hey everybody, hoping I could get some input here. My fiancee and I are taking an Alaskan cruise in June for our honeymoon and were going to stay an extra day in Anchorage figuring it would be a pretty place. I was hoping that somebody could suggest a nice hotel to stay in. Not something expensive, clean, maybe something historic or nice from an architectural standpoint. Just not a dump. :-)

Also, any ideas on something we should do on our one day in Anchorage (maybe 1.5 days depending on when the cruise company puts us there).

Thanks all.

Red

hottel--captain cook

to do --alaska mint

DagoRed,

Sorry to burst your bubble but Anchorage is not a particularly scenic place in itself. Mostly it is concrete and steel like most medium size cities.

I would rent a car and take a ride down Turnagin Arm to Portage glacier. Scenic ride and the glacier is quite interesting. Also there is a pretty neat little zoo just outside of town with all the indigenous animals of Alaska. Have dinner one night at Simon&Seaforts. They have great food and a beautiful view of the inlet.

There really isn't much historical as far as buildings go in Anchorage since about everything has been rebuilt since the '64 quake so the hotels are modern. The downtown Marriott might be a good bet for a medium priced hotel.

Get a copy of THE MILEPOST. It is an annual that tells you everything about Alaska.

Regards,

Mark

Mark's got it right, save that Anchorage is actually a fairly scenic city in the summer. Along with his suggestions, get a city map and drive up to the Hillside. From the park up there you will have a beautiful view of the mountains and down over the city.

dave

OK! Dave I guess I do have a jaded view of scenery since I live in Dillingham and the "REAL" Alaska is about one minute from my house.

One thing I like to do is show people Hood Lake which is the largest floatplane base in the world. Lots of neat airplanes if you like that kind of thing.

You might like to eat at the Alaska Sourdough Mining Co. It's a convenient location and a good tourist spot. It also has a shop across the street where they make chocolate and berry products. You can watch them make it, buy it, etc and they have a neat chocolate waterfall that people like to take photos of.

There are also some decent gun shops and sporting goods places but you might not be "free" to do that on a honeymoon.

You might try the Milennium on Spenard Road not too far from the airport. A very "Alaskan" lobby and motif. I got it for $79 a night in December, but you could expect almost double that by June.

Wherever you stay make reservations now. Most of the decent hotels are filled anywhere from may-aug it seems. Comfort inn is nice, also the westmark.
I also agree about getting a rental car. Since you will be coming up the sewerd highway (because of the cruise) head north. Matanuska glacier is pretty cool to walk on. Going south isnt that bad, much to do that you wont get a chance to do on the bus (cruise).

You might check out the "Historic Anchorage Hotel" it's next door to the Hilton and right downtown. Also go to the web site of the Anchorage CVB, lots of good things to see and do. www.anchorage.com

I'm sure your cruise will take you to my town Juneau. Don't miss the Mendenhall Glacier, it's in my back yard. And if you get the time take a Whale Watching tour or helicopter tour to the Juneau Ice Field, (it's the size of Switzerland over 5,000 sq miles) Have a great time and thanks for coming to visit.

John

Opps, it's www.anchorage.net and my site is www.traveljuneau.com

Cheers

John

Ok Mark...I don't know why you thought you would "burst his bubble" as you put it.

All I said is that Anch is actually "a fairly scenic city in the summer".

If you rank Dillingham a city, that's a problem of your own perspective. If you don't, you shouldn't feel threatened by my comment. I never said Dillingham wasn't scenic.

REAL Alaska, whatever that means...is also a matter of perspective.

Enjoy yours.

Thanks guys, that was a fast response! I will print this out, am doing it right after posting actually, and use it to get this taken care of.

I definitely am going to make it a point to get to at least one of the glaciers, they fascinate me. Did you know that the water in a glacier is not frozen, gas or liquid, but exists in a plastic state. In a glacier the pressure is so great that the water molecules have actually become compressed in with air molecules creating the plastic state. I learned that years ago in a geography class and am still amazed by it to this day.

As far as other side trips go I am not sure. we are pretty good set for the basic trip, cruise combined for us both is 2600, her grandparents are paying all airfare. But then we have the hotel costs and we found out that we are going to be paying much more of the wedding costs than we had planned so won't have as much money for the honeymoon as we expected.

thanks again guys, once again this forum has come through for me, so cool.

Red

Dago Red,



I'd second the Millenium...a very nice place to stay. You can drink/eat there and watch the float planes land and takeoff from Lake Hood. There is a car rental agency next door and a Visitor center acros the street. It is also easy walking distance to "Gwennies" from there. One of the BEST places in Anchorage for breakfast. Be sure eat there if time allows.



Enjoy your trip to God's country. Alaska is a wonderful place.



Chip

"My fiancee and I are taking an Alaskan cruise in June for our honeymoon"

I guess that means the Bush Company is out of the question!

Seriously, I second the Seward Hwy along Turnagain Arm. Try to get more time so you can fish for Kenai Kings and Halibut out of Homer.

Congratulations-

Mike

The Alyeska Prince Hotel is very nice, and Girdwood is located in a beautiful valley. The Seven Glaciers Restaraunt at the top of the tramway is very good and real eye popping views. If you let the staff know you are on a honeymoon, they will do their best to make your stay wonderful.

http://www.alyeskaresort.com

I can't believe no one has mentioned the Merrill Inn. It's right across the street from the start of a lot of great adventures, reasonable rates, shuttle, and a strip bar right next door! Everything a boy would need!
Shayne

Flapjack Jims for breakfast........

i like the millenium on spenard near the airport. especially if u like taxidermy displays. or downtown, more centrally located the captain cook.

best place for dinner simon and sieforts
for breakfast, sourdough mining co., bring your appitite.

have fun.

cold zero

Barret's Best Western. Close to the airport and a cab ride downtown is cheap.

I stayed at The Barret Inn but primarily because they offered frezer space at the end of our hunt. This was convienient to get the meat to the processor the next day. I found downtown Anchorage a bit more interesting than I had expected. I think I would stay at the Captain Cook or the Hilton next time.

I believe the milenium was that the one with all the taxedermy work in it wasn't it? Stone pillars out side on the west side of Spenard. You and the old lady might want to check out Chilcoot Charlies , Live music most nights and pretty tasty beer. For a more classy Dinner I would recomend Orso I believe it is on fouth street. The Watchtower looked Nice as well to stay at it is a boutique hotel real nice resteraunt also Called Nick's I believe. Bring a fishing rod!!!!!!!!!!!!

cw;

i too have stayed at the barret best western and it was fine. the dinner was good too.

down the st. the millenium also has a big walkin box to the rt. of the frt. dr. that they keep at -30, brrrrr.

cold zero

Dago Red ----- I have stayed in Anchorage on several occasions. The place to stay for historical standpoint is either Captain Cook downtown or the Millennium Alaskan Hotel, near the Airport. The Millenium is the headquarter hotel for the Ididarod Trail race. It also has one of the best restaurants in town in my opinion. The Barret Best Western is next door to the Millennium, you could stay there, save money and eat at the Millennium. If you really want to save money the Puffin Inn is just a short walk from the Barrett and Millennium and is quite a bit cheaper than either. I usually stay at the Puffin Inn, eat breakfast at the Barrett and Dinner at the Millennium. Good luck and good traveling.

Last trip up, I stayed at the Barret and walked over to Millineum to check it out. Millineum has a great bar where you can sit and have cocktails while watching float planes come in and out of Lake Hood. Recommend you have king crab leg and halibut chip appetizers. You won't need any dinner.

Check out the Alaska Fur Exchange. You can buy just about any species of fur there to take home.

I hear The Great Alaska Bush Company is pretty cool too, but better do that without the wife.