A Guide to surviving Winter in Anchorage: The Cozy Edition
We all know Alaskan Winters are notorious for being cold, dark, and long, but as Alaskan’s, we must become experts at surviving and thriving during the time of hibernation. Here at (insert blog name) we know that everyone has different levels of activity, this guide is for those who like to keep things cozy and mellow during the winter.
Netflix & Chill : We all love to snuggle up with our dog, our significant other, or a bag of Cheeto’s in bed bingeing whatever show has hooked us in this month. Sometimes I feel guilty watching TV in the summer, but winter is the perfect time of year to catch up on tv, especially when the temps are in the single digits! Let’s be honest, due to the lack of vitamin D sometimes it is hard to get out of bed, and sometimes that is ok.
Visit the Museum: The Anchorage Museum is a world-class facility, they are constantly changing exhibitions, as well as hosting fun workshops like the Urban Homesteading Series. What I love about our museum is their mission statement: “ The Anchorage Museum connects people, expands perspectives, and encourages global dialogue about the North and its distinct environment.” Access to the museum is free if you go on the First Friday of each month! They also host some pretty cool events throughout the year, so keep an eye on their calendar for the latest.
Anchorage Museum.
Enjoy Live Music : Alaska being so isolated from the rest of the country isn’t known for its music scene, however that doesn’t mean that there aren’t listen-worthy shows happening regularly. The main venues for live music include Bear Tooth Theatre, Williwaw, La Potato, The Sitzmark, The Church of Love, Vagabond Blues, The Writers Block, Humpy’s, and Vans Dive Bar. There are also a few people in the community who host intimate house shows, so if you find yourself lucky enough to get invited to one, do not miss the opportunity. The Anchorage Press is a great way to find out about live music, Facebook events is another great resource.
Learn a New Hobby: We all slow down a bit in the winter, which makes it a perfect time to master a new skill. I love to cook in the wintertime, there’s nothing better than a hearty meal during these cold months. I’ve been loving the cookbook: Alaska From Scratch, it has wonderful recipes that use familiar ingredients, and it’s super accessible for newbie cooks. Check out the blog http://www.alaskafromscratch.com/ This year I’m hoping to learn more about digital photography. Winter is also a good time to learn a musical instrument. Youtube is a great resource to learn from the best for free! Skillcrush also provides detailed instruction from skilled masters of their trade.
Book a plane ticket to the Sun: When all else fails, plan an escape, Hawaii is the closest tropical paradise, and there are even non-stop flights from Anchorage! If you are on more of a budget, California is a great option and offers more budget-friendly accommodations with a wide variety of different activities. I’ve been seeing cheap flights to Latin America, especially if you have flexible dates, Central America can be very affordable, gorgeous, and incredible food.
