Bethel (Alaska)
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Understand
The Y-K Delta (as the greater area is called) is home to an active subsistence culture. Many residents, both Native and Non-Native, fish and hunt for food as well as for sport.
Climate
Get in
The only practical way into Bethel from outside the immediate area is by air, and Bethel is served by a number of daily flights from Anchorage. Alaska Airlines has morning, afternoon, and evening flights, with Era Alaska adding additional flights in the morning and afternoon.
Get around
There are a number of transportation options in and around Bethel for visitors and residents, depending on one's level of ambition:
By plane
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By taxi
Bethel has more cabs per capita than any other city in the United States. Due to the dependence of many residents and visitors on cabs, and the high cost of transportation, cab fee maximums are mandated by the City of Bethel, corresponding roughly to the distance of the trip. Rides within the central area of town are $5, to or from the Tundra Ridge subdivision are $7, to or from the Airport is $7, and trips to the Kasayuli Subdivision are $10.
Something important for visitors to Bethel to know is that cab rides in Bethel are often a "communal" experience. While riding in a cab from the airport into the main part of town, for example, the cab driver may get a call to pick up another fare in Blueberry Subdivision. While potentially uncomfortable for the shy traveler (or if the cab gets too crowded), this is actually a great way to meet people in Bethel.
These are numbers for the taxi services in Bethel
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Alaska Cab
phone: +1-907-543-2111 -
City Cab
phone: +1-907-543-4141 -
Kusko Cab
phone: +1-907-543-2169 -
Quyana Cab
phone: +1-907-543-5454 -
Taxi Cab
phone: +1-907-543-5199
By public transit
The city bus cost $2 a ride for adults. Routes include most of the town. A route map and schedule can be found here.
By car
Those visiting for an extended period of time or moving to Bethel may be considering renting or buying a car. As is true with most everything in Bethel, prices are substantially higher than one would expect, both to purchase (or ship in), own, and maintain a car in the rural setting, but many people feel it is worth it for convenience and independence.
Gas prices are high ($6.67/gallon in Apr 2016), but do not fluctuate daily as in other places. Cost is set by the retailers when new supplies are barged in through the brief summer months, meaning the price of gas will only change a couple times a year.
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Crowley Marine Services Inc
phone: +1 907 543-2217address: 380 Standard Oil Rd -
Nicholsons Auto Inc.
phone: +1 907 543-2667address: 630 3rd Ave -
Northstar Gas
phone: +1 907 543-4277address: 1170 Bridge Way Bridge -
Quick Food Center
phone: +1 907 543-2245address: 1510 Chief Eddie Hoffman Hwy -
Quick Stop
phone: +1 907 543-3090address: 658 Ptarmigan St
See
Kuskokwim RiverOne of the largest rivers in Alaska it offers some great views and activities.
Bethel Art GuildThis local attraction is a great showcase of local art. It's near the local Moravian Church.
BIA BuildingsA popular local attraction is a group of abandoned buildings. While it is illegal to go into them they are still an interesting sight to see.
White AliceCold War-era radio towers that were put up all around Alaska, the Air Force and National Guard have been systematically taking them down all across the state. Bethel used to have one of the few remaining White Alices in the state, but alas it was doomed to be taken down. It is being disassembled.
Bethel DumpstersA unique community activity a number of years ago the city decided to spice up the streets a bit by painting dumpsters in each neighborhood. They are definitely an interesting sight to see.
Skate parkSee the farthest west skate parks in the United States.
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Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center
phone: +1 907 543-4500address: 420 Chief Eddie Hoffman Hwy
Do
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Salmon fishing and hunting for moose, caribou, ptarmigan, geese, ducks, rabbits, bears. Best hunting spots: Northeast of Bethel, Behind the Bethel Airport by about a mile.
Kuskokwim 300In the winter, you can go dog sledding & compete in Bethel's annual Kuskokwim 300 were you race to the village of Aniak & back to the city of Bethel with a dog team & a race sled. Also you can go to the town's basketball games during the high school basketball season.
Pinky's ParkIt used to be a small park for kids, you can still go to the place where it used to be, some remains are still there, it is unknown when it was taken down. It used to be a hangout spot for a lot of teenagers and then it became the city's most hazardous spot due to muffed up teenagers going there to do some bad stuff.
BMXThere are really good bikers at the skate park. Some aren't so good and some are great.
Buy
There are many stores in Bethel like AC, Swanson's, Corina's, and Sammy's Market. They are expensive but better than nothing.
You could go look at the great artwork at the Cultural Center and maybe buy a piece of locally produced art for an awesome price. They have Saturday Markets every Saturday at the Cultural Center where they sell food, some artwork, and drinks like pop and coffee.
Eat
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Casa
phone: +1 907-543-4343address: 310 3rd Ave -
Arctic Sun Restaurant
phone: +1 907-543-3878address: 3551 State HighwayBest pizza in town but takes long to deliver -
V.I.P.
phone: +1 907-543-4777address: 1220 Chief Eddie Hoffman HighwayBest known for good sushi. -
Dimtri's
phone: +1 907-543-3434address: 281 4th Ave #AThe only Greek restaurant in town decent gyros, superb "white" pizza. -
Red Basket
phone: +1 907-543-7001address: 751 3rd AveLarge food variety. -
123 Barbecue
phone: +1 907-543-4444address: 120 State HwyQuick delivery, mediocre burgers. -
Panda 24
phone: +1 907-543-2159address: 431 Ridgecrest Dr -
Tundra
phone: +1 907-543-5005address: 473 Ridgecrest Dr -
Front street café
phone: +1 907-543-3408address: 920 Front St -
Shogun
phone: +1 907-543-2272address: 320 Tundra StOne of the better restaurants in town. -
Corina's
phone: +1 907-543-4430address: 238 East Ave -
Family Restaurant
phone: +1 907-543-2159address: 431 Ridgecrest Dr
Sleep
There are a number of perfectly comfortable bed and breakfast options in Bethel, with a couple of real standouts among them (check out the White House if the owner, Fran, isn't booked solid), and one centrally located "regular" hotel.
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phone: +1-907-543-4612address: 751 3rd AveThe closest thing to a "normal" hotel that a visitor unfamiliar to the bush will find in Bethel. A big plus is the fact that there is a restaurant in the building (Red Basket, formally Alba's Pizza). Can get a little loud on the weekends, especially around PFD time.
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Great Bear Bed & Breakfast
phone: +1-907-543-4011address: 206 Akiak Dr -
Allanivik
phone: +1-907-543-4305address: 1220 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway -
Suite 881
address: 881 3rd Ave -
Tundra Suites
address: 473 Ridgecrest Dr -
Riverview Bed and Breakfast
phone: +1-907-543-2737address: 355 1st Ave -
Delta Cottages
address: 124 Gunderson Ct -
Bentley's Bed and Breakfast
phone: +1-907-543-3552address: 624 1st St -
White House Bed and Breakfast
phone: +1-907-543-2388address: 971 7th Ave -
Lakeside Lodge
phone: +1-907-543-5275address: 198 H Marker Lake Rd