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Anchorage Journals

Anchorage in the Fall

Best of IgoUgo

A September 2008 trip to Anchorage by Seaotter71

The MAN says no booze... Photo - Snow City Cafe, Anchorage, Alaska More Photos
Quote: A conference in Anchorage allows a little exploration in and around town trying to avoid the tourist traps
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Kenai Fjords National Park Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Kenai Fjords Boat Tour"

Stellar Sea Lion Rookery Photo - Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska
Quote:
A boat tour of Kenai Fjords is an awesome day trip from Anchorage. I signed up with Kenai Fjords Tours. For about $250 I went on the 6 hour "National Park Cruise." It included land transportation between Seward and Anchorage (2 hours each way) and lunch aboard the boat. Don’t get your hopes up, the "healthy chicken ceasar wrap" left a lot to be desired. But you’re not there for the food.The onboard naturalist was good and helped us spot numerous humpback whales, a sea otter wrestling an octopus, and a couple of bald eagles, and several stellar sea lion rookeries. It was late in the season so we didn’t get to see too many birds. But we did get to see a puffin, "We’re so lucky," the naturali...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 13, 2008

Kenai Fjords National Park
Outside the Town of Seward
Seward, Alaska 99664
(907) 224-7500

Alaska Native Heritage Center Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "A Nice Overview of the Culture of Alaska's Native Peoples"

Native Alaskan Dancers Photo - Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage, Alaska
Quote:
The Alaska Native Heritage Center is dedicated to sharing the culture and history of Alaska’s 11 major cultural groups: Athabascan, Inupiaq, St. Lawrence Island Yupik, Yup’ik, Cup’ik, Aleut, Alutiiq, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian.The main facility, The Welcome house, is bright and airy with a great view of the lake and wooded area. In the center there is a stage where I got to see an Aleut or Alutiiq (I forget which) dance presentation. I really enjoyed it because while obviously staged for our benefit, it did not feel like a mass produced shallow experience. Maybe it was the personal nature of the stories they shared between dances. Maybe because it had a family feeling - the leader’...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on December 13, 2008

Alaska Native Heritage Center
8800 Heritage Center Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99506
(907) 330 8000

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "A Delightful Walk/Ride in Between Day Trips"

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Photo - Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Anchorage, Alaska
Quote:
With half a day left before my flight back home, there wasn’t time for one last adventure. On a waiter’s recommendation I decided to take a stroll along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. There are numerous places in town to rent a bike, but I decided to take a more leisurely approach.Supposedly the trail is chock full of animals, including moose. Unfortunately I got a bit of a late start and the only animals I saw were small shore birds and those out for a walk with their owners. Still, the walk is quite lovely and seeing all the locals out makes you feel like part of the city instead of a tourist.The 11 mile (one way) trail is paved, mostly flat and follows the Anchorage Coastli...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 29, 2008

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
900 West Second Ave
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Not applicable

Marx Bros Cafe Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "A Wonderful Cozy Meal in Anchorage"

Kodiak Scallops Photo - Marx Bros Cafe, Anchorage, Alaska
Quote:
I dismayed when surveying the Anchorage food landscape. The recommendation from the nice lady at the visitors bureau centered around a free shuttle bus to the restaurant and the world’s biggest chocolate fountain. Sigh. The free guide to local dining fared a little better. Bon Appetit recommended a place, Rachel Ray another... Hmmm. But the Marx Brother’s Café caught my eye. The photography was adequate and the copy properly effusive. But the fact that is was located in a reconverted house made me hopeful. It made me think this was a person’s (not a corporations) restaurant.The house is small, cozy, and thankfully, the tables are not cramped together. Vibrant artwork adorns the walls and s...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 23, 2008

Marx Bros Cafe
627 West Third Ave
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
+1 907 278 2133

Snow City Cafe Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Awesome Hash Browns in a Quasy Funky Diner"

The MAN says no booze... Photo - Snow City Cafe, Anchorage, Alaska
Quote:
After a nice long walk on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, I came across Snow City Café. My cabbie had recommended it, and the long line outside told me something good was happening inside. I decided to check it out and snagged a seat and the counter (bypassing a wait time of over an hour for a table).The décor is college student dinner. Distinct dinner booths, tables, and counter balanced with brightly colored walls, funky artwork, and snowflakes and Christmas ornaments hanging from the ceiling to round out the snowy theme. Lightly tattooed and pierced college aged kids hustle to keep the onslaught of dinners happy and fed without loosing the friendly vibe.The pancakes apparent...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 23, 2008

Snow City Cafe
1034 W. 4th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska
(907) 272-2489

About the Writer

Seaotter71

Seaotter71
Monterey, California

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