BIKING: One of the most intimate, easiest and cost-effective ways to explore Anchorage is on two wheels. Anchorage is a bicycle-friendly city with paved path and off-road trails that span and connect all corners of the community. From pedestrian peddlers to radical riders, there are cruises and challenges to satisfy everyone. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is a scenic gem with plenty of opportunities to pull over for a picture or race into the woods. A locals' favorite is the ride from the Indian/Bird area to Girdwood. Left your bike at home? No worries. A handful of Anchorage-area bike rental shops will hook you up.
BIRDWATCHING: If bird is the word for your Alaska visit, you'll want to fly to Potter Marsh and Westchester Lagoon, where birds of all sorts of feathers flock. Alaska's skies and branches feature a diverse range of winged wonders, some arriving seasonally, some full-time residents. Your binoculars will be busy.
CAMPING: You didn't come all the way to Alaska to sleep in beds and take showers every day, did you? Getting back to nature is as easy as pulling over in one of the many designated campgrounds near Anchorage. You can do it up big by renting an RV or booking a public use cabin, or keep it simple by throwing a sleeping bag and tent in the back of a car. Adventurous types can even strap it all to a backpack and find a nice flat sleeping spot somewhere in Chugach State Park. No matter how you choose to camp, dress appropriately, follow campground or park rules, pay any necessary fees and always be bear aware.
CLAMMING: Can you dig it? Thousands of Alaskans and visitors do each summer, digging up tasty Cook Inlet Razor Clams out of a picturesque 50-mile stretch of beaches on the nearby Kenai Peninsula. The digging itself is relatively easy, affordable and appropriate for all ages. The tides and regulations, however, are serious issues, so be sure to do your homework before hitting the beach. Also, pack a few lemons to squeeze on your yummy harvest.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Anchorage is a world-class cross-country skiing community, with an expansive trail system highlighted by two amazing Nordic playgrounds -- Kincaid Park and Hillside Park. And unlike most Nordic trail systems across the U.S., cross-country skiing on Anchorage's accessible trails is free. There are plenty of places to rent or buy gear. There are also plenty of chances to have a brush with greatness -- many current, past and future Olympians train and reside in Anchorage.
DIPNETTING: The fastest way for Alaskans to slay the salmon and fill their freezers is by dipnetting for salmon in busy rivers on the Kenai Peninsula and the Interior. Sorry visitors -- only Alaskans can do the dipnetting, but you can certainly help fillet, cook and eat the fish!
FISHING: Fishermen and adventurers from around the world travel to Alaska to wet a line. They arrive hoping to catch colorful grayling and trout in lakes and streams and to land a lunker halibut or king salmon outside of Seward and Homer. The options for fishing are as rich as the fish filling Alaska's waters. Many Anchorage outdoor stores are happy to offer equipment, tips and fishing stories. Always purchase the proper licenses and follow all regulations.
FLIGHTSEEING: Want the biggest bang for your eye-candy buck? Hop in a plane and let pilots take you up-close-and-personal with the kind of majestic Alaska landscapes you've only seen on postcards. Glaciers, mountains -- including Mount McKinley -- and lakes are all just a short flight from Anchorage's Lake Hood and Merrill Field. Shop around for deals and trips that best fit your flightseeing fancy and budget.
HORSEBACK RIDING: Giddy on up and get on out and about on horseback around Anchorage and beyond. A handful of operations lead guided trail and wilderness rides in the Anchorage area, while others will take riders deep into Denali Park. Saddle up and for a moment, maybe even close your eyes, breathe in the air and, if you really have an active imagination, picture yourself atop a moose!
ICE CLIMBING: If you have ice in your veins and an ice axe in your luggage, you've arrived in an ice climbing paradise. Ice climbing ascents of all levels can be found once the water freezes in Chugach State Park, the Eklutna-area north of Anchorage and the Seward Highway-to-Portage-area south of town. When you're shopping for ice screws, talk to locals to get hip to popular climbs and current conditions.
KAYAKING: Kayaking is the closest you can be to the water without swimming in it. Bask in a calm paddle around many lakes in the Anchorage area, get wild in the Interior's whitewater or take your vessel to Whittier, Homer or Seward for some big-water boating. Rental options are plentiful. Always know your skill level and pack a snack and bring a camera -- when the conditions are perfect on the water, you won't want to turn around. And you could always take your adventure to the next level by packing a fishing pole in your storage space.
ROCK CLIMBING: Want your Alaska vacation to rock? Grab the carabiners, chalk your fingers and pick your approach up some of the Anchorage-area's unique rock climbing challenges. Anchorage's natural geology makes it a haven for climbers, with fields of rocky fun just north of town in the Birchwood and Eklutna areas and south of town along the Seward Highway. Need a little practice before hitting the rocks? Visit the Alaska Rock Gym, where you can get in a workout and visit with the experts about everything rock related.
SHRIMPING/CRABBING: You've watched the show. You've eaten the goods. You're ready to channel your inner-"Deadliest Catch" deckhand. So point your compasses toward Prince William Sound, where daring and resourceful adventurers can get in on crabbing and shrimping adventures. Seasons and regulations vary by region and species, but if you want to get your hands on the goods before it's boiled or fried and plopped on your plate, this is your chance!
SKIING/SNOWBOARDING: If you're itching to get your alpine groove on, the Anchorage area has plentiful powder and a mix of mountains that will make skiers and snowboarders snow crazy. There are three ski areas nearby -- Hilltop and Alpenglow are in town; the world-renowned Alyeska Resort is less than an hour south in Girdwood -- with slopes for beginners, intermediate and beyond, as well as limitless backcountry opportunities just a short hike away. For hardcore powderhounds, there are heliskiing and snowcat options in the Chugach Mountain Range that make skiers' and snowboarders' dreams come true.
