Seward, AK

destination • experience • outdoors

Exit Glacier Trailhead

First and foremost, get here early!! I mean around 8:00-9:00 AM at the latest. Exit Glacier is one of the most popular sites in Seward so everyone comes here to hike it. By the time we finished and were trekking down close to 10:00 the trails were filling up. Remember your bug spray! A lot of mosquitoes!

Anchorage, AK

bar • restaurants

Glacier Brewhouse

Glacier Brewhouse or ‘The Brewhouse’ has to be the most popular restaurant in Anchorage. I tried getting a seat a couple different times and left because of the long wait times. I ended up scoring a seat when I was by myself for lunch. With that said, make reservations! The food is great and the servings generous. Apparently the beer is great as well. The menu options are solid with nice seafood selections, salads and burgers.

Anchorage, AK

bar • destination • experience • lodging • outdoors • restaurants • shopping

Anchorage

If you do not take an Alaskan Cruise, more than likely you will fly into Anchorage. The city itself is interesting as there are great parts and ‘what is happening?’ parts. If you stay close to the tourist area you will be fine. There are GREAT restaurants and tax free shopping. You can purchase great items at the North Face Store, local shops, Nordstroms and the mall all tax free! * Check out my other Anchorage recommendations for a great visit to this Alaskan city.

Anchorage, AK

bar • restaurants

Simon & Seafort's

Simon’s was the first restaurant I dined in while visiting Alaska. It really set the stage for what the rest of the trip would be like. The sourdough bread is great especially with a lot of butter. I also recommend their cocktails, their Lavender Cosmo was bomb! Also recommended is the smoked salmon bisque, steamed clams and as much asparagus as you can handle! Love this restaurant!

Denali National Park and Preserve, AK

bar • restaurants

Denali Park Salmon Bake

Salmon Bake in Denali is another delicious restaurant to try. The blueberry pie is incredible as well as their cocktails made from local berries. If in Alaska one must try the Halibut and Chips. It is a bit pricey here $20+ but you know that the fish is fresh! One thing though, this restaurant is built on a slant so your table and drinks might be tilted! Good times!

Denali National Park and Preserve, AK

destination • experience • outdoors

Denali National Park and Preserve

A must when in Alaska! Denali is a wonderland for nature and hiking enthusiasts. You can either drive to Savage River or take the bus tours. Depending on how much time you have you have choices. We did the drive to Savage River and treked the two mile loop walk along the river. There are multiple hiking trails along the drive too. Don’t forget to visit the Huskies! You can interact with them and watch a demonstration of how they work.

Anchorage, AK

cafe • restaurants

The Red Chair Cafe

I had breakfast here twice and The Red Chair is one of the better cafés for your morning meal. Their coffee drinks are great and the baked items even better. The menu items are so delicious and creative! * Recommend: Try The salmon bacon, the seasonal omelettes and add locally grown asparagus to your meal!

Anchorage, AK

bar • restaurants

Orso

One of our favorite restaurants that we dined in. There was something for everyone amongst my friends. Orso is a top notch restaurant with an upscale vibe, serving delicious local seafood and other entres. I ordered The seafood chowder and the Crab Stuffed Rockfish both were solid and very fresh. My crew ordered non seafood items and they said their dishes were perfect!

Seward, AK

destination • experience • outdoors • restaurants • shopping

Seward

Seward was one of our favorites in Alaska. It is a seasonal town just a few hours from Anchorage. This fishing town represents what you think when Alaska comes to mind. Along the boat riddled pier fishermen and tourists bring in their haul. The surrounding mountains are breathtaking and the air crisp. There is also a good food scene here and comfortable lodging. * Check our my other Seward recommendations for a great getaway!

Talkeetna, AK

bar • cafe • destination • lodging • outdoors • restaurants • shopping

Talkeetna

What drew my friends and I into Talkeetna was the fact that a cat is to be mayor for years! That mayor is long gone but what we did find was a historic town that was the starting point for those who wanted to climb Mt McK. This town does have an amount of tourist but there great places to eat and nice little shops.

Denali National Park and Preserve, AK

bar • restaurants

Moose-AKa's

We were recommended this Eastern European restaurant and in turn, I am recommending it to you. This is one place you can find traditional heart warming comfort food from Eastern Europe in Alaska. On a cold Alaskan day, Moose-AKA is where you want to be. Reservations are highly recommended!

Seward, AK

cafe • restaurants

GOLD RUSH

Located in downtown Seward this local restaurant offers fresh King Crab legs and halibut tacos, which were on my list. The atmosphere is Alaskan casual, the service is excellent and the food delicious! Especially the Halibut tacos and king crab legs! Yummy!

Anchorage, AK

bar • restaurants

Ginger

This Asian Fusion restaraunt with a swanky vibe serves up classy cocktails and incredible eats! My favorite bites were the wings, chicken soba noodles and Mushu Tacos- so solid! If you like champagne cocktails they offer special ones like the Ginger Champagne Cocktail which I loved! Yum!

Seward, AK

destination • experience • outdoors

Kenai Fjords Tours

One of the best ways to see the Fjords and if in Seward you have to see the Kenai Fjords. This tour offers both lunch and dinner on Fox Island. We took the full day tour which I recommend. The full day tour brings you through the bay, past sea lions, puffins, birds nested in cliffs, different whale sightings and a glimpse of a glacier. We also got to taste glacier ice that they pulled from the ocean! Such a fun day!

AK, United States

destination • experience • outdoors

Denali

This little town at the mouth of the National Park is a great place to stay a couple of days. There are cabins, camping grounds and hotels in the area depending on how you want to sleep. I highly recommend reserving months in advance, half a year if possible. There is a nice restaurant scene here too and the surrounding mountains are breathtaking.

Talkeetna, AK

cafe • restaurants

Shirley's Homemade Ice Cream

We stumbled across this little ice cream place during a rainy day in Talkeetna. Yes, ice cream is still great in the cold rain. The ice cream here is handmade with local ingredients and some of the best tasting around. I recommend the pistachio, blueberry (local blueberries) or the fireweed which is made from a local wildflower.

Anchorage, AK

destination • experience • outdoors

Seward Highway

The best way to experience this gorgeous 125 drive from Anchorage to Seward is by car. There are trains and bus tours but to have the pure freedom to stop and take it in, renting a car is the way! I think it took us hours to get to Seward because we kept stopping and photographing EVERYTHING! Seward Hwy runs along the coast, past lakes and through a mountain pass. One of the most memorable drives one can take.

Anchorage, AK

cafe • restaurants

Great Harvest Bread Co., Anchorage, AK

We had to come here since Great Harvest was noted on several food shows. The hype is for real! The breads here are so delicious and they offer samples with butter. The sandwiches are great too. Recommendation: The Cinnamon Chi bread with butter.

Denali National Park and Preserve, AK

lodging • outdoors

Carlo Creek Lodge

Carlo Creek is where we stayed for a few nights while in Denali. It is several miles from the park and town but that was fine because we wanted to stay outside the town center. Carlo Creek offers different cabins sizes with a kitchen and bathroom. It made for a convenient and cozy stay as we cooked in the morning and left for the park after. Several months prior reservations are recommended!

Anchorage, AK

cafe • experience

Sweet Chalet in Hotel Captain Cook

I have a sweet tooth for gourmet chocolate and Sweet Chalet was just perfect for that tooth. This little chocolate shop specializes in their Aureal Borealis truffles that are all hand painted. I brought home one of each, including other truffles and their chocolate covered gummy bears. SO YUMMY!

Anchorage, AK

bar • cafe • restaurants

AK Alchemist

A fun drink spot in Anchorage. This outdoor beverage place serves everything from coffees, beer, smoothies and local bites. Just bundle up if the weather is cold because the seating is outside or you can do take away.

Talkeetna, AK

restaurants

Mountain High Pizza Pie

The pizzas and Strombolis here are delicious. If you are looking to share a pie or just get a slice, Mountain High is the right place. The atmosphere is comfortable and there are large family tables if you have a big group.

Seward, AK

bar • restaurants

Ray's Waterfront

Ray’s is one of the nicer restaurants in Seward. We dined here on one of our nights in Seward and everything was solid. The service, the seafood, drinks and prices were great. Although this is one of the nicer restaurants in town, you don’t have to get all dolled up. It is Alaska! * Recommendation: Bowl of steamed muscles!