(Northern Lights Boulevard in midtown Anchorage, Alaska)
Although many Alaskans will vehemently deny that "Los Anchorage" is part of Alaska, I kind of like it. Where else can you eat at Taco Bell while looking at the Chugach Mountain Range (photo)? Anyway, if you are flying in to Alaska it's hard to avoid spending at least some time in Anchorage. Downtown is small, but has a well-developed tourist area with lots of shops mainly centered on 4th and 5th streets (see camera shot below). Midtown is getting pretty built-up, and you'll find nationwide retailers like Wal-Mart and restaurants like Outback Steakhouse, as well as several supermarkets. To buy or rent outdoor equipment visit REI on Northern Lights Blvd. or Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking on Spenard Rd. just off Northern Lights (one block from REI)..
Cook Inlet makes for good sightseeing; there is a nice bike trail along the water from downtown out to Kincaid Park. As you get closer to Kincaid Park be sure to be on the lookout for moose (photo) along the trail. Sunset over Cook Inlet (photo) can be beautiful when the weather is clear; there are some good viewing spots along the bluffs behind the airport.
- Live camera shot of downtown Anchorage
See what 4th street in Anchorage looks like right now (don't forget Alaska is 4 hours behind Eastern Standard Time)
- Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Weather forecast for Anchorage from the National Weather Service
- Anchorage Daily News
Anchorage and Alaska news (on-line help wanted ads, too)- Information about Anchorage and locator maps from Bearfoot Guides