Sights in Anchorage
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Iditarod Trail Headquarters
Near Wasilla, Knik boasts a rich sled-dog history, since it's the home of many Alaskan mushers and checkpoint 4 on the route. For more information about this uniquely Alaskan race, stop in at Iditarod Trail Headquarters. The log-cabin museum's most unusual exhibit is Togo, the famous sled dog that led his team across trackless Norton Sound to deliver serum to diphtheria-threatened Nome in 1925 - a journey that gave rise to today's Iditarod.
He's been stuffed and is now on display. Outside, you can get a short sled-dog ride (around US$10, from 09:00 to 17:00) on a wheeled dogsled. The Iditarod, a famous 1100-mile dogsled race to Nome, begins in Anchorage - but only for the…
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Earthquake Park
The gargantuan shaker of 1964 caused, among other things, 130ac (53ha) of land on the city's west side to slip 2000ft (610m) seaward. Part of that slipped strip was a neighbourhood that suffered 75 demolished homes and three deaths. The other end, fortunately undeveloped at the time, is today the site of Earthquake Park.
An interpretive walkway includes displays describing the effects of the quake and the tsunamis that followed.
The last stop on the display circuit is a series of benches from which panoramic views can be had of Anchorage's skyline set against the Chugach Mountains. On a clear day, you can see Mt McKinley and Mt Foraker, from the park's Tony Knowles Coast …
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Musk Ox Farm
The Musk Ox Farm is the only domestic herd of these big, shaggy beasts in the world. These Ice-Age critters are intelligent enough to have evolved a complex social structure that allows survival under incredibly harsh conditions. Yes, you'll probably get to pet them, too. Qiviut, the incredibly warm, soft and pricey (around US$60 per ounce) material made from the musk ox's soft undercoat, is harvested here; fine sweaters and hats are for sale in the gift shop. Tours are given every half-hour.
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Crow Creek Mine
Girdwood was named for James Girdwood, who staked the first claim on Crow Creek in 1896. Two years later the Crow Creek Mine was built and today you can still see some original buildings and sluices at this working mine. You can even learn how to pan for gold and then give it a try yourself (adult/child around US$5/around US$4) or pitch the tent and spend the night ($5).
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Colony House Museum
The thought-provoking Colony House Museum was a home built in 1935 during the original settlement of Palmer and its eight rooms are still furnished with artifacts and stories from that era. To bring the living-room piano to Alaska, members of one pioneer family left behind their luggage and stuffed their clothes in it, the only way to make their weight allotment.
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Matanuska Valley Agricultural Showcase
A garden featuring flowers and the area's famous oversized vegetables. But you have to be passing through in August if you want to see a cabbage bigger than a basketball. Every Friday during summer is Friday Fling (from 11:00 to 18:00 June to August), an open-air market with local produce, art, crafts, food and live music.
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Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum
The Alaska Aviation Heritage Museumis a tribute to Alaska's colorful bush pilots and their faithful planes. Housed inside are 25 planes along with historic photos and displays of pilots' achievements, from the first flight to Fairbanks (1913) to the early history of Alaska Airlines.
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Alaska Zoo
The unique wildlife of the Arctic is on display at the Alaska Zoo, the only zoo in North America that specializes in northern animals, including three species of Alaskan bear and other Alaska native species, from wolverines and moose to caribou and Dall sheep.
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Alaska Native Heritage Center
Come to the Alaska Native Heritage Center and see how humans survived - even thrived - before central heating. Spread over 26 acres are studios with artists carving baleen or sewing skin-boats, a small lake and five replica villages.
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Ship Creek Viewing Platform
For something wild head to the Ship Creek Viewing Platform when from mid- to late summer king, coho and pink salmon spawn up Ship Creek and the banks are lined with locals and visitors alike trying to catch dinner.
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Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm
Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm is the largest pick-your-own-vegetables place in the Mat-Su Valley with would-be farmers in the fields from July to early October picking everything from peas and potatoes to carrots and cabbage.
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Delaney Park
If you're not ready to be face-to-face with the grizzly wilds, grab a latte and stroll over to this city park, known locally as the 'Park Strip'. The greenbelt is a good place for a lie-down on a warm afternoon.
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Girdwood Center for Visual Arts
The Girdwood Center for Visual Arts serves as an artisan cooperative during the summer and is filled with the work of those locals who get inspired by the majestic scenery that surrounds them.
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Anchorage Museum of History & Art
Anchorage Museum of History & Art is Alaska's crowning cultural experience. A $75 million renovation that doubled its size was completed in 2009.
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Reindeer Farm
The Reindeer Farm is a great place to bring the kids where they will be able to pet and feed, and are encouraged to think the reindeer are connected to Santa.
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Saturday Market
The Saturday Market is actually open on both Saturday and Sunday. Head to it for live music, cheap food and great souvenirs from birch steins to birch syrup.
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Imaginarium Science Discovery Center
This award-winning center features creative, hands-on exhibits that explain the northern lights, earthquakes, oil exploration and other Alaskan topics.
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Heritage Library Museum
Visit the Heritage Library Museum for its displays of Alaska Native costumes, weapons and artwork.
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