Guidebook for Anchorage
Food Scene
The bake shop is located at the base of the resort by the Sitzmark Bar & Grill. It has unlimited fresh soup refills and some great sourdough loafs to take home. Great for a breakfast/coffee shop, ski/bike break, or afternoon snack.
79 locals recommend
The Bake Shop
194 Olympic Mountain LoopThe bake shop is located at the base of the resort by the Sitzmark Bar & Grill. It has unlimited fresh soup refills and some great sourdough loafs to take home. Great for a breakfast/coffee shop, ski/bike break, or afternoon snack.
A local's favorite, offering a fresh, local, and seasonal menu. Great for a date night, or group outing. Best to call ahead and make a reservation to make sure you don't have to wait - this place is popular! Enjoy their brunch menu or dinner specials, along with a great drink menu.
111 locals recommend
Jack Sprat
165 Olympic Mountain LoopA local's favorite, offering a fresh, local, and seasonal menu. Great for a date night, or group outing. Best to call ahead and make a reservation to make sure you don't have to wait - this place is popular! Enjoy their brunch menu or dinner specials, along with a great drink menu.
Some of the best Sushi in AK. Sushi Chef Toby is a longtime local - ask for a sushi boat of the Chef's choice and you will be pleasantly surprised. Located at the Hotel Alyeska.
13 locals recommend
Sakura Asian Bistro
1000 Arlberg AveSome of the best Sushi in AK. Sushi Chef Toby is a longtime local - ask for a sushi boat of the Chef's choice and you will be pleasantly surprised. Located at the Hotel Alyeska.
Alex at Spoonline Market makes amazing breakfast burritos and lunch options, baked goods, and take home meals that you can throw in the oven for a quick dinner. She uses quality ingredients to make unique dishes. Also great for local souvenirs or a cup of Caveman Coffee.
46 locals recommend
Spoonline Restaurant
174 Hightower RdAlex at Spoonline Market makes amazing breakfast burritos and lunch options, baked goods, and take home meals that you can throw in the oven for a quick dinner. She uses quality ingredients to make unique dishes. Also great for local souvenirs or a cup of Caveman Coffee.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Sitz is the classic apres ski spot, as well as the local music venue for live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Located at the base of Chair 3.
43 locals recommend
Sitzmark Bar & Grill
100 Olympic Mountain LoopThe Sitz is the classic apres ski spot, as well as the local music venue for live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Located at the base of Chair 3.
The A-Bar is located in the Hotel Alyeska and serves a variety of cocktails, beer, and wine. Great food as well!
9 locals recommend
Aurora Bar & Grill
1000 Arlberg AveThe A-Bar is located in the Hotel Alyeska and serves a variety of cocktails, beer, and wine. Great food as well!
Chair 5, AKA "The Dive" is a local spot for beers, pool, burgers, and deep dish pizza.
57 locals recommend
Chair 5 Restaurant
171 Lindblad AveChair 5, AKA "The Dive" is a local spot for beers, pool, burgers, and deep dish pizza.
The Girdwood Brewery is the locals newest hotspot. The owners Brett and Rory are Girdwood locals that are passionate about brewing great beer. They also have a variety of food carts like the Blue Ristra and Crepes.
67 locals recommend
Girdwood Brewing Company
2700 Alyeska HwyThe Girdwood Brewery is the locals newest hotspot. The owners Brett and Rory are Girdwood locals that are passionate about brewing great beer. They also have a variety of food carts like the Blue Ristra and Crepes.
Parks & Nature
You can take the Tram up to the top of Mt. Alyeska, or hike the North Face Trail in the summer and catch a ride back to the bottom in the Tram. The Boretide Bar and 7 Glaciers restaurants can refuel you while taking in some of the best views in Alaska. Overlook the Turnagain Arm and catch a view of the surrounding glaciers.
133 locals recommend
Alyeska Resort & Hotel Alyeska
1000 Arlberg AveYou can take the Tram up to the top of Mt. Alyeska, or hike the North Face Trail in the summer and catch a ride back to the bottom in the Tram. The Boretide Bar and 7 Glaciers restaurants can refuel you while taking in some of the best views in Alaska. Overlook the Turnagain Arm and catch a view of the surrounding glaciers.
A short walk up the road from the Chalet is the Virgin Creek Trailhead. This is a steep hike that can take you all the way up Max's Mountain, or just a few minutes on the trail will take you to the Virgin Creek Falls. A great outing whether you want a day of exercise or a quick jaunt to some amazing scenery.
9 locals recommend
Virgin Creek Falls Trailhead
Virgin Creek RoadA short walk up the road from the Chalet is the Virgin Creek Trailhead. This is a steep hike that can take you all the way up Max's Mountain, or just a few minutes on the trail will take you to the Virgin Creek Falls. A great outing whether you want a day of exercise or a quick jaunt to some amazing scenery.
The Byron Glacier near Portage is a 2 mile round trip walk out to a Glacier. This is a great intro hike/walk for people new to Alaska. It is where Dan and Molly always take their visitors on their first day in AK.
Byron Glacier
The Byron Glacier near Portage is a 2 mile round trip walk out to a Glacier. This is a great intro hike/walk for people new to Alaska. It is where Dan and Molly always take their visitors on their first day in AK.
Winner Creek is a well built and maintained trail leading you through the forest, along some rivers, and over Glacier Creek via the famous hand tram. Do the whole loop from the Hotel Alyeska to Crow Creek Rd, or an out and back for a nice walk, trail run, or bike ride.
21 locals recommend
Winner Creek Trail Alyeska Trailhead
Winner Creek is a well built and maintained trail leading you through the forest, along some rivers, and over Glacier Creek via the famous hand tram. Do the whole loop from the Hotel Alyeska to Crow Creek Rd, or an out and back for a nice walk, trail run, or bike ride.
Arts & Culture
The Slack Tide Gallery is a locally owned art gallery and store that brings in a rotating selection of local art, crafts, and clothing. They offer food and beverages on "First Friday" nights when they bring in new local art exhibits.
13 locals recommend
Slack Tide Gallery
1553 Alyeska HwyThe Slack Tide Gallery is a locally owned art gallery and store that brings in a rotating selection of local art, crafts, and clothing. They offer food and beverages on "First Friday" nights when they bring in new local art exhibits.
Shopping
Powder Hound Ski Shop is the place to go to kick off an active day in Girdwood. Rent skis, bikes, and paddle boards, or get your outerwear dialed to keep yourself comfortable in the elements. They are best known for their ski boot fitting to make your day on the mountain the best it can be. These guys rock!
27 locals recommend
Powder Hound Ski and Bike Shop
210 Arlberg AvePowder Hound Ski Shop is the place to go to kick off an active day in Girdwood. Rent skis, bikes, and paddle boards, or get your outerwear dialed to keep yourself comfortable in the elements. They are best known for their ski boot fitting to make your day on the mountain the best it can be. These guys rock!
Essentials
The "Merc" is the only place in town to stock up on essential food items. It is a small Safeway with an attached liquor store. You can also get things like DVD rentals and firewood here.
37 locals recommend
Crow Creek Mercantile
147 Hightower RdThe "Merc" is the only place in town to stock up on essential food items. It is a small Safeway with an attached liquor store. You can also get things like DVD rentals and firewood here.
La Bodega is a boutique liquor store that fills and sells growlers of local beer, cider, and wine. You can mix and match beers to make up a six pack, or get everything you need to make a fancy cocktail.
16 locals recommend
La Bodega
194 Olympic Mountain LoopLa Bodega is a boutique liquor store that fills and sells growlers of local beer, cider, and wine. You can mix and match beers to make up a six pack, or get everything you need to make a fancy cocktail.
Entertainment & Activities
The AWCC is a 12 minute drive from Girdwood. It is a conservation center that you can drive around in the comfort of your own car to see anything from bison, moose, bears, and wolverines. Awesome outing for a rainy day, or something to hit if you plan on driving south.
185 locals recommend
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
43520 Seward HwyThe AWCC is a 12 minute drive from Girdwood. It is a conservation center that you can drive around in the comfort of your own car to see anything from bison, moose, bears, and wolverines. Awesome outing for a rainy day, or something to hit if you plan on driving south.
Chugach Powder Guides is the company Dan works for as a Heli Ski Guide. If you are looking for an amazing experience backcountry skiing in Alaska via helicopter, we highly recommend booking a trip with CPG. The guides are all amazingly experienced ski guides that are out to find you the best snow possible, and people you just generally want to be around!
11 locals recommend
Chugach Powder Guides
439 Mt Hood DrChugach Powder Guides is the company Dan works for as a Heli Ski Guide. If you are looking for an amazing experience backcountry skiing in Alaska via helicopter, we highly recommend booking a trip with CPG. The guides are all amazingly experienced ski guides that are out to find you the best snow possible, and people you just generally want to be around!
Stop in to the Great Alaskan Tourist Trap and say hi to Connie and Twirl. They have different tour options including snow machining, dog sledding, and off roading. Their shop is also full of Alaskan souvenirs.
Great Alaskan Tourist Trap
36511 Seward HwyStop in to the Great Alaskan Tourist Trap and say hi to Connie and Twirl. They have different tour options including snow machining, dog sledding, and off roading. Their shop is also full of Alaskan souvenirs.