45 min south of AnchorageDrive Seward Highway south; for the restaurant, take Alyeska Resort tram from Hotel Alyeska
Famous for: Seven Glaciers tram-top fine dining; Jack Sprat and Sitzmark in town
Girdwood is the Anchorage day trip 45 minutes south by Seward Highway, with the Seven Glaciers tram-top fine dining room and Jack Sprat in the village center.
45 min south of AnchorageDrive Seward Highway south to Girdwood village
Famous for: Vegetarian-friendly world cuisine with Alaska seafood
Jack Sprat at 165 Olympic Mountain Loop in Girdwood specialises in vegetarian and meat dishes with foraged elements, with bibimbap, duck breast and Alaska.
45 min north of AnchorageDrive Glenn Highway north to Palmer; ~45 miles
Famous for: Matanuska Valley farm country, Palmer Saturday Market, Vagabond Blues cafe
Palmer is the day-trip for Matanuska Valley farm country, Alaska State Fair grounds and the long-running Vagabond Blues cafe with reindeer sausage breakfast.
60 min south of AnchorageDrive Seward Highway south, then through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel
Famous for: Harborfront seafood at the Inn at Whittier
Whittier sits an hour south of Anchorage through the Anton Anderson tunnel, with harborfront seafood at the Inn at Whittier on Prince William Sound.
12 mi north of AnchorageDrive Glenn Highway north 12 miles
Famous for: Eagle River pizza spots and the July Bear Paw Festival
Eagle River runs 12 miles north of Anchorage with neighbourhood pizza spots and the Bear Paw Festival in July, four days of food vendors and carnival rides.
45 min south of AnchorageDrive Seward Highway south to Girdwood, ski-base level at Alyeska Resort
Famous for: Bison chili, dozen Alaska beers on tap and live music nights
Sitzmark Bar and Grill at the foot of Alyeska Resort runs a daytime ski-and-après crowd by day, with live music, trivia and open-mic nights into the late.