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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Steve Chappell on March 28, 2014, 07:39:00 AM
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Headed to AK to Moose hunt in September 2014 and will have to stay in Anchorage a few days on the way in and out. I have done some internet searches for hotels and they seem expensive to me. The more reasonably priced ones do not have good reviews…Like smells like puck and cat urine. Would welcome input on where to stay and eat economically in Anchorage. What about places to get good seafood?
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Well economic and Anchorage do not match up well. You can expect to pay $100+ for a room per night and food is expensive unless you eat fast food.
Even the $5 footlong at Subway is $7.
Mike
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I stayed at the Capt.Cook Hotel for one night. It was pricey but clean and top notch. Fletchers sports pub in the same building was excellent for diner, again pricey but excellent. There is nothing cheap in Alaska if your traveling.
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Alaska is not known for inexpensive food or lodging. If you like pizza, though, the Moose's Tooth is as good as I have ever eaten, and not expensive by Alaska standards.
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Steve,
I stayed at the Qupqugiaq Inn, 45/night it was clean and secure at least in 2002.
For eats chek out, Humpy's, the Snow Goose Rest. and sleeping lady Brewery. There was a great breakfast joint called Blennie's, not sur eif I am spelling that right.
Sean
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There is every type of food in Anch. All ethnic foods, plus the more common styles. A lot will depend on where you stay and if you have a car. If you are downtown, Club Paris is hard to beat for a great steak.
As to hotels, it may be better to hit the chains. There are many hotels available in town, and Sept. Is the tail end of the tourist season so availability should not be an issue. How long will you be in Anchorage before you head to the bush?
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When are you going to be in Anch, dates? Are you planning on renting a car? How many in your party?
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Bluegill sez,
"I stayed at the Qupqugiaq Inn, 45/night it was clean and secure at least in 2002."
We stayed in our pickup camper in one of the RV Parks (read, parking lots) in 2012, and I think it was $50 a night then. Alaska is awesome, but it ain't cheap.
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Thanks all for the input...Please keep it coming.
The Qupqugiaq Inn I believe has gone up significantly since 2002...like tripled.
As it stands today, we fly into Anchorage on 9/6/14 then fly to McGrath on the 8th then into the bush same day...so two nights going in will be spent in Anchorage.
Coming out is the tricky part but if all goes as scheduled, we will fly back into Anchorage on 9/23 then home on 9/25. So another 2 night in Anchorage.
I did look into the Hostels and they seem very reasonable and a few have private rooms.
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My favorite hotels in Anchorage are the Dimond Center Hotel, The Captain Cook, and for long-term the Voyager as it has large rooms and frig, etc. Many of the hotels have free shuttle service to and from the airport. The Dimond Center hotel has a pretty good continental breakfast that is included in your room fee.
All the restaurants the guys mention above are great, I would also add the Glacier Brewhouse, and then the Snow City Cafe is fun for breakfast. For sushi I like Komagoro (spelling is probably only close) I think its on 4th, or the New Sagaya on the Old Seward Highway.
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If you get downtown check out the Snow Goose Restaurant, good food and good beer (brew pub).
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I am a big Micro Brew fan...IPAs are at the top of my list!
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We have stayed at the Puffin Inn on a couple of trips out by the airport. It's clean and pretty quiet with big rooms.
There are a number of places to eat in the area also.
Mike
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I woke up a time or two on the floor of Chilkoot Charlie's, dont remember how much that cost though. :biglaugh:
When I was there Simon and Seaforts I think it was had the best primerib and beer battered halibut ever.
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I'd second the Moose's Tooth for both beer and pizza. We rented a motor home, so I can't help with the motels.
Inexpensive and Alaska are rarely used in the same sentence, but the experience is certainly worth the cost.
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Well, thanks to all your input I am starting to see I can probably get in around $100 a night at a decent hotel. When we get to Anchorage it is still their high season rates but when we get back there the rates have drop by $40 plus buck a night. Once I pick a place I will call to see if I can get off season rates on all nights.
Also been looking at the eateries some have tossed out. There appears to be some fine food served in Anchorage. Has anyone had BARENTS SEA COLOSSAL RED KING CRAB LEGS that go for $70 at the restaurants?
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We stayed one night at Dimond Center in Anchorage and found it very nice with a great breakfast They also provided a freezer for our halibut
I had my heart set on king crab while in Alaska but couldn't believe they cost $50 a lb! Didn't think I could digest that.
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Stayed at the MicroTel near the airport. Fairly expensive, but not as much as most. Not the greatest hotel, but it was clean, no smell. Can't complain.
Food: Moose's Tooth. Food in AK is very expensive. Moose's Tooth is the best - great food, good service, good price. You won't regret it.
Have fun.
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What going rental vehicle prices in Anchorage, anything with 4WD? ....Thanx
Now have 5 weeks vacation, and thinking about just flying to Anchorage and just tooling around a couple weeks, just to so called get my feet wet for being there the first time...
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Mike's suggestion about the Puffin Inn is a good one as long as you recognize that you'll be in the quivering underbelly of Anchorage (Spendard) when there. Personally quivering underbellies don't bother me too much.
Gwennies for breakfast is pretty hard to beat. Also, Snow City Cafe downtown is great for breakfast too. Like several others have said, The Moose's Tooth and Humpy's are both good watering holes with good sensible food. The view westward out of the bar at Simon & Seafort's at sundown is pretty awesome if the weather is clear.
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Mooses Tooth has the best pizza and beer in town. Don't miss it.
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El tango has good latin american food
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Is the Porterhouse still there? Great steaks!
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If you want the best filet mignon in the WORLD go to Club Paris on 4th Street downtown. Order it stuffed with blue cheese. Club Paris on the outside looks sketchy, but the food is great. The best caesar salad I've ever had anywhere around this globe is served by Van at the Marx Brothers Restaurant on 3rd overlooking Knik Arm and looking toward Sleeping Lady.
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Lived there for 4 years. Glacier brew house is #1 in my book. Moose's Tooth for beer and pizza. Lucky wishbone for fried chicken. Nino's for Italian. Simon and seaforts for the macadamia crusted halibut. Snow city cafe #1 for breakfast. Peggy's serves up a good breakfast too.
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If I have even a 3 hour lay over in Anchorage, I will get on the shuttle to the Millenium Hotel. The bar there has the most excellent halibut chunks ans shrimp bisque. Plenty of good beer too. It is worth going back thru the hassle of airport security.
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Played a gig at the Snow Goose. Another vote for Moose's Tooth. If I remember correctly I think we also ate at Simon & Seafort's. All good places.
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Second Gwennies for breakfast. :thumbsup:
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You guys have a great memory. I can't remember any of the places I stayed at or ate and it's only beed a few years since I was in Ak.
Just a word Steve on hotel prices, you can always haggle. I travel a lot for work and if a hotel/motel rate is say $75 I'll tell the desk help that's to much, how able $50. We usually meet someplace in the middle. Internet reservations are convenient but a phone call gets you a better price IMHO.
And a smart phone is your best friend in finding great places to eat. First thing I do when I get into a new town is search restaurants on my GPS, type in steaks, brew pub whatever and you're lined up, reviews and all.
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The problem with breakfast at Gwennies is that 72 hours later your hungry again. LOL
Mike
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I always stay at the Marriott residence inn near the mooses tooth. That way no driving after beers.
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This is a very good thread, thanks so much for all the great input. I am feeling like I should have allowed more time in Anchorage to check out all the great eat & Drink recommendations.
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Has anyone stayed at the Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites?
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I did, in 1975. I wouldn't have recommended it then but I don't know about now.
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This will seem redundant after several similar recommendations, but DO NOT miss Simon & Seafort's if time and budget allow.
In addition to the view out the windows (and the excellent food on your plate and accompanying beverages), it's one of the few fine dining establishments where you can walk in the door and exclaim "Nice rack!" without getting slapped. (Unless the spectacular moose mount has been removed since I was last there.) Go before your hunt to get inspired, or go afterward to get a look at what you missed taking. :banghead: ;)
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if I was you I would forgo as much time in anch as possible. rent a little rv and take a drive to and around the peninsula. one of the best drives that can be found in ak you could cover most of it in 1 day and even back to anchorage if you had to. I could even take you for a evening of silver and rainbow fishing.
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If you are going to Alaska and spending all that money-- there is nothing worst than staying at a smelly - raunchy place--
As I say, there is no such thing as a cheap Alaska Trip -
I stayed at the Puffin INN the name sounded good- I was with my wife, I would not recomend -- but it may have changed -
I say this, it is like going to a BAD place to eat, do you go back ??
Lots of good places to eat-- Snow Goose is good--
What is a good nights sleep worth - like a good sleeping bag-- you don't sleep when you get cold-- rest is important-- vitamens, taking care of your body-- a hunt will stress you and will push your normal limits.
Another thing-- may airlines will not allow antlers to shipped in one piece-- they will have to be cut in half- will cost you--
I would check out some freight companies or ship up in advance - try Estes trucking--
IN 1990, I took my first trip to Akaska, was to cost 3K ended up costing 7K --
If someone will pick you up at the airport that will save you money. I suggest sending arrows and your back up bow i n advance --
On a trip to Kotsebue ( spelling) above Nome
My bags arrived -- no bows-- they arrived 3 days later. Meanwhile caribou were running through camp--
There is an old saying " sometimes cheap is expensive.
I have gone to Alaska - 19 times=--
Good luck and plan-- I did not have the internet -- do research- you will be there a limited amount of time -- make it count--
Good Hunting -- and don't forget to bring some wool - the most recomended garment by outfitters in Alaska -- :) )) www.classcisportsman.com (http://www.classcisportsman.com) or www.classicbowman.com (http://www.classicbowman.com) Rob T
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Reading Classicsportsman's comments, one thing I always keep in mine about a hotel is unless I'm there with a girlfriend or for work, I could care less about what the room is like. It's only a place to sleep and shower. I flea motel will pretty much make you go out on the town and not sit in the room watching TV.
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Last year with three of us, we rented a condo for a few nights for our trip up. Ended up getting a real good deal on a hotel on the way back.
Condos can be rented via
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/alaska/anchorage
Mike
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Is the great alaskan Bush Company still open in Anchorage? That is a must see adventure. :biglaugh: Back in the mid 80's it was a wild place.
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Originally posted by killinstuff:
Reading Classicsportsman's comments, one thing I always keep in mine about a hotel is unless I'm there with a girlfriend or for work, I could care less about what the room is like. It's only a place to sleep and shower. I flea motel will pretty much make you go out on the town and not sit in the room watching TV.
I'm with CJ on this one, unless I have the wife along, all I need is a shower and a place to lay my head. For goodness sake, if I'm about to embark on a 1-2 week trip back in the bush, I can handle a sketchy hotel room for a night or two. I'll have my own bed to look forward to for the rest of the year when I return.
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I have stayed in the Microtel a few times. Price is reasonable and comes with a breakfast. Has a shuttle and is close to the airport. Very clean and modern.
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Humpy's in downtown Anchorage is good for beer, fresh fish, and crab legs.
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I have found Alaska Meat Haulers who will take the entire moose, cape and rack back to MI via semi for $750. If I am successful, I am
debating whether I should have the moose butchered in Anchorage or when I get back to MI. Indian Valley Meats outside Anchorage will process a Moose for 50 cents a lbs. For those of you who have hunted and taken game in AK, what do you suggest?
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Steve,
Indian Valley Meats does a good job. They processed my moose last year. However, I think I'll have this year's done down here. Either way the meat will have to be frozen for shipment. If frozen in unprocessed state then it obviously will have to be unfrozen and immediately processed down south. Not a significant problem but one that requires attention.
No personal experience or knowledge with Alaska Meat Haulers, so I can't comment there.
What I and Mike have done is to become "known shippers" with Alaska Airlines. Then you can ship your meat & rack anywhere Alaska Airlines or their affiliates fly. The cost is a bit less than $1 per pound of shipment. To do this you'll have to build in a couple/three days in Anchorage after your hunt to handle the freezing and shipping logistics.
Good luck!
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I checked with the meat processor here were I live in MI and he gets 80 cents a lbs to process wild game. Indian Village will be a better deal if I can work it out to get the meat to the semi hauler once it is done since I will be back in MI.
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Steve , I personally have not used Indian Valley meats but some of my family in that area has and has nothing but good things to say about them , hard to find in a meat processor. While your in Indian Valley might as well go down to Girdwood and eat at the Double Muskie.
Getting your meat home is a chore and as John said needs to be added into the trip time.
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Hi Ted. How much time I have at the end of the hunt is still an unknown at this point...weather along with whether we have to hunt through the last day will be a major factors...oh yes and if we tag anything too. Our hunting season ends on the 20th and I am anticipating being back in Anchorage on the 23rd and then our flight back to MI leaves at 6am on the 25th. I can always pay whatever the fee is with Delta to change my departure date if need be. I bought a refundable ticket from the village we fly into from the bush to Anchorage knowing I may not hit the 23rd date. I am thinking the more time I spend in AK the better. I am thinking I will rent a car went I get back to Anchorage if I have Moose meat to get to Indian Village and if I do make it there, I will head to Gardwood and hit Double Muskie.