Around the Bay and Away: Celebrating Literally the Longest Days of My Life in Anchorage, Alaska

It was not planned, but we arrived in Anchorage right in time for the summer solstice, where I experienced literally the longest day of my life so far. There is a reason why they call it the Land of the Midnight Sun as the sun rose at 4:21am and set at 11:41pm.

Even though the sun technically sets before midnight, it just dips below the horizon where twilight lingers for hours, resulting in 22 hours of what they call functional daylight.

Downtown Anchorage

We definitely made the most of our longest day of the year, even without a car most of that first day, thanks to a free hotel shuttle to and from downtown. We got a taste of scenic Tony Knowles Trail, with 2 entrances (Elderberry Park or 2^nd Avenue) walking distance from Downtown,

before diving into some local specialties. What screams summer more than us screaming for handcrafted Alaskan Wild Blueberry ice cream at Wild Scoops, made from Wild AK blueberries.

Just around the corner is family owned and operated Red Umbrella’s Reindeer cart where he threw me a shaka before dishing up one of my husband’s must try’s, reindeer sausage. Topped with grilled onions and their house sauce, he thoroughly enjoyed every bite since I could not bring myself to take a bite out of Rudolph.

Potter Marsh

After picking up our car, we took advantage of the few hours before our dinner reservation with a drive to Potter Marsh for leisurely strolls on both boardwalks. Although no four-legged wildlife sightings since moose and bears are normally not that active in the afternoon, we did see some birds including a baby bald eagle pointed out to us by a naturalist who had a binocular set up.

Tip: Bring binoculars especially if you’re a birder.

Beluga Point

Further down the Seward Highway at milepost 110.5, about 6.5 miles south of the Anchorage city limits is Beluga Point.

In June, it was quiet with no beluga sightings but views of the Turnagain Arm were still worthwhile nevertheless.

Tip: During mid-July to August, belugas are often seen here as they travel up and down the inlet. Unlike other whales, adult belugas are white with juveniles a bluish gray.

Altura Bistro

I saw Altura Bistro post about their new scallion Mac nut crusted Alaskan White King Salmon with a ginger coconut broth and came in within the week for our first dinner in Alaska. That dish blew my Kodiak Scallops out of the water, making me wish I got my own order instead of just a bite since my husband is shellfish intolerant.

The cambozola and roasted garlic starter

and newly added peach and burrata salad was perfectly balanced in flavors that made me enjoy even its accompaniments like parsley purée and mint pesto that I otherwise hadn’t in the past.

Point Woronzof

Even though it was still sunny and warm upon leaving the restaurant at 9pm, someone needed a nap back at the hotel after all that amazing food, to be awake for the 11:41pm sunset. Thanks to a suggestion from front desk, we discovered Point Woronzof for our once-in-a-lifetime summer solstice sunset

and the midnight sun at exactly midnight.

Note: Bring mosquito repellent as they are out in full force.

Alaska Native Heritage Center

Just like we happened to arrive in Alaska hours before the summer solstice, we also happened to visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center on the day of their much-awaited grand reopening of their Hall of Cultures, the following day.

Although it was already awe-inspiring learning about the different Alaska native culture’s dwellings for each region of Alaska with the free village site tour (included in our ticket price)

and seeing demos of native dances,

it felt even more immersive with the unveiling of the new murals from different cultural regions in the newly reopened Hall of Cultures.

Leaving with a gift for all guests that day in honor of that grand reopening day as a reflection of their culture was just icing on the cake.

Quyana.

Tip: Although they do have food for sale on site, they also have spots you can eat your lunch if you choose to bring your own. I opted to bring a sandwich from Great Harvest, Alaska Chips from Alaska Chip Company, and 49^th Brewing Company’s Frontier Soda to enjoy overlooking their lake.

Palmer

Palmer, about an hour Northeast of Anchorage and only 45 minutes from the Native Alaska Heritage Center, can be a destination in itself. With it an agriculture hub, it is a prime destination for farm to table cuisine.

Feather and Flour

Touted as farm, fjord, forest to table, their ever-changing weekly menu reflects many local and seasonal produce and meats.

With a choice from 3 options for all 3 courses, we selected different ones from each course to share, enabling us to try a variety of their delicious offerings. We started with Mongolian inspired beef tenderloin skewers and local tomato caprese,

followed by a summer herb salad

and a luscious squash and potato soup, perfect to dip that herb focaccia in.

Finally, an equally amazing flavorful teriyaki sockeye

and melt in your mouth beef tenderloin to round out one of my favorite meals on this trip.

Reindeer Farm

If you need an excuse to make the drive to Palmer worth your while if the food had not convinced you already, stop at family-owned Williams Reindeer beforehand

to see and feed some animals before you get fed.

Moose,

yaks,

highland cow,

alpaca,

in addition to reindeers

is a fun one especially when you cool down with a fireweed milkshake afterwards.

Kinley’s Restaurant

Halibut is so common in Alaska this time of year that you will see it on most restaurants’ menu next to the readily available salmon, so of course we could not leave Anchorage without taking advantage of it.

If you love halibut as much as I do, you would want to take it a step further and order the rarely seen outside of Alaska, halibut cheeks.

Four tender halibut cheeks lightly dusted and pan seared served over a generous bed of pancetta pea risotto for just $36.

For the same price we also ordered the almond crusted halibut filet with a cherry and apple cider beurre blanc.

Generous portions at a favorite spot of locals that don’t leave you hungry.

Anchorage Market and Summer Solstice Celebration

Anchorage had definitely been unseasonably warmer than expected during our stay, making me wish I packed shorts like Hawai`i.

With the warmest hours around 4 or 5pm, this makes late morning and early afternoon still comfortable for outdoor markets. We started the morning with the summer weekend Anchorage Market in a carnival like atmosphere

to pick up some local products

like Northern Aurora Seafood Smoked Salmon to bring home.

Just a few blocks away, island ties are definitely strong as even in Alaska I cross paths with Hawai’i. With the summer solstice on a Thursday this year, to ensure residents and visitors alike have a chance to fully enjoy this community event, the day-long celebration was held two days later. In the words of the Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride, “there’s no place I’d rather be” than with Polynesian Alaska’s halau at the Downtown Anchorage Summer Solstice Celebration.