Entertainment (Anchorage, Kenai, Seward: job, home, gangs)

[helios]

I am so glad I found this forum, everyone here is so helpful. I'm from Boston at the moment, never been to AK, so if I sound like I'm stereotyping you guys, apologies in advance.

So my story is similar to "powerfulpup's", except I'm moving to Anchorage without fishing first. I got a job working with my uncle (he does architecture), so that is taken care of. Before I sign my life away on a contract, I just wanted to get some opinions on stuff. Luckily for me, I can live with him for a month for free and test out the town, granted it is summer and nice out. I used to live in northern Wisconsin though, so I know snow and cold, maybe not to the extent of AK, but I'm not a stranger to it.

I'm curious about the restaurant/bar/nightlife. I'm mid 20s as well. I've read that Anchorage is very similar to any other decent sized city (maybe a bit smaller) down in the lower 48, but I've also heard its "rugged" for a city, so I don't know who to believe, so why not ask the experts, huh? So is there lower 48ish entertainment, clubs, bands, crowded bars, etc? Is it pretty modern?

Also, I like outdoor stuff. I enjoy fishing, walking around and taking pictures, exploring remote areas, but there are days when I like to just have hot cup of coffee and sit in bookstore. Is every body up there (again, Anchorage, not remote bush towns) really "outdoorsy" where I'll be a social pariah if I don't fish at least twice a week, or are people in Anchorage really like most other city dwellers in the world? I see you have gangs who don't like red ball caps... Thanks guys, I look forward to hearing from you.

[mal_flisk]

Okay. First stop: Chilkoot Charlies. About 8 different bars under one roof. Hangout for 20 somethings. Next: Al's Alaskan Inn - ditto.

Title Wave for used books. Borders or Barnes and Noble for new. About 8 other decent used bookstores in town, but they don't have internet cafes and good coffee. There are folks here who don't drive further than 40 miles out of town. Probably a lot of them, or else the traffic to the Kenai would be 3 times as bad in summer.

[AryssainAustin]

I lived in Anchorage for 6 years and went fishing twice.
there's a Starbuck on the corner of Diamond and Old Seward.

[mal_flisk]

There's a Starbucks everywhere! Must be a dozen at least in town.

[rotorhead]

If coffee's your concern, lay that one to rest. Can't swing a dead cat in ANC without hitting a couple coffee stands. Especially in winter, theres a little drive-up coffee shack on the corner of virtually every major street in town....it's more a matter of choosing which one to go to, rather than if. Of interest for a 20-something, those "coffee gals" are not only proficient at whipping up a cup of fancy coffee, some of them are pretty easy on the eyes as well.

Anchorage is the usual middle-size city with the usual selection of bars and clubs from old-fogey to meat-market. Perhaps a larger than usual selection of t1tty-bars for a city of 250k, if you're in a big hurry to get rid of your money. And yes, there are people who have lived there for years, if not decades, without ever camping, hunting, fishing, hiking or seeing much more of the state than the city itself. Who knows why.

[FishTAxi]

A fun thing to do before or after work or even a day off in Anchorage for entertainmentis canoe Campbell Creek. Put in at Lake Otis park and get out at the park right before Campbell Lake. Good times.

The falls at old seward right by the artic road runner are a blast!

[scoobagirl]

My son has been up there in ANC for about a month and is having a great time. He's always busy. He lives across from a big park. He also goes to the Alaska League baseball games at Mulcahy field. He's been hiking in the Chugach mountains. There is a group of people at his work that go out together regularly; last week they all went to the Bear's Tooth theater/grill. They've also gone camping and fishing down on the Kenai at Anchor Point.

He's 24, and already loves living in Alaska. When he first got up there, I kept asking if he had seen moose. Finally he told me "mom, seeing moose up here is like seeing cattle at home - they're everywhere" - and how cool is that?! I can't wait to go visit.

I believe that if you look for fun things to do, you will find them. Adventure and entertainment don't come knocking at your door, but it seems like there is plenty to do if you just get out there.

[dmderosa2k]

Humpy's! Moose's Toothe! Heck Dimond Mall has an ice skating rink in the middle of the mall! Entertainment is everywhere!