Alaska: a spirit of adventure

 Alaska, variously referred to as the Land of the Midnight Sun, the Great Land, or the Last Frontier is exotic and wild and has much to offer groups looking for a holiday that is out of the ordinary. Step foot on an Alaska glacier, hike to a mountain vista or stroll along Anchorage scenic trails. Cruise in comfort through Prince William Sound or paddle along in a sea kayak. Catch wild Alaska salmon just steps from an Anchorage hotel or angle for trout in a nearby pristine lake.

Thanks to the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), potential visitors to Alaska can see first hand on its podcast Web site, www.49threel.com , some of the exciting events and activities Alaska’s largest city has to offer.  The first nine podcast stories include Fur Rendezvous, the Last Great Race, Resident Moose, Salmon Run Wild, Summer in the City, Top Trail Town, Marathon: a Family Affair, Winter Trio and July 4th Celebration. Web site users can watch videos online or download them onto an Ipod.

Anchorage is the ideal base camp from which to begin exploring. It  is a vibrant, eclectic metropolis with a frontier sprit, located in the heart of the great Alaska wilderness. Embraced by six mountain ranges and warmed by a maritime climate, Anchorage Alaska is alive year round with culture, adventure, recreation, wildlife and sightseeing opportunities. Self-guided walks and local sightseeing tours are a great way to discover Anchorage’s fascinating past.

Log Cabin and Downtown Visitor Information Center:Begin any exploration at the sod-roofed cabin. Friendly, knowledgeable staff can provide brochures, maps and information about anchorage. Open daily, year-round. 4th Ave. & F Street.

Historic City Hall:This two-story building opened in 1936 and once housed all of the city’s municipal services. Today, find a free exhibit of early Anchorage in the lobby. Enjoy Music in the Park each Wed. and Fri. from Noon – 1 p.m., then take a one-hour Historic City Tour that departs Mon.– Fri. at 1 p.m. from June to August. 4th Ave. & E Street.

4th Avenue Theatre:An art deco-style landmark which first opened in 1947. Find original floor-to-ceiling bronze murals inside. Trolley tours and shopping available near the front entrance. (907) 263-2787

Anchorage Museum:Experience the Museum’s extraordinary permanent collection depicting 10,000 years of Alaska history – Native subsistence lifestyles, European exploration, Russian America, and contemporary times. View art of the North. Restaurant and gift shop. Open daily, May to Sept., and Wednesdays – Sundays from October to April. 7th Ave. & A Street. www.anchoragemuseum.org

Alaska Public Lands Information Center:Explore Alaska’s public lands through wildlife and cultural exhibits, interactive videos and trip-planning information. Maps and guides for purchase. Free movies and special programs. 4th Ave. & F Street. www.nps.gov/aplic/center

Ship Creek:Fish for salmon in the shadows of downtown office buildings. From the viewing deck, spot huge kings or silver salmon swimming upstream to spawn. Ship Creek Avenue.

Ship Creek Center:Alaska Native dancers perform free, twice daily, May through June.

Imaginarium: Science Discovery Center :Kids of all ages will enjoy the fun, exploratory exhibits and hands-on experiences at this award-winning science discovery center. www.imaginarium.org

Alaska Center for the Performing Arts:Three theaters host many extraordinary world-renowned performances. Lobbies are decorated with Alaskan art, including 23 Native masks. 621 W. 6th Ave., between F & G Streets. Daily showing of Aurora – Rivers of Light – rare aurora photography set to beautiful music, May – September. www.thealaskacollection.com

The Anchorage Light Speed Planet Walk:The Anchorage Light Speed Planet Walk provides an engaging and outstanding educational experience about our solar system for students, residents and visitors alike. This unique educational and community contribution is a scale model of the solar system based on the speed of light/speed of walking correlation. For more information, visit the interactive kiosk on the corner of 5th and G, in Downtown Anchorage.

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail:Enjoy spectacular views of mountains and ocean on this popular paved bike, ski and walking trail that traces the coastline 11 miles (17.6 km) to Kincaid Park. Begins at western end of 2nd Ave. Bicycle rentals available from local businesses.

Oscar Anderson House, Elderberry Park:Built in 1915 by Swedish immigrant Oscar Anderson, this is Anchorage’s only house museum, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open Mon. – Fri. from June to mid-September plus two weekends in December for the annual 1915 Swedish Christmas Celebration. 420 M Street. (907) 274-2336.

The Ulu Factory:Inuit (Eskimo) Natives invented this knife (pronounced “ooloo”) centuries ago for every imaginable domestic cutting need. Learn the history, and see how they are being manufactured today. www.theulufactory.com

Alaska Museum of Natural History :Fascinating information about prehistoric Alaska, a collection of Alaska fossils and artifacts and educational programs about Alaska’s unique geological, cultural, and ecological history.

Alaska Botanical Garden: Learn about flora native to Southcentral Alaska while strolling along easy trails that wind through a 110 acre spruce and birch woodland retreat. www.alaskabg.org

Alaska Native Heritage Center: Experience the diverse cultures, languages, and traditions of Alaska’s indigenous peoples. Explore five traditional outdoor village sites, displays, films, performing and demonstrating artists. A free shuttle departs from Heritage Gifts located downtown in the Village at Ship Creek Center. Open daily mid-May to mid-September; Saturdays from mid-September to mid-May. www.alaskanative.net

Alaska Zoo: Find Alaskan animals, including seals, fox, musk ox, moose, and four kinds of bears among the zoo’s many residents – year-round. Gift shop and special programs. 4731 O’Malley Road. www.alaskazoo.org

Flattop Mountain: One of the most popular hikes in Alaska, this 1.5-mile, steep trail rewards trekkers with a panoramic view of greater Anchorage. From O’Malley Road follow signs for Chugach State Park from Upper Huffman Road to Glen Alps Road.

Arctic Valley:A popular mountain biking and berry picking area during the summer, and Nordic and alpine skiing during winter. Get spectacular views of Anchorage and beyond from the top.

Anchorage summer activities begins with world-class sport fishing, wildlife, hiking and biking trails drenched in scenery, glacier cruising and flightseeing amid nature’s highest peaks. In winter one can view the northern lights, go ice fishing, or indulge in any number of fun outdoor activities from dogsledding to ice hockey. For day trips too there are several options available.

Anchorage has access to some of the freshest seafood in the world, which Alaska chefs offer up in a variety of mouth-watering creations. From plump, cold-water Kachemak Bay oysters, to Alaska king crab, fresh-caught halibut, and wild Alaska salmon – the staple of Alaska seafood, Anchorage has it all. Anchorage is home to Alaska’s largest selection of quality Alaska Native art and souvenirs such as finely crafted ivory, Native masks, and carved jade. And the best part: no sales tax!

There is plenty happening in Alaska with interesting events taking place throughout the year. At the Make it Alaskan Festival from October 6 – 8 find unique, high quality, and authentic Alaska products at more than 250 booths.  AlaskaFest takes place between October 13 and 29 ushering in two weeks of festivities and retail events in Anchorage to celebrate the turn of the season. In the Nye Frontier Hockey Classic from October 13 – 14, 2006, see four, top-ranked college teams compete in this annual fast-paced hockey tournament.