In 1970 this magnificent area was declared a state park. Located within the municipality of Anchorage, Chugach State Park includes roughly 500,000 acres (202,343 hectares) of the Chugach Range and the surrounding landscape. The Eklutna Lake is the park's most unique proposition that beautifully mirrors the surrounding environs over its glassy surface. With a 5,000 foot (1,524 meters) vertical rise and three major campgrounds to the north of Anchorage, this wilderness area is filled with wildlife including moose, wolves, brown and black bears and more. It's a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts offering a plethora of activities that allow one to get up, close and personal with nature.
This coastal trail offers 11 miles (18 kilometers) of paved walking, skiing, biking and in-line skating heaven. It also provides unbelievable sunset views. Tony Knowles Coastal trail, built in honor of one of the city's former mayors and the former governor, is joined by many side trails that come from the midtown and south Anchorage districts. Along the way are mile and trail markers and, at Westchester Lagoon (one mile south of downtown), built-in fitness centers with pull-up bars, sit-up benches and general fitness information.
Kincaid Park is home to the city's largest moose population, but bipeds also enjoy the beauty of this former glacial area. With more than 1,400 acres (6.1 square kilometers), this wooded park has trails that wind throughout. Many interpretive sites and frequent postings allow for navigation through its beautiful, hilly expanse. You may access the park either from the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail or by Raspberry Road. There is a large interpretive visitor's center available and many wide open areas where festivals are held. These trails are home to local and national skiing competitions and have also hosted Olympic tryouts.
Part of the Anchorage walking tour, this house was built by the self-proclaimed "18th person" to walk into Anchorage, Oscar Anderson, in 915. Restored in 1982, it is open for guided tours Memorial Day to Labor Day. At the museum one gets a glimpse of the life style of the Andersons, and learns more about the early history of Anchorage. Exhibits discuss a roughly ten-year period from 1915 to 1925. The home is directly adjacent to the paved Tony Knowles Coastal Trail that follows the Inlet.
This combined eatery, movie theater and pub has seating both in the lobby, for the enjoyment of the full service kitchen, and in front of the movie screen. While dining on Moose's Tooth beer on tap and southwestern-style cuisine, patrons can relax and enjoy the movie. Balcony seating is limited to viewers under the age of 21. Dinner and drink service is discreetly provided throughout the films.
Opened in 1997, this pub took Anchorage by storm. The menu holds a full selection of appetizers from Brewhouse Amber ale-battered halibut and calamari to desserts such as wood oven-roasted bread pudding or outstanding crème brulee. Entrees vary also, from an applewood grilled King Salmon, to a three peppercorn spit-roasted prime rib accompanied by garlic-mashed potatoes. Of course, don't forget to try the house-brewed beers.
You will be sure to get a workout from these four miles of cross-country skiing in some of the most challenging trails in town. These trails traverse the base of some of the foothills of the Chugach Range and, after quite a climb, offer a panoramic view. Mountain biking is the other popular use of this area and once the snow and frost layers have melted, many enjoy the single track, speedy downhill, tight turned wonder (if you ever make it to the top).
This is a non-profit art organization striving to bring together cultural diversity from international and local sources. The fun of this theater is that it ignores the norm and offers a place for all people to be heard. With an art gallery for similar themes of struggles with discriminations and abuses, it has hosted sculptures by Alan Turner of England and Ken Gonzales-Day's historic photos of Native Americans and Mexican-American cultures. Call for performance schedule and admission prices.
Set along Eagle River Road in Chugach State Park, Eagle River Nature Center is an interesting place to visit for nature lovers. Before it was transformed into a nature center, this building was used to house the Paradise Haven Lodge. Visitors can hike along the three-miles (4.8 kilometers) long Albert Loop trail and revel in the surrounding mountains, cliffs and waterfalls. They also host guided tours and programs that allow visitors of all ages to experience the wilderness. This visitor centre is equipped with an information desk, a souvenir store and clean restrooms.