Top Things to do in Girdwood
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The 8 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Girdwood, Alaska (AK)
Discover the best top things to do in Girdwood, United States including Alpine Air Alaska, Chugach Adventures, Ascending Path, Alaska Wild Guides, Girdwood Mushing Company, Portage Glacier, Alyeska Aerial Tram, Tightlines Alaska.
Restaurants in Girdwood
1. Alpine Air Alaska
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 889 reviews
Alpine Air Alaska is a helicopter tour company in Girdwood, Alaska. We offer scenic flightseeing, glacier landings, and glacier dog sledding in the Summer!
2. Chugach Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 154 reviews
Welcome to Chugach Adventures. We offer trips for all adventure levels, all ages & all abilities. Rafting, Iceberg Kayaking, Glacier Salmon Bakes, Helicopter Alpine Hikes, Camping Trips, Hiking Trips, & Wildlife Tours. Join us for a Bears, Trains, & Icebergs Tour for one of the best full day adventure tours from Anchorage, Girdwood, Portage, or Whittier. Visit Spencer Glacier- one of the most easily accessible terminus glacier lakes in Southcentral Alaska.
3. Ascending Path
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 307 reviews
Visit and experience a unique Alaskan wilderness on our authentic glacier adventures. Within an hour of Anchorage we can have you on a glacier, and enjoying real Alaska on a spectacular guided hike. An amazing train ride gets us to the Spencer Whistle Stop which offers excellent Iceberg viewing and Glacier hiking. Your family can even paddle a Tandem Sea Kayak past icebergs and ride a Heli to climb on the Spencer Glacier itself.
4. Alaska Wild Guides
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 89 reviews
Wilderness adventure tours with snowmobiles in winter, sailing sea kayaks and jet ski tours in the summer months.
5. Girdwood Mushing Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 124 reviews
An 8 mile journey in our open air 6x6 Pinzgauers takes you from sea level to an elevation of 1200 feet on the historical Iditarod trail. At this elevation the mountains open up to one of the most scenic landscapes in all of Alaska. Here you will meet one of our Alaskan Iditarod Mushers and their amazing sled dogs, who are incredible athletes. Observe dog handling techniques and interact with the dogs that ran 1049 miles from Anchorage to Nome―truly incredible athletes. This experience is “HANDS ON !!”Experience the excitement and energy of these athletes as you feel the raw power of these sled dogs as you ride through trails high up in the Alaska mountains. It’s an experience you will never forget. After your cart ride, you will visit our beautiful puppy pavilion. This is your chance to cuddle and play with future Alaska Iditarod Puppies. Check out authentic race memorabilia & hear stories from the trails from an Iditarod musher.
6. Portage Glacier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,025 reviews
A popular tourist attraction.
Reviewed By PookyCake - Victoria, Canada
Named by Thomas Mendenhall in 1898, Portage Glacier sits on the edge of Portage Lake and is technically part of the Chugach National Forest. Often considered a “crown jewel” by tourists because of its relatively close proximity to Anchorage, Portage Glacier is perhaps the most visited glacier in Alaska. Accessible by boat or a brisk hike, the glacier provides us with a number of things: 1) Beautiful views and a peek into geologic history; and, 2) Clear and irrefutable evidence of global warming. I was able to view Portage Glacier via a cruise on the stylish MV Ptarmigan (hey, I like the name!). Knowing that we would get up to 300 yards away from this natural beauty was both exhilarating and exciting. After all, up until this point, I’d never had the pleasure of viewing a glacier . . . let alone up close. In this respect, the MV Ptarmigan did not disappoint. After cruising Portage Lake, we got up close and personal with the glacier. Seeing this alpine wonder at such a close distance was nothing short of breathtaking – the sunlight shone just enough for us to see the various shades of brilliant blue that make up the glacier. It was almost as if the Earth was alive and talking to us . . . just a completely surreal and unforgettable experience. On the other hand, seeing Portage Glacier was also a sobering experience. During our tour aboard the MV Ptarmigan, the knowledgeable guides noted that the glacier has been in steady retreat for well over a 50-year period. Complementing their information is a helpful resource book readily available on the tour vessel that shows – through pictures – how Portage Glacier has changed over the years. Indeed, at just under 10 kilometers in length, the glacier sounds most impressive; however, when you realize that it was once recorded at 23 kilometers in length (filling the entire Portage Valley), you are hit with an undeniable truth. What can we do to save this, and other of Earth’s natural wonders? If you’re visiting the Anchorage area, a stop at Portage Glacier is a definite “must do.” It’s beautiful, it’s educational and it highlights a contemporary conundrum. Be sure to visit this “crown jewel” before it disappears.
7. Alyeska Aerial Tram
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,352 reviews
The Alyeska Aerial Tram is a three-to-seven minute scenic ride from The Hotel Alyeska to 2,300 ft in elevation and the top of Mt. Alyeska. From the Tram, you can see for miles in all directions – including views of the Turnagain Arm, up to seven “hanging” glaciers, and endless peaks deep into the Chugach Mountain range. Don’t forget to look down! In the summer months, moose and bear sightings are common on our aerial tram rides, too. At the Mountain Station, there is an observation deck providing even more breath-taking panoramic views of majestic mountains, hanging glaciers, sparkling streams, towering spruce, and an array of wildlife. Conde Nast Traveler rated Alyeska ~ "Best view of any U.S. ski resort." The observation deck is a perfect place to enjoy a relaxed lunch or a beautiful evening sunset. Telescopes are also available along the deck.
Reviewed By 412stuc - Vineland, United States
Took the tram ride up today, using the ride & dine option. Super neat place with great views of the 7 glaciers. Plenty of hiking trails if you want and with the ride & dine ticket, you get a $20 certificate for the restaurant where you can have a good lunch in a dining room with a great view. Well worth the drive.
8. Tightlines Alaska
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
