US Travel Guide - Anchorage

Anchorage Entertainment

So, you're taking the trip of a lifetime, but what will you do once you get here? In Anchorage, the most remarkable of city features is the unique blend of city life and wildlife. Void of tall monuments, but cradled by mountains - minus mass thoroughfares, yet riddled with hiking trails - this city holds unlimited wonders for outdoor enthusiasts.

Trails For Tales
More than 121 paved miles of trails stretch through parks that fill this city with an abundance of green grass, thick and predominantly coniferous forests, wildlife, creeks and streams. Even if you never leave the city, you will be able to experience Alaska at its best! These beautiful parks and trails contributed greatly to the city being chosen the Best Trail City in the U.S. by the American Backpackers Club several years ago.

If you're tracking up the trails in summer (when there are more than 19 hours of daylight), you may end up farther than you expected; its easy to become enchanted with your surroundings and lose track of just how far you've traveled. Be aware as you pass all the lakes, parks, and neighborhoods that your distance out, will be equal to your distance back, unless you choose a circular course; bring cab fare in case you wear out before your enthusiasm wanes. One trail warning: although there are leash laws within the city limits, less than half of the friendly pooches you meet on the trail will be constrained by a cord - and none of the moose will be either, so pay attention!

Most likely, you won't need rental equipment if you're just walking or day-hiking, but don't let a lack of gear stop you from enjoying any of the outdoor opportunities. Go to the midtown R.E.I. for rentals of all kinds: camping gear (sleeping bags, packs, stove, tent and more), kayaks, canoes, snowshoes, cross country skis, skating skis or touring skis. Also in midtown is the Sunshine Sports shop which offers bicycles, or the Downtown Bicycle Rental shop (both around $30 for 24-hour rentals). The Downtown Bicycle shop is just around the corner from the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. This popular trail runs along the Cook Inlet coastline at the west edge of downtown and looks over the mud flats, which appear emerald green in summer. Caution! Stay on the trail; do not go onto these flats. While appealing to look at, these mud flats consist of glacial silt that has a 'quicksand reflex' to weight; helicopters and fire hoses are used to extract people who walk on to these areas.

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is a north-and- south running trail offering fabulous views of the Alaska Range across the Cook Inlet and of Pt. Woronzof, with airport traffic lifting off its bluffs. Westchester Lagoon is one mile south on this trail and offers an outstanding view of the Chugach Range towering above the city. The ideal spot to see the autumn 'Termination Dust' (snow as it creeps down the mountains elevation), it is also the first left branch of the trail; if you turn towards the Chugach Mountains, you begin on the Chester Creek Greenbelt Trail which runs east and west. Parallel to the south edge of downtown, this greenbelt contains parks with benches for resting and playgrounds for kids of all ages. Choosing instead to continue straight on the Coastal Trail brings you to Earthquake Park where it proceeds to wind through woods and past the airport until the trail ends at Kincaid Park (a total of 11 miles one-way from downtown). A favorite park for locals, Kincaid contains 30 miles of trails (many groomed in winter for skiing) with dirt trails through woods for biking and hiking in the summertime. Hiking trails intersect each other throughout this city and wherever you stay, there will be trails nearby; be sure to ask for directions to the nearest one.

Stage and Screen
Check out the nonstop performance schedule at the Alaska Center for Performing Arts. The Anchorage Concert Association brings in more than 70 performances each year from national to international talent. During the last three months of 2000, the world-premier Baryshnikovs' Productions' White Oak Dance Project, the Australias Sydney Dance Company, the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet, the Ballet Wests Nutcracker and the Aeros-No Fear of Flight will be featured. In addition to those performances, each year the 38-year-old Anchorage Opera performs three operas and the 80-piece, 50-year-old Anchorage Symphony Orchestra produces six concerts. The world-touring Anchorage Concert Chorus provides Pops, holiday and major choral concerts as has been its tradition for more than 50 years, while the 40-person Alaska Chamber Singers focus on intricate period piece performances.
Rock concerts still to come in 2000, will include a wide variety of popular groups such as Creedence Clearwater, Stone Temple Pilots and No Doubt. Concerts are held in the Sullivan Arena and the Mulchahy Stadium. Call CARRS TIX at +1 907 263 2787 for more information, tickets and schedules of these and other events.

Cinemas abound in this city, with newcomer the Bear Tooth Theatre Pub standing out as a particularly fun alternative to the typical movie theaters. Offering pizza and beer during movie viewing, this fun-filled venue is a spin-off of the outstanding Mooses Tooth brewery, which holds the 'Best Loved Anchorage Pizza' title. Other theaters include multiple Regal Cinemas locations (with their large arcade areas) and the Century 16 theater with its gourmet snack and coffee counter. Particularly in winter, the lines for all of the cinemas can be long as people tire of the many months of cold outdoor adventures or grow bored with their couch and video rentals.

Nightclubs and Nightlife
Visitors will find the best loved nightlife act in town at Mr. Whitekeys' Fly-By-Night Club. Owned-and-operated by piano-playing Mr. Whitekeys (a contributor to the 'Alaska Almanac' and author of 'Mr. Whitekeys' Alaska Bizarre' book), he produces and performs in a series of seasonal shows. Beginning each March with 'Springtime in Spenard,' the show continues with new acts in the summers' 'Whale-Fat Follies,' and then, 'Christmas in Spenard.' A crude and hilarious presentation of Alaska, the shows are a wild mix of satire, musical talent and creative interpretation of local and national politicians and current events. Much loved by locals and visitors, try to arrange reservations in advance.

Particularly in winter, bar-hopping seems to be a favorite pastime - both to party with friends and to find a spirits-lifting -  way to thumb your nose at the plunging temperatures. Each club in town has a different feel to it and every one offers different local specialties. The most popular circuit to run in the downtown area, seems to be where clubs are close enough to skip between without freezing to death - but distanced enough to encourage a fast-paced, rejuvenating walk between them. Many have limited dining options, so a logical place to start a downtown restaurant tour would be with a filling stop at the Glacier Brewhouse, Humpys, or the Snow Goose Restaurant and Brewery. From there, check out the dancing at The Whales Tail in Captain Cook Hotel, meet some unusual locals at Darwins Theory and see the historic Rumrunners Old Towne Bar, which is part of the 1915-built Anchorage Hotel.

The most noteworthy bar in town is the midtown Chilkoot Charlies with its multiple dance floors, bars, bands and bustling crowds every day. This 'mall' of bars (there is no outside walking necessary for 'bar-hopping' here, just head into the next large, low-ceilinged room), provides a number of completely different atmospheres and clientele.

Local Festivals and Events
If you're interested in local flavor, check out the yearlong series of festivals and local events. January is filled with a multitude of sled dog races, followed by Februarys 10-day Fur Rendezvous Festival and Iron Dog Snowmobile race; then its time for Marchs renown Iditarod Sled Dog Race. In April, see unusual sporting games at the Alaska Native Olympics (with more than 200 participants) and the World Extreme Skiing Trials held at the Alyeska Ski Resort. The month of May brings the beginning of the summer-long Saturday Market, and the Mayors Midnight Sun Marathon. June is filled with the Irish Music and Cultural Festival, The Taste, Juneteenth and The Anchorage Festival of Music. July begins with an Air Show at Elmendorf Air Force Base, followed by the citys Tour of Gardens; Augusts Alaska State Fair, Ship Creek Silver Salmon Derby and the ATU Classic Run/Walk follow close behind. September is your last chance for many of the summer events like the Fair and the Saturday Market; while October holds the Native Quayana Alaska Celebration. November is dominated by the Great Alaska Shootout; then in December, join the Town Squares Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Oscar Anderson Houses Swedish Christmas Celebration and view or participate in a series of annual ski races.

Art Fare
If you're attracted to art - for purchase or perusal - many locations await you. Galleries and museums here specialize in showcasing the artwork of the Alaska Native cultures. The Anchorage Museum of History and Art holds the largest collection of artwork in the state including its Native Arts and Crafts gallery. The largest of Alaskan museums, it also acts as a storehouse of Anchorage and Alaskan history. Other museums include the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, the Eklutna Historical Site, Alaska Heritage Library Museum, and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Noteworthy downtown galleries include the Stephen Fine Arts Galleries, Oomingmak (Musk Ox Producers Cooperative), The Rusty Harpoon Gallery & Gifts, and the Aurora Fine Art Gallery. While much of the stock in these galleries is Native-related, non-Native Alaskan artists find equal representation with paintings and photographs focusing on the plethora of wildlife and wild scenes found around Anchorage.

Whether you're looking for outdoor activities or cultural events the selection to choose from is remarkable for a city of this size. Attend the many festivals and revel in the diversity found within the local population, or spend time exploring the outdoors that are different from any other city. Whatever you choose to do, you will find there is plenty to entertain you during your stay.

C. Whitefield