Anchorage, Alaska is the biggest city in America's largest state. Located on an inlet of the Gulf of Alaska and surrounded by rugged mountain peaks, Anchorage is an incredibly picturesque city.
My first impression of the city came as we were headed northward on the Seward Highway, passing the Turnagain Arm.
It was a sparklingly clear day and the massive Denali, otherwise known as Mt. McKinley was visible some fifty miles in the distance.
This was a very rare occurance, happening just a few days a year, and the huge mountain looming on the horizon was simply a breathtaking sight.
The trip to the city from Seward is spectacular, passing through dense forests and rugged mountains.
You then round the Turnagain arm, a long, narrow fjord in which you can see beluga whales and other incredible marine life.
On my first trip, we saw a whole heard of Dall Sheep grazing right beside the road along Turnagain Arm. It was an amazing sight, something you would never see in the lower 48.
Of course, wildlife that is rare and hard to spot in the lower 48 can often be found in astounding abundance in Alaska, even within the city limits of Anchorage.
It's hard to describe just how plentiful the wildlife is in this region - you really do you to see it to believe it.
In addition to the incredible scenery and the amazing wildlife that can be seen throughout the region, Anchorage has quite a bit to offer, including:
The Anchorage Museum depicts over 10,000 years of Alaskan history, from ancient native settlements up through the present day.
Alaska Museum of Natural History includes displays on prehistorical Alaskan history, including fossils and artifacts.
Alaska Botanical Garden includes 110 acres of birch and spruce woodland showcasing artic horticulture and native plants and wildflowers. A truly beautiful park.
The Imaginarium: Science Discovery Center is Alaska's hands-on science discovery museum for kids and adults.
Alaska Native Heritage Center is Alaska's premier native cultural center. Learn about native cultures and traditions.
The city's lodging also serves as a great base of operations for exploring lower Alaska's vast and largely untamed wilderness.
The downtown area has some excellent hotels, such as the Hilton, the Hotel Captain Hook, and the Millennium Alaskan Hotel.
Here you can stay in wonderful accommodations while venturing out into some of the most magnificent wilderness in the world.
There are also a fair number of reasonably priced motels in the area, for those travelers on a budget.
There are also many excellent bed and breakfasts in the area. You can find out more about them here.
Of course, a large number of cruise ship passengers begin or end their trip with a tour to Denali National Park some 50 miles outside of town.
Also known as Mt. McKinley, at over 20,000 feet, Denali is the tallest mountain in north America. This spectacular mountain and park are well worth the trip.
The surrounding wilderness is really astoundingly beautiful, and Denali itself might just be the most spectacular mountain in the world.
