Hotels near Merrill Field - MRI, Anchorage

I spent 8 days in Alaska Regional Heart Institute. It wasn’t a Vacation. I LOVE ANCHORAGE. Spent a lot of time here when we lived in SEWARD. Great place to hang out. Great Food, Scenery, and, Lots of things to do and see.

Anchorage is beautiful. Mountains and water everywhere you look. There is so much to do within just a few miles of the city. I went grizzly watching at Katmai and hiking in the Chugach range in just two days. Next time I go I’m taking the famous Alaska railroad up to Denali. Great food; great people! Alaska is magic!

We particularly enjoyed the City tour by bus which took us through neighbourhoods of Anchorage and past the amazing float plane moorings with its remarkable collection of planes. Our guide was knowledgeable and engaging. The tour to the Alaskan Native Heritage Centre was very worthwhile, with its guided tour of the many "tribal" houses and compounds being enlightening. The various cultural demonstrations in the modern centre were of great interest, especially the demonstration of dancing and sporting activities. It was a pity we did not have more time there to visit more of the museum exhibits. A great surprise was the extent of the Anchorage Museum! The Museum had an extensive exhibit dedicated to the history of the DEW (Distant Early Warning) Line set up in the 1950's and the way in which politics and culture combined to counter the impact of communist ideology (including several pieces by Jackson Pollock and Marc Rothko to demonstrate the "enlightenment" of American art over the rigidity of the USSR. Other galleries showed the history and development of Alaskan art. Another gallery showed works by young artists. A bonus "find"'

Anchorage is a good 'launch pad' onto other spots in Alaska. Make sure to do the coastal bike trail - we saw 2 mum Moose with their calves, very special. The drive from there south toward Girdwood is fabulous.

We were in Anchorage for medical reasons, however, when we had free time, we were able to take in the 5th Avenue Mall and the Sullivan Steakhouse which was really enjoyable. It was a 5-minute walk to the mall, and we enjoyed the walk. We also were able to take in a Japanese restaurant, a restaurant at the Marriott hotel and a Mexican restaurant outside of the area. We would have love to have taken in some of the other attractions.

I enjoyed Anchorage and enjoyed the Federal building which was free entry and had a lot of interesting information about Alaska and all its wildlife etc and has a theatre which presents short videos about different things about Alaska life. I enjoyed strolling around the town. For me coming from a busy city I think Anchorage was a tad boring because I come from a busy place and Anchorage was not enough for me to amuse myself in the 4 days we are here (maybe a bit too long). Also hardly anyone on the streets in downtown Anchorage mainly tourists.