Monograms provides travelers access to a Local Host®, so you will have someone on hand to answer those vacation questions pertaining to Anchorage, Alaska. No waiting in line at the concierge desk or trying to ask your waitress at breakfast directions to the shopping district. Plus, your Local Host will share local Anchorage insights and share suggestions for getting off the beaten path, leaving you more time to create lasting vacation memories that are yours alone.

Meet a Local Host®

For the past 15 years, Stephanie has been working with visitors to the "Last Frontier" of Alaska. After working for several summers in Denali National Park, she became a Tour Director in 2001, working with groups of all types and traveling throughout the state. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and mountain biking, areas that are not main tourist destinations, and searching for the best skiing conditions in winter.

Alaska Treats

Visit the Wild Berry Factory and sample chocolates, candies, jams, jellies and other goodies all made in Alaska. While there, you may also want to visit Alaska Wild Berry Park and Village. Stroll the Wild Berry trail, pet the reindeer, and take a photo with the 20-foot stone Inukshuk statue. You can also enjoy lunch or dinner at the Wild Berry Park Grill and don't miss the exciting Alaskan flavors like "Polar Bear", "Midnight Madness,", and "Glacier Silk" at the Village Ice Cream Shop.

Alaska Zoo

Spend time at the Alaska Zoo, the perfect place to familiarize yourself with the animals you're likely to see on travels through the state. Caribou, moose, Dall sheep, black bears, brown bears (grizzlies) are a few animals you may spot. Alaska's only elephant resides at the Alaska Zoo too, along with a Siberian tiger and a few camels. The zoo has a large gift shop with educational toys and souvenirs, and a snack bar serves lunch and snack.

Shop Native

Take home a beloved piece of Alaskan culture. Anchorage is home to Alaska's largest selection of quality Alaska Native art and souvenirs such as finely crafted ivory, Native masks, and carved jade. Native-made arts and crafts are beautiful and distinctive reminders of a well-enjoyed trip to Alaska. Plus there is also no sales tax!

Downtown Walking Tour

Visitors can explore Anchorage by foot and see how it has grown from the tent-lined streets of its early years to a cosmopolitan city complete with unique attractions, shops, galleries and historical treasures. Pick up a map and start three-hour walking tour at the Anchorage Log Cabin Visitors Information Center on the corner of Fourth Avenue and F Street.

Anchorage Market and Festival

Held in downtown Anchorage every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer, this open air market mixes one-of-a-kind arts, crafts and giant Alaska grown vegetables with live music, street performers and a selection of local and international food.

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

This world-class 11-mile-long paved trail though parks begins in downtown Anchorage on 2nd Avenue. On your right is the ocean, on your left, set back from the trail, are the backyards of million dollar homes. As you progress farther out of town, you may encounter moose and other wildlife such as bald eagles, porcupines and owls. You can also rent a bike just a few blocks from the trail's start.

Local Food & Brews

Anchorage has access to some of the freshest seafood in the world, which Alaska chefs offer up in a variety of mouth-watering creations. From plump, cold-water Kachemak Bay oysters, to Alaska king crab, fresh-caught halibut, and wild Alaska salmon – the staple of Alaska seafood, Anchorage has it all! A cold local beer goes well with the fresh seafood and you may want to discover one of the local micro-breweries and sample a Kodiak Brown Ale, Sockeye Red IPA, or Gold Rush Golden Ale.