast of downtown anchorage located on 200 acres this refuge for sick wounded and orphaned animals offers visitors the chance to see wildlife up close alaska wildlife conservation center the animals are provided spacious habitats that reflect their natural homes you can see bears cooling off in a stream or bison roaming on pastures hell you can even feed some moose tour the scenic 1.5 mile loop by foot bike car or even on skis in the winter at the time of this video the tickets are only 18 a person with different prices for kids military and seniors now let's head to the nature and recreational section of the video and you know this is going to be good you could start your outdoorsy day by grabbing a deadliest catch benedict from the soon to be mentioned snow city cafe or you can make a smarter choice with today's sponsor magic spoon a healthy cereal that tastes too good to be true if you're like me you check a second bag just to bring the world's best sugar-free cereal i start my day off right with the bowl the frosted flavor is my favorite or i just bring it with me to go on my adventure no jacob not like that that's better click the link below to grab a variety pack and try it today and be sure to use the promo code venture at checkout to get five dollars off any order or go to magicspoon.com venture and magic spoon is so confident in their product it's backed with a 100 happiness guarantee so if you don't like it for any reason they'll refund your money no questions asked so click the link below and use the code venture for five dollars off or go to magicspoon.com venture to save five dollars today now back to the video something that anchorage and its surroundings aren't lacking is in nature so let's start close to the city and suggest something tame before we get into it with margaret egan sullivan park this quaint park has walking trails wildflowers water and many birds to observe go up to the overlook and snag a view of the shore along the coastal trail and take in the scenery or if you're here in the winter the lake transforms into an ice skating paradise so bring your blades or look up a spot to rent skates if you're visiting because you know in anchorage you basically get disowned for not owning your own pair our second nature spot is located on the west coast this 1500 acre park offers soccer fields an 18-hole disc golf course and a huge array of wildlife kincaid park the park is mostly known for its 35 plus miles of trails the kincaid trail's loop is 4.3 miles and reaches an elevation gain of almost 400 feet and during the winter this trail is used to ski and mountain bike the park connects to the tony knowles coastal trail which spans 10 miles east along the shore all the way to downtown with many access points this trail is popular for birding mountain biking and road biking the trail has a lot to offer including one of anchorage's hidden gems kincaid sand dunes park which is right next to the motocross track make a quick visit to visit one of the park's attractions or pack a lunch or get some food to go and have a day here taking up the majority of the city of anchorage this massive park with ocean shorelines mountains towering glaciers and abundant lakes offers camping a ski area and a nature center chugach state park the park contains almost 500 000 acres of land and is one of the four largest state parks in the united states here's three hiking trails that we recommend you check out within the park first there's the challenging flat top mountain trail a 3.3 mile loop with 1430 feet in elevation gain with incredible views all the way up or maybe you want something more easy like the mount baldy loop a 2.7 mile loop with a daring 1100 feet in elevation gain from the top you get a marvelous view of the eagle river valley and the surrounding mountains the last trail a clutena lakeside trail is a 12.7 mile point-to-point trail this trail is popular for camping and horseback riding or as the name of the trail indicates you can just take a casual walk alongside the trail to view the lake just a mile in if you hike all the way you'll make it to some cool bridges and serenity falls a clute in the lake is fed by the ocludena glacier and is a popular kayaking hotspot framed by snow-capped peaks you should be able to rent kayaks right there on a lake from lifetime adventures just don't forget to purchase a day use parking pass for the park lots of helpful links and other information can be found down below in the description located 60 miles southeast of downtown anchorage and just west of whittier sits a 10-story tall glacier named because it was legendary for its use as alaskan natives and gold rush pioneers portage route between prince william sound and turning in arm we have portage glacier in the summer you can view the glacier via a guided day cruise ride across the lake or by hiking the portage pass trail this trail can be accessed from the whittier side and is 4.2 miles out and back with an elevation gain just over 1400 feet in a winter the glacier becomes available for skiing ice skating and biking if the lake freezes be aware that this is wild ice with no official monitoring for safety or thickness and the glacier face continues to calve during winter without warning so if you're in decent shape and here for some serious nature then make this hike a top priority our next stop is our furthest location on the list at just around a three hour drive from downtown anchorage this picturesque park is located on a kenai peninsula and features a gigantic ice field of glaciers and various wildlife key ninth yards national park the park contains one of the largest ice fields in the united states parting icefield exit glacier is close to the visitor center and is the only portion of the kenai fjords national park that's accessible by road there's limited parking at the exit glacier so keep that in mind when you plan your trip there's three trails that will get you a view of the glacier the first two are very moderate and the other is well quite challenging the easier two trails are the exit glacier view loop and exit glacier overlook trail the overlook trail is a 2.2 mile loop with just about 300 feet in elevation gain that leads to a panoramic vista of the exit glacier spilling down from the harding ice field while the view loop is just a mile with basically no incline the more challenging track is the harding ice field trail this is an out and back trail totaling a little over nine miles and is more than three thousand and five hundred feet in elevation gain you'll travel through alluring meadows to an area well above tree treeline to get a view of the ice field there's plenty to see in just the beginning of the hike so it's definitely worth just doing a portion of this trail and our last attraction in a nature section is a port city in southern alaska set on an inlet on the kenai peninsula and serves as a gateway to the key nine fjords national park seward alaska seward is among the most lucrative commercial fishing ports in the united states the city hosts two major events during the summer every 4th of july runners race to the summit of mount marathon and america's second oldest foot race the race may be just three miles but it involves a grueling climb and descent of mount marathon which includes navigating cliffs steep inclines and slippery loose rocks in august the town hosts the silver salmon derby you can get out on the water and cast your line for several hundred pound halibut or salmon so numerous that they bump into your boat there's plenty of parlors to eat and shop from top of the line outdoor gear to homemade local crafts coffee shops that can be found in unique places like a historic church a converted train car and a charming candy shop as well as establishments providing fresh seafood alaska grown produce and wild game the options are endless this place is awesome but i don't know how safe it is to build a city that's in between half glacier water and half avalanche prone mountains but i guess i'm thankful that it's there it's restaurant time and even though anchorage is home to around 20 subways and 15 mcdonald's you may be surprised to hear that there's actual restaurants in this frozen tundra city so what kind of food is anchorage known for i'll definitely get into some diverse preferences but to start we have a bright colorful downtown brunch spot snow city cafe the cafe's mission is to use the freshest local ingredients available with an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch items to choose from you can't go wrong with the deadliest catch benedict salmon blt or their world famous pecan sticky bun the eatery is open 7 a.m to 3 p.m daily now this is where we get into what alaska has to offer this lively two-story brew pub has a mountain view rooftop patio freshly sourced alaskan food and award-winning beer 49th state brewing with over 25 beers on tap we recommend you try the most popular beer the solstice ipa with aromatics of juicy grapefruit and ripe melon or their most awarded highly rated brew smoke they're rich in smoky lager and if you're really feeling adventurous go for the thundershuck alaska oyster stout brewed with whole oysters from a local bay as for food this joint has some interesting options interested in trying alaskan farm raised yak this is one of the only restaurants in the state that has it in their world famous yak burger you can also sample other alaskan delicacies such as elk and reindeer and try suburb dishes like the crabby grilled cheese sandwich or halibut and chips and correct me if i'm wrong but i'm pretty sure this is the only place in the world where you can drink oysters eat yak meat and order elk in your lasagna so yeah definitely stop by here for something different next on our list we have a fine dining eatery in lounge this sleek and inventive spot masters in pacific rim cuisine in classic asian specialties ginger the meals are handcrafted from fresh ingredients by a devoted crew of local restaurant veterans although they're closed on mondays they're open for dinner every other night of the week enjoy local microbood beer sake or a bite while sitting at the bar or reserve a table ahead and fancy their alaskan baked sea scallops mac and cheese or their crunchy general sounders fried chicken and don't forget to check out their dessert menu as well for a variety of delicious options founded by two college friends a few decades ago this next place isn't necessarily a restaurant but it serves alcohol and food in a second run movie house that also hosts concerts beartooth theatre pub at the beartooth theatre pub you can eat a full meal while watching your favorite films you order your food at the concessions and then it's delivered to your seat they offer a wide variety of casual eats such as pizza tacos salads and many other choices there's also a bar inside the theater where you can purchase wine margaritas or any of their broken tooth brewing beers and other local brews to check out where it all started you can visit the founder's original establishment just two miles down the road at moose's tooth pub and pizza which is still open today this next eatery had me at fried halibut po boy this brightly colored house in anchorage's bernard neighborhood with a casual vibe and only a couple of tables has been pushing out the best burger in a city since 2002 tommy's burger shop this award-winning hole-in-the-wall burger spots walls are covered in decor for you to take in while you wait for your cajun influence burgers po-boys and philly cheese steaks try a standard cheeseburger or unique filly but just make sure you don't skip the onion rings they're so good i even used them to propose to my girlfriend for coffee alaska's premier coffee roaster which began as an espresso cart on 4th avenue in the spring of 1986 now has 12 locations around the city kaladi brothers coffee with the motto made in alaska by alaskans for alaskans kaladi brothers sources high grade beans which they roast on a bed of fresh hot air as opposed to the heated surface of a barrel roaster resulting in a clean uniform roast stop by any of the locations to pick up a latte or bag of beans if you're looking for a place to relax and drink your coffee in-house i'd recommend the chew catch square location just north of the botanical gardens for the perfect view of the mountains and for dessert i really wanted to find a place that serves akuduk or eskimo ice cream it's a delicacy that alaskan natives have enjoyed for thousands of years it's derived from animal fats and oils mixed with berries and occasional ground fish but for some reason it's just not that popular with the public they're probably grossed out by the berries or something i don't know oh well instead we'll get normal ice cream but not just any normal ice cream with two locations this handcrafted small batch ice cream is created with flavors that are from local growers gardens and vendors and churned in anchorage wild scoops since launching in 2015 wild scoops has created hundreds of unique flavors starring local ingredients and collaborations with a weekly changing menu you never know what you'll find from a baked alaskan cone to scoops with ingredients such as guinness beer portuguese fried dough sweet potato or even garlic make sure to check out their facebook or instagram to see the flavors of the week moving to the last section of the video we have the anchorage nightlife open from 10 am till 2am every day this is one of the most diminutive bars you'll find in a city darwin's theory this tight squeeze tavern has a warm vibe and offers beer wine and cocktails they don't offer any food other than salty complimentary popcorn but right next door is a pizzeria should you get hungry grab a quick beer or stay and enjoy the jukebox tunes i would say to check out their website for more information but it looks like it hasn't been updated since 2001 our next spot is a black owned multi-level multifaceted destination gathering spot an intimate venue for locals and tourists alike willy was social starting on the first floor the social mixes both local musicians and artists and weekly events in their social and dining hall areas the second floor has two spaces an arcade area filled with pinball and ski ball and a speakeasy featuring high-end cocktails the roof is open during the summer time when the weather is considerate and features a bar grill and live entertainment willy was social is closed on sundays and mondays and a speakeasy and arcade are only open thursday through saturday so make sure you plan accordingly if you're looking for a joint to dance until 3am i have the place for you this lively gay club has djs spinning dance music and host shows throughout the week mad mourners as one of the only two supposed gay bars in the city mad murders may not look all that exciting from the outside but once you stagger in you're transported to a beautifully lit and decorated space in addition with the dance floor over the top drag shows as well as a variety of comedy shows this club also has a full service bar and restaurant serving late into the night from fresh appetizers to pizza there's a little bit of everything and with drinks like the pelvic thrust in the power bottom you know you're in for a good time last time we checked there's typically a five dollar entrance fee and you probably want to check about making reservations for show nights moving on to a warehouse distillery that offers gin three types of whiskey four different flavors of vodka and currently a limited cinnamon moonshine we got anchorage distillery open on the afternoons wednesday through saturday this distillery focuses on showcasing the uniqueness of alaska's agriculture by distilling their liquor from barley and rye grown in alaska and finishing them with fresh water that flows through a glacier you can sample these spirits straight or try a craft cocktail at the tasting room their newest adventure is canned ready to drink vodka lemonade's available in three flavors and on the first friday of every month they feature a local artist along with a special abbreviated menu in limited edition cocktails make sure to visit their facebook or instagram for event details and cocktail features just three miles away is the last spot on our list this brewery is the oldest brewery in anchorage and second oldest statewide midnight sun brewing producing over 40 different ales and loggers a year midnight sun brewing company is world renowned for their barrel-aged stouts and barley wines as well as ipas and belgian nails their flagship ipa sockeye red named after the salmon that filled the alaskan waters all summer is a multi-pacific coast style ipa i'd also recommend that you try their belgian triple panty peeler the orange peel and coriander create an appealing yet bolder triple by infusing color citrus and spice and just like every other damn establishment in alaska they really pride themselves on their taste due to the water they use from glaciers mmm that's high quality age 2 located on the second floor of their main building they have the loft which offers 16 beers and 2 sodas on tap all house made during the week they serve salads sandwiches and shareable plates and on the weekend they have a limited brunch menu don't forget to stop by their full-fledged merch shop to pick up a souvenir on your way out so there you have it anchorage may not get talked about much as a top tourist destination but it's such a unique place to visit at least once in your life especially if you're nature and active vacationer like i am i make surveys here on youtube to let you to people pick the next city so subscribe and keep an eye out for the next one thanks for watching don't forget to like this video and while you're at it comment down below which city i should do next [Music] you

Channel: Venture Addicts

Views: 39,362

Keywords: anchorage alaska, anchorage alaska ghetto, anchorage, anchorage airport, anchorage alaska airport, anchorage alaska downtown, anchorage alaska things to do, anchorage alaska nightlife, anchorage alaska summer, anchorage alaska winter, things to do in anchorage alaska, things to do in anchorage alaska summer, things to do in anchorage, things to do in anchorage alaska in winter, things to see in anchorage alaska, things to do in downtown anchorage, what to do in anchorage alaska

Id: tgF7hQwryKY

Length: 25min 10sec (1510 seconds)

Published: Mon Jun 27 2022