Anchorage, USA

Alaskas heritage is that of grizzly bears and snowshoes, where reserve parks tend to outnumber cities and where the snowmobile is the main method of transport. Alaskas capital, Anchorage, is in the south, and though the snow does melt after winters end and hiking trails are opened once again, the city is full of exciting chapters and nature is heavily intertwined with the urban landscape. Backpackers flock to the streets of Anchorage for the night and head out to the hills and peaks at dawn; scientists see Anchorage as one of the worlds premier research centers on wildlife and global welfare. Everything you may need or want can be found here, and though it may not be a vacationers dream, youll certainly find interest in the passages of its museums. The stories of happenstance interactions between man and wildlife are voluminous, and you too may have a tale of your own to tell after traversing the land in and around Anchorage. Book your flight today and start your own Alaskan adventure.

When to go

By no means is it necessary or even suggested to arrange plans for a visit to Alaska on the basis of the climate. Maybe for many, the lure of the city is its unpredictability. However, if you wish to enjoy warmer days during your hiking expeditions, a visit during summer is a must. If youre the proud owner of thermal attire, youll put them to good use here in winter. One cannot forget spring and autumn either, the seasons with possibly the best balances across the board. Its not too warm as to fool you into thinking that the rains wont be freezing (summer rains tend to chill everything in sight dramatically), but you can also skip out on the snowshoe rentals, unless of course youre planning on some summit searching.

Getting there and around

Anchorage International Airport is just outside the city, at 10km (6.5mi) from the Anchorages center; connections are numerous to and from the most frequented cities in North America, Europe, UK, and Asia. The airport boasts large cargo facilities as well, with frozen storage as its specialty, though its highly unusual for the average visitor to utilize these services. Buses and taxis will get you into the city, though a rented vehicle is quite handy when visiting the suburbs or state park(s). Direct transit to several other Alaskan cities is also available on-site at Anchorage International Airport.

Most travel Anchorage by personal automobile, but second-place on the transit list is the busing system. The citys routes are rather extensive, and rarely is a lengthy walk necessary to get to a destination. Buses are convenient, but nothing beats having your own set of wheels. Prices for daily or weekly rentals are very reasonable.

Attractions

Before heading outdoors to see the sites of the city, a visit to the Museum of History and Art is a must for those interested in attaining the whole Anchorage experience. Indigenous life is the museums specialty, and the Alaska Gallery here always causes jaws to drop. Rarely do visitors to Alaska or for the matter, Anchorage realize the importance of the land, not just to the state, but to the greater hemispheric region. Art is also a big draw among visitors to the museum, and some fantastic pieces here were the work of Sydney Laurence.

Parks are most-likely the biggest draw for travel to Anchorage, and whether youre visiting Chugach Park, Earthquake Park, or even Delaney Park, you are in store for a great time. You can square off with the wilds at Chugach, have a nice stroll at the inner-city Delaney Park, or traverse a landmass created after a 1964 earthquake that altered much of the terrain in the area.

The Elmendorf AFB Wildlife Museum is a great place to see a wide variety of Alaskas animal kingdom (unanimated, of course). The highlights of the museum are the display of an 11ft brown bear, and wellthe free admission!