House of travel Canada & Alaska Brochure 2017 | Page 39

Anchorage
Our favourite things to see and do
A perfect day in Anchorage
A
laska’s largest city, Anchorage, is a city that maintains the perfect mix
of stunning natural environment and metropolitan buzz.
Rise early and start the day off right with breakfast. Hometown
restaurants are the perfect place to try an Alaskan twist on traditional
favourites. Order King Crab Benedict or a stack of sourdough hotcakes.
Rent a bike or stroll along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail to enjoy
spectacular views of Cook Inlet or take a shuttle to a trail head in
Chugach State Park. Wildlife like the trail almost as much as humans,
you may see one of the more than 1500 moose that live in Anchorage.
Grab a bite of Alaska at one of the many sidewalk vendors along the
downtown streets. After lunch, get an eagle eye view of those mountains
on the horizon by taking a flightseeing tour from Lake Hood or Merrill
Field. It’s an amazing experience.
A 15 minute drive from downtown will have you at the tree-lined
trailhead of Anchorage’s most popular hike, Flattop Mountain. While
the trail to the summit is rocky and steep, there is a short, paved loop
that gives you a taste of the views. With the city below on one side and
the surrounding mountains stretching out on the other, this is where
Anchorage meets the wild. On your way back to the city stop at one of
the South Anchorage breweries for a well earned refreshment.
Dog Sledding and Heli Tour – Enjoy a spectacular helicopter ride
into the majestic Chugach Mountains, land on a snowcovered glacier
surrounded by towering peaks. You can even drive a sled dog team.
Wildlife – Keep your camera at the ready for bears, humpback whales,
sea lions, otters, moose and more. When driving, watch for vehicles
stopped on the side of the road – it often means that people are watching
wildlife!
Anchorage Museum – This is Alaska’s largest museum and tells the real
story of the north. Weaving together social, political, cultural, scientific,
historic and artistic threads. Explore the diversity of Alaska Native
cultures, including masterworks of Alaska Native art and design from the
collections of the Smithsonian Institute.
Glaciers – For spectacular glaciers head to Kenai Fjords National Park
or Prince William Sound and cruise through icy waters looking at these
massive formations.
Alaska Native Heritage Centre – Gain an understanding on the different
traditions and languages that make up Alaska. See artist demonstrations,
music and dance performances and other talks on the indigenous culture
in Alaska.
Crow Creek Mine – After an hour’s drive arrive at this mine that at its
peak produced 700 ounces of gold every month. With a little luck you
might find a few flakes that have been left behind.
Eklutna Historical Park – A short drive north will have you at this
Dena’ina Athbascan community dating back to 1650. The park looks at the
fascinating mixture of the Russian influences and Athabascan culture.
Alyeska Resort and Glacier – A 45 mi