Top Things to do in Girdwood
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Girdwood, Alaska (AK)
Discover the best top things to do in Girdwood, United States including Girdwood Mushing Company, Girdwood Brewing Company, Portage Glacier, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Crow Creek Mine, Begich Boggs Visitor Center, Chugach State Park, McHugh Creek Recreation Area, Byron Glacier Trail, Bore Tide in Turnagain Arm.
Restaurants in Girdwood
1. 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.
2. Girdwood Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
Enjoy local brews and epic views of the Chugach mountains at Girdwood Brewing Company. We have a beautiful timber framed taproom adorned with local art and ski relics. For those who prefer the outdoors, there’s an awesome beer garden with fire pits and plenty of seating. We offer up four core beers and a series of rotating taps. Root beer, cold brew coffee, and kombucha are available for those looking for an alcohol free beverage. Tasters and 12 ounce pours are available to drink in the taproom. If you are looking for beer to go, we fill growlers, sell 5 gallon kegs, and have 4-packs of 16 ounce cans with labels designed by Alaskan artists (for sale in the taproom only). Food trucks are on-site every day, and we have cool merchandise for you to take home. Girdwood Brewing Company is truly rooted in our community. We donate to a number of nonprofits and outdoor adventure organizations. Our brewery also provides year round employment to over a dozen locals.
Reviewed By POLYMER - Phoenix, United States
Nice place to refresh the mind in a very good local brewery, a food truck serving excellent crepes made the perfect combination for a quick lunch while exploring the area. Friendly staff and cozy atmosphere Highly recommended !
3. 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.
4. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,506 reviews
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) is a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research and quality animal care. AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round and provides spacious enclosures and quality animal care. We have been able to provide care for hundreds of displaced animals because visitors like you have made critical contributions in the form of admission fees, donations, memberships, and gift shop. Please visit our website for more information on how you can help us make a difference.
Reviewed By 162gregoryw - Seattle, United States
First off the park is a rescue and the animals are there to rehabilitate them and if possible reintroduce them into the wild (though a very informative guide, Duane I think, told us most of the animals are there for life). The animals are all healthy ( discounting the permanent injury’s they sustained to be sent there) and the staff really care for them. There is a wide variety of animals including moose, deer, black bear, brown bear, porcupine, wolves, coyote, buffalo, eagle and owl. The park can be driven around however walking it is the best way as you can literally be inches from some of the animals and still be safe. It is absolutely worth the $16 per ticket. If you are in the area make the stop.
5. Crow Creek Mine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 299 reviews
Crow Creek Mine is a family owned and operated Historical and Recreational Gold Mine. Nestled in a very beautiful mountain setting, Crow Creek Mine offers the oldest buildings in the Anchorage area, 1898, as well as some of the most popular recreational Gold Mining in all of Alaska. You will find everyone from your first time miner just hoping for a few flecks, up to actual gold miners who have been working these grounds on a very serious level. For those not intersted in the panning or sluicing experience, the property is very scenic for pictures and is a very popular wedding destination, it is even fun to just sit and watch some of the more experienced crews of miners as they work. While most visitors coming in for sightseeing or panning don't need reservations, we do offer private guided tours for those of you wanting a bit more out of your experience. Not only do you learn more about the property and gold in general, but the gold mining experience of our staff and knowledge of the property is always a big help in having a succesful outing!!! Feel free to contact us for any questions regarding our business or the Girdwood area in general. Girdwood makes for great day trips from anchorage and is on the way for anyone headed to Portage, Seward, Kenai, or Homer. Our road is a bit bumpy and unmaintained between October and May, but come June 1st every year the state does a great job of fixing it, you can always contact us for road conditions if concerned. Thanks for viewing our business, we look forward to meeting you soon,
Reviewed By V3760EQannm
This was one of the top activities on my fiancé's to do list on our Alaskan vacation. Although he didn't find as much gold as he had hoped it was still a great day for him. Unlike some other gold places this is the real deal. They don't give you a prefilled bag of dirt to pan. For a fee of $25 you are given tools, some instructions and told how to find the creek to do authentic panning. Nice place if this is your type of thing.
6. Begich Boggs Visitor Center
7. Chugach State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
This 495,000-acre state park includes Flattop Mountain, the most climbed mountain in Alaska.
Reviewed By nelsa2015 - Gaithersburg, United States
There are so many different and great hikes, trails, day-use areas, rivers, lakes, and such in Chugach State Park. There is something for everyone. Flattop Mountain is a fantastic hike. Thunderbird Falls is an easy hike in a different part of the park. There are nearly unlimited possibilities.
8. McHugh Creek Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By DudefrmAK - Anchorage, United States
The trail back toward portage will provide you with the most amazing views of the inlet and surrounding area. You can do an out and back, or as we like to do when we have visitors, leave a car at McHugh and start at Portage. The hike is not overly difficult, but it can be very muddy in some sections after a lot of rain. You can head the other direction, or to Rabbit Lake, but those trails are a bit more difficult. Note well that you will very likely come across moose (know the warning signs of an angry moose), and there was a LOT of bear sign on the trail the last time we went - it's been warm and they are not bedded down yet. Bear spray at hand is a good idea. And PLEASE - pick up after your dog!
9. Byron Glacier Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
Reviewed By elik1265 - Brooklyn, United States
The hike to the end of the path is easy. Once you get to the end there’s a bunch of rocks and boulders. You can climb those to get to the glacier and the ice caves. Be careful it’s easy to fall and hurt yourself. Try to stay to the right of the river when climbing up- it’s very hard to cross the river at points and you’ll get yourself wet the ice cave is so magical though.
10. Bore Tide in Turnagain Arm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By derflieger2003 - Vienna, Austria
The Turnagain Arm is definitely an amazing sight of mother nature. We drove the Highway 1 three times in total (Whittier-Anchorage-Homer-Anchorage) during three different times of day (and essentially during three different stages of the tide) and it looked different every single time. During Low Tide we even saw a Grizzly way out close to the water, which was very impressive. I would recommend to take your time and do a couple of stops at the pullovers (like for example the Beluga Point). It is definitely worth it!
