Adventures in Anchorage: What to Eat, Where to Go, and What to See (For Rachael Ray magazine)

​Alaska’s largest city is the coolest combination of modern culture, rugged wilderness, and—of course—great food.

Alyeska Resort

​Think a ski resort is fun only in the winter? Think again. Alyeska Resort, 40 miles from central Anchorage, offers summertime fun with hiking trails, downhill mountain biking, stunning panoramic views, and mountaintop fine dining at the Seven Glaciers restaurant (like the scallop bisque with salmon mousse or wagyu beef with Alaskan barley). 

Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria

Coming in at No. 5 on Trip Advisor’s Best Pizza in the Country list, Moose’s Tooth is a must-stop. With signature pies like Thai chicken and Greek gyro, there’s surely something for everyone. (Don’t worry, veggievores, there are meatless options for you, too.) They don’t take reservations, but a pint of Broken Tooth Brewing beer by the fire pit makes the wait more than bearable. 

Wild Scoops

Ice cream in chilly Alaska? Oh yes. Cool local flavors like Foraged Wild Rose and Spruce Tip—along with kid-friendly options like Bubble Gum and Fruity Pebbles— are the reason this artisanal creamery blossomed from a farmers’ market stand to a downtown shop with lines out the door. 

Snow City Cafe

With fresh local ingredients and nearly everything from scratch, this quirky downtown café is popular among locals and world leaders alike. You can make like President Obama, who bought every cinnamon roll in the case during a notable visit in 2015, or you can opt for dishes like snow crab omelets, stuffed French toast, and salmon BLT sammies. 

Alaska Native Heritage Center

A living, breathing cultural hub, the Alaska Native Heritage Center is much more than a museum. Explore the history of Alaska’s indigenous cultures through dance performances, crafts classes, and guided tours of life-size replicas of native dwellings. The center is open daily from mid-May through mid-September.

The Alaska Railroad

Anchorage’s railroad depot is your ticket out of town without the worry of driving. Nearly 20 different day trips are available, including add-on excursions for glacier cruises, dogsled tours, and hiking paths only accessible by rail.

Published in Rachael Ray magazine and on rachaelraymag.com on June 26, 2019.