SEE, DO, EAT..Alaska in the Winter

Visiting Alaska is usually recommended in the summer months however during my stay here I have found there is still quite a bit to SEE, DO and EAT while visiting the Anchorage, Alaska area. I'll be updating this post as I see, do and eat at new places.

SEE

• Flattop Mountain - located in south Anchorage. Great pan views of cook inlet and the city of Anchorage.
• Turnagain Arm - Seward Hwy/Hwy 1 that runs south of Anchorage. Great views of the cook inlet and its majestic mountains
• Portage Glacier - Views of glaciers forming down in Portage
• Seward - Lots of cruises set out from here. Also home to the Alaska Sea Life Center and the Polar Bear Jump Off in January.
• Homer - great to visit in the summer months, but it's still a nice drive in the winter and has great views from Homer spit

• Talkeetna - not worth the drive...only visit during the summer months
• Hatcher Pass - totally worth the drive. Willow creek at the bottom of the mountain...but this is my favorite view in all of anchorage.

DO

• Resurrection Bay Cruise - This cruise sets out from Seward and takes a tour of Resurrection Bay. You'll be sure to see some good sea life and some glaciers if weather permits. Last cruises of the season tour in late October.
• Alaska Train Ride - Ride from Anchorage to south to Seward or North to Denali.Alaska Zoo - Visit Aphun the Polar Bear and his friend at the zoo in Anchorage :) www.alaskazoo.org
• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center -Basically a drive through zoo on Hwy 1 just south of Girdwood on Hwy 1. www.alaskawildlife.org
• Alaska Sealife Center - located in Seward www.alaskasealife.org
• 
• Fur Rondy - 10 day celebration of life in Alaska. Feb 27 through March 8. Ends with the start of the Iditarod...I'll post pictures. www.furrondy.net
  Iditarod - 1150 mile dogsled race through Alaska. I'm going to the kickoff in Wasilla so I'll post pictures later. www.iditarod.com
• Skiing - Aleyeska resort in Girdwood...from Anchorage just drive south about 45 minutes to Hwy 1 to Girdwood.
• Snowboarding - Drive up to the top of Hatcher Pass and park and snowboard down. You should probably have someone to drive down to the bottom to pick you up.
• Ice Skating - Outdoor rink complete with ice sculptures located downtown between 5th and 6th streets

• Hockey Games - Alaska Aces Games....the fans ring cowbells at the games so make sure you do not have a headache before going to the game :)
• College Basketball - while it is not the UNC Tarheels or ACC basketball.....but the University of Anchorage basketball team is doing pretty well this season

EAT

• Glacier Brewhouse - my personal favorite so far; great food
• Kobe Japanese Steakhouse - local japanese steakhouse, not upscale...and if you've been to one Japanese steakhouse, you have more tha likely been to them all
• Orso - owned by same people that own glacier. a little upscale from Glacier Brewhouse, but I still prefer Glacier.
• Simon & Seafort - great view of cook inlet...a little upscale, good american food and deserts. They have a seasonal fruit cobbler that is wonderful...my favorite is the berry cobbler.
• Sourdough Mining Company - Warning! Warning! Visit at your own risk. Greasy and overpriced. will leave you with indigestion that will NOT be worth it.
• Village Inn - Alaskan version of your local IHOP. Decent breakfast.
• Moose Tooth Pizza & Pub - local favorite pizzeria, very popular....you will more than likely have to wait a minute for your food.
• Bear Tooth Theatre & Grill - owned by same people that own Moose Tooth. American food with theatre on the back side of restaurant where you can eat food from the restaurant and watch movies. Nothing particularly special, but a local favorite.
• Sea Galley - Seafood restaurant that has the BEST tempura shrimp. Atmosphere leaves something to be desired...but then again, most places you visit in Anchorage are dated with decorations/furnishings that belong in the 70's and 80's.