Just 40 minutes south of Anchorage off the Seward Highway you'll find the tiny, laid-back community of Girdwood. The gently winding drive along Turnagain Arm offers breathtaking views of Chugach State Park and Chugach National Forest. It's not uncommon to see beluga whales swimming the icy waters or Dall sheep dotting the craggy hillside.
Girdwood's premier attraction is The Hotel Alyeska, a 307-room luxury resort that offers year-round outdoor recreation and plenty of amenities to soothe your weary bones. While the resort's draw is undeniable, it's far from the only reason to make the trek. A variety of high-end adventure sports await you in Girdwood. Soar with the eagles in a paragliding adventure, rent a mountain bike and race down the trails, or head out looking for wildlife on one of the area's many hiking trails. Or unwind with some music and culture at one of Girdwood's many festivals celebrating the beauty and bounty of the surrounding area.
Whether you're looking for relaxation or adventure, Girdwood has enough to offer to make it a destination all its own.
GIRDWOOD ATTRACTIONS
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Walk or drive the 2-mile loop for an up-close look at musk oxen, elk, wood bison, caribou, moose, bears, eagles and more. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center has provided care and refuge for orphaned, injured or ailing wildlife for 21 years. The AWCC currently houses the only wood bison herd in the U.S. and plans to reintroduce the animals to the Alaska wild in spring 2015.
WHERE: Mile 79 Seward Hwy.
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 9 to Sept. 17 (no entry after 7:30 p.m.)
PHONE: 907-783-2025
This luxury resort has an indoor saltwater pool, spa, and a variety of dining options. It's the starting point for outdoor adventure for both beginners and those seeking to get their blood pumping. Grab a trail map before venturing out, or let the hotel concierge help you find the perfect paragliding, kayak, or helicopter tour.
WHERE: 1000 Arlberg Ave.
WHEN: Open daily
PHONE: 907-754-1111
Built on top of debris left behind by the receding Portage Glacier, you can explore the Chugach National Forest through exhibits, educational presentations, and the film "Retreat and Renewal: Stories from Alaska's Chugach National Forest."
WHERE: Portage Glacier Hwy., off the Seward Hwy.
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 23 to mid-Sept.
PHONE: 907-783-2326, May to Sept.
Crow Creek Mine produced an estimated 700 ounces of gold per month in its heyday. Today, you can catch a case of "gold fever" in one of the mine's open (and still producing) claims. Historic buildings and antique mining equipment offer a glimpse into its mining past.
WHERE: Mile 3 Crow Creek Rd.
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 15 to Sept. 15
PHONE: 907-229-3105
Cruise across Portage Lake on the M/V Ptarmigan for an up-close look at Portage Glacier. At only 300 yards from the glacier's face, you'll be able to see glacial ice calve (break away) and splash into the icy waters. Be on the lookout for ice worms, which spend their entire life in the glacier.
WHERE: Portage Glacier Rd., Mile 78.9 Seward Hwy.
WHEN: May 15 to Sept. 15; departs 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
PHONE: 800-544-2206
GIRDWOOD EVENTS
This two-day outdoor festival celebrates the fiddlehead fern, a prized springtime delicacy. It includes live music, arts and crafts, children's activities, a beer and wine garden and cooking demonstrations.
WHERE: The Hotel Alyeska, Pond Courtyard, 1000 Arlberg Ave.
WHEN: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., June 7-8
PHONE: 907-754-1111
Handcrafted goods, homemade exotic foods (carnival food is prohibited) and entertainment from performers around the state are just part of the fun at this family-friendly event.
WHERE: Fairgrounds, Mile 2.2 Alyeska Hwy.
WHEN: July 3 to July 5; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat. parade at 10 a.m.
Alyeska Resort Blueberry Festival
Bushels of blueberries are the highlight of this annual festival that celebrates one of Alaska's most bountiful berries. Live music, berry picking, a blueberry creations contest, local crafts and a pie eating contests are all part of the fun.
WHERE: The Hotel Alyeska Pond Courtyard, 1000 Arlberg Ave.
WHEN: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Aug. 9-10
PHONE: 907-754-1111
This information appeared in the 2015 Alaska Dispatch News Visitors' Guide to Alaska. Contact special sections editor Jamie Gonzales at jgonzales@alaskadispatch.com.