Road trip from Champaign to Anchorage

This year-round garden, which started as a commercial nursery, includes 155 acres of trees and 300 woody plant species mapped and labeled. The gardens include: a Rhododendron and Azalea dell, Hosta Garden, Nancy Olsen's Children's Garden, Fountain Garden, Demonstration Garden, Peony Garden, Grasses Garden,Woodland Wildflower Garden and Plant-a-Row garden. There are several signature events hosted each year also. Botanica luncheon,Garden Fair, Plant Sale, Woodsong Concert Series, Autumn in the Arboretum and Twilight in the Garden are all popular annual events.

Anderson Japanese Gardens is proud of its longstanding reputation as one of the highest quality Japanese gardens in North America. Our passion, however, is how the Garden positively impacts individuals and the communities where they live. We are committed to presenting first-class programs, events, and opportunities that bring people together in this uplifting natural setting.

Our premier downtown multi-venue complex features four unique and versatile venues: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Exhibition Hall, the New Holland Pavilions, and Willow Island. A top choice for expositions, conventions, meetings, concerts, sporting events, ag events, and much more, the Alliant Energy Center complex is a one-stop-shop for all your events. Ample parking, mouthwatering catering, dedicated staff, and a full range of rental equipment & high speed internet make AEC an event planners delight!

Norseman Distillery, the first micro-distillery in Minneapolis, was founded with principles of using the very best local ingredients to produce small batches of exceptionally fine spirits. From our micro-distillery in northeast Minneapolis, we hand craft each batch with the hopes of inspiring legendary cheer in those who drink it.

Enjoy local brews and epic views of the Chugach mountains at Girdwood Brewing Company. We have a beautiful timber framed taproom adorned with local art and ski relics. For those who prefer the outdoors, there’s an awesome beer garden with fire pits and plenty of seating. We offer up four core beers and a series of rotating taps. Root beer, cold brew coffee, and kombucha are available for those looking for an alcohol free beverage. Tasters and 12 ounce pours are available to drink in the taproom. If you are looking for beer to go, we fill growlers, sell 5 gallon kegs, and have 4-packs of 16 ounce cans with labels designed by Alaskan artists (for sale in the taproom only). Food trucks are on-site every day, and we have cool merchandise for you to take home. Girdwood Brewing Company is truly rooted in our community. We donate to a number of nonprofits and outdoor adventure organizations. Our brewery also provides year round employment to over a dozen locals.

Escape rooms built from the ground up for a unique experience, each game is owner created and directly operated. Teams receive personalized clues based on team size and level of experience allowing most players to complete their mission. All games are private no matter the team size making each experience uniquely yours. Open 7 days a week 8am-10pm. Bookings made online or by calling directly. Accommodations made for as few as 2 players up to large team building events of 24 players. Same day and last minute bookings often available by calling directly.

Jazzy Gourmet Popcorn’s owner, Mr. Roland’s inspiration for starting this business was his brother, an owner of one of Houston’s most popular popcorn establishments. JGP offers free samples of over 50 flavors of gourmet popcorn. We have gourmet flavors to please every palate including sweet, savory or spicy. If you’re feeling a little nutty, we offer flavors with cashews, pecans, walnuts & more.

The main cabin, which contains the gift shop, and the assay building at Indian Valley Mine has some of the oldest structures built on the Turnagain Arm, and are listed as a National Historic Site. Indian Valley Mine offers visitors the opportunity to learn gold panning and browse through two historic cabins built in the early 1900's a small museum and gift shop, or simply sit back on one of our benches and take in the panoramic view of the Turnagain Arm.

We provide shuttle services within Anchorage, Seward, Talkeetna, Whittier, Palmer, Wasilla, and Girdwood.