A Dream Day in Girdwood: Alaskas Hidden Gem Uncovered
- May 1
- 4 min read
If youre dreaming of going somewhere where the forest fills endless, where the trees tower over you and where mountains stand tall and strong then you will want to escape to the stunning place of Girdwood Alaska. I've been lucky enough to escape here numerous times and it still a strong contender as one of my absolute favorite places on earth!
Today I'm going to share the Perfect Summer or Fall day in Girdwood where you'll get a little bit of adventure mixed with relaxation and delicious food. Think enjoying a leisurely breakfast and then adventuring on a road trip past stunning ocean views to the right and jagged cliffs to the left looking for sheep in the cliffs and belugas in the ocean. And then hike through a rainforest and after that melt into the late afternoon relaxing away at the Nordic Spa and then wrap it all up with a delicious dinner in a cozy atmosphere. Is there a more perfect day than that?
The beauty of Girdwood is that it's only an hour drive from Anchorage. In just one hour you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and be fully immersed in the woods.
Girdwood is a year round resort town offering so many fun outdoor activites including biking, hiking, skiing, rafting, fishing and of course sightseeing all in a northern rainforest setting. Have I said enough to temp you to come here?
There's more to Girdwood though than just outdoor adventure. It's a small tight knit community and when you visit you'll feel that welcome, outdoor loving community vibe that embodies small town charm in a whole different way. There's always a fun community event going on here including the Slush cup the second weekend in April and the Forest Fair July 4th weekend.
The charm of Girdwood is that it's a small town with endless outdoor possibilities and today you're only experiencing a little slice of it but it's honestly a really great slice!
The perfect Day in Girdwood
If you’re coming from Anchorage it’s about a 45 minute drive to Girdwood.
I recommend stopping for breakfast at South in Anchorage to fuel up with a hearty breakfast. It’s on the way so this stop makes perfect sense
After breakfast Start driving the scenic Seward highway to Girdwood. This is one of my absolute favorite drives in Alaska so take it slow and take it all in. There’s lots of pull outs along the way to take in the views and you will want to stop at Beluga point and look for Belugas out in the ocean depending on what time of year you visit. They are normally seen from Mid July - October. Making this a great pull out spot in summer.
Along this highway is also a popular place to spot Dall sheep, most notably from mile 104 - 106 and specifically at windy corner at mile 106. A notable fact is that this is the only place in the world where Dall sheep can be seen at sea level that close to the road. Try and spot them up on the cliffs and sometimes even on the road so drive cautiously.
Once you get to Girdwood drive up to Alyeska Resort and set out for a fun hike in the rainforest at Lower Winner Creek Trail. This is an easy "hike" on a dirt path, which is really more of a walk, which makes it a nice stroll through the forest to stretch your legs.
Lower Winner creek trail
Parking is available at Alyeska Resort
4.3 miles out and back
Estimated time 2-2.5 hrs.
Best time of year is June - September
You'll come to the end near Winner Creek Gorge pictured here. You can keep going another 0.2 miles to see a hand tram that no longer works where people used to be able to go across the river and continue hiking. I recommend hanging out here for a bit as the sound of the water and the scenery is breathtaking. When you're ready to leave you'll want to head back the way you came.
After a blissful walk through the rainforest with the sounds of the river melting all of the worries away head back to your car and grab your swimsuit. Leave your car where it is and head to the Nordic Spa at Alyeska Resort to spend the rest of the afternoon. The Nordic Spa is one of my favorite places on earth, no joke!
The Nordic Spa at Alyeska resort opened in April of 2022 and it was one of the best things to happen to me! Since it's opened I've been countless times because I love it oh so much! It's set in the Chugach mountains with big spruce trees tucking you in on all sides making it feel very private and lush. It has multipe hot and cold pools, saunas and two steam rooms allowing you to fully immerse in hydrotherapy. They also have a serene calming quiet room so bring a book and fully immerse into this experience. My favorite area is the small round hot tubs and barrel saunas near the back of the spa where it feels more private and like you're deep in the rainforest.
Good to know info for the Nordic Spa at Alyeska
Tickets can be purchased online HERE
There are mens and women's lockers to change and they provide robes and slippers for use.
The lockers have showers too and a spot for the ladies to do their hair and makeup
There is also an onsite restaurant which makes it a great spot for lunch
The Nordic Spa is a great place to bring your friends or make it a romantic day for you and your partner!
After the Spa it's time for dinner and I recommend heading to my favorite restaurant in Girdwood and that is Jack Sprat. They offer fresh Alaskan seafood, meats, and vegan options too. It's a very cozy atmosphere and is very vibey for Girdwood.
I'm a creature of habit and love their "Chow Fun" dish with lots of vegetables, rice noodles and I add Tofu.
And that's a wrap on the most perfect day spent in Girdwood Alaska! Of course you can always make it a weekend trip and stay the night at Alyeska Resort or at an Airbnb nearby.
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