Something powerful likely brought you to Alaska: A desire to see or climb some of North America's most majestic mountains or float picturesque waterways; a wish to walk among cultures of the Far North; an itch to catch or eat some of the world's most fantastic fish; a chance to finally meet a moose.
Whatever you're seeking in your Alaska travels, whatever inspired you to land in this legendary state, you'll find it in Anchorage.
Framed by Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains, Alaska's largest city is home to, and hub for, the state's biggest and best urban and outdoor adventures.
Want to go big? There are mountains to hike, 40-pound salmon to catch, city life to explore, and, yes, moose to meet.
Prefer peace and quiet? You can quickly find yourself breathing in silence and soaking up the landscape from the heart and outskirts of the city alike.
Adventure and solitude are both easy to come by in Anchorage's outdoors, where there's fun by the hundreds: 250 miles of greenbelt, 190 parks, and hundreds of miles of paved and unpaved trails winding in every direction and leading to peaks, rivers, streams and lakes.
Even in a city of more than 290,000 people, you can feel like you're apart from it all and a stone's throw away from looming Mount McKinley. You can get away on foot, bicycle, skis, canoe or on the wings of a paraglider or a flightseeing plane.
Then again, you're rarely truly alone even in Anchorage's outdoors. Moose roam the greenbelts, streets and neighborhoods, king and silver salmon literally swim through downtown, thousands of birds fill the air and even bears are occasional visitors.
Look up into the mountains along the Seward Highway and you may see Dall sheep and mountain goats. Look out into Cook Inlet and you might catch a glimpse of a white beluga whale.
But solitude is only half the fun in Anchorage. The social scene has been the city's heartbeat since its founding days as a port and railroad center in the early 1900s. Alaskans and visitors are seemingly always celebrating at parties, festivals and events large and small.
Anchorage's parks buzz all summer, while its theaters and concert halls are packed and popping year-round. The reasons to have fun are endless and assorted: state and local history, culture and lifestyles, the sun and the seasons, music and mushers.
Of course, you don't need a special occasion to have a good time here. Anchorage will fill you up with fresh Alaska produce and seafood, dining delights from around the world, and drinks from breweries across the state.
If it's culture you crave, Anchorage is a happening hub for entertainment and the arts, and dotted with museums and galleries. And if you like your memories in the physical form, there are more Alaska gifts to choose from here than there are mountains.
Oh, and make sure to buy a few postcards -- you're going to have lots to write home about.
Enjoy your visit.
ANCHORAGE METRO
Airport Visitor Information Centers
The two airport centers run by Visit Anchorage are perfect first stops for Alaska travelers and the inspiration for many adventures. Knowledgeable volunteers answer questions, offer additional information, and help plan Anchorage exploits. There's a center in the airport's South Terminal baggage claim area and one in the North Terminal's lobby area.
WHERE: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport South (Domestic) and North (International) terminals
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily in South Terminal; Open mid-May through mid-September during flight arrivals in North Terminal.
COST: Free
PHONE: 266-2437 South Terminal; 266-2457 North Terminal
WEB: www.anchorage.net
Alaska Botanical Garden
A 110-acre combination of groomed beds and nature on the edge of urban Anchorage, the Botanical Garden winds through the foothills of East Anchorage and delights visitors, inspires gardeners and educates adults and children. Nature trails thread through boreal forest and connect three perennial gardens, a rock garden, a formal herb garden and forested areas with native wildflowers. A 1.1-mile 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 and by appointment. The annual Garden Fair and Garden Art Show on June 16-17 includes a children's village, music, food, plant and craft vendors, garden speakers and a garden art show and sale.
WHERE: 4601 Campbell Airstrip Road, south of Tudor Road
WHEN: Open daily year-round during daylight hours
COST: $7 per person, free for children under 2
PHONE: 770-3692
WEB: www.alaskabg.org
Alaska Zoo
Get close to Alaska's wildlife at the zoo, which provides homes for orphaned and injured animals and educates the public on natural history and conservation. Visitors can see and photograph 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. There are plenty of family-friendly tours, talks and events through summer. Free shuttle service is provided to and from downtown Anchorage beginning on Memorial Day and continuing through the summer.
WHERE: 4731 O'Malley Road
WHEN: Open year-round but hours change with the seasons: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in May; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from June-August; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in September; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in October; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from November-February
COST: $12 adults, $9 seniors 65 and older and military, $6 ages 3-17, free for children under 3.
PHONE: 346-2133
WEB: www.alaskazoo.org
Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge
Stretching 16 miles along Anchorage's coastline from Point Woronzof in West Anchorage to Potter Creek in South Anchorage, this refuge is one of Alaska's most popular wildlife viewing areas. It's a haven for moose, fish, more than 130 species of birds, and the humans who love watching them. The highlight is Potter Marsh, where 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: Potter Marsh is at Mile 117 Seward Highway
WHEN: Open daily
COST: Free
Chugach State Park
With access points from Eklutna in the north to Girdwood in the south and several Anchorage trails in between, the 500,000-acre Chugach is the third-largest state park in the country and is Anchorage's backyard playground. The park is great for hiking, camping, mountain biking, wildlife viewing and fishing. From the Glen Alps parking lot, it is an easy walk to the Anchorage overlook, offering panoramic views of the city, Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains. It's also the trail head for Alaska's most popular hike, Flattop Mountain, and many other day hikes.
WHERE: Numerous access points in the Anchorage area; Glen Alps trail head is in South Anchorage
WHEN: Daily
COST: Entry to the park is free; parking fees at most trail heads are $5 or a $40 annual pass
PHONE: 345-5014
WEB: dnr.alaska.gov/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 much of the area, dropping more than 70 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, the Alaska Range and the mountains of Chugach State Park. The park has a trail system with interpretive signs to help visitors learn about the destructive power of the earthquake. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail cuts through the park, connecting downtown to Kincaid Park.
WHERE: West on Northern Lights Boulevard near Aircraft Drive
WHEN: Open daily
COST: Free
Far North Bicentennial Park/Hillside Park
At the foot of Chugach State Park there are more than 4,000 acres of rolling, forested hills and many miles of trails that are perfect for hiking, running and mountain biking. Campbell Creek flows through Bicentennial Park. On a clear day on Spencer Loop you'll find an outstanding view of Mount McKinley; then again, an outstanding outdoor experience is available at nearly every step. Wildlife encounters are possible; be bear aware during the summer, especially when the salmon are running in the creek.
WHERE: Off Tudor, Abbott and Campbell Airstrip roads
WHEN: Open daily
COST: Free
PHONE: 343-4355
WEB: muni.org/parks/index.cfm
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson hatcheries
See millions of fish. including silver salmon, king salmon, rainbow trout, arctic grayling and arctic char in different life stages and sizes, in indoor and outdoor tanks in two different locations. In 2012, the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery next to the old Elmendorf AFB gate and Eagleglen Golf Course on Reeve Boulevard will be open to the public and is freely accessible. To reach the former Fort Richardson hatchery, a valid driver's license, proof of insurance and registration are required. Call ahead for organized tours or groups larger than four. Access policies can change without notice.
WHERE: Reeve Boulevard and Hatchery Drive, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Monday-Friday
COST: Free
PHONE: 428-1348
WEB: www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm
ANCHORAGE DOWNTOWN
Alaska Railroad Depot
The historic Anchorage Depot was built in 1942 and is now the hub the Alaska Railroad and home of an antique train engine that was used to build the Panama Canal. There are also historical photos and a gift shop.
WHERE: 411 W. First Ave.
WHEN: Ticket window hours 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from mid-May 15 through mid-September. Winter: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
COST: Free to visit. Train tickets vary.
PHONE: 265-2494
WEB: alaskarailroad.com
Alaska Public Lands Information Center
Take a tour, watch a movie, grab a map and learn just about all you ever wanted to know about Alaska at this information trove. Highlights include natural history exhibits, regular screenings of films about Alaska and live programs daily featuring speakers or animals from the Alaska Zoo. A guided Captain Cook walking tour takes visitors to Resolution Park at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily in the summer.
WHERE: 605 W. Fourth Ave.
WHEN: Summer: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day; Winter: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
COST: Free
PHONE: 644-3661, 866-869-6887
WEB: alaskacenters.gov
Anchorage Light Speed Planet Walk
You can visit the sun and the nine planets of the solar system -- including Pluto -- without leaving Alaska on this walk (or bike) around downtown Anchorage and along the Coastal Trail. Take one step per second and you'll travel the equivalent of the speed of light. It's about 10 miles from the sun (downtown) to Pluto (Kincaid Park), and there are informative signs about each of the members of the solar system. The sun is at Fifth Avenue and G Street; Mercury is at Fifth Avenue and H Street; Venus is in front of the Hotel Captain Cook on Fifth Avenue; Earth is at Fifth Avenue and L Street; Mars is in Elderberry Park; Jupiter is at the Westchester Lagoon dam; Saturn is at Lyn Ary Park; Uranus is at the top of the Point Woronzof hill; Neptune is along the Coastal Trail; and Pluto is near the Kincaid Park chalet.
WHERE: Starting downtown at Fifth Avenue and G Street
WHEN: Daily
COST: Free
WEB: anchorageplanetwalk.org
"Aurora: Alaska's Great Northern Lights"
Summer visitors can enjoy Alaska's long days and still get a glimpse of the spectacular northern lights at this popular lightshow. The aurora is visible indoors at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in a 40-minute digital show set to music. The show includes rare images of the aurora borealis photographed in Alaska.
WHERE: Sydney Laurence Theatre in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, 621 W. Sixth Ave.
WHEN: Hourly shows from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, May 24 to September 1; winter shows on request at the Alaska Visitors Center, 733 W. Fourth Ave.
COST: $9 adults, $8 seniors and military, $6 children
PHONE: 263-2900
WEB: thealaskacollection.com
Cyrano's Theatre Company
The charming theater-cafe-bookstore has been in business for more than 20 years, with theater for 18 years. Cyrano's Off-Center Playhouse has eclectic offerings, featuring a different play each month, including Alaska originals and Alaskans' takes on classic and contemporary works. The theater is in one of Anchorage's oldest structures, built in 1915. The cafe features beer and wine, appetizer plates and desserts. Cyrano's also hosts poetry readings and other events.
WHERE: 413 D St.
WHEN: Hours vary, but play performances are typically 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.
COST: Prices range from $12.75 to around $20 depending on the show and admission type. Call 263-2787 or go to centertix.net to purchase in advance. Box office opens two hours before performances.
PHONE: 274-2599
WEB: cyranos.org
Delaney Park Strip
Thirteen blocks long and one block wide, this downtown park is home to a variety of festivals and activities during the summer, and is even a nice place to fly a kite or just enjoy a sunny day. Additionally, it has tennis courts, volleyball courts, softball diamonds, a locomotive built in 1943 that kids can play on and the beautiful Centennial Rose Garden. During its long history, the park has served as a firebreak, golf course and an airstrip.
WHERE: Between Ninth and 10th Avenues and A and P Streets
WHEN: Daily
COST: Free
4th Avenue Market Place
This old-school downtown mall houses the Alaska Experience Theatre, which presents "Journey to Alaska" and an earthquake simulator, as well as other films. After the movies, browse the mall's art galleries, eateries and other shops. Free attractions include a Fred Machetanz art exhibit, a historical walking tour of Anchorage, a Tlingit totem pole and earthquake photos from 1964. Alaska Native dance performances take place three times a week here during the summer.
WHERE: Fourth Avenue and C Street
WHEN: Market is open in summer from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Winter: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.
COST: Free to walk the mall.
PHONE: 278-3263
WEB: 4thavenuemarket.com, alaskaexperiencetheatre.com
Log Cabin & Downtown Visitor Information Center
The Visit Anchorage organization's downtown location is a hub of activity and gold mine for information. The log cabin and downtown brochure center have numerous visitor brochures, free guides and more. Talk with the friendly volunteers who have firsthand knowledge of Anchorage or just take a break in the park packed with flowers that surrounds the charming cabin.
WHERE: Fourth Avenue and F Street
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. June through August; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. September to mid-September; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. mid-September to mid-May; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. mid- to end of May.
COST: Free
PHONE: 257-2363
WEB: anchorage.net
Ship Creek
The popular and unique urban fishery is slammin' with salmon and anglers, and is home to local fishing derbies during the summer months.
WHERE: Near the railroad tracks north of First Avenue
WHEN: Open daily; fishing seasons and regulations vary
COST: Free to watch
Town Square Park
Filled with flowers and packed with summer energy (from festivals to food vendors), Town Square Park is a quiet spot in the busy downtown. The small park is next to the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts (the PAC) and has an excellent view of the Whaling Wall painted by artist Wyland, one of 100 such walls aruond the world.
WHERE: Between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and E and F Streets
WHEN: Open daily
COST: Free
WildRide Sled Dog Rodeo
Downtown Anchorage is for the dogs -- the Iditarod dogs! Learn about the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from the Seavey family, which includes three generations of Iditarod mushers. The show features a sled dog race and truck pull, stories from the trail, and plenty of puppies.
WHERE: 185 E. Ship Creek Ave.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, dinners at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. during summer
COST: $35 adults, $15 children; dinner and show in evening $65 adults and $35 for children
PHONE: 561-6874
WEB: ididaride.com
Ghost Tours of Anchorage
Take a walk on Anchorage's supernatural side with this 90-minute tour of downtown. Rick Goodfellow's "mystery and history" walk and talk delves into the spirits that linger here.
WHERE: Begins at Snow City Cafe at Fourth Avenue and L Street
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. daily May 15 through September 15
COST: $15 per person
PHONE: 274-4678
WEB: ghosttoursofanchorage.com
EVENTS
Anchorage Market and Festival
Food, arts, crafts and a beautiful setting near Ship Creek make the weekend markets excellent shopping, entertainment and people-watching experiences. More than 300 vendors participate. Some sell Matanuska Valley vegetables, herbs and flowers. Artists and crafters provide photographs and artwork as well as jewelry, clothing and pottery. Food choices include reindeer hot dogs, pizza, halibut tacos, salmon quesadillas, funnel cakes and a variety of ethnic foods.
WHERE: Third Avenue and E Street
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, May 12 to Sept. 9
COST: Free to browse
PHONE: 272-5634
WEB: anchoragemarkets.com
Music in the Park
Take a break from your adventures by sitting in Anchorage's cozy downtown park while local musicians perform summer-friendly, family-friendly music during free lunchtime sessions.
WHERE: Peratrovich Park, Fourth Avenue and E Street
WHEN: Noon to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the summer
COST: Free
WEB: www.anchoragedowntown.org
Mayor's Marathon and Half Marathon
The annual footrace takes runners along Anchorage's award-winning trail system. It includes five events -- a full marathon, a half marathon, a five-mile run, a youth race and a marathon relay. Walkers are invited to participate in any of the events. Thousands of runners and walkers challenge the course annually.
WHERE: Different starting lines but all racers finish at West High School
WHEN: June 23
COST: Varies depending on your race and when you register
PHONE: 786-1325
WEB: mayorsmarathon.com
Solstice Festival & Hero Games
The longest day of sun is packed with music, dancing, children's activities and the annual Hero Games, a friendly but intense competition among the Army, Air Force, Air National Guard, Army National Guard, Army Reserves, Anchorage Police, Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Medical Response Team, with military fire, police and first air responders.
WHERE: Fourth Avenue, C and H streets, Town Square
WHEN: All day June 23
COST: Free
PHONE: 279-5650
WEB: anchoragedowntown.org
Fourth of July
The Independence Day fun goes all day at downtown's Delaney Park Strip, where the family-oriented celebration is packed with music, games and food.
WHERE: Delaney Park Strip
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 4
COST: Free
PHONE: 279-7500
Slam'n Salm'n Derby
Compete or just watch the lures fly at Anchorage's busiest salmon stream, Ship Creek. The heaviest salmon win cash, prizes and gift certificates.
WHERE: Ship Creek, downtown Anchorage
WHEN: June 8-17
COST: Derby entry is free or by donation, get ticket at the Derby Shack
PHONE: 277-4302
WEB: www.shipcreeksalmonderby.com
