Things To Do In Anchorage, Eagle River and Girdwood! 

Anchorage is a modern city, complete with skyscrapers, a thriving restaurant and theater district, and numerous outdoor pursuits. Here are some of the best things to do in Anchorage and the surrounding area: 

Alaska Center for Performing Arts: This three-theater center for the performing arts sits on more than a square city block in the heart of downtown Anchorage. The PAC has hosted national tours ranging from Alvin Ailey to Itzhak Perlman, and such Broadway hits as Cats, Les Miserables and A Chorus Line. Musical performances are presented by the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, Anchorage Opera, Alaska Light Opera Theater, Anchorage Concert Association, and the University Group. 

First Friday Art Walk: This fun art walk happens on the first Friday of each month. More than 20 shops and galleries downtown take part in the event. Visit the galleries between 6 and 9 pm, meet the featured artist, enjoy some hors de’ouvres, and enjoy the varied art. You can find walking maps for First Friday two ways: The Anchorage Press, a free weekly newspaper, puts one out on the Thursday before the event. The Anchorage Daily News also prints a map of galleries, and you can find it in the “8” magazine” pull-out section in Friday’s paper (the day of the event). The map will show you the locations of all the downtown galleries involved that evening. 

Cyrano’s Off Center Playhouse: Cyrano’s Off Center Playhouse (274-2599) is a small theater at Fourth Avenue and D Street that presents more challenging, intimate works, poetry readings, comedy, and lectures, with many shows in the summer. 

Alaska Native Heritage Center: Alaska’s best Native cultural attraction offers interactions with real village people who often create a personal connection with visitors and rarely come across as practiced or distant. Open summer daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Winter at least noon to 5 p.m. on weekends. Call (907) 330-8056. 

Anchorage Museum of History and Art: Center of contemporary culture unmatched at this northern latitude, at least on this side of the globe. Most visitors tour the large Alaska Gallery, an informative and enjoyable walk through the history and some of the anthropology of the state. 121 W. 7th Ave. (907)343-4326. Open May 15-Sept 15, Fri-Wed 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Thurs 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sept 16-May 14 Tues-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun 1-5.  

The Imaginarium: This science museum is geared toward children, with not many words and lots of fun learning experiences. There’s a strong Alaska theme to many of the displays. 737 W. 5th Ave., Suite G (907) 276-3179. Open Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun noon-5pm. 

Alaska Zoo: All the animals you were supposed to see in Alaska but may have missed. A snack bar serves basic meals and there is a large gift shop. 4731 O’Malley Rd. (907) 346-3242. Open May-Aug daily 9am-6pm, till 9pm Tues and Sat in June and July. 

The Alaska SeaLife Center: Located in Seward, just 125 miles from Anchorage, the Alaska SeaLife Center offers an unrivaled up-close and personal experience with Gulf of Alaska marine wildlife. Watch 1,000-pound Steller sea lions glide past underwater viewing windows, puffins diving in a carefully crafted naturalistic habitat, and harbor seals hauled out on rocky beaches. Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, 301 Railway Ave., Seward. Call (907) 224-6300. 

Sullivan Arena: The state’s biggest arena offers bands and musical acts, as well as college basketball and minor-league hockey. Watch newspaper for upcoming events. 

Baseball: Anchorage has two semipro baseball teams, the Anchorage Glacier Pilots (274-3627) and the Anchorage Bucs (561-2827), made up of college athletes who play in a six-team Alaska league during June and July. Among the famed alumni from these teams are Mark McGwire, Dave Winfield, Barry Bonds, Wally Joyner and Randy Johnson. 

Basketball: The University of Alaska Anchorage basketball teams host a major Division I preseason tournament, the Great Alaska Shootout, in late November. The men’s games are over Thanksgiving weekend and the women’s games are held on the days prior to Thanksgiving weekend. The Seawolves play the regular season at the Sullivan Arena and at the University Sports Center, on campus on Providence Drive. 

Hockey: The Alaska Aces (258-2237) compete at the Sullivan Arena in national minor league hockey; the western division that Anchorage faces regularly includes cities such as Fresno, Las Vegas and San Diego. The University of Alaska Anchorage plays NCAA Division I hockey at the arena. 

Swimming: If you dare, Goose Lake, off Northern Lights Boulevard east of Lake Otis Road, is your best option for summer swimming. If you have children, check out H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark (522-4420), near the intersection of O’Malley Road and the New Seward Highway. A big wave pool and a 500-foot “watercoaster” are the top attractions. 

Ice Skating: Westchester Lagoon, 10 blocks from downtown, is a skating paradise in the winter. The Dimond Center Mall also has ice skating, as well as several indoor rinks around town. 

X-Country Skiing: Kincaid Park is one of the best cross-country skiing areas in the country. More than 34 miles of trails are geared to every ability level, but mostly intermediate and expert. Far North Bicentennial Park also has some excellent trails — 20 miles total, 4 1/2 miles lighted, Also check out the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.
 

Downhill Skiing: Anchorage has several downhill ski areas. The best is Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. This mountain resort features 1,000 acres of terrain, ranging from gentle slopes for beginners to double-black diamond runs. Alyeska offers 68 runs, a vertical drop of 2,500 feet and an average snowfall of 720 inches. Hilltop Ski Area, located in Bicentennial Park (7015 Abbott Rd.) in Anchorage, is a great place to learn how to ski. 

Alaska Botanical Garden: Learn about native flora and see what grows in Alaska while sitting in peaceful shade on benches and watching birds and squirrels. Open summer daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m. From downtown, take New Seward Hwy. (Gambell St.) to Tudor Road., exit to the east (left), turn right off Tudor onto Campbell Airstrip Road, and park at the Benny Benson School. 

Chugach State Park: The Chugach State Park entrance is just a 20-minute drive from downtown Anchorage and is a 500,000 acre reserve with hiking, camping, and visitor facilities. 

Potter Marsh (Mile 117 of Seward Highway): Heading south from Anchorage, the Seward Highway crosses a marsh formed by water impounded behind the tracks of the Alaska Railroad. The marsh has a boardwalk from which you can watch a variety of birds. 

Beluga Point (Mile 110 of Seward Highway): A highway turnout that offers great views of Turnagain Arm. In late summer, you can see beluga whales swimming by.
 

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