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 Dinosaurs and Ice Age artifacts |
206 E Fireweed Ln Suite 209 Anchorage, AK 99503 United States +1 907 274 2400 http://www.alaskamuseum.org |
Since 1990, this museum's displays have educated the public on Alaska's rich natural history. All of the items collected by the museum have been donated or loaned by Alaska residents. Permanent exhibits include collections of Alaska dinosaurs and marine reptiles, Alaskan archaeology, and Alaskan paleontology. The museum holds the largest exhibits of Alaskan rock, mineral and fossils, and also showcases native artifacts dating back 11,000 years. From time-to-time, the museum also presents traveling exhibits from the Lower 48. Most exhibits are fascinating for people of all ages. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Clint Grimes |
 Alaskan Native culture |
8800 Heritage Center Drive Anchorage, AK 99506 United States +1 907 330 8000 / +1 800 315 6608 http://www.alaskanative.net |
The Alaska Native Heritage Center is remarkable for its programs, life-sized village displays, craft-making workstations and friendly, knowledgeable Alaskan Native staff. This museum presents 11 distinct cultural groups of Alaska within its 26 acres and is a must-see for anyone interested in Alaska's history and Native peoples. Located just 10 minutes east of downtown, the grounds are bordered by the Chugach Mountains. Expect to be entranced by storytelling, drumming, hands-on crafts and Native dancers. A gift store and cafe are onsite. Admission varies by season and event; call for details. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Dean Franklin |
 Photo: Snake61 |
 Photo: Dean Franklin |
 Photo: Point & Shoot1 |
 Photo: Connie Pilachowski |
 Photo: Manuel Díaz |
 Photo: Mare Cromwell |
 Photo: firsttimealaska.com |
 Photo: jordan_in_alaska |
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85 types of Arctic animals |
4731 O'Malley Rd Anchorage, AK 99507 United States +1 907 346 2133 http://www.alaskazoo.org/ |
View 85 species of wildlife from the Arctic, including glacier bears, brown/grizzly bears and black bears, on this 25-acre wooded area. See caribou, moose, dall sheep, wolves, musk oxen and many others. Some non-Alaskan species such as elephants, bactrian camels and even a Siberian tiger are housed in the zoo. A gift shop and a refreshment stand are on the premises. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: James  |
 Photo: Joel W. Nelson |
 Photo: Joel W. Nelson |
 Photo: Kartoos |
 Photo: David P. Dreydoppel |
 Photo: Chris Baiardi |
 Photo: Chris Baiardi |
 Photo: Paul Huber |
 Photo: rich campoamor |
 Photo: Erin Strang |
 Photo: Spike |
 Photo: Terry McTigue |
 Photo: jethsy |
 Photo: Heather Herrington |
 Photo: Kartoos |
 Photo: jethsy |
 Photo: Brian Matiash |
 Photo: Paul Huber |
 Photo: Kimberly Matteson |
 Photo: Hiroki Narita |
 Photo: rcraigsnider@yahoo.c |
 Photo: akphotograph.com |
 Photo: Iain Foulds |
 Photo: Iain Foulds |
 Photo: David LaForest |
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Voted best view |
1000 Arlberg Dr Anchorage, AK 99587 United States +1 907 754 7669 http://www.alyeskaresort.com/ |
Forty miles south of Anchorage is a ski resort that offers a tram (holds 60 skiers), three double chairs, a high-speed quad, two quad chairs and two tow ropes. In addition, the property has 50km (786 acres) of cross-country skiing. The vertical drop is 2,500 feet with an annual snowfall of 580". There are 62 trails and 9 lifts; the longest run is 10,560 feet. Several restaurants and lounges are located within the Westin Alyeska Prince Resort, which is adjacent to the tram. Call for prices. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Peg |
 Photo: John Andersen |
 Photo: gziolkow |
 Off of the Glenn Highway |
8300 Glenn Highway Anchorage, AK 99504 United States |
Just off of the Glenn Highway, visitors can discover this park with more than three miles of wooded, hilly trails near the Chugach Foothills. A portion of the trail is lighted for skiing in the winter. In the summer, no lights are needed as it is daylight well past normal hiking/biking hours. Another feature offered by this park is sledding-hills with moderate to advanced hills; make sure you know what you're doing before you push off. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Yiying Hong |
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A place to play |
8031 Pioneer Road Anchorage, AK 99504 United States http://www.ci.anchorage.ak.us/... |
Whether you are being walked by your dog, need some fresh air or are giving your kids a break from an endless shopping spree, this is a great place to relax and enjoy the flowers. Edged by small flower plots, this park consists of rolling hills with lush lawns with a trail in the center, sections of woods and large frisbee-friendly zones. The delightful playground features a log fort-like tower with slides and hanging bars, swings, park benches and more. No admission charged. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Aaron Ostrovsky |
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Wilderness 15 minutes from downtown |
Mile 115 Seward Highway Anchorage, AK 99587 United States +1 907 345 5014 http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/par... |
In 1970 this area was declared a park. It is 500,000 acres of the Chugach Range's side and the entire area is within the municipality of Anchorage. With a 5,000 vertical foot rise and three major campgrounds to the north of Anchorage, this wilderness area is filled with wildlife including moose, wolves, brown and black bear and more. A favorite hike is the 1.5 mile Flattop Mountain Hike which begins at the end of Toilsome Hill Road. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: guoo |
 Photo: D. J. Czech II |
 Photo: guoo |
 Photo: Adam J. Nest |
 Photo: Jon Williams |
 Photo: www.myalaska.net |
 Photo: Jon Williams |
 Photo: Hui Chen |
 Photo: Krista Miller |
 Photo: Ryan Jones |
 Photo: Marcus Hanscom |
 Photo: Julia Moellers |
 Photo: Tom Bickel |
 Photo: Kristin Katoski |
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Favorite hike in Anchorage area |
13229 Glen Alps Rd Anchorage, AK 99516 United States |
Go east on O'Malley, right at Hillside Drive, left at Upper Huffman to Glen Alps and into the parking lot for this trailhead. The total driving route is 12 miles from downtown and the hiking trail is about three miles round trip. Rated by some as easy, and others as difficult, in 1.5 miles you will gain 1,252 feet and experience short periods of "scrambling." Views from this peak are of the Alaska Range, Cook Inlet, Turnagain Arm and Anchorage; don't forget your camera. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Erik Johanson |
 Photo: Jody Overstreet |
 Photo: Erik Johanson |
 Photo: Jody Overstreet |
 Photo: reverseretro |
 Photo: Molly Hutchins |
 Photo: The Camera Guy_162 |
 Photo: russiarulez |
 Photo: Lainie Berry |
 Photo: Jim Marx |
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Cross-country and downhill skiing |
7015 Abbott Road Anchorage, AK 99516 United States +1 907 346 2169 / +1 907 346 1446 http://www.hilltopskiarea.org/ |
This is a 30-acre downhill ski slope for all ages with a jumping complex, ski rentals, half-pipe recreation unit, ski school, chair lift and rope tow. Is has hosted the Special Olympics World Games and it is located within 15 minutes of downtown Anchorage. Call for a season schedule. Adjacent facilities are the Bicentennial Park Trails with 20 miles of ungroomed trails and the Hillside Park Trail that is 7.5 miles long. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Down in the Blue (DitB) |
 Photo: Down in the Blue (DitB) |
 Photo: Eva Brill |
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Romancing by moonlight |
22012 Blair Ave (leaves from downtown Captain Cook Hotel) Anchorage, AK 99567 United States +1 907 688 6005 http://www.alaska.net/~carriage/ |
Two thousand-pound, beautiful draft horses pull the restored Falling Front Brougham carriage built in 1893, and the 1879 built Landau carriage. Having received the Heart of the City Award for recreational events in 1995, these carriages are one of the favorite sightings on winter evenings with their lanterns lit and sleigh bells jingling, or in summer with their array of finery displayed by daylight. Quarter-hour, half-hour, and other tours are available which depart from the Captain Cook Hotel Fifth Avenue entrance. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Stacy Byas |
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South of Anchorage |
Mile 104 Seward Highway Anchorage, AK 99540 United States +1 907 653 1120 http://www.indianvalleymine.com/ |
Just a half-hour drive from Anchorage, this mining site still portrays mining techniques as they were during the 1920s and 1930s. It is near an old roadhouse, built in 1909, formerly serving the many mining travelers that crossed the Indian Pass route of the Iditarod Trail. There were only two mines on this side of the Turnagain Arm. Try your hand at panning for gold and look through the museum at recorded events. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Joseph Tomczak |
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Gardens and trails |
W Raspberry Rd Anchorage, AK 99501 United States +1 907 343 6397 |
Kincaid Park is home to the city's largest moose population, but bipeds also enjoy the beauty of this former glacial area. With more than 1,400 acres, this wooded park has trails that wind throughout. Many interpretive sites and frequent postings allow for navigation through this beautiful, hilly place. You may access the park either from the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail or by Raspberry Road. There is a large interpretive visitor's center available and many wide open areas where festivals are held. These trails are home to local and national skiing competitions and have also hosted Olympic tryouts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Molly M. Benson |
 Photo: Jeff Manes |
 Photo: Travis Shinabarger |
 Photo: Jeff Manes |
 Photo: Travis Shinabarger |
 Photo: Rhonda Coover |
 Photo: Peter Pasque |
 Photo: Nigel Homer |
 Photo: echoforsberg |
 Photo: Christopher Mueller |
 Photo: Matt Keortge |
 Photo: Dana Skelton |
 Photo: Phil Hadley |
 Photo: Denny Wells |
 Photo: Tamilyn Jean |
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Start here for valley adventures |
Mile 35.5 Parks Highway Anchorage, AK 99654 United States +1 907 746 5000 http://www.alaskavisit.com/ |
Along with a wealth of educational materials in its interpretive stations that display some of the history and development of the "Mat-Su" Valley (Matanuska, Susitna), this information center also has a gift shop. Within this log cabin structure you may purchase Alaskana books, traditional Native artwork and jewelry. In addition you will find recommendations for campsites, hotels and the many attractions along the way to Denali Park or beyond to Fairbanks. Local information is available, too. A series of summer and winter events are held in this area. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Turnagain Arm overlook |
Mile 112 Seward Highway (17 miles south of downtown) Anchorage, AK 99587 United States |
Five miles south of the Potter's Marsh Bird Sanctuary viewing platform and the Potter Section House historic site, is this newly renovated pull-off. More than a place to park, it has multi-leveled viewing of Turnagain Arm with a telescope from which you may spot bald eagles, beluga whales, dall sheep and more. This is a terrific spot to watch the bore tides (walls of six feet of water). Hiking trails lead to waterfalls (a one-mile walk). Picnic tables dot this park for public use and enjoyment. This is a no fee area. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Steve N |
 Photo: Lyndsey Kleppin |
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Quiet area |
7898 East Northern Lights Blvd Anchorage, AK 99504 United States |
This heavily wooded park has two miles of multi-use trails winding through its hills. A favorite for locals to walk their dogs, it is typically a slower-moving crowd who enjoy the peace and quiet. Dogs are required to be on leashes, as in any of the other parks within the city. Don't be surprised though, if they're not. These trails are not maintained, but in winter, ski tracks will be laid by resident skiers for everyone to enjoy. No rest areas are available; no fees charged. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: heavydee23 |
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All about musk oxen |
100 Farm Loop Road Anchorage, AK 99645 United States +1 907 745 4151 http://www.muskoxfarm.org/ |
Since 1954, this non-profit organization has been dedicated to educating people about the musk ox and qiviut (pronounced kivy-oot), which is the musk oxen's soft under-hair. Volunteers such as Alex Trebek ("Jeopardy) and Olivia Newton John, helped the musk oxen here receive national recognition. One of the Arctic's oldest species, their history of use by Alaska Natives is long. Now, native knitters work together to create qiviut garments for sale. An onsite gift shop and the downtown Oomingmak Anchorage shop sell qiviut gifts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson |
 Photo: Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson |
 Photo: Laura |
 Photo: John Felten |
 Photo: Mark Nelson |
 Photo: Art Walaszek |
 Photo: Jessica D. Miller |
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Historical monument |
18625 New Seward Highway Anchorage, AK 99587 United States +1 907 345 5014 |
Built in 1929, this building housed the workers that serviced the nearby sections of the Alaska Railroad. In 1979, the National Register claimed it as a Historic Place and now it hosts the Chugach State Park Headquarters. Check out the Alaskan Railroad car in the yard. Recently remodelled to to house the Kenai Visitor's Center, don't be surprised if you hear the train's engine roar as the working Alaskan Railroad passes by on nearby tracks. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Mark Yezbick |
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Bird-filled paradise |
154th Ave Anchorage, AK 99587 United States +1 907 345 5014 |
A protected wetland, this no-fee 2,300-acre viewing area is just south of the city and has a long, raised boardwalk from which you may access the wetland without disturbing the birds. Some of the varieties seen from this viewing platform are the Pacific Loon, American Wigeon, Canada Goose, Greater Scaup, Canvasback, Goldeneye Species, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Short-Billed Dowitchers, Wandering Tattler and many more. A spotting scope and volunteer bird enthusiast are typically available during park hours. Note: no dogs allowed. Another location for birders is near the airport at Lake Spenard. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jenn & Mike |
 Photo: Steve N |
 Photo: Jenn & Mike |
 Photo: Anke Hain |
 Photo: Cristine |
 Photo: Peter King |
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Pet Rudolph and his friends |
125 Bodenburg Rd Anchorage, AK 99645 United States +1 907 745 4000 http://www.reindeerfarm.com/ |
Prepare to pet, feed and photograph both adult and baby reindeer at this farm eight miles south of Palmer. Gentle and tame, these "deer" are accustomed to visitors and are very friendly. Also available for visiting is a moose named Cathy and a blacktail deer named Feline. Don't forget to say hello to Eddy, a Rocky Mountain Elk. Call for tour prices. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: oaxacakid |
 Photo: Tracy Spice |
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Oldest structure in municipality |
Mile 26 Glenn Highway Anchorage, AK United States +1 907 688 6026 |
A blue, onion-shaped globe tops this small, wooden historic building. It was built in the 1830s marking a site that has had constant Athabascan presence since at least 1652 (though oral tradition has it that the settlement dates back more than 1000 years). Many of the original icons remain in this church although services are conducted next door in a new church built in the 1960s. This church is set inside the Eklutna Historical Park and is part of a continuing exhibit. Eklutna still celebrates the Russian Christmas, 12 days after December 25. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |