At Philanthropy Northwest, we are deeply committed to our value of place and to honoring the lands, cultures and diversity of our region.

As we look ahead to our PNW26 Conference, we’re especially excited to spotlight the powerful work happening in and around our host city: Anchorage, Alaska.

To help you experience Anchorage beyond the conference walls, we’ve planned learning tours and dine-arounds on our agenda that showcase the beauty and vibrancy of Alaska in the fall. But we know the best travel tips come from the people who call a place home – so we asked some locals from our network about their favorite things to do in Anchorage!

We asked Gretchen Guess and Janie Caq'ar Ferguson from Rasmuson Foundation; Sydney Copley, Carmen Davis and Jen Cross from Alaska Community Foundation; Alessandra Frichtl from Alaska Airlines Foundation; Emily Brockman from Bristol Bay Foundation and Shoshi Bieler from Alaska Humanities Forum to share their favorite fall activities, must-visit spots and what they’re most looking forward to at PNW26.

Dive into their recommendations below - and if you haven’t yet, be sure to register for PNW26 so you can join in on the fun in Alaska, October 6-8. 

Register for PNW26

What is your favorite thing to do in Anchorage in the fall?  

Taking in the fall colors!  The birch and alpine shrubs turn brilliant gold and red, and the best part is that by fall the mosquitoes are gone, so the trails feel like they're all yours. Also, since it gets dark earlier, there’s a good chance you’ll catch the northern lights right from town.

Photo of Jen Cross smiling outdoors, wearing sunglasses and a blue Girdwood hat, with another person seated beside her on a sunny hiking trail surrounded by shrubs.

Jen

One of my favorite fall traditions is heading into the Chugach to pick berries while the mountains are tinged with jewel-toned yellows and reds. There are few places where you can spend the morning surrounded by fall colors and come home with fresh blueberries or blackberries (crowberries). Another is picking crab apples and making ciders, pies, jams and other fall treats. 

Headshot of Emily Brockman, smiling, with long brown hair, wearing white earrings, a teal sweater and a fish necklace against a dark gray background.

Emily

Fall is my favorite season. It is a short but colorful time in Anchorage, so I try to take advantage by getting outside and hiking the trails in the nearby Chugach Mountains. The narrow window between our vibrant summer and the first snowfall is a busy period, filled with as much outdoor time as I can get, picking cranberries, walking my dogs and enjoying the city’s 251 miles of trails.  

Headshot of Gretchen Guess, smiling, with short light brown hair and glasses, wearing gold earrings and a black top with a colorful floral-patterned neckline against a pink background.

Gretchen

Going on walks in the woods with my dog as the sun is setting, and everything feels a little cold and magical! I’m a painter, so I love looking closely at all the golden leaves blanketing the trail and then going home to paint them.

Photo of Shoshi Bieler smiling outdoors in winter, wearing glasses and a brown beanie, with a snowy creek and trees in the background.

Shoshi

Take a leaf-crunchy walk on the Coastal Trail downtown, or take a short ride away, and for a short hike up Flattop Mountain, which offers amazing views of Anchorage and the Inlet. Keep one eye out for moose, then reward myself with coffee like it’s a seasonal sport.

Photo of Janie Caq’ar Ferguson taking a sunny outdoor selfie on a hillside trail, wearing sunglasses and a headband, with a dog beside her and a wide view of trees, water and blue sky in the background.

Janie

Where are your favorite places to eat in Anchorage? 

Anchorage is one of the most diverse cities in the U.S., and it’s apparent in the variety of restaurants and cuisines available all over town. Some of my favorite downtown eateries include Palmeira Tropical Fusion; coffee at the historic Kobuk; the James Beard Award-finalist Fire Island Rustic Bakery; and Mexican-American fusion at El Green-Go’s Food Truck. Elsewhere, we’ve got Sofra’s Turkish Cuisine, So Thai, Pho Lena, Ethiopian food at Queen Sheba’s, and a wide selection of ramen places and sushi spots. 

Headshot of Gretchen Guess, smiling, with short light brown hair and glasses, wearing gold earrings and a black top with a colorful floral-patterned neckline against a pink background.

Gretchen

I’d start with coffee and pastries at The Feeling Co. and Fire Island downtown on K Street, then head downtown for Pel’meni for cozy dumplings that are satisfying and perfect after a day of exploring. Pro tip: Ask for all the toppings!

Photo of Janie Caq’ar Ferguson taking a sunny outdoor selfie on a hillside trail, wearing sunglasses and a headband, with a dog beside her and a wide view of trees, water and blue sky in the background.

Janie

For food, I always recommend Moose's Tooth for pizza and a cold beverage, Wild Scoops for locally inspired ice cream flavors, Glacier Brewhouse or 49th State Brewing for classic Alaska food, Crush Wine Bistro for oysters and wine, and The Pearl for a memorable upscale dinner.

Headshot of Emily Brockman, smiling, with long brown hair, wearing white earrings, a teal sweater and a fish necklace against a dark gray background.

Emily

Our programs and grants team recently celebrated our Q1 accomplishments by dining out at downtown Anchorage’s Palmeira Tropical Fusion. Creative owners Diego Romo and Andrea Cuevas Mendoza took an older space and transformed the interior into a green and tropical dining experience. Our table was filled with elegantly presented dishes influenced by Latin and tropical flavors. OMG!

Photo of Carmen Davis smiling outdoors in a snowy garden, holding a box of freshly harvested carrots with trees and a deck in the background.

Carmen

We've got an amazing food scene — Turkish Delight, Crush and Pho Lena are all favorites of mine.

Photo of Sydney Copley taking a selfie beside a rocky river, wearing headphones, a blue headband and a hiking vest with a water bottle.

Sydney

For food, I am a big fan of Turkish Delight and their new breakfast and lunch spot Sofra, as well as La Palmeira and Crush Bistro. And my perfect day would end with ice cream from Wild Scoops 100% of the time, any time of the year.

Photo of Shoshi Bieler smiling outdoors in winter, wearing glasses and a brown beanie, with a snowy creek and trees in the background.

Shoshi

What Anchorage recommendations do you have for PNW26 attendees?

I always encourage attendees to experience the outdoors and visit local shops downtown. You can spend the morning on a trail or spotting wildlife and then head downtown for fresh seafood or a local coffee shop. If you have extra time, I’d definitely recommend visiting Girdwood. It’s a quick trip but feels like a completely different place and the drive along the Seward Highway has amazing views.

Photo of Alessandra Frichtl smiling outdoors with two family members, all wearing sunglasses, with snowcapped mountains and a bright blue sky in the background.

Alessandra

If the weather’s agreeable, grab your coat, rent a bike from Pablo’s on L Street, and experience Trail City for yourself with a ride on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. A visit to the Anchorage Museum will give you history, culture, art and shopping; the short drive to the Alaska Native Heritage Museum on the east side of town is worth the trip. 

Headshot of Gretchen Guess, smiling, with short light brown hair and glasses, wearing gold earrings and a black top with a colorful floral-patterned neckline against a pink background.

Gretchen

Anchorage is home to the world’s largest and busiest seaplane base. If you aren’t able to take a flightseeing tour, then Lake Hood is worth checking out to see beautiful takeoffs and landings!

Photo of Carmen Davis smiling outdoors in a snowy garden, holding a box of freshly harvested carrots with trees and a deck in the background.

Carmen

What’s an “only in Anchorage” experience you’ve had?  

Watching a moose stroll through town like it owns the place while everyone else just quietly adjusts their schedule.

Photo of Janie Caq’ar Ferguson taking a sunny outdoor selfie on a hillside trail, wearing sunglasses and a headband, with a dog beside her and a wide view of trees, water and blue sky in the background.

Janie

My favorite new “only in Anchorage” attraction is the Mushers Arch on 4th Avenue, where you can stand where hundreds of mushers have stepped onto the runners of their dog sleds to begin the 1,000-mile Iditarod route to Nome every March. 

Headshot of Gretchen Guess, smiling, with short light brown hair and glasses, wearing gold earrings and a black top with a colorful floral-patterned neckline against a pink background.

Gretchen

Seeing an attorney walk out of his office at lunchtime wearing hip boots, carrying a rod and reel, walking down to Ship Creek to catch a king salmon.

Photo of Carmen Davis smiling outdoors in a snowy garden, holding a box of freshly harvested carrots with trees and a deck in the background.

Carmen

I love that I can step out of a downtown meeting and be on a mountain trail, or watching Dall Sheep pick their way across a rocky ridgeline, within about twenty minutes. You're in a real city one moment and genuine wilderness the next.  

Photo of Jen Cross smiling outdoors, wearing sunglasses and a blue Girdwood hat, with another person seated beside her on a sunny hiking trail surrounded by shrubs.

Jen

What is one thing you are looking forward to at the PNW26 conference?  

I’m looking forward to welcoming people to the Dena’inaq ełnen’aq’ or Dena’ina land of Anchorage and sharing a little Alaskan beauty of mountain views, strong coffee, good food, creative local businesses and artists, and yes, probably at least one moose story.

Photo of Janie Caq’ar Ferguson taking a sunny outdoor selfie on a hillside trail, wearing sunglasses and a headband, with a dog beside her and a wide view of trees, water and blue sky in the background.

Janie

This will be my first time attending a PNW conference. I’m excited to get to spend in-depth time talking with other funders about the creative approaches and solutions we’ve used to build stronger and more intentional relationships with the communities we serve – from potential applicants, to grantees, to program partners and beyond. I’ve been exposed to many amazing ideas over the years from talking to other funding organizations, and I’m looking forward to having several days dedicated just to those conversations.

Photo of Shoshi Bieler smiling outdoors in winter, wearing glasses and a brown beanie, with a snowy creek and trees in the background.

Shoshi

I’m excited for this opportunity to connect with partners, especially those who have never experienced Alaska before. From the city parks that showcase Dena’ina language signage as part of the Indigenous Place Names project (thanks, Mellon Foundation!), to the many murals local artists have painted on downtown buildings, I can’t wait to introduce visitors to Anchorage and the richness of its art, culture and opportunities.

Headshot of Gretchen Guess, smiling, with short light brown hair and glasses, wearing gold earrings and a black top with a colorful floral-patterned neckline against a pink background.

Gretchen

Connecting with other philanthropy folks from our region and sharing this beautiful, unforgiving, transformative place we call home with you! 

Photo of Carmen Davis smiling outdoors in a snowy garden, holding a box of freshly harvested carrots with trees and a deck in the background.

Carmen

Meeting new people and hearing from partners during the breakout sessions.

Photo of Sydney Copley taking a selfie beside a rocky river, wearing headphones, a blue headband and a hiking vest with a water bottle.

Sydney

I'm looking forward to connecting with peers from across the Pacific Northwest and getting to help show off Anchorage as a host city while everyone's here.

Photo of Jen Cross smiling outdoors, wearing sunglasses and a blue Girdwood hat, with another person seated beside her on a sunny hiking trail surrounded by shrubs.

Jen

I’m really looking forward to welcoming attendees to Anchorage and giving them a chance to experience the community the way we do. I am looking forward to connecting with other corporate funders and foundations too.

Photo of Alessandra Frichtl smiling outdoors with two family members, all wearing sunglasses, with snowcapped mountains and a bright blue sky in the background.

Alessandra

I'm most looking forward to connecting with folks from across the region and sharing how Alaska's unique geography, cultures and communities have shaped creative, adaptive approaches to our work. I always leave conferences inspired by the ideas and relationships that grow from those conversations and am very much looking forward to the PNW conference. 

Headshot of Emily Brockman, smiling, with long brown hair, wearing white earrings, a teal sweater and a fish necklace against a dark gray background.

Emily

Looking for more recommendations?

Check out Visit Anchorage’s PNW26 microsite for more inspiration!

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