Alaska is absolutely epic. We’ve been to a lot of places over the years, but honestly, nothing has come close to the views here. Everywhere you drive looks fake—in the best way possible. Mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, wildlife… it’s just views for days! So far, Alaska easily takes the #1 spot for the best scenery we’ve ever seen.
Intro:
As you probably know by now, we’re a family of five, traveling with a ridiculous amount of luggage (more on the kosher situation shortly), and like most of our trips, we flew American Airlines. Thanks to our status, we were lucky enough to get free First Class upgrades—one passenger on all four flight segments and two passengers on two of the legs.
Pro Tip: If you have American Airlines status and are traveling with more than two people, split your reservation. AA won’t even put larger groups on the upgrade list together. We booked our family as two reservations (3 people and 2 people), which gave the group of 2 a shot at First Class upgrades—and it worked.
Flights: Don’t Make Our Mistake
We flew through Los Angeles (LAX) on the way there.
Mega Mistake.
It adds quite a bit of travel time. If you can, try to find a more direct routing. Nonstop flights from the East Coast generally run around 7–8 hours, but AA does not fly direct – so our routing was much longer.
We ended up on a large Boeing 787 to LAX, so even those of us in Economy had plenty of room. I was lucky enough to snag one of the lie-flat First Class seats, which definitely made the long flight a lot more enjoyable.
On the way home we connected through Chicago (ORD), which was a much better option.
We landed in Anchorage around 11:30 PM Tuesday night. Keep in mind Alaska is four hours behind the East Coast, so while the clock said 11:30 PM, our kids reminded us what time it really was 🙂
Rental Car Tip That Saved Us Hundreds
We rented through Avis.
One thing to know: the airport location is independently operated. Even though it’s branded as Avis, don’t expect the usual elite perks. They may not honor upgrades, and if you’re using a corporate AWD discount code, they may actually ask you to verify it.
When we first searched, prices were completely insane—$200–300 per day.
Then we accidentally discovered a weird “glitch.” Instead of searching daily rentals, search for an entire week.
Suddenly more inventory appeared, including a pickup truck for only $57 per day.
After taxes and fees, our total came to about $550 for the week, which felt like an absolute steal compared to everything else we were seeing.
Definitely worth checking before you book.
Another option is Turo, where people rent out their own vehicles. Their prices were better than the major rental companies, and many people will even deliver the car right to the airport.
Hotels… and Our First Mistake
Originally we booked the Hyatt Place Anchorage Midtown.
The cash rate is usually around $600 per night, but if you have Hyatt points it’s one of the best redemptions we’ve found. The room is only 20,000 Hyatt points per night, and since Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, it’s a fantastic use of points.
If you are new to points & want to know how to transfer points, watch this 2 minute video or read this.
Everything was going well – Except we accidentally booked it for the following week.
By the time we arrived, they were completely sold out and couldn’t accommodate us.
Thankfully we ended up at Homewood Suites, and b”h it worked out perfectly – for $550.
We had a true two-room suite with a full-sized freezer and refrigerator—which became incredibly important.
Kosher Travel in Alaska
Kosher food in Alaska is extremely limited.
Before leaving home, we stocked up on frozen meals from local kosher supermarkets, which meant traveling with an unbelievable amount of luggage and constantly figuring out where we’d keep everything frozen. We’ll cover all the kosher food options we found in Alaska at the end of this blog.
We had an Airbnb booked for four nights, so we just needed to figure out one more hotel night… and that’s where things got interesting. Read on!
Day 1 Wednesday: The Drive to Seward
We had a late start, then spent the day making the incredibly scenic drive to Seward so we’d be ready for our 6-hour Kenai Fjords cruise Thursday morning.
The 2+ hour (direct) Seward Highway drive was attraction after another.
Here’s where we stopped:
Stop 1: Potter Marsh
- About ten minutes outside Anchorage.
- A really nice boardwalk with beautiful scenery.
- There’s often a local volunteer set up with a powerful spotting scope, showing visitors birds and wildlife for free.
- We spotted a bald eagle nest, enjoyed the walk, but overall wildlife was limited during our visit.
- A nice relaxing way to start the day.
Stop 2: Beluga Point
About ten minutes after Potter Marsh.
- One of those places where you immediately pull over because the views are incredible.
- No whales or wildlife.
- Just gorgeous Alaska scenery.
- Definitely worth the quick stop.
Stop 3: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- About 30 minutes past Beluga Point
- Think of it as somewhere between a zoo and a wildlife sanctuary.
- You get surprisingly close to Alaska’s famous animals.
- Massive brown bears, moose, bison, musk oxen etc.
- It isn’t cheap, they charge per person even if you drive through and it costs Adults (13+): $30 Children (4–12): $26…But if it’s your first trip to Alaska, it’s a decent stop and gives everyone a chance to actually see the animals that are otherwise pretty elusive.
- We recommend skipping it.
Stop 4: Tangle Pond
- This wasn’t even originally on our list.
- It’s just one of those places you notice while driving.
- We pulled over and ended up staying longer than expected.
- Absolutely stunning.
Stop 5: Byron Glacier Trail Or Iditarod historic trail (Bike ride)
- We actually missed this stop on our first day because of a GPS mistake, but we came back and visited it on Day 3. It really belongs as part of the drive to Seward, though. (You’ll see it during the Day 3 video recap.)
- If you only have time for one hike, make it this one.
- It’s about 1.4 miles each way, mostly easy walking, and at the end you’re walking on a glacier.
- Kids can slide on glacier!
- An unbelievable experience.
- You can walk or rent a bike and see the Iditarod historic trail which is super cilled and really nice – just bring bug spray.
Pro Tip: Glaciers can crack. Sections can calve (break away), creating steep drops so please be careful! See here:
Stop 6: Hanging Glacier
Put Williwaw trailer park into Waze to get a great view of a hanging glacier! It is only minutes from Byron Glacier,
Stop 7: Moose Pass
- About 40 minutes past stop ‘6’
- A tiny little Alaskan town right along the Seward Highway.
- And here’s the travel tip nobody tells you…The public library has excellent bathrooms 🙂
Finally… Seward
About 30 minutes past Moose pass, we reached Seward. We checked into the Harbor 360 Hotel, right at the harbor where our cruise departed early the next morning.
The hotel was great and worked out really well for us. They had a microwave in the lobby where we heated up our double-wrapped meals, and the free breakfast included cereal, drinks, and hot oatmeal, which made the morning super easy.
Our in-room freezer wasn’t nearly big enough for all the kosher food we brought, so the staff happily stored our large freezer bags in their employee freezer. (Everything was double wrapped, so from a kashrus perspective we were happy with the arrangement.) They honestly couldn’t have been friendlier or more accommodating.
The rooms were over $500 per night (Summer time is the peak!) and even the largest room only had two double beds. We asked if they had a rollaway bed, and within minutes one was brought up. It wasn’t luxurious, but it worked perfectly for one night.
Day 2 – Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
Thursday morning started early. We were up around 7:30 AM to make our 8:30 AM, 6-hour Kenai Fjords National Park cruise, and it ended up being one of the best boat tours we’ve ever taken.
We quickly grabbed breakfast at the hotel and hopped onto the boat.
The scenery is hard to describe. Massive glaciers, towering mountains, waterfalls, and wildlife. One of the coolest moments was watching a glacier calve—a huge chunk of ice suddenly cracked off and crashed into the water with a thunder-like boom. It’s something you really have to experience in person. Literally epic.
We saw orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, puffins, bald eagles, and more!
PROTIP: Dress warm, Bring a heavy coat, gloves, a hat—everything you’ve got. The boat itself is excellent, with plenty of comfortable indoor seating and large windows, but you’ll definitely want to spend time outside when the captain spots wildlife or gets close to a glacier. Don’t let the cold keep you indoors!
There is one stretch, usually around 20–30 minutes, where the water gets rough. Sitting outside actually helped us feel better than being inside, and we recommend taking a Dramamine right when you board so it has time to kick in before reaching the rougher water.
Note: Exit Glacier is just outside of Seward and is an easy 1-mile round-trip walk to one of Alaska’s most beautiful and accessible glaciers. If you skip Byron Glacier on Day 1 (Stop #5), Exit Glacier is an absolute must-see.
After the cruise, we had a hot lunch thanks to the hotels microwave, and then we made the 2½-hour drive back to Anchorage and checked into our Airbnb near Chabad (for Shabbos reasons) where we’d be staying for the next four nights. It was the perfect home base for the rest of our trip.
Day 3 – Friday – Alyeska Tram & Virgin Creek Falls
On Day 3, we headed back down the beautiful Seward Highway, driving about 40 minutes from Anchorage to the Alyeska Aerial Tram in Girdwood.
We stopped again at Beluga point (Day 1 stop2) for more pics since it was really sunny… then went straight to the tram ride.
The tram ride itself only takes about 5 minutes and brings you to the top of the mountain, where you’re supposed to have views of seven glaciers. The scenery was beautiful, but to be honest, the glaciers were very small in the distance and a bit underwhelming. At over $50 per person, we didn’t feel it was worth the price. If you’re short on time or trying to save money, we’d skip it.
Afterward, we drove just a few minutes to Virgin Creek Falls Trail, and this ended up being one of our favorite hidden gems of the trip.
The hike is incredibly easy—about 10 minutes each way—and takes you through a beautiful forest to a stunning waterfall. It’s a little tricky to find because the trail starts at the very end of a quiet residential road that looks like a cul-de-sac. Just follow Google Maps (Waze was one block off) all the way to the end, and you’ll see a small trailhead sign.
After Virgin Creek Falls, we went back to Byron Glacier, (Day 1 stop 5) since we accidentally missed it on Day 1 after taking the wrong trail. It worked out perfectly because we were pretty closeby. Check out the video above to see it in action!
After that, we headed back to our Airbnb for a much-needed nap before Shabbos. One of the wild things about visiting Alaska in the summer is how late it stays light—Shabbos didn’t begin until around 11:30 PM, and ‘early’ Shabbos wasn’t until 9:30 PM!
Shabbos in Alaska – Day 4
We rented an Airbnb about a 5-minute walk from Chabad, which made everything incredibly convenient.
On Friday night, we davened at Chabad and stayed for the seudah. The meal was really nice—good, solid food, served to everyone at the tables. Of course 7 year old Shlomo was fast asleep during the seuda and it took time to get him up just enough to walk back to the house!
On Shabbos morning, Shacharis began at 10:30 AM, followed by another meal served buffet style. Once again, the food was plentiful and very good. For our family of five, both meals together came to about $500.
Mincha was at 2:45 PM, and afterward we headed back to our Airbnb to relax and enjoy the rest of Shabbos.
A couple of things to know if you’re planning your own trip:
- Chabad only has a minyan on Friday night and Shabbos morning. There is no regular Minyan during the week or Maariv minyan after Shabbos.
- During the summer, Shabbos doesn’t end until around 2:00 AM! We chose to wait until Sunday morning to make Havdalah. In that case, Havdalah is made without a candle or besamim, and the introductory paragraph beginning with “Hinei Kel Yeshuasi” is skipped.
One last tip: bring plenty of games, books, and things to do! There is a Walmart nearby or – Amazon as always.
In case you were wondering, we did not go out Motzei Shabbos 🙂
Day 5 – When the Weather Doesn’t Cooperate
One of the experiences we were looking forward to most was our Talkeetna Air Taxi Southside Explorer flight. The plan was after making the 2-hour drive from Anchorage, we’d be boarding a small plane for a 90-minute flight passing Denali (tallest mountain in the USA) and landing on a glacier.
It wasn’t cheap—roughly $300–400 per person—but compared to many of the other glacier flightseeing tours (some of which were close to $1,000 per person), we felt it offered incredible value and would have been one of the most memorable experiences of the trip – probably of our lifetime!
Unfortunately, Alaska weather had other plans.
On Sunday morning, we got the call that our flight had been canceled due to weather. It seems this is more common than not…
We made a U turn after 30 minutes of driving, and scrambled to find fun indoor activities nearby. After doing a lot of research, we put together a list of the best rainy-day options to save you the time if the weather doesn’t cooperate on your trip.
Rainy Day Activities Around Anchorage
If your glacier flight gets canceled (or you just get stuck with a rainy day), don’t panic. Here are some of the best indoor activities we found – obviously we did not do all of them:)
- Dave & Buster’s – If you’re there on Sunday – like we were – or Wednesday, games are 50% off.
- Frosted Axe Throwing (there are a few axe places) – Several places around Anchorage offer axe throwing.
- IMAX Theater – There are a few options.
- Alaska Aviation Museum – Located right by the airport, this museum has historic planes, military aircraft, and cool stuff Much more interesting than we expected.
- Anchorage Museum – Exhibits on Alaska’s history, Native culture, wildlife, art, and science – if you are really bored.
- Dimond Center Mall – Alaska’s largest mall. Don’t expect luxury brands or high-end shopping, but it’s a good place to spend an hour or so if the weather isn’t cooperating. Be sure to check out our video below of the surprisingly huge Pokémon GO crowd that was there…
- Escape Rooms – Anchorage has several highly rated escape rooms if you’re traveling with family or friends and want a fun challenge.
- Alaska Railroad trips – Many options but views may be limited if its heavy rain…
Hopefully you won’t need this list, but if Alaska’s weather changes your plans (which it often does), these are all great backup options that can easily fill a day.
Day 6 – Independence Mine & Heading Home
Our last day in Alaska had finally arrived. Our flight wasn’t until 9:57 PM, but checkout was 12PM, so we packed up the Airbnb, loaded everything into the pickup, and squeezed in one last adventure before heading to the airport.
We drove about an hour and fifteen minutes to Independence Mine State Historical Park, and honestly, the drive alone was worth it. The road winds high into the mountains, with incredible scenery around every turn. There are plenty of pull-offs where you can stop, and get pics. It was one of the most scenic drives of the entire trip.
Pro Tip: There aren’t any decent restrooms at the park, so make a stop at the last gas station about 15 minutes before your GPS says you’ll arrive. You’ll be glad you did 🙂
The mine itself was pretty cool—and was completely free. You get to walk through the remains of a real gold mining town from Alaska’s gold rush days, with old homes, machinery, workshops, and mining buildings still standing (and some collapsed).
PROTIP: Since the mine sits at a higher elevation, it was noticeably colder than Anchorage, so bring a jacket even on a warm summer day.
One of the highlights for the kids was renting a gold pan and shovel from the gift shop and trying their luck at finding gold. There’s something pretty exciting about literally digging for gold in Alaska, and they had an absolute blast.
After exploring the mine, we grabbed some lunch and headed back toward Anchorage. Since we still had a little time before our flight, we stopped at an Anchorage Bucs collegiate baseball game. Tickets were only about $5 each, and we caught the first seven innings before leaving for the airport.
We arrived at the airport around 8:30 PM, giving us about 45 minutes before boarding. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip.
Kosher Food in Alaska (Anchorage)
One of the biggest questions we had before our trip was: What is the kosher food situation in Alaska? The answer is there are options…
Anchorage has a full Walmart, just like any Walmart you’d find nearby. The only item we had a little trouble finding was kosher bread but after looking carefully we found it, along with the standard Thomas’ Bagels and kosher baguettes there labeled ‘Marketside’. Be sure to check each package – obviously.
Another store and the only one with ‘real kosher food’ was Natural Pantry (3680 Barrow St, Anchorage, AK 99503) which had a decent amount of kosher frozen food options. There is no Kosher aisle or section but its easy to find. We found Kosher Steak products, Meal Mart burgers, meatballs, chicken cutlets, fish sticks, chicken nuggets, and other frozen meals. Inventory can change, so it’s probably worth calling ahead if you’re relying solely on them, before making the trip.
Other things to do:
We met a group of girls who went on a ‘Mantanuska Glacier Hike‘ tour and they said it was amazing. It costs $329 a person but is a fully guided glacier tour.
There are so other incredible experiences in Alaska, but many require taking another flight to a different part of the state. Whether it’s watching bears catch salmon in the wild, visiting remote national parks, or exploring some of Alaska’s most breathtaking landscapes, the opportunities are endless!
There’s an app called Aurora that helps track Northern Lights activity and forecasts… Check it out here.
Kosher Alaska Travel Guide: Chabad, Kosher Food & Shabbos FAQ
Kosher & Jewish Travel in Alaska: FAQ
Planning an Alaska trip while keeping kosher and observing Shabbos? Here are the practical answers we wish we had before traveling to Anchorage and Seward with our family.
Is it possible to keep kosher while visiting Alaska?
Yes, but it requires planning. Anchorage has basic kosher groceries and a limited selection of frozen kosher products, but it does not have the type of full kosher supermarket or restaurant scene you may be used to in larger Jewish communities.
We brought a large amount of frozen food from home and chose accommodations with refrigerators, freezers and access to a microwave.
Are there kosher restaurants in Anchorage?
Do not plan your trip around finding regular kosher restaurants. The kosher food situation is limited, so bringing food or purchasing basic groceries is the safest plan.
Chabad may offer Shabbos meals, but arrangements, pricing and availability should always be confirmed directly before your trip.
Where can I buy kosher food in Anchorage?
Anchorage has a full Walmart with many of the same nationally distributed kosher products found elsewhere. We found Thomas’ Bagels, kosher baguettes and some Marketside bakery products bearing kosher certification.
Always inspect each individual package for a reliable hechsher, since ingredients, suppliers and certifications can change.
Where can I find kosher meat and frozen meals?
We found the best selection at Natural Pantry, located at 3680 Barrow Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99503.
During our visit, we saw frozen products including Kosher Steak items, Meal Mart burgers, meatballs, chicken cutlets, nuggets, fish sticks and other prepared foods.
There was no dedicated kosher aisle, and inventory can change. Call the store before traveling there if you are depending on a specific product.
Was kosher bread difficult to find?
Kosher bread was one of the harder items for us to locate. We eventually found certified options at Walmart, including Thomas’ Bagels and certain Marketside baguettes.
Check every package carefully rather than assuming that every product from the same brand or bakery is certified.
Should we bring food from home?
Absolutely. We recommend bringing enough frozen meals, snacks and shelf-stable foods to cover the majority of your trip, especially if you will be traveling outside Anchorage.
Alaska is enormous, and many popular attractions are several hours away from the limited kosher shopping options available in Anchorage.
What type of hotel or Airbnb is best for kosher travelers?
Look for a full-size refrigerator and freezer, not just a small hotel minibar. A kitchenette, disposable utensils and access to a microwave can make the trip significantly easier.
Our Homewood Suites room had a full refrigerator and freezer, which was extremely helpful. For the main portion of the trip, we rented an Airbnb near Chabad.
Can hotels store frozen kosher food?
Some may be willing to help. At Harbor 360 Hotel in Seward, our in-room freezer was too small, so the staff allowed us to store our sealed freezer bags in an employee freezer.
Ask the property in advance, keep everything securely sealed and double-wrapped, and discuss any kashrus concerns with your rabbi.
Can I heat kosher food in a hotel microwave?
We heated our meals while they were securely double-wrapped. The correct procedure can depend on the food, packaging and appliance, so confirm your preferred method with your rabbi before traveling.
Bring extra wrapping materials, heavy-duty foil, sealed microwave-safe containers and disposable utensils.
Is there a Chabad in Anchorage?
Yes. Chabad of Alaska serves Jewish visitors and the local community in Anchorage. We rented an Airbnb approximately five minutes away by foot, which made getting to Friday-night and Shabbos-morning services and meals very convenient.
Contact Chabad directly before booking your accommodations to confirm current service times, meal registration and walking-distance options.
Are Shabbos meals available through Chabad?
During our visit, we attended both the Friday-night meal and the Shabbos-day meal. The food was plentiful and enjoyable.
For our family of five, the two meals together cost approximately $500. Pricing and availability may change, so reservations should be made in advance.
Are there daily minyanim in Anchorage?
During our trip, Chabad had a minyan on Friday night and Shabbos morning, but there was no regular weekday minyan and no Maariv minyan after Shabbos.
Minyan schedules can change depending on the season and number of visitors, so verify directly with Chabad before your trip.
What time does Shabbos begin in Alaska during the summer?
Very late! During our summer trip, regular candle-lighting was around 11:30 PM, while an early Shabbos option was around 9:30 PM.
Exact times vary by date, location and halachic opinion. Check a reliable Jewish calendar and consult your rabbi regarding early Shabbos.
What time does Shabbos end during an Alaska summer?
Shabbos can end extraordinarily late because the sky remains light for most of the night. During our visit, Shabbos did not end until around 2:00 AM.
This is an important consideration when planning transportation, checkout times, Sunday activities and meals.
What did you do about Havdalah ending so late?
We waited until Sunday morning to make Havdalah. Based on the guidance we followed, we made it without a candle or besamim and skipped the introductory verses beginning with “Hinei Kel Yeshuasi.”
This is a halachic question, and travelers should consult their own rabbi before the trip for instructions that apply to their situation.
What should families bring for a very long Shabbos?
Bring books, games, cards, snacks and plenty of activities for the kids. With an extremely late Shabbos ending, there can be many hours to fill after the daytime meal and afternoon rest.
It also helps to stay in a comfortable house or apartment with enough indoor space for the family.
Is Seward manageable for kosher travelers?
Yes, provided you arrive with your own food. We stayed at Harbor 360 Hotel, where the staff helped us store frozen food and there was a lobby microwave available.
The included breakfast also had basic items such as cereal, drinks and hot oatmeal, but every product and preparation method must be evaluated individually.
What are your top tips for Jewish families visiting Alaska?
Stay within walking distance of Chabad for Shabbos, bring most of your prepared food from home, reserve an accommodation with a real freezer, verify minyan and meal schedules in advance, and carefully check the unusually late summer Shabbos times.
Most importantly, do not assume you can simply purchase everything after arriving. Planning ahead makes the trip far more relaxing.
Conclusion
If there’s one thing we took away from this adventure, it’s that Alaska absolutely lived up to the hype. The scenery is unlike anywhere else we’ve ever been, the wildlife is incredible, and every day felt like a new adventure.
We just wrapped up an exciting trip to Alaska, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on our recap! Comment and ask any questions you may have below! What city should we explore next? Whether it’s a favorite destination or a hidden gem, your suggestions are invaluable to us! Please comment below! To reach our travel team, click HERE
Additionally, if you represent a business or organization in a city that wants to shine, or are an avid traveler, we’d love to collaborate! We’re keen on discovering unique destinations and showcasing what makes them special. Contact us HERE or email Travel@metziahs.com
