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Airport Visitor Information Centers

The Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau's airport centers can be the first stop for tourists on their Alaska adventure. Knowledgeable volunteers are ready to assist with answers, information and planning. There is a center in the airport's South Terminal baggage claim area, one in the North Terminal's lobby area and one in the North Terminal's secure area.

Where: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Cost: Free

Phone: 266-2437, 266-2657

Web: anchorage.net

Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum

The museum overlooks Lake Hood, the world's busiest floatplane lake. It has 20 airplanes on display, including a 1944 Grumman Goose amphibian, a 1928 Stearman and a Stinson L-1 and an Army reconnaissance aircraft that's the only one still flying. The museum also offers a presentation of Alaska's aviation heritage and its flying pioneers and veterans. Exhibits include photo displays of early bush pilots and the Alaska Aviation Hall of Fame.

Where: 4721 Aircraft Drive

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Cost: $10 adults with discounts for military, $8 seniors and $6 children

Phone: 248-5325

Web: alaskaairmuseum.org

Alaska Botanical Garden

Nestled in the foothills of East Anchorage, the 110-acre garden delights visitors, inspires gardeners and educates adults and children. Gentle walking paths guide guests through three perennial gardens, a rock garden, a formal herb garden and forested areas with native wildflowers. A 1.1-mile nature trail with interpretive signs crosses the Iditarod Trail and has views of Campbell Creek, the Chugach Mountains and a natural wetland. Guided tours are offered at 1 p.m. daily June through August. The annual Garden Fair is June 20-21 and includes a children's village, music, food, plant and craft vendors, garden speakers and a garden art show and sale.

Where: Campbell Airstrip Road, south of Tudor Road

When: Daily (daylight hours)

Cost: $5 adult, $3 children ages 2-17 and seniors 60 and older, $10 family

Phone: 770-3692

Web: alaskabg.org

Alaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo

The free museum is home to some beautiful and historical Alaska items. Visitors will see more than 900 Alaska Native artifacts and baskets that date back hundreds of years, ivory carvings, baleen baskets and artwork by Sydney Laurence, Fred Machetanz, Ted Lambert and others. A 46-troy-ounce gold nugget is on display. The nugget is 5 inches long and is the largest on display in Alaska.

Where: Wells Fargo Bank building, 301 W. Northern Lights Blvd.

When: Noon to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, Memorial Day to Labor Day

Cost: Free

Phone: 265-2834

Alaska Museum of Natural History

Explore 1 billion years of Alaska's natural history with a touchable collection of Alaska rocks, minerals and fossils. The permanent collection includes a paleontology/archeology pit, dinosaur and ice-age fossils and many touchable mounts of Alaska animals. Explore Alaska's birds, dinosaurs, geology and more.

Where: 201 N. Bragaw St.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays

Cost: $5 adults, $3 children

Phone: 274-2400

Web: alaskamuseum.org

Alaska Native Heritage Center

The world-class culture and education center shares the diverse cultures of Alaska's 11 indigenous groups. Visitors can experience Alaska Native culture first-hand through storytelling, Native song and dance, artist demonstrations, Native games demonstrations and six life-size replicas of Native dwellings.

Where: 8800 Heritage Center Drive

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, mid-May to mid-September

Cost: $24.95 adults, $21.15 military and seniors 65 and older, $16.95 children ages 7-16, free ages 6 and younger; resident rates are $9.95 adult and $6.95 children

Phone: 330-8000

Web: alaskanative.net

Alaska Zoo

The zoo provides homes for orphaned and injured animals while educating the public on their natural history and conservation. Visitors can see and photograph Alaska wildlife including polar bears, wolves, brown bears, moose, caribou and raptors. Exotic species include Amur tigers, snow leopards, Bactrian camels and Tibetan yaks. Other animals include musk oxen, Dall sheep, lynx, black bears and porcupines. Daily Discovery Tours and Family Program Nights on Tuesdays and Fridays are popular summer events. Free shuttle service is provided to and from the Dimond Center during the summer.

Where: 4731 O'Malley Road

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Memorial Day to Labor Day; open until 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays

Cost: $12 adults, $9 seniors 65 and older and military, $6 youth ages 3-17, free for children younger than 3

Phone: 346-3242

Web: alaskazoo.org

Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge

More than 130 species of birds have been sighted in the refuge, so birdwatchers will love it. The refuge stretches 16 miles along the Anchorage coastline, but its most popular spot is Potter Marsh. At the marsh, boardwalks take visitors into the heart of the wetland for easy bird watching, complete with interpretive displays of the refuge's animals and plant life. Some of the birds that call the Potter Marsh area home are arctic terns, Canada geese, trumpeter swans, grebes, bald eagles, owls, gulls, ducks and other waterfowl. Salmon also return to the area. Nearby is the Potter Section House Historic Site, which once served the railroad.

Where: Mile 115 Seward Highway

When: Open daily

Cost: Free

Chugach State Park

The 500,000-acre state park is the third-largest state park in the country and serves as Anchorage's backyard playground, with access points from Eklutna in the north to Girdwood in the south, including several in Anchorage. The park is great for hiking, camping, mountain biking, animal viewing and even a little fishing. From the Glen Alps parking lot, it is an easy walk to Anchorage overlook, offering 360-degree views of the city, Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains.

Where: East of Anchorage

When: Daily

Cost: Free; parking fee of $5 or a $40 annual pass

Phone: 345-5014

Web: www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/chugach/

Earthquake Park

When the 1964 Good Friday earthquake struck Alaska, this portion of Anchorage was full of homes. The 9.2 magnitude earthquake destroyed the area, dropping many of the homes into Cook Inlet. The quake, the largest recorded in North America, caused $68 million in damage in Anchorage. Today, the area is a peaceful park with outstanding views of downtown Anchorage and the Alaska Range. The park has a trail system with interpretive signs to help visitors understand the destructive power of the earthquake. The Coastal Trail cuts through the park, connecting with downtown and Kincaid Park.

Where: West on Northern Lights Boulevard near Aircraft Drive

When: Open daily

Cost: Free

Elmendorf State Hatchery

See king and coho salmon in Ship Creek and watch young fish -- salmon and rainbow trout -- in the hatchery. King salmon spawn from early June through July. The salmon viewing area, accessed from Post Road, is one of the best places to see king and silver salmon congregate. Call ahead for group tours.

Where: Reeve Boulevard and Post Road

When: Salmon viewing area, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; hatchery, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Cost: Free

Phone: 274-0065

Web: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/hatchery/Hatchery.cfm

Far North Bicentennial Park / Hillside Park

The parks include more than 4,000 acres of rolling, forested hills. There are miles of trails perfect for hiking or mountain biking. Campbell Creek flows through Bicentennial Park. From the Spencer Loop trail, there is an outstanding view of Mount McKinley. Wildlife encounters are possible; be bear-aware during summer when salmon are in the creek.

Where: Off Tudor and Abbott roads

When: Open daily

Cost: Free

Phone: 343-4474

Web: muni.org/parks/index.cfm

Fort Richardson Hatchery

See five different fish species in a variety of life stages and sizes in both indoor and outdoor tanks. The hatchery is home to silver salmon, king salmon, rainbow trout, arctic grayling and arctic char. The char can be up to 4 years old. To access the hatchery, visitors must enter Fort Richardson; a valid driver's license, proof of insurance and registration are required. Call ahead for organized tours.

Where: Fort Richardson

When: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily

Cost: Free

Phone: 428-1348

Web: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/hatchery/Hatchery.cfm

Kincaid Park

The park includes about 1,400 acres of rolling, forested hills. There are beautiful views of Mount Susitna, Mount McKinley, Fire Island and stunning sunsets. More than 35 miles of mostly wide trails are perfect for hiking or mountain biking. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail ends at the park chalet; a bike path also enters the park from the east along Raspberry Road. Wildlife encounters with moose and bears are possible. There also is a disc golf course.

Where: West end of Raspberry Road

When: Open daily; gates open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Cost: Free

Phone: 343-6397

Web: muni.org/parks/index.cfm