Heather's Guidebook
Food scene
Jack Sprat
165 Olympic Mountain LoopGreat food & wine.
Spoonline Restaurant
174 Hightower RdHightower Pub
165 Hightower RdCoast Pizza Inc
36511 Seward HwyPizza delivery
Double Musky Inn
3 Crow Creek RdExcellent wine list & Cajun Alaskana food
Seven Glaciers Restaurant
1000 Arlberg AveOnly fine dining in Girdwood with views of 7 glaciers!
Bore Tide Deli and Bar
1000 Arlberg AvenueSakura Asian Bistro
1000 Arlberg AveSushi! Local Alaskan seafood
La Bodega
194 Olympic Mountain LoopBoutique liquor store
Girdwood Brewing Company
2700 Alyeska HwyLocal brewery!
Homemade sourdough bread, pancakes and Huge cinnamon rolls. In summer the flower garden is amazing!
79 locals recommend
The Bake Shop
194 Olympic Mountain LoopHomemade sourdough bread, pancakes and Huge cinnamon rolls. In summer the flower garden is amazing!
The Grind
236 Hightower RdLocal coffee roaster, espresso, food and gifts
The Ice Cream Shop
36511 Seward HwyLocal bar and pub style restaurant at the base of the mountain with a great outdoor deck, live music, family & ski movies with many TV’s streaming sports or ski movies. Billiards and fusball.
43 locals recommend
Sitzmark Bar & Grill
100 Olympic Mountain LoopLocal bar and pub style restaurant at the base of the mountain with a great outdoor deck, live music, family & ski movies with many TV’s streaming sports or ski movies. Billiards and fusball.
Shopping
Girdwood Center For Visual Art
194 Olympic Mountain LoopLocal art and gifts
Mother Hubbards Cupboard
203 Olympic Mountain LoopHigh end gifts
Outdoor retailer for clothing, bike and ski gear with rentals of skis, bikes and SUPs.
27 locals recommend
Powder Hound Ski and Bike Shop
210 Arlberg AveOutdoor retailer for clothing, bike and ski gear with rentals of skis, bikes and SUPs.
Gear rentals
Alyeska Resort Daylodge
104 Arlberg AvenueRent skis or bikes, buy gear, eat at the local eatery.
Sightseeing
Crow Creek Historic Gold Mine
601 Crow Creek Mine RdGold panning!
Alaska Railroad - Girdwood Depot
Ride the scenic train
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
43520 Seward HwySee Alaska animals up close!
Portage Glacier
See a glacier!
Whittier
26 glacier cruise, fishing charters
Historic museum of ski and Girdwood history plus Views at the top of the Alyeska scenic aerial tram.
9 locals recommend
Round House Museum/Mt. Alyeska Roundhouse
1000 Arlberg AveHistoric museum of ski and Girdwood history plus Views at the top of the Alyeska scenic aerial tram.
Hiking
Hike in the rainforest and bring your bear spray!
28 locals recommend
Winner Creek Gorge Trail Head (Lower Winner Creek Trail)
601 Crow Creek RdHike in the rainforest and bring your bear spray!
Strenuous hiking into an alpine setting past gold mining ruins. Parking lot can be full on weekends. Bring bear spray!
15 locals recommend
Crow pass trail
Strenuous hiking into an alpine setting past gold mining ruins. Parking lot can be full on weekends. Bring bear spray!
Start hiking from the hotel Alyeska on the most popular and easy trail in Girdwood. Bring bear spray!
21 locals recommend
Winner Creek Trail Alyeska Trailhead
Start hiking from the hotel Alyeska on the most popular and easy trail in Girdwood. Bring bear spray!
Traveler advice
What to pack
Bring an eye mask during the months of May-September
In the land of the midnight sun, it can be hard to sleep when you finally want to so buy or bring an eye mask to wear while sleeping.
Customs and culture
Shoes off in homes in Alaska
In Alaska is rains and it can be muddy especially when out for a hike. It’s custom in Alaska for all people to take their shoes off when entering and inside homes. Also, it’s less mud or moose poop 🤣 to clean up from the floors.
What to pack
Dress in layers, bring rain gear
Dress in non-cotton layers, along with jackets, hats, rain jacket and pants along with hiking boots or rugged trail shoes. Forget your perfume/cologne and smelly toiletries/laundry detergent as it attracts mosquitoes and bears.
Getting around
Girdwood shuttle
Glacier view transit is a local shuttle for a minimal donation.
What to pack
Bear spray for hiking
Shop REI, powderhound, hotel Alyeska to buy a can and learn how to use it if you will be hiking in bear country/Girdwood!