Girdwood Travel Guide

  Jumping up after landing on a glacier in...
by jumpingnorman
 
  • Jumping up after landing on a glacier in Alaska!
      Jumping up after landing on a glacier in...
    by jumpingnorman
  • Flying over an out of this world Alaskan glacier
      Flying over an out of this world Alaskan...
    by jumpingnorman
  • Lots of moose here!
      Lots of moose here!
    by Ericasmurf99
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by Ericasmurf99
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by Ericasmurf99
 

Pro

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 Lots of fun things to do, or just relax 


Con

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 Some parts seem a bit of a tourist trap 


In a nutshell

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 Excellent variety of scenry throughout the hike. 

 

Explore Girdwood

Things to Do  

Helicopter Landing on Glacier!

Helicopter Landing on Glacier!, Girdwood

 jumpingnorman Says:  What??? We're gonna land on a glacier??? Those were my words to my sister after she informed me that I had no choice because she already paid my $425 ticket for the helicopter ride. Okay.The ride would take 90 minutes and we would see seals and other wildlife and then land... 

Ride the shuttle bus!

Ride the shuttle bus!, Girdwood

 outrider Says:  Glacier Valley Transit is the shuttle bus that takes everyone from the hotel to the restaurants and shops. The shuttle is a great place to meet and talk to locals. If you don't know where you want to go or what you want to do, it's perfectly fine to just ride on the bus and... 

Alpine Air Alaska

Alpine Air Alaska, Girdwood

 AKGirl Says:  We went to go to Prince William Sound via helicopter and had so much fun that we decided to go Summer Dog Sledding too. Everything was incredible! It is a bit pricy but worth every penny! All of the views were once in a life time and totaly made our entire trip! The only bad... 

Hotels  

Hotel Alyeska

 6 Reviews and 435 Opinions  Some people consider the Alyeska Hotel (the former Alyeska Prince Hotel closed on 1 Dec 2006) to be... 

Restaurants  

Maxine's: Best Beer Selection in Girdwood

Maxine's: Best Beer Selection in Girdwood, Girdwood

 pulpcouture Says:  For such a small town in Alaska, no less, Girdwood is blessed to have some REALLY good restaurants, including Maxine's which touts itself as the Glacier City Bistro.Right before you get to that world famous steak joint, The Double Musky, right down the street, you'll see an... 

The Bake Shop: Delicious Homemade Soups and Bread

The Bake Shop: Delicious Homemade Soups and Bread, Girdwood

 AlbuqRay Says:  The Bake Shop is open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM. (Saturdays until 8 PM). They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual atmosphere with beautiful flowers greeting you outside. The Bake Shop has unique breakfast items, such as Summer of '76 and Farmer's Omelet, or choose... 

Girdwood: Big Kahuna Burger

Girdwood: Big Kahuna Burger, Girdwood

 jumpingnorman Says:  Our helicopter ride to land on the glacier in Girdwood was scheduled at 330 PM (my sister chose that time because she said the skies would be very clear). She was right, I must say...So, we had time to spare and wanted to eat before the ride. Hopefully, I wouldn't puke out... 

Chair 5: The best little Dive in Girdwood

Chair 5: The best little Dive in Girdwood, Girdwood

 pulpcouture Says:  While Chair 5 is known for good food from pizzas to steaks with all manner of bar fare in between, it is also know for being one of the only two independent (IE; not on Alyeska property,) bars in town that sell liquor, and the other one is the Double Musky which keeps... 

Nightlife  

Chair 5 Restaurant: Where the locals go

Chair 5 Restaurant: Where the locals go, Girdwood

 RickinDutch Says:  I always try to find the place the locals hang out when I visit a town to get the real feel for a place. In Girdwood, this is Chair 5. Went two nights, the first being Monday night which was packed as all the cheese heads were out cheering on the Packers. The second time was... 

Transportation  

Train from Anchorage

Train from Anchorage, Girdwood

 grandmaR Says:  We took a train excursion from Anchorage that went to Girdwood so I know that it is possible to get to Girdwood by train. The train doesn't run in the winter.Arrival time: From Anchorage on the Costal Classic Southbound: 8:05 AM, From Seward on the Costal Classic Northbound:... 

Take advantage of Glacier Valley Transit

Take advantage of Glacier Valley Transit, Girdwood

 pulpcouture Says:  Glacier City Transit is a small shuttle system new this year to Girdwood, and absolutely indispensible in the winter.The schedule is somewhat shortened in the summer (summer schedule doesn't run 'till 3am every night to get the bar crowd home,) but it's still perfect for... 

Shopping  

Aloha Alaska: Local Crafts

Aloha Alaska: Local Crafts, Girdwood

 kaloz Says:  Aloha Alaska seerves espresso, has a deli, and sells gifts. The gift shop is to the right as you enter and features many local crafts including the blown glass of the owner Darby. The displays are ever changing. I didn't buy anything, but I am not a shopper, so don't go by... 

Great Alaskan Tourist Trap: It is only a name

Great Alaskan Tourist Trap: It is only a name, Girdwood

 kaloz Says:  Connie and Chris run the Great Alaskan Tourist Trap located just off the Seward Highway near the old townsite of Girdwood. The shop is much nicer than most of the stores hawking tourist pap in Anchorage and Connie is much friendlier. Chris also guides tours of the... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Unexploded Shells

Unexploded Shells, Girdwood

 kaloz Says:  If you are hiking on the mountain, you may find some unexploded shells. These shells are used for Avalanche control. DO NOT APPROACH. Mark the spot and tell one of the staff approximately where it is so that they can safely remove the shell from the mountain. 

What to Pack  

Sports Gear and More
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

kaloz 740 reviews
to be where little cable cars . . .

Luggage and bags: Since this is a resort, your bags will be handled for you, so bring whatever you like

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Layers of clothing allow you adjust for your personal comfort. Footwear is mostly ski boots or some other warm boot.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Everything is available at the resort, I do recommend that you bring your favorite lib balm, and skin moisturizer.

Photo Equipment: Bring an extra set of batteries, the cold weather drains them quickly. It is good to keep them near your body, underneath your clothing.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Skis, SnowBoards, or Snowshoes are the rage in winter, also bring your goggles and helmet if you are going alpine.

Miscellaneous: Don't forget your swimwear for relaxing in the whirlpool after a day of skiing.

Updated Apr 4, 2011

Related to:
 Spa and Resort
 Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
 Skiing and Boarding

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Off The Beaten Path  

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Girdwood

 Ericasmurf99 Says:  This great place is in between Girdwood and Portage Glacier & Whittier. So I wasn't for sure what city to put it under...Follow AK Route 1 South for about 47 miles past Girdwood and just before the Portage Glacier/Whittier road turnoff, on the right. Small sign, keep your... 

Winner Creek Trail

Winner Creek Trail, Girdwood

 goingsolo Says:  Alyeska has some great trail swhich begin just outside the resort and are open to the public. This one consisted of several miles to Winner Creek. The trail is 3 miles round trip and heads through rainforest to Winner Creek. The trail crosses Glacier Creek via a hand powered... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Tandem Parasailing

Tandem Parasailing, Girdwood

 RickinDutch Says:  Available through the concierge at the Alyeska Prince Hotel or direcet with Alaska Paragliding, this looks like a great activity. I had some friends decide to do this at the last minute while we were attending a reception at Seven Glaciers. Yes, alcohol was involved!The... 

Para-Sail off the Mountain

Para-Sail off the Mountain, Girdwood

 kaloz Says:  In the summer, you can para-sail off of Mt Alyeska. This is the coolest way to get off the mountain. Don't worry if you have never done this before. You ride piggy-backed with a guide who does the driving, you just enjoy the experience. Equipment is provided by the guide.... 

Favorites  

Alyeska in the summer

Alyeska in the summer, Girdwood

 kaloz Says:  I first visited Girdwood in August on my travels with Peggy and Dianne. The weather was fabulous, hot and sunny. They coundn't believe they were wearing shorts in Alaska. Even on the mountain it was beautiful. Girdwood lays on the charm no matter when you visit, summer or... 

Alaska in Winter

Alaska in Winter, Girdwood

 kaloz Says:  People have many misconceptions about Alaska. We all live in Igloos, and it is cold and dark. The funny thing is, it isn't that cold. OK, I don't live in Barrow. But I have visited Fairbanks and Girdwood in February, and I found it quite comfortable.So prepare for the worst,... 

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Map of Girdwood