Anchorage is a city in south-central Alaska with a location that makes for a convenient tech stop on routes between North America and Asia. Anchorage has a mix of native culture, pristine open spaces to explore and the comforts of small city life. Let’s explore Anchorage so you can be prepared should you find yourself with some unexpected time on the ground.
Being that it is Alaska’s most populated city, Anchorage has two airports: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (PANC), known for being the third busiest cargo airport in the world, and Merrill Field (PAMR), Alaska’s first official airport. Since Anchorage is so far north, peak season for business aviation traffic and in-flight catering starts in June and lasts through August.
A consideration to make if you will be on the ground in Alaska is that summer days can have as much as 21 hours of sunlight. Conversely, winter days are short but you have a chance to experience the Northern Lights. Anchorage has a variety of outdoor activities to choose from, depending upon the season. In the summer, moderately warm temperatures provide the perfect setting for campaign, fishing, rafting and wildlife viewing. Winter bring temperatures that are actually milder than Chicago, with ice sports and snow sports abound. Avgeeks will want to hop on a floatplane and go “flightseeing” to Mount McKinley or other places not easily accessible by land.
If you would rather spend time indoors, Anchorage has several museums to stroll through, such as the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage Museum and Alaska Aviation Museum. Anchorage also has a selection of shopping destinations to explore. The Dimond Center Mall (Alaska’s largest mall) and Anchorage 5th Avenue both feature a mix of popular retail chains along with local stores. For uniquely Alaskan gifts, Oomingmak in downtown has a selection of clothing pieces made of “qivuit” (a lightweight fiber made from the undercoat of a musk ox).
Top-rated restaurants in Anchorage include Kincaid Grill (a favorite among corporate flight crews), Glacier Brewhouse and Sacks Café. All three of these spots offer online reservations. If you end up staying overnight, hotels near the airport can be booked for under $100 USD.
Questions?
If you have any questions about in-flight catering, contact weborders@airculinaire.com.
