Tucked into a narrow valley south of Anchorage, Girdwood grew from a gold-rush settlement into a small resort community framed by the peaks of the Chugach Mountains. Its best-known feature is an aerial tramway that climbs to an overlook with sweeping views across Turnagain Arm and the surrounding icefields, a short ride from the town's compact center of shops and cafes.
Beyond the tram, the area serves as a gateway to some of coastal Alaska's dramatic scenery, including nearby glaciers and forested trails that wind through spruce and hemlock. Visitors can wander the walkable town on foot, browse local galleries, or simply take in mountain air rarely matched elsewhere. The setting rewards those who linger, offering a quieter counterpoint to Alaska's larger port cities.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Alyeska .
Ride the Aerial Tramway
A five-minute gondola climbs nearly 2,300 feet to a mountaintop station with panoramic views of Turnagain Arm and the Chugach ice fields; the upper deck has a restaurant for a lingering look.
Hike Winner Creek Trail
An easy forested walk from the village leads through old-growth spruce and hemlock to a hand-tram crossing over a rushing gorge, round trip in about two to three hours.
Pan for Gold at Crow Creek Mine
A short drive from town, this historic mine site lets visitors try their hand at gold panning amid original gold-rush-era buildings, a nod to Girdwood's founding days.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
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