Anchorage Vacations, Anchorage Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Anchorage Vacation Guide

Anchorage and its outlying communities (as far as Bird Creek and Thunderbird Falls, as far as Girdwood and Wasilla) contains a large majority of Alaskans. Although Alaska is a large state, almost everyone lives within a few cities.

This is a large, surprisingly typical American city. Anchorage is the biggest city in Alaska, but is not its capital as many often think. The city is very spread out, especially relative to its size. The mountains are within sight, but somewhat difficult to get to if you don't have a car. As for Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm (the two bodies of saltwater), their shores are mostly vast expenses of sticky, silty mud, and the water itself has some currents, tidal rips, chop, and even a bore tide!

You will probably see moose in town, especially in the winter. Sometimes in the summer you can find a moose cooling off in a sprinkler. A great place to run, bike and walk is the Tony Knowles Coastal trail. Crow Pass Trail is easily reached from Eagle River or Girdwood, and a fantastic two-day hike or one-day insane footrace. In the winter, don't miss skating on West Chester lagoon, skiing in Girdwood, and ice fishing. If you are fortunate enough to be in town on the first Saturday of March make sure you don't miss the most popular sporting event, the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Some people enjoy "combat fishing" for king salmon in Sheep Creek, although that is probably fishing's equivalent to the Running of the Bulls: plain and simple mayhem. Anchorage's main purpose for the visitor is a place to stock up on food and camping gear and get transportation to more open areas.