4th Avenue Marketplace
333 W 4th Ave, 8:30 to 10 p.m. daily
Come visit Downtown’s Premier Alaskan-made shopping center! Our shops feature Alaskan-made gifts, art, and collectibles. Grab a bite to eat, or a latte, and explore our collection of 63 Fred Machetanz paintings or our Earthquake exhibit. The center also is home to the Alaska Experience Theater, which offers two attractions at one site! The Experience Theatre treats visitors to a 180-degree, wrap-around screen presentation of "Alaska the Greatland." The 40-minute movie highlights Alaska's wildlife, scenery and people. The Earthquake Exhibit focuses on the 1964 earthquake that destroyed much of Anchorage. The exhibit includes a movie presentation of the quake and interactive displays that describe the Richter Scale, the slide at Earthquake Park and the Tsunami Warning Center. Alaska Experience Theatre admission: $10.99 adults, $5.99 children. Earthquake Exhibit admission: $5.99 adults, $3.99 children. Admission to both exhibits: $13.99 adults and $7.99. 907-276-3730.
Anchorage Museum of History and Art
121 W. Seventh Ave., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The museum also features art of the north from travelers, adventurers and Native artists. Admission: $6.50 adults, $6 seniors, free for children 17 and younger, but a $2 donation is suggested. 343-4326
Imaginarium Science Discovery Center
737 W. Fifth Ave. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
The hands-on Imaginarium Science Discovery Center includes a planetarium, hourly science demonstrations, electric space exhibits, arctic ecology exhibits, bubbles lab, physics of toys, reptile displays and marine touch tanks. Gift shop, with expanded hours May 15-Sept. 15. Admission: $5 adults, $4.50 children ages 2-12 and senior citizens. 907-276-3179.
CineVentures Alaska Discovery Theatre
621 W. Sixth Ave., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, May 24 to Sept. 15
"Alaska Spirit of the Wild" and "Wolves" are shown on a 32-by-43-foot screen in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. "Alaska" was shot during 30 weeks and includes wildlife, landscapes, seasons and people. "Wolves" takes viewers into the world of the wild animal via plane, helicopter and foot. The film was shot in several locations, including Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Quebec and Yellowstone National Park. Both 45-minute films are in the IMAX format. Admission: $9.75 adults, $8.75 seniors and $7.75 students for a single show; tickets are $14, $12.50 and $11 for both shows. 907-263-ARTS or 800-478-7328.
Discovery Theatre
621 W. Sixth Ave. Four shows daily in the summer
The northern lights disappear during the daylight-friendly summer months, but they are still visible indoors. More than 300 slides of the aurora borealis are set to classical music during this 38-minute show. There also is time set aside for questions from the audience. Admission: $7.50 adults, $6.50 seniors, $4 military and $3.95 children. 907-263-ARTS or 800-478-7328
Oscar Anderson House
420 M St., noon to 5 p.m. weekdays, June 1 to mid-September
The house is one of the first built in the city. It was built in 1915 by Swedish immigrant Oscar Anderson, an early Anchorage businessman. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and is Anchorage's only house museum. Many of the original artifacts belonging to the family are still in the home. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 5-12. 907-274-2336
4th Avenue Theatre
630 W. Fourth Ave., 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Anchorage's only art deco building, which opened in 1947 and survived the 1964 earthquake, is home to a museum photo display of old Anchorage on the lower level and huge murals. The theater also offers the "Alaskana Show," featuring actors portraying old-time Alaskans telling tales of state history. The show includes a dinner buffet. The Fourth Avenue Trolley tour departs from the front of the theater with city tours and trips around the city; the price is $9.95. Free admission to the theater; the dinner show is $16.95. 907-257-5609