Celebrate 4th of July in Your Anchorage Car Rental

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The 4th of July is finally upon us, and here at Avis we’re so excited. This year marks the 240th anniversary since we gained Independence in the Revolutionary War, and we think that’s worth a special celebration. You’re bound to see celebrations sand events as you drive through the city in your Anchorage car rental. With all of that hype and mayhem, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Don’t worry – we can help direct you. All you need to do is go “fourth” and prosper – eat, laugh, and be merry.

Start the day off properly

What’s a more American breakfast than pancakes? Start your day off with some good eats at the pancake breakfast. For $5 (all of which goes to the Polynesian Association of Alaska), you’ll be able to pack up nourishment for the rest of the day. You can find the breakfast on the Delaney Park Strip between W 9th Avenue and W 10th. Breakfast starts at 8:00 a.m.

Conveniently, the pancake breakfast is located right where the parade will begin at G St. and W 9th. You won’t need to scramble to find a new parking spot for your Anchorage car rental just to watch the parade. What a relief!

The traditional parade

What’s a July 4th celebration without a parade? The Community and Veterans Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. You’ll see a variety of local organizations and groups that will bring you Independence Day pride. The parade route isn’t excessive, which allows you to bring your kids with the parade without having to wait too long for the procession to pass. After all, kids may love parades but they certainly don’t do well with a long wait time.

Festival and games

You won’t need to move your Anchorage car rentals just yet! Festivities continue in the Delaney Park Strip following the parade. Beginning at noon and running until 6 p.m. the park offers a range of games and vendors to peruse. With live bands and music throughout the day, this is an event for all of the senses.

Food vendors dot the park so you will never go hungry. There are enough vendors to keep you satisfied, but if you’re looking for a good sit down meal there are plenty of restaurants in the surrounding area. However, you won’t have to do to get good Alaskan seafood and other classic delights.

Special events

The festival runs a few special events before it closes at 6:00 p.m. and the fireworks begin.

One that may be of interest is the Declaration of Independence reading. An annual event put on by the Harvard Club, the reading this year takes place at 1:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Flag Pole. If your kids have never heard the Declaration in full, this is a great place to hear it for the first time. It will enhance their pride, and reinstate yours to the fullest. Not only that, but you’ll feel transported back in time. It’s always interesting to hear the original document that sparked the formation of our great democracy, but the Harvard Club makes it even more fun and authentic. They dress in period costumes that look like they’ve been taken straight from Revolutionary America.

Finish the day off in a proper American style – with doubleheader baseball games. The Alaska Baseball League runs this doubleheader every year, and it never disappoints. The first game begins at 7 p.m., so you’ll get an hour break between the festival and the game to grab food or settle into your seats. This year it’s the Anchorage Glacier Pilots versus the Anchorage Bucs – a nail-biter! For those who don’t know, these teams are Anchorage’s rivals. You’ll feel the palpable tension and excitement from your Anchorage car rental.

The day is finished with fireworks that ignite just as the second game of the evening comes to a close. What a perfect way to end the day.

We’re proud to be Alaskan, and American. Be part of our proud community when you reserve your Anchorage car rental from Avis this July 4th weekend.

Best Places to Get Hot Dogs this July 4th Weekend

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This July 4th weekend marks 240 years since the United States of America won its Independence from Great Britain. How are you going to celebrate it? All of us here at Avis Alaska car rentals will definitely be enjoying a few of America’s classic culinary delights, including, of course, the hot dog.

If you’re looking for a truly stellar hot dog this holiday weekend, look no further than Anchorage. There are some delicious franks across this city that will make you proud to be an American. Of course, you’ll definitely spot the Alaskan classic reindeer dogs. These dogs are exactly as they sound – hot dogs made with the famous northern animal. And they are beyond good! Don’t knock it ‘til you try it!

Johnny Chicago’s, Midtown Anchorage

Johnny Chicago’s is known for its incredible Chicago Dog and pizzas. Here you can get two American favorites while joining a tradition of tourists and locals alike being transported to Chicago, IL with their delightful dogs and deep dishes. Furthermore, these dogs are known for being amazingly unique and special in Alaska. Definitely not something to miss!

Pair it with one of their classic Italian Ices for a complete meal.

Orso, Downtown Anchorage

If you’re looking for an Alaskan twist on the American classic, then take your Alaska car rentals down to Orso. Here you’ll find their King Crab Corn Dogs served with a mustard crème fraiche. This dish is absolutely delicious. You get the added benefit of having a slightly healthier meal than the traditional corn dog.

Gwennie’s Old Alaska Restaurant, Spenard, Anchorage

Gwennie’s is a classic. If you’re looking for a full meal while the kids are whining for Indepedence Day hot dogs, then we’d highly recommend going to Gwennie’s to enjoy their range of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. If you’re looking for a scrumptious seafood meal then this is definitely the place to go. With dishes like crab benedict, halibut chunk, shrimp OR clam cocktail, shrimp Louis, the Fisherman’s platter and many more, you won’t be disappointed with their fresh from the deep menu.

Sticking strictly to dogs for those little rug rats, their mini corn dogs and fries or pigs in a blanket will satisfy any kid’s craving. You’ll even want to steal a couple while they’re not looking! In general, Gwennie’s is a great place to park the Alaska car rentals to indulge in a few plates of tasty comfort food.

Hot Dog on a Stick, Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall

Who doesn’t love Hot Dog on a Stick? In business since 1946, these corn dog creators must be doing something right. Their corn dogs are made fresh with every order, so you never have to worry about soggy, hours old dogs.

Finish the meal off with one of their renowned lemonades and you’ll feel like you’ve been spoiled. Their lemonades are always fresh, and are offered in a variety of flavors including limeade, cherry, and lite.

Hot Dog on a Stick will be open on July 4th, but if you want a dog you’ll want to plan your trip well. The mall is only open from 10 am until 6 pm that day – so you won’t get any post fireworks corn dogs unless you buy them in advance!

International House of Hot Dogs

Of course, we couldn’t forget to suggest an Anchorage favorite – the International House of Hot Dogs. While it may look like an unassuming food truck from the front, don’t be fooled. This little hot dog stand packs a mighty punch, and offers an unbelievable selection of dogs that are always cooked to perfection. The dogs are known for being affordable without sacrificing the top-quality dogs that they are sure to deliver.

Here you’ll find classic reindeer dogs with a modern twist. This is the perfect place to try reindeer dogs for the first time, as this truck makes every type of dog taste spectacular. The employees will even bring your dogs straight out to your Alaska car rentals.

In a city that isn’t known for its culinary prowess, International House of Hot Dogs puts Anchorage on the map.

Make this July 4the weekend the best one ever. Reserve your Alaska car rentals from Avis to help you navigate the state in style and comfort.

Take a Waterfall Road Trip in Alaska Car Rentals

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Alaska is known for its breathtaking vistas and awe-inspiring wilderness. Some of the more romantic views come with the waterfalls and glaciers that are dotted across the state. While you may find some trickling streams around the state that drip down the mountain, the more majestic waterfalls that are on this list will astonish you. Many of these can be found in your Alaska car rentals and make for a great road trip with thrilling hikes.

Nugget Falls

Nugget Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the state, and after arriving in your Alaska car rentals you’ll quickly understand why. This incredible waterfall flows from the Mendenhall Glacier. There’s a visitors center nearby that offers information on the area, from which you can take a stunning and easy hike to the falls. You don’t have to be a full outdoorsy person to enjoy the hike to the falls. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pack a lunch to keep nourished on the way! You never know when you’ll find a leisurely spot for a picnic.

Brooks Falls

Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Preserve is known for its up close and personal experiences with Alaska’s bear population. You may need to drop the Alaska car rentals and take a plane in to see these incredible falls, but you’ll instantly see how worth it the trip is. Watching the salmons running down the river with bears waiting hungrily on the shores, you will feel like you’ve stepped into a nature magazine.

Virgin Creek Falls

Virgin Creek Falls are located near Girdwood, Turnagain Arm in Anchorage County. These falls are the epitome of picturesque. They run over steps of rocky cliffs to the river below. The waterfall offers a fairytale view in the midst of the wilderness. This one is another small, easy hike to get to – easy for the whole family to trek along, or a simple romantic date day through the natural landscape of Alaska.

Prince William Sound

If you’ve ever been to Wittier, Alaska then you’re probably already aware that this town has a high number of spectacular waterfalls. There are two breathtaking waterfalls that flow directly into Prince William Sound in Wittier.

The first is Beloit Falls which is part of Beloit Glacier. The Glacier is gorgeous on its own, but a trip on the water will make your journey particularly special. As these falls can only be enjoyed by boat, rather than by a hike as the others are accessed, this you will also have the added bonus of the blissful experience of the water. Many find this to be a tranquil break from the exhaustion of driving their Alaska car rentals around the state.

Northland Falls comes from Northland Glacier and runs into Prince William Sound. Similar to Beloit Falls, you’ll need to set out on a boat to see Northland Falls. Both falls, glaciers being their sources, are blanketed with frozen bits and ice that offer a certain serene, haunting elegance to the falls.

Russian River Falls

Russian River Falls offers more views of salmon jumping so that you can see first hand what the Alaskan wildlife sees. Russian River Falls are in Cooper Landing, which in itself is a wondrous natural site in Alaska. The falls are a short simple hike so you can spend you time enjoying the falls and less time tiring yourself out.

Alaska is a place full of wonders and waterfalls. Though we have only listed a few, there are many more places you can take your Alaska car rentals for pictures with the falls. First step? Reserve your Alaska car rentals from Avis today.