Anchorage Activity Choices

Activity details available to download in PDF:

• Half-Day Activity Descriptions
• Full-Day Activity Descriptions
• What to Wear Activity Guide

Anchorage Half-day Activities
Wednesday, May 4, 2005

1. Shake, Rattle and Roll through Anchorage
“Lolly” the Trolley will pick up participants at the Alaska Railroad Airport Terminal for a lively, informative city tour of Anchorage. Visit Lake Hood, the largest and busiest floatplane base in the world, Earthquake Park and much more. The city tour ends at The Ulu Factory near Ship Creek with a special Ulu knife presentation. Afterward, get all shook up at the Alaska Experience Theatre and Earthquake Exhibit. There is a minimal amount of walking.

2. Get “Orienteered” to Anchorage
Step inside the Alaska Public Lands Information Center to find natural and cultural resources, wildlife exhibits and interpretive programs about Alaska. Get “orienteered” to Anchorage on a special course designed by the Anchorage Orienteering Club.

3. Shopping Alaska-style
Downtown Anchorage pulses with art galleries, unique gift stores, malls and specialty shops featuring wonderful products made in Alaska. Four guided stops include the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers Cooperative for a look and feel of qiviut ("key-vee-ute"), the soft underwool of the musk ox hand knit into warm garments, fur and art galleries, and a gift boutique. Enjoy approximately an hour to explore shops at leisure own.

4. Anchorage Botanical
In May, Anchorage begins its transformation from a winter wonderland to a vibrant, colorful City of Flowers. Beautiful flowers fill hanging baskets and flowerbeds throughout Anchorage. The summer’s long days and perfect temperatures result in intense flower colors and large blossoms. Stroll through the Mann Leiser Memorial Greenhouses with a master gardener and get a behind-the-scenes peak at the annuals that will fill the city’s 461 flowerbeds and baskets with more than 76,000 flowers at 81 sites.

5. Lions, Tigers and Bears
Anchorage’s Chugach State Park, the third largest park in the nation, is home to moose, Dall sheep, mountain goats, coyotes, fox, lynx, bear, wolves and many species of bird and fish. The Alaska Zoo, located in the Chugach foothills, provides guaranteed wildlife viewing. Get an up-close look at some of the animals that inhabit Alaska and other northern cold climates.

6. Golf Alaska
Situated beneath the Chugach Mountains, the Anchorage Golf Course overlooks the city of Anchorage with breathtaking views of Cook Inlet and Mount McKinley. During the long days of summer when tee times are available from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Anchorage golf courses may book as many rounds in five months as some year-round resorts. Keep an eye out for the wandering moose or soaring eagles. Golf clubs and shared cart provided. Tour dependant on course conditions and not intended for beginning golfers.

Anchorage Full-day Activities
Friday, May 6, 2005

Several tours will not allow time to return to the hotel prior to the event as noted but arrangements will be made to accommodate those who wish to change prior to the gala.

1. Active Anchorage
Avid adventurers don’t have to travel far to enjoy Anchorage’s abundant wilderness. Numerous trails and lakes scattered throughout the community beckon exploration. Travel to Glen Alps in Chugach State Park, the nation’s third largest state park, for a hike up Flattop Mountain. View Anchorage, the Alaska Mountain Range and Kenai Peninsula during 3.5-mile climb. Hikers will also see stunted mountain hemlock trees and classic alpine plant communities. Stop for lunch at Southside Bistro before traveling to Sand Lake and an afternoon of rowing with the Anchorage Rowing Association. Must be able to hike vertical, rugged, sometimes narrow, trails. Dress in layers – no changing prior to row. No rowing experience needed, but plan on getting wet up to the knees (when getting into the boat). Bring a daypack for beverages and snacks. No return to hotel before final gala.

2. Alaska Wildlife Safari
Viewing Alaska wildlife is a year-round attraction in Anchorage. Get up close and personal with black and grizzly bears, buffalo, elk, moose, musk ox, and more at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center – Alaska’s only drive-through wildlife park and home for many orphaned and injured animals. Next stop is the Alaska Zoo for a docent tour along groomed trails and description of the Zoo’s many unique and interactive programs. Be among the first visitors to see the world of dog sledding revealed at the Alaska Dog Sled Center. There is some walking on flat areas and trails. No return to hotel prior to final gala.

3. Art Matters
Alaska’s rugged landscape, abundant wilderness and often harsh climate have sparked creativity in numerous Alaskans. This tour begins at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, followed by a visit to the Alaska Native Medical Center Craft Shop, a hidden jewel located in the Alaska Native Medical Center. Next stop is the Alaska Heritage Library Museum to view Native baskets, rare books and paintings. Local artists will join the group for lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a bus tour of some significant pieces of Anchorage’s 1% for the Art program. End the day at a local studio. Extensive walking. No return to hotel prior to final gala.

4. Cuisine à la Anchorage
Learn about Alaska delicacies and delights first hand at the Allen & Peterson Cooking School. Local celebrity chefs will demonstrate and guide the class in preparation of Alaska delicacies, including a tasty surprise by a chef who specializes in chocolate. This activity rounds out with a tasting tour at a local beer brewery. No return to hotel prior to final gala.

5. Diverse Anchorage
Anchorage has become the melting pot of the north, with more than 50 resident cultural groups. In fact, there are 93 languages spoken in the Anchorage School District. Encounter Alaska’s indigenous people at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, followed by a tour of Eklutna Historical Park – the oldest continually inhabited Athabascan site in the Anchorage area. Join Bridge Builders of Anchorage executive director and leaders from several cultural groups for lunch at a local ethnic restaurant. Bridge Builders is an award-winning program designed to build “a community of friends” among all racial and cultural groups in Anchorage. There will be considerable walking and standing in the first part of the day. Late afternoon is free to explore “on your own” in downtown Anchorage. No time to return to the hotel prior to gala.

6. Explore Girdwood
Uncover Girdwood’s gold rush past. Tour begins with a four-mile hike through a rainforest along the Iditarod National Historic Trail, followed by gold panning at Crow Creek Gold Mine, Chugach Express, an Alaska sled dog kennel, Alaska Candle Factory and Gift Shop, and the Kobuk Valley Jade Co. Hike is rated easy, although spring conditions may still exist, increasing difficulty with mud and slush. Not recommended for those with a fear of height, as hike includes a hand tram gorge crossing. Hiking boots are recommended. Return to hotel prior to final gala.

7. Golf Alaska
Long daylight hours in summer make golf a popular sport in Alaska. Play nine holes at two of Alaska’s top courses, the Anchorage Golf Course and Settler’s Bay in Wasilla. The Anchorage Golf Course is located at the foot of the Chugach Mountains with views of the Anchorage city skyline, Mount McKinley (on a clear day) and Cook Inlet. Settler’s Bay Golf Course is located in the shadow of 6,000-foot Pioneer Peak, which looms over the expansive Mat-Su Valley. The course is as challenging as it is beautiful, and presents golfers with tight fairways, water and lots of trees. Golf clubs and shared cart will be provided. Please expect to play on temporary greens. This is not intended for beginning golfers. No return to hotel prior to final gala.

8. Bed & Breakfast Tour
Explore the variety of unique bed and breakfasts in Girdwood and Anchorage while experiencing some of the local attractions and activities. B&B’s vary from log cabins and chalets to contemporary homes and mansions. In Girdwood, discover the unique style of B&B’s and tour the Alaska Candle Factory and Gift Shop. Travel to Anchorage for a B&B tour and lunch at the Alaskan Frontier Gardens, followed by a stop at Alaska Wildberry Products for a personal candy making and taste testing tour. There is a minimum amount of walking. No return to hotel prior to final gala.

9. Hit the Summer Slopes
Ski or snowboard Alyeska Resort with professional ski patrollers. Learn about the area, terrain and conditions that make Alyeska unique – the more than 600-inch average snowfall, a 250-foot above sea level base elevation and late season skiing through Memorial Day. This activity is for expert skiers/snowboarders only. Weather and snow dependent. The quick pace and challenging terrain is not conducive to photography and equipment. Return to hotel prior to final gala.

10. Alaska for Families
The perfect itinerary for Alaska’s young visitors begins at the Begich Boggs Visitor Center at Portage Glacier. Learn about glaciers and wilderness areas, and then cross the road to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for an up-close look at Alaska wildlife. Travel to Anchorage for a tour of the H20asis Indoor Water Park – a tropical island in the “Last Frontier.” Nearby, the Sourdough Mining Company will serve up their famous corn fritters and a tasty lunch, followed by a short jaunt to the Alaska Wild Berry Products for a look at the chocolate waterfall and tour of how candy is made. Next stop, the Alaska Native Heritage Center where young visitors get an interactive look at traditional Alaska Native life. On the way into downtown Anchorage, drive by local community parks featuring fun outdoors play equipment, perfect for depleting a little one’s excess energy. Once downtown, tour the Imaginarium: Science Discovery Center and the Anchorage Museum of History and Art Children’s Gallery. No return to hotel prior to final gala.

11. Mind, Body and Soul
The day begins with a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Alaska Native elders and docents will share their culture through stories, art, hands-on demonstrations and a walking tour of five traditional dwellings. Travel to a local yoga studio for an hour of stretching before having tasty, and healthy, lunch at the Organic Oasis. Enjoy an afternoon of spa treatments at a local Anchorage day spa. Wear comfortable walking shoes for a one-mile walk on a well maintained trail and comfortable clothes for easy yoga stretches. No return to hotel prior to final gala.

12. Prince William Sound Paddle
Join Alaska Sea Kayakers for a premiere Alaska adventure travel experience. View spectacular tidewater glaciers, waterfalls, hidden coves and a wide variety of wildlife habitat while paddling across the calm waters of Prince William Sound. This tour departs rain or shine and includes a short hike and four to five hours of paddling. Kayaks can accommodate individuals under 6’5” tall and a maximum weight of 250 pounds. Basic instruction in the harbor and a lunch will be provided. Return to hotel prior to final gala.

13. Under the Sea - Cold Water Diving
Reach the depths of Prince William Sound on an Alaska diving adventure. Uncover hidden gems including octopus, salmon, black cod, shrimp, flounder, harbor seals, and otters. Tours depart from Whittier, a year-round ice-free port and focal point for marine activity in Southcentral Alaska. Gear provided. Must be dry suit certified to participate. Return to hotel prior to final gala.