11 Best Things to Do in Girdwood, Alaska, for First Time Visitors

Girdwood, Alaska, is a small town located just under an hour from Anchorage. Although the original town location was closer to the coast, after a major earthquake in 1964 it was decided to move the town two miles inland, to where it is now. Even though it's small, there is plenty of things to do - especially for first time visitors. From epic hikes to stunning waterfalls and adrenaline pumping activities like helicopter rides and glacier visits, there's no shortage of fun things to do. Even if Girdwood wasn't on your list before, I highly recommend adding it to your Alaska itinerary. On your way there, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like moose, bears, mountain goats, and even belugas as you drive down Turnagain Arm!

*If you have any questions that aren't answered in this post, please leave them in the comments section where I do my best to answer all Alaska related questions directly!

My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are my favorite websites and resources to help plan an incredible trip to the 49th State.

For flights, I recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, I always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, I recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.

Where to Stay in Girdwood

​Although I've typically only done day trips to Girdwood, there's actually quite a few places you can stay if you choose to spend a night or two in town. The most popular recommendation is the Alyeska Resort, which also doubles as the largest ski resort in Alaska. They also happen to have a tram that takes guests to the top of the mountain, a fairly new Nordic Spa onsite, and their brand new Veilbreaker Skybridges for those looking for some epic views showcasing Turnagain Arm.

​I have to be honest though, even though this is probably the best option for first time visitors - the rooms are a little outdated and I know prices can be quite spendy. If you're looking for a place that's a little more homey and cozy, I would recommend checking out the Ski Inn or the Carriage Inn - or of course an Airbnb!

It's also worth noting that bears often frequent the Girdwood area, so I recommend reviewing bear safety tips before you decide to go hiking or exploring town on your own. If you are staying at the resort, then you should be fine. You can also read up on the best places to rent bear spray in Alaska here.

The tour you can't miss in Girdwood :
- Glacier Landing Helicopter Tour

11 Activities Not to Miss in Girdwood

1. Relax at Alyeska Resort's Pool
Alright so relaxing at a pool might not be at the top of your list when you're planning a trip to Alaska - but when you live in Alaska the thought of relaxing at a pool is actually very nice. Especially when you have views like those pictured above. Since Covid they've put some measures into place requiring that visitors schedule a 1 hour time slot at the pool - making sure it doesn't get too crowded - however when we were there we didn't see anyone enforcing the 1 hour time limit. Plus, the views from the hot tub are superb.

2. Or Their New Nordic Spa
​If you want to experience something a little more luxurious, I would recommend purchasing a pass to their fairly new, outdoor Alyeska Nordic Spa - which includes access to multiple hot and cold cycles like hot/cold pools and saunas. The facilities are 18+ years old and is considered a cell phone free zone, really encouraging guests to disconnect and enjoy the property. Last I checked, the cheapest admission is during their "twilight" package for $99 a person.

​3. Head out Hiking
This shouldn't be surprising, but there are also some great hiking trails in the area! My personal favorite is Virgin Creek Falls - only because it's so short and easy with such a big pay off. There are multiple waterfall views there and they're each stunning! Another popular hike is the Crow Pass Trail, which in total is 21 miles and takes you all the way to the Eagle River Nature Center. I've listed a few details on these and other hikes in the area below :

• Virgin Creek Falls - 0.5 mile easy loop, make sure to head to the top of the falls too for some more epic views - it's also worth noting that this hike begins at a dead end road and parking can be a bit difficult in peak months
• Moose Meadow - 1.6 mile easy/moderate loop through a flat area that's said to be a great spot for moose viewing
• Mount Alyeska - 4.2 mile moderate/hard loop that brings you to the mountain peak for some beautiful views of Turnagain Arm (you can also take the Alyeska Aerial Tram if you don't feel like hiking!)
• Crow Pass - the entire trail is 21 miles and goes all the way to the Eagle River Nature Center, however many people do just the first few miles for some incredible views - around mile 3 there is also a reservable a-frame public use cabin (You can check to see if there are any openings here.)

4. Girdwood's Forest Fair
Every summer Girdwood hosts the Forest Fair event - and to be honest it's one of my favorite events of the summer. If you're lucky enough to be visiting while it's being held (typically held around the beginning of July) then you'll find many unique, local artists, vendors, performers, and foods. You can check the most recent updates here.

​5. Enjoy the Town
​Girdwood might be small but there's still many places to eat, drink, and shop at. My favorite place to grab some food and drinks is the local Girdwood Brewing - they have great beer options and they often have rotating food trucks on site. Other options we would recommend checking out are the Hightower Pub, Spoonline Bistro, and The Grind Coffeehouse. Of course, if you're staying at or visiting Alyeska Resort there are quite a few options there as well

6. Gold Mining
This unique opportunity can be found at the Crow Creek Mine. They have multiple options for visitors who just want to explore the property, visitors who want to try gold mining themselves, and visitors who want to take a fully guided historical tour to learn more about the area and what life was like as a gold miner. On Monday nights they also have a fun salmon bake!

7. Catch the Alaska Railroad
You can read my full review of the Alaska Railroad here, and if you decide you want to join in on a train ride you can actually get on and off the train right in Girdwood! You can either catch the train going to Anchorage or catch it going all the way down to Seward!

8. Helicopter Ride to a Glacier
This is hands down the most epic thing you can do while visiting Girdwood, and many people visit for the first time just to take this tour! Not only will Alpine Air Alaska take you to a stunning glacier via helicopter, but from there you'll even get to experience a dog sledding tour ON A GLACIER. So cool. This might honestly be one of the most beautiful views you'll ever see, and definitely one of the most epic things you can do while in Girdwood.

9. Enjoy the Epic Views
​If you're looking for some epic views of Turnagain Arm, then the best way is to head to the top of Mount Alyeska. If you're not too keen on hiking up, then I recommend the Alyeska Aerial Tram which costs $48 per person for a round trip ticket. If you're looking to go above and beyond (literally) then I recommend the Veilbreaker Skybridges. This guided tour includes the roundtrip tram ride, but in addition you'll be able to cross two hanging bridges that are 2,500 feet above the valley. This fun tour starts at $150 per person.

10. Try E-Biking
​If you want to explore town on your own, then I recommend renting some electric bikes from Powder Hound. With these you can make your way to and from Alyeska Resort to town, or head out to Turnagain Arm and search for Belugas. You could even try biking along Turnagain Arm on the paved bike path that follows the Seward Highway. The E-Bikes cost $30 per hour or $80 for the day.

11. Scenic Rafting
Another activity in Girdwood for those looking for something a bit more exciting is to try a scenic glacier float with Chugach Adventures. They offer multiple tours (either rafting or kayaking) that will get you up close and personal with glaciers in the area. You might even have a chance to see some wildlife on your rafting trip! If you're in Girdwood, and it's your first time visiting Alaska, then seeing a glacier up close is one thing I would highly recommend.

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Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in : 
-> 11 Best Waterfalls in Alaska
-> Where to Rent Bear Spray in Alaska
-> 7 Best Tours in Alaska

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