Alaska Railroad Depot
The depot is home to the historic Alaska Railroad and was built in 1942. In addition to the regular coming and going of trains, the depot is home to an antique train engine that was used to build the Panama Canal. There are many historical photos in the depot. There is a gift shop.
Where: 411 W. First Ave.
When: Open daily
Cost: Free
Phone: 265-2494
Web: www.alaskarailroad.com
Alaska Experience Center
The center is the home of two unique Alaska adventures, the Alaska Experience Theatre and the Alaska Earthquake Theatre and exhibit. The Experience Theatre treats visitors to a 180-degree, wrap-around, dome-screen presentation of "Alaska the Greatland." The 40-minute motion picture showcases Alaska's wildlife, scenery and people. The earthquake exhibit focuses on the history and destruction of Alaska's 1964 Good Friday earthquake. It includes historical photographs, interactive displays and a movie presentation including an earthquake simulation. There also is a gift shop at the center.
Where: 705 W. Sixth Ave.
When: 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Cost: "Alaska the Greatland": $7.99 adults, $3.99 children 5-12, free for children younger than 5; earthquake exhibit: $5.99/$3.99/free; both shows: $9.99/$6.99/free.
Phone: 1-877-276-3730; 276-3730
Web: www.alaskaexperiencetheatre. com
Alaska Public Lands Information Center
Take a walk, watch a movie or make a map at the center, home to tons of information and plenty of exhibits about Alaska. There are natural history exhibits, a variety of movies about the entire state every hour and a one-hour live program at 2 p.m. daily with special speakers and visitors from the Alaska Zoo. At 11 a.m. daily, there is a guided Capt. Cook walk. Visitors are invited to walk with a guide to Resolution Park and learn about Capt. Cook's travels to Alaska. The center has a trip-planning area and sells passes to state and national parks. Also on hand is a do-it-yourself map machine that allows visitors to print out custom maps on waterproof paper. Maps are $7.95 each. Upgraded geographic information stations include topographic maps and GPS information. Information is available on the Alaska Marine Highway and public-use cabins.
Where: 605 W. Fourth Ave.
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Cost: Free
Phone: 271-2737
Web: www.nps.gov/aplic
Alaska State Trooper Museum
The museum tells the history of law enforcement in Alaska as a territory and as a state. It features exhibits, memorabilia and photographs, including Trooper uniforms and a 1950s-era police car.
Where: 245 W. Fifth Ave., Suite 113
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays
Cost: Free
Phone: 1-800-770-5050, 279-5050
Web: www.alaskatroopermuseum. com
Anchorage City Trolley Tours
The one-hour tour takes trolley riders past some of Anchorage's interesting sites, including the railroad, Lake Hood, Earthquake Park, Cook Inlet and the Anchorage Museum of History and Art.
Where: 612 W. Fourth Ave.
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Cost: $10 adults, $5 children
Phone: 276-5603
Anchorage Market and Festival
Food, arts, crafts and a beautiful setting make the market an excellent shopping experience or just a good place for some outdoor fun overlooking Ship Creek. Vendors will sell Matanuska Valley vegetables, herbs and flowers. Local artists and crafters provide framed photographs and artwork as well as clothing, jewelry and pottery. Food choices include pizza, reindeer hot dogs, halibut tacos, fresh oysters, salmon quesadillas and ethnic foods. There are more than 300 vendors. There also is free live entertainment on the stage and in the aisles.
Where: Third Avenue and E Street
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, May 14 to Sept. 11
Cost: Free to browse
Phone: 272-5634
Web: www.anchoragemarkets.com
Anchorage Museum of History and Art
The state's largest museum brings 10,000 years of history and beautiful artwork together in one place. The museum has two main summer exhibits, "The Shamans: Spirit Guides of Siberia" and "Light Motifs: American Impressionist Paintings From the Metropolitan Museum of Art." "The Shamans" will help visitors explore the spiritual and cultural history of the shaman, particularly from northern Siberia tribes. Cultural materials, drawings, photographs, clothing and paraphernalia comes from the Russian Museum of Ethnography. The exhibit is May 12 to Sept. 13. "Light Motifs" is July 1 to Sept. 5. It features a selection of 27 American Impressionist paintings, including works by Mary Cassatt, Childe Hassam, John Singer Sargent and William Merritt Chase. From April to Sept. 11, "Points of View VI" will allow a guest curator to choose works for display. The Children's Gallery will look at man's best friend with its "Dogs" exhibit, which opens on Father's Day.
The museum's permanent collection depicts 10,000 years of Alaska history, including Native subsistence lifestyles, European exploration, Russian-American history and contemporary times. The museum also features art of the north from travelers, adventurers and Native artists. Jazz Night is offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays mid-May through mid-September and on the first Friday of every month. The Marx Bros. Cafe serves lunch and snacks in the museum's atrium. The Anchorage Museum Shop features unique works from Alaskan artists and artisans.
Where: 121 W. Seventh Ave.
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; open until 9 p.m. Thursdays May 15 to Sept. 15
Cost: $6.50 adults, $6 seniors, free for children 17 and younger, but a $2 donation is suggested
Phone: 343-4326
Web: www.anchoragemuseum.org
'Aurora -- Alaska's Great Northern Lights'
Since visitors can't see the northern lights outdoors during Alaska's long summer days, the lights are visible indoors at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. More than 23 years of rare images of the aurora borealis are set to music in a 40-minute digital show.
Where: Sydney Laurence Theatre, 621 W. Sixth Ave.
When: Hourly shows from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, May 24 to Sept. 1
Cost: $8.75 adults, $7.50 seniors, $6.50 military and children
Phone: 263-2993
Web: www.thealaskacollection.com
Cyrano's
The theater-cafe-bookstore offers a cultural minimall for visitors to the historic D Street area. Cyrano's Off Center Playhouse has an eclectic offering of a different play each month, including Alaska originals and classic and contemporary works. The theater is located in one of Anchorage's oldest structures, built in 1915. The cafe features beer and wine, appetizer plates and desserts. There also is a house jazz band, a comedy improv troupe, poetry readings and special events.
Where: 413 D St.
When: Hours vary, but play performances are 7 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays
Cost: Plays are $15 adults, $12.50 seniors, students and military
Phone: 274-2599
Web: www.cyranos.org
Delaney Park Strip
The long, blockwide downtown park is the gathering place for a variety of festivals during the summer months. Additionally, it is home to tennis courts, volleyball courts, softball diamonds, a train engine built in 1943 and the beautiful Centennial Rose Garden. During its long history, the park has served as a firebreak and an airstrip.
Where: Between Ninth and 10th avenues and A and P streets
When: Daily
Cost: Free
Imaginarium Science Discovery Center
The hands-on science center is great for kids -- and for adults who still like learning. It includes a planetarium, hourly science demonstrations, exhibits on space, Arctic ecology, an Alaska marine touch tank, a bubble lab, physics, a life-size T. rex, reptiles and an activity station. There is a gift shop. The center provides statewide outreach programs.
Where: 737 W. Fifth Ave.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays
Cost: $5.50 adults, $5 children
Phone: 276-3179
Web: www.imaginarium.org
Live After Five
The summer concert includes some of Alaska's most popular bands and performers.
Where: Peratrovich Park, Fourth Avenue and E Street
When: 5 to 7 p.m. June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21
Cost: Free
Phone: 279-5650
Web: www.ancdp.com
Log Cabin Visitors Center
The Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau's downtown location is a hub of activity and information during summertime. Dozens of volunteers and staff members are always ready to help visitors. Brochures and maps are available. The grounds around the log cabin are colorful with blooming flowers.
Where: Fourth Avenue and F Street
When: 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily June to August; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily May and September
Cost: Free
Phone: 274-3531
Web: www.anchorage.net
Music in the Park
Pack a lunch or buy one from local vendors and enjoy some live lunchtime tunes. Music varies from jazz to bagpipes and top 40.
Where: Peratrovich Park, Fourth Avenue and E Street
When: Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, June to August
Cost: Free
Phone: 279-5650
Web: www.ancdp.com
Oscar Anderson House Museum
The house, built in 1915 by Swedish immigrant Oscar Anderson, is one of the city's first. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is Anchorage's only house museum. Many of the original artifacts belonging to the family are in the home.
Where: 420 M St.
When: Noon to 5 p.m. weekdays, June 1 to mid-September
Cost: $3 adults, $1 children ages 5-12
Phone: 274-2336
Web: www.anchoragehistoric.org
Town Square Park
It's hard to miss the park in the heart of the downtown area, and if Town Square isn't on your itinerary you should make sure it is. The park is planted with beautiful flowers, there is a water fountain, it has an excellent view of the Whaling Wall painted by artist Wyland and it's next door to the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. The park also hosts several community events.
Where: Between Fifth and Sixth avenues and E and F streets
When: Open daily
Wendler Building
One of the oldest buildings in Anchorage, the Wendler is on the National Register of Historic Places and at one time housed the city's only general store. It's Anchorage's only building with a corner turret. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race begins each March in front of the building, and there is a bronze statue of Balto, the famous sled dog.
Where: Fourth Avenue and D Street
When: Daily
Cost: Free
'Wild Salmon on Parade'
For the third summer, Alaska artists will turn molded salmon sculptures into creative, beautiful and sometimes odd art. Up to 30 artists are expected to participate in the outdoor display modeled after "Cows on Parade" in Chicago. The finished works will be displayed throughout the downtown area. Many of the pieces are outdoors. A map is available on the Web site; print one out and try to find all the fish. They are auctioned off at the end of summer, and the proceeds benefit Foster Grandparents, Camp Fire USA Alaska Council and Anchorage Cultural Council.
Where: Downtown Anchorage
When: June to late August
Cost: Free
Web: www.anchorage.net/salmon
4th Avenue Theatre
Step back into history at Anchorage's only art deco building, which opened in 1947, survived the 1964 earthquake and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places for more than 20 years. It was the city's first $1 million building. It includes stunning interior architecture, including marble, walnut, custom carpet and huge gold- and silver-leaf murals on the walls of the theater depicting scenes from Alaska history. The Fourth Avenue Theatre Trolley one-hour city tour departs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from the theater.
Where: 630 W. Fourth Ave.
When: Open daily
Phone: 257-5609
Cost: Free admission; $9.95 trolley rides
