1. Discover Art, History, and Science at the Anchorage Museum
The Anchorage Museum is the largest museum in Alaska and features over 20 exhibitions a year focusing on the history, culture and art of Alaska.
Located in downtown Anchorage the museum is a community-based institution which presents a full calendar of public programs and art classes for students and adults alike.
One of the most popular attractions is the Imaginarium Discovery Center, an interactive, hands-on and minds-on center where children of all ages can learn about science through play.
Featuring over 80 exhibits, including renowned exhibits from science museums across the globe, the museum’s displays include simulated earthquakes, auroras, and tidal pools, kinetic space presentations and a journey through the center of the Earth, into the solar system and beyond.
625 C Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, Phone: 907-929-9200
2. Spot Wildlife and Walk the Coastline at Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge
Stretching for 16 miles from Point Woronzof to Potter Creek, Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge shelters a wealth of local wildlife, and serves as a critical resting and feeding place for migrating snow geese and Sandhill cranes.
Both birders and wildlife lovers will delight in the wide range of animals found here and find excellent bird-watching and wildlife viewing opportunities. Located at the southern end of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge lies Potter Marsh, another refuge for wildlife and birds, and features a winding wooden walkway through the marsh for visitors to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Keep an eye out for geese, ducks and grebes as they soar above in search of prey. Moose also frequent the marsh year round and can be seen foraging for new growth in the marsh.
333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99518, Phone: 907-267-2189
3. Meet Alaska's Wild Residents at the Wildlife Conservation Center
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center offers a variety of tours and presentations throughout the year, ranging from tours of the Conservation Center itself to feeding tours of the resident wildlife. Tours run through the summer and are narrated by professional guides with vast experience in the field of conservation and tourism. Tours include ‘Moose & Musk Ox Calf Bottle Feeding’, where visitors can watch the calves being bottle fed several times a day, and ‘Sven the Rambling Reindeer’, which involves taking Sven for a walk around the grounds of the Center. ‘Prickly Points about Porcupines’ teaches you all about the life and habits of a porcupine, while ‘Fox and Lynx Feeding’ shows resident baby foxes and lynx kittens being bottle fed and cared for.
Mile 79 Seward Highway, Portage, Alaska 99587, Phone: 907-783-2025
If you are traveling with kids:
4. Experience Indigenous Cultures at the Alaska Native Heritage Center
The Alaska Native Heritage Center can be found on land which forms part of the traditional territory of the Eklutna, a Dena’ina Athabascan tribe. Visitors to Alaska who would like to learn about the original inhabitants of the country can spend an hour or two at the heritage center, learning about the fascinating history and culture of these indigenous people. Your visit to the center will take you on a journey through more than 10,000 years of Alaskan history, presented through the mediums of art, dance, film, games and story-telling. Guided tours are available and there is a gift shop where you can purchase traditional arts and crafts.
8800 Heritage Center Drive, Anchorage, AK 99504, 907 330 8000
5. Visit Arctic Animals Up Close at the Alaska Zoo
Established in 1969, the Alaska Zoo has been a refuge for orphaned, injured and captive-born animals for over 40 years. Home to more than 100 animals and birds representing over 50 species, the zoo houses a variety of animals native to Alaska, as well as some exotic species, such as yaks, Amur tigers and Bactrian Camels. Discover the unique beginnings of the zoo, its rich history and progress through the years at the Discovery Center, and enjoy interpretive displays, vintage photographs, and a DVD showing archival zoo footage. The Alaska Zoo is involved in conservation, animal husbandry, and research and offers a variety of education programs, such as the Species Survival Program for snow leopards and tigers.
4731 O'Malley Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99507, Phone: 907-346-2133
6. Take Off Through History at the Alaska Aviation Museum
Located on the largest float-plane base on the planet, on the south shore of Lake Hood, the Alaska Aviation Museum is a must-see attraction on your Anchorage itinerary. The museum celebrates and showcases Alaska’s unique aeronautics history and is home to a treasure-trove of memorabilia, exhibits, films, photographs and artifacts, most of which belonged to the country’s aviation pioneers.
Fascinating exhibits include a variety of historic planes, the oldest of which date back to the 1920’s and 1930’s, spread over 4 enormous hangers. The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm. You can get a taste of what’s in store by watching an introductory video on their website.
4721 Aircraft Dr, Anchorage, AK 99502, 907 248 5325
Romantic Activities and Attractions:
7. Let the Kids Run Free at Valley of the Moon Park
Named after the Indian title for Sonoma Valley in California, the Valley of the Moon Park is a beautiful public park in Anchorage that is popular for its excellent playgrounds and lovely picnic spots. The playground, one of the largest in Anchorage, offers an array of accessible play equipment, such as swings, slides, monkey bars, and a rocket ship-shaped playset. Other amenities at the park include a large open playfield, a Little League baseball field, access to the popular Chester Creek Trail and plenty of tables and benches for picnicking and relaxing with the family.
610 W 17th Ave, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, Phone: 907-274-1003
8. Savor Italian-Inspired Dishes at Originale
Originale at The Metro Mall serves Italian fare with delectable food, a cozy atmosphere, and friendly service. Owners Sergio and Roseli Anzilotti draw inspiration from their homeland for the seasonally-changing menu that features sandwiches, antipasti, coffee and desserts. Antipasto platters groan with an assortment of mouthwatering Italian meats, aged cheeses, Caprese skewers, nuts, and olivess. Sample home baked focaccia bread which is the perfect accompaniment to meats and cheeses flown in from Italy.
400 D St, Ste 1B, Anchorage, AK 99501, Phone: 907-868-7900
9. Capture Stunning Scenery with Alaska Photo Treks
Run by a trio of professional Alaskan photographers, Alaska Photo Treks offers fun, photo-centric tours and workshops around Anchorage. Catering to a broad range of photographic needs, from beginners wanting great vacation memories to professional photographers looking to capture the perfect shot, Alaska Photo Treks provides tours to some of the country’s most beautiful and scenic locations. Alaska Photo Treks features a variety of tours, ranging from single day and multi-day treks to winter treks and custom-designed tours according to set requirements. Single day treks include a walk through Anchorage, sunset photo safaris at Cook Inlet and Turnagain and finally, a day with the bears in Katmai or Lake Clarke National Parks. Multi-day treks include Denali Backcountry, and National Park Adventures, Brown Bear photo safaris, Wrangell / St Elias National Park trips and an extraordinary Northern Lights photographic workshop.
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