"Around Town" Highlights in Anchorage, Alaska
- Alaska Zoo:
You're guaranteed to spot native Alaskan animals such as bear, moose, musk ox, seals and fox among the zoo's inhabitants! Located less than 5 minutes away on O'Malley Road. 346-3242
- Anchorage Museum of History and Fine Arts: Permanent collection depicts 10,000 years of Alaska history, including Native subsistence lifestyles. 121 W. 7th Avenue. 343-6173
- Alaska Experience Theater & Alaska Earthquake Exhibit: Omnivision show on Alaska. Located at 705 W. 6th Avenue. 272-9076
- Lake Hood Air Harbor & the Alaska Aviation Museum: The harbor is the largest and busiest float plane base in the world. On the south shore, look for the Alaska Heritage Museum. It has vintage aircraft, short films and exhibits to explain the state's unique aviation history. 246-5325 Lake Hood is also the best place to take your flight-seeing trips to Mt. McKinley (Denali), Prince William Sound, and the Kenai Peninsula.
- Glen Alps: Less than 5 minutes away, Glen Alps offers spectacular views and trails in the Chugach Mountains. Flattop Mountain is the most climbed mountain in the state. The view at the top in incredible!
- Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary: 10 minutes south on the Seward Highway, this 2,300 acre wetland offers easy bird watching as you stroll the scenic boardwalk, complete with interpretive displays of the refuge's animal and plant life. Depending on the month, you may also see king salmon spawning in the creeks.
- Ship Creek: Not really a day trip, since it's just past the railraod station in downtown Anchorage, but worth a day nonetheless: the only place in America where you can fish for king salmon in the middle of a city. If you get hungry you can call for pizza. Open for king salmon fishing from January 1 until mid-July.
- Restaurant Picks: On the south side of town, O'Malley's on the Green, South side Bistro for nearby fine dining; a little further south, a gorgeous drive on the Seward Highway is Turnagain House (20 minutes). Downtown, visit the Alaska Brewhouse, Simon & Seaforts, Marx Brothers, and Sullivans.
- Tony Knowles Coastal Trail: Walk, bike, or rollerblade for 10 miles on a paved trail along the shore of Cook Inlet, from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park. The trail is a short walk from any of the downtown restaurants.
Short Drives South of Anchorage, Alaska
- McHugh Creek Park: Hiking trails, waterfall, great views
- Girdwood: Alyeska Ski Resort (take the tram to the top for spectacular views of Turnagain Arm), Crow Creek Mine (pan for gold, 278-8060, Double Musky Restaurant (great Pepper Steak)
- Prince William Sound Day Cruises: Phillips' 26 Glacier Cruises or Major Marine Tours.
- Portage Glacier: One of Alaska's most popular attractions. Visit the Museum & Visitor Center (great movie!), take a boat ride to the glacier. In-season, several places to view spawning salmon. 783-2326
- Big Game Alaska: Alaska's only drive-through wildlife viewing park is home to moose, elk, buffalo, and more. By the turn-off to Portage Glacier. 783-2025
- All along the Seward Highway: There are several turnouts along the highway to view the wildlife; so if you see an accumulation of parked cars, chances are good they are viewing Dall sheep, Beluga whales, or bald eagles! Drive careful, as tourists will stop suddenly to watch wildlife!
- Seward: A 2 and l/2 hour drive from Anchorage, visit Exit Glacier, the Sea life Center, and take a Kenai Fjords boat cruise. This is the cruise to view lots of marine life.
Short Drives North of Anchorage, Alaska
- Eagle River Nature Center: The park offers a wide variety of hikes and wildlife viewing. 694-2108
- Eklutna Historical Park: See a fascinating mix of Native Athabascan culture and the influences of Russian Orthodox missionaries. 688-6026.
- Gold Rush Park (Mush-a-Dog Team): Learn about the area's gold rush history, dependence on sled dog teams and even take a sled dog ride! 688-1891
- Musk Ox Farm: Located just north of Palmer, view these "ice Age Survivors". The wool of the musk ox, called "qiviut" (pronounced "key-vee-ute"), of knitted into hats, scarves and other clothing by Alaskan natives. An ounce of qiviut is 8 times warmer than an equal amount of sheep wool. 745-4151
- Matanuska Glacier: Walk on it or just get close and view this glacier! It measures 27 miles long and 4 miles wide and is the start of the Matanuska River. The area offers great hiking and dog mushing trails.
- Reindeer Farm: Located 7 miles south of Palmer, you can walk among the reindeer as well as hand-feed them!
745-4000
- Palmer Agriculture Center In Palmer, see what grows in Alaska and view the many flowers and vegetables.
The attractions listed above are all open for business from May thru September and many are open year round. Additional information of a free travel guide may be obtained by clicking on this web site: Anchorage Visitor Information, or by calling the Anchorage Visitor's and Convention Bureau direct at (907) 276-4118.
