Departing from Whittier, 60-miles south of Anchorage, this daily cruise (from May 1 - Sep 30) is a four-and-a-half hour trip that offers views of 26 glaciers. Along the way you may expect to view sea otters, seals, porpoises and quite frequently, whales. The fully narrated 110-mile route through Prince William Sound is breathtaking and memorable from its views of glittering ice to the shattering sound of "calves" breaking free of the "mother" glacier. It comes with a guaranteed "no sea-sickness or your money back" policy.
When the "Good Friday" earthquake rocked Anchorage in March of 1964, the area that is now the park was an affluent residential area on the bluffs above Cook Inlet. The 9.2 earthquake dropped these homes into 30-foot crevasses and destroyed this entire area. Developed as a park years later, it carries monuments and reader boards with information on the great quake. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail winds through the park.
Used by bikers, hikers, cross-country skiers, roller-bladers and families with strollers, the greenbelt travels for miles. Along the way, there are two tennis courts that may be reached from that intersection of the trail. Use extra care in winter, because this trail fills with moose drawn by the aspens that line the paved walkway. Fishing is permitted (with license). During the salmon "runs," visitors can observe the thousands of mating fish in the creek. No fees charged. No rest areas are available.
A lovely playground with half moon sculptures, large picnic facility and one of the best playgrounds in the city, it is a long grassy area parallel to the Chester Creek Greenbelt trail. It acts as a pausing place for trail users, a play area for nearby residents and a social gathering place for family picnics. Whether you drive to the park to relax or use the trails for biking, rollerblading or walking, this is a delightful recreation spot with trees, grass and benches for people watching.
Spanning 110-acre (44.5 hectares), the Alaska Botanical Garden includes native perennials, an enclosed herb garden and an outdoor rock garden. Created in 1991 by volunteers, the garden has become an educational resource as well as a stunning showcase of Alaskan plants and wildflowers. Paths throughout allow for easy travel and a 1.2-mile (1.9 kilometer) hike provides views of the Chugach Mountains. One unusual feature is a still-used dog-mushing trail that travels through the garden.
This large wooden platform offers terrific views of Cook Inlet (named for the man who discovered this waterway in 1778). A bust of Captain Cook and biographical and historical information are part of the monument. For 25 cents, visitors can peer through a telescope to look at Fire Island, Mt. Susitna or the Alaska Range across the Inlet. This is also a great way to get a closer view of the largest mountain in North America, Mt. McKinley (20,320 feet), 120 miles away. No admission is charged.