Wintertime and the Livin' is Easy

Fur Rondy Festival (Iditarod Week)

Attraction | "Fur Rendezvous - Revisited 2011"

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After a great weekend in 2010 (http://www.igougo.com/journal-j73861-Anchorage-Rendezvous_Alaskan_Style.html), I looked forward with great anticipation to this return trip to Anchorage for the second weekend of the Fur Rondy. While the primary purpose of our trip was to take part in the festivities surrounding the Iditarod Trail Race, I was happy that Jane would have the opportunity to take part in the Rondy as well.I shared with her the fun Running of the Reindeer event, which as luck would have it was moved from the first weekend to the second, making it a "must do" on our itinerary. When she saw the photos and some videos on YouTube, she signed up to take part in the run. For the $25 ...Read More

After a great weekend in 2010 (http://www.igougo.com/journal-j73861-Anchorage-Rendezvous_Alaskan_Style.html), I looked forward with great anticipation to this return trip to Anchorage for the second weekend of the Fur Rondy. While the primary purpose of our trip was to take part in the festivities surrounding the Iditarod Trail Race, I was happy that Jane would have the opportunity to take part in the Rondy as well.

I shared with her the fun Running of the Reindeer event, which as luck would have it was moved from the first weekend to the second, making it a "must do" on our itinerary. When she saw the photos and some videos on YouTube, she signed up to take part in the run. For the $25 entry fee, runners get to sprint or walk down 4th Avenue in Downtown Anchorage alongside hundreds of others and about a dozen reindeer.

While the antlers of these animals are a bit intimidating, they say they are more fearful of the people than the people are of them . . . so it becomes a mutual avoidance sprint race of about four blocks.

This year they ran the first heat in honor of America's military with a platoon of soldiers recently returning from Iraq. They looked to have a great time running with the reindeer. It was a nice tribute that was respected by all in attendance. With the ceremony of the first run complete, the men's heat was the first of casual runners to take the Avenue. It was the expected craziness with a lot of guys in just their bathing suits or underwear. Fortunate for them, the temperatures were moderate at around 30F.

In the women's heat Jane was ready to go. She said it was difficult to run, keep a close eye on the caribou as well as trying to snap off a photo or two. Unfortunately, I lost her in the crowd and didn't get a shot of her. I did get one; however, of a reindeer that looked to be bearing down on a young gal but alas, it veered away at the last minute as it headed on to their coral at the end of the run.

After the completion of the Running of the Reindeer, we went back to the hotel to warm up and get ready for dinner at the Snow Goose . . . also the location for the Fur Rondy Melodrama "The Merry Monster of Matsylvania". A perennial favorite of the Rondy season, I was disappointed last year to not try to buy tickets early enough. This year, however, I was ready on the day tickets went on sale which landed Pete, Jane and me in the front row.

As Pete later pointed out, being in the front row of the Rondy Melodrama can be a dangerous place especially since guests are encouraged to participate in the show and to express their opinions by throwing popcorn at the stage. Needless to say, most came up short in their throws landing a significant amount of the popcorn on those in the front rows.

It was a hoot, however and much better than what we initially feared might be about on par with your local high school production of Glee the Musical. We laughed especially at the jokes that were directed at those things that seem to most irritate Alaskans . . . tourists, slow drivers in RV's and Sarah Palin. The ribbing was all in good fun and was not mean spirited, so all was good.

At $25 per person admission, I thought it was a great fun way to spend an evening enjoying some local Alaskan humor. The show was entertaining and the cast better than average. If you are in Anchorage during this annual event, I would encourage you to check it out!
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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 12, 2025

Fur Rondy Festival (Iditarod Week)

Anchorage, Alaska

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Hilton Anchorage

Hotel | "Very Nice Downtown Location - Superb Service"

Quote:

Having stayed at this hotel on my very first ever trip to Alaska back during the summer of 2006, I was very familiar with its location and services. It was very easy to make the choice to stay here for the start of my "five day weekend" to Alaska for the Fur Rondy and Iditarod events in Anchorage. Location-wise, it is in the perfect place for everything along the 4th Avenue!I arrived at the hotel at approximately noontime and they allowed me the early check-in which was very convenient since I wanted to dump off my gear and head over to the Fur Rondy offices before my TA friend Pete was coming to pick me up to head out for a ride into the mountains.I had the standard hotel roo...Read More

Having stayed at this hotel on my very first ever trip to Alaska back during the summer of 2006, I was very familiar with its location and services. It was very easy to make the choice to stay here for the start of my "five day weekend" to Alaska for the Fur Rondy and Iditarod events in Anchorage. Location-wise, it is in the perfect place for everything along the 4th Avenue!

I arrived at the hotel at approximately noontime and they allowed me the early check-in which was very convenient since I wanted to dump off my gear and head over to the Fur Rondy offices before my TA friend Pete was coming to pick me up to head out for a ride into the mountains.

I had the standard hotel room with two queen size beds, which is often my preference when traveling alone. I enjoy unpacking stuff and organizing on the unused bed rather than the drawers where I tend to forget things until I arrive home. The bedding was very comfortable; I believe the standard pillow-top Hilton mattresses. There was also a nice desk work area, although I didn't use it that much. At $12.95/24 hour period for the use of their wireless internet, I tried to keep my online time to a bare minimum.

The bathroom was a good size with a nice shower (plenty of water pressure) and high-end toiletries (Crabtree & Evelyn). The towels were plush and soft. All in all, a very comfortable living space for the three nights I spent in Anchorage.

During our stay, Jane and I dined in the hotel restaurant each morning ($16.95 hot breakfast buffet) and for lunch on Saturday afternoon. We both felt that the food and service was very good although I did get cold scrambled eggs one morning. The server immediately made it right and had the chef prepare a custom omelet for me (which was actually part of the hot food buffet).

On the afternoon that we had lunch at the Hilton, we were both looking for something on the light side so an appetizer and cup of soup fit the bill perfectly. I had the halibut fish squares along with the seafood chowder while Jane had the shrimp tempura and three cheese soup. Mmmmm very good after spending the brisk morning out on 4th Avenue watching the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Race.

In the hotel lobby is artwork of several native artists. There is also a gallery there in the hotel as well as a gift shop with some pieces. Visitors are well advised to be cautious, however, as some items sold in Anchorage are little more than imports from places like China.

In addition to the main restaurant in the Hilton Lobby (Hooper Bay Cafe) there is also a Starbucks Coffee and Bruin's Bar and Lounge. We didn't spend any time in the bar although I noticed that folks seemed to be having a pretty good time in there on Saturday night when we returned "home" from the Snow Goose Theater.

I've already mentioned the fee for the internet so I should also point out the parking situation since this is a downtown location with no self parking. The valet parking is $24/night with unlimited in/out available 24 hours a day. I was sorta hoping to have a reason to get the car out in the middle of the night to go view and photograph the aurora borealis, but on this trip while we had crystal clear skies, there was minimal solar activity.

About the rates at this hotel; I recall paying around $129/night back in 2006 which was a conference rate in late June just before the July 4th weekend. Initially I had book our rooms at a $114/night for this trip but about two weeks prior to our trip, they announced a special Fur Rendezvous $99 rate! We jumped right on that, which we both felt was an outstanding price for a Hilton. For me, it took a bit of the edge off the added fees for internet and parking.

My total hotel bill for three nights, two days of internet, three breakfasts and the one lunch came to $460. (Jane had the car parking on her room.)

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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 12, 2025

Hilton Anchorage
500 West Third Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
(907) 272-74119

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Flying Machine Restaurant

Restaurant | "Scenic Dining on Anchorage's Lake Spenard"

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On my first morning in Anchorage, my friend Pete and I headed over to the Iditarod Race Headquarters at the Millennium Alaska Hotel. It was there that we decided to have a leisurely breakfast with a nice view of the frozen and snow covered Lake Spenard. Serving breakfast until 11:30am, it was a great choice especially since as an Iditarod Race volunteer, Pete's volunteer badge was good for a 20% discount.He had dined here the day before and spoke very highly of their seafood omelet. For me, their seafood eggs benedict immediately caught my attention. Scrambled eggs packed with salmon, shrimp and lump crab atop an english muffin with a light breakfast hollandaise sauce with a side of br...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 12, 2025

Flying Machine Restaurant
4800 Spenard Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99517
+1 907 266 2249

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More Dining Options in Anchorage

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In addition to the nice dining experiences at the Hilton Hotel (Hooper Bay Cafe) and the Millennium Alaskan Hotel (Flying Machine Restaurant), I also dined at a couple of other restaurants that came highly recommended by locals and tourists.Snow Goose Restaurant and Sleeping Beauty Brewing Company717 West 3rd AvenueAnchorage, AK907-277-7727With plans to attend the Rondy Melodrama at the Snow Goose Theater, this made good sense to plan for dinner before the show. Initially we were told they were not accepting reservations, but after speaking with their manager, we were taken care of for a 6pm table.As one of the first brew pubs in the city, it was ...Read More

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Americas Best Value Inn Executive Suite Hotel Airport

Hotel | "Convenient and Clean - Priced Right"

Quote:

When Delta Airlines made an undesirable change to my flight into Anchorage, it turned my arrival plans upside down. Fortunately for me, they were able to get me in a night earlier. The downside would be that I would not have a car and would be arriving in the middle of the night (12:30am to be exact).The America's Best Value Inn Executive Suites Inn became a very viable option through Hotels.com at a prepay price of $66. What made this a logical choice was its close proximity to the airport (less than two miles away) plus complimentary 24/7 airport shuttle service on demand. Very convenient. Need more reason to stay here . . . the complimentary continental breakfast and free in-room w...Read More

When Delta Airlines made an undesirable change to my flight into Anchorage, it turned my arrival plans upside down. Fortunately for me, they were able to get me in a night earlier. The downside would be that I would not have a car and would be arriving in the middle of the night (12:30am to be exact).

The America's Best Value Inn Executive Suites Inn became a very viable option through Hotels.com at a prepay price of $66. What made this a logical choice was its close proximity to the airport (less than two miles away) plus complimentary 24/7 airport shuttle service on demand. Very convenient. Need more reason to stay here . . . the complimentary continental breakfast and free in-room wifi. Win . . . win . . . win!

When I arrived to the Ted Stevens Int'l Airport I notified the hotel's front desk and the shuttle was there in about 10 minutes. I along with two others caught the shuttle for the short ride to the hotel. The driver also assisted me in getting my luggage (a large duffle bag and a mondo Lowepro sling camera bag that alone weights over 25 pounds).

My "suite" was truly an executive suite, with a separate bedroom plus a large living area and full sized kitchen with dinette. I was surprised, especially at the $66/night price. I later learned that the room I had was the exception as a TA friend was also staying in the hotel and had a standard suite with a mini fridge and microwave and more limited living accommodations. For me, I was at the hotel for less than nine hours and it was clean and convenient. I didn't need much more especially since I had breakfast plans with another TA friend who was gracious enough to offer to take me to the Millennium Hotel where the Iditarod Race Headquarters were, as well as a ride to my primary hotel for the weekend, the Anchorage Hilton.

I would not hesitate to stay at this location again if being downtown was not of primary concern. I didn't take advantage of their continental breakfast option, but did note there was a McDonald's sharing their parking lot . . . so a breakfast biscuit or Egg McMuffin is a quick option on the go. From what I could tell, they seem to cater largely to traveling business folks on an extended stay in Anchorage and those arriving in Anchorage and overnighting before heading to other points in Alaska the next morning. The two guys on my shuttle ride were heading to work up on the north slope the next day. Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 12, 2025

Americas Best Value Inn Executive Suite Hotel Airport
4360 Spenard Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99517
(907) 243-6366

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