going to Anchorage
 

We are planning a trip to Anchorage later this month. Have researched activities on the internet, but I'd welcome advice from anyone who has visited or lives there. What to do, what to avoid, where to eat, etc. Oh yes, I've researched quilt shops, too. Any thoughts about those?
Thanks so much.

Oh Please, Oh Please take me with you. I live in NC so you know what summer is like. We went on a cruise to AK a few years ago in Aug. It was delightful. I didn't want to come home. And when we walked out of the airport at RDU we thought we'd just pass out

You should check out the Native Heritage Center, it's toward the edge of town on N. Muldoon Rd. Then there is the downtown museum near A St. between 6th and 7th. There's a trolley ride that goes around town and gives an informative tour, downtown market on Saturdays on 3rd., the Alaska zoo on O'Malley (you can see the wolf pups that were rescued earlier this summer by the fireman fighting a major fire on the Kenai peninsula), or a trip out of town to Portage Glacier, you can take a boat ride out to the face of the glacier and watch it calve. Downtown Anchorage has lots of places to eat, but 3 of my favorite are The Bridge, down near the railroad. It spans a creek and you can enjoy good food and watch the fisherman fishing in downtown. Humpy's on 6th is good and The Snow Goose on 3rd are also great places to eat.
Mostly my best advice is to dress in layers, polar fleece and raincoat, and don't let the weather deter you from enjoying what's out there.

Shopping is quite interesting there....some of the merchandise stares back at you.

Lucky, that's my hometown. I wish I could go back.

Visit the Quilt Tree!! (341 E Benson Blvd, # 5) It's a beautiful fabric store! If you're there on a Saturday, it's worth it to wander through Anchorage Market. It's on 3rd, just west of C street. Have fun! Dress in layers, and have a decent rain jacket.

Thanks everyone. Mike's girl - you are an awful long way from home....must really love Mike!

We lived in Anchorage for 14 yrs. and we LOVED it. I wasn't doing much quilting at that time but I certainly was keeping an eye out for MOOSE!! We loved having them bed down in our back and front yard any time of year. Have a great trip and enjoy yourself. It's a beautiful part of God's earth!

Thank you - can't wait to see the moose and hoping hard to see bears!

Ahhhh Alaska! Lived there for 25 years! Please do all the stuff that has been recommended! Especially the Saturday market! Do dress in layers and have decent rain gear! Hopefully you will have amazing weather and don't forget to enjoy the beauty of the mountain ranges! I miss the breath taking views! Oh, don't forget the Cutters for the mosquitoes!! ������

Lived in Anchorage years ago and would love to go back to visit. Beautiful country. Have a gret time.

Humpys' has good food however their Berry Cobbler isn't worth the 11.00 price tag. The chowders, and shrimp were worth what was charged however. In general, be prepared that goods and services are very high in Alaska, has to do with demand ( summer highest hotel prices) and logistics of shipping stuff there.
Go to " The Quilted Raven" downtown for really nice Alaska prints and patterns. The Barbara Lavalle patterns and panels are very nice. Having just left 15 months out in very rural Yupik Alaska, I can tell you the patterns are quite authentic to what it is like out there. This store also has great yarns dyed in Alaska, as well as Muskox yarn. Next door to the Quilted Raven is a store which has high quality products; not the glitzy gift shop stuff but real art products. Raven's Blend Coffee is really GOOD. read the side panel on the " three peckered billy goat" blend, it will lead to a chuckle.The latter is very expensive, as the yarn is sourced primarily from fibers retrieved from nature when the muskox sheds in the spring. Right across from the Downtown Transit Center, there is a Native Cooperative that sells designs, yarn and accessories made out of the Muskox yarn. These articles are made by village dwellers across Alaska and have distinct patterns for each village. The "Smoke Ringers" are warm enough for the minus temperatures along the Yukon and Kuskwokwim Rivers, which is where I lived. An investment for time and a heritage. I'm making provenance labels for all the things I've collected over the past 5 years of traveling for work.

Fayeberry, I live in Eagle River, approx 13 miles north of Anchorage. If you'll pm me, I'll give you my number and you're welcome to call if you'd like. Several wonderful suggestions on the board, as always, perhaps I can suggest a few more.

Thank you! Can't wait, sounds so interesting.

Anchorage has some great quilt shops--research on internet---we liked eating at Jens on 36th an Arctic. Humpy's is great for fish tacos. The museum is worth visiting. There is also an airplane museum. Lots has changed in Anchorage since we lived there 11 years ago but the zoo is worth visiting--we lived there 13 years--now live in Kenai. I always suggest taking a lightweight jacket. You will see Alaskans eating ice cream when you are feeling cold. Anchorage does have some bad areas but those are usually not areas a visitor would visit.

I loved the Alaska Mint. Nice items. All of the above where good ideas.

Uh-oh. Heard today that the wolf pups will be leaving sometime at the end of the month! Better hurry!

Going on the 17th, hope I get to see the wolf puppies.....and bears......

Just don't follow the bears into the forest for better pictures as some silly tourists did while we were visiting. What about the mountain goats south of town?

Didn't know there were mountain goats, but it figures there would be. Will look for them. Do remember seeing some in Canada a while back, and their ability to climb in the most difficult spots was amazing.

It sounds so good I think we all should go ;-)