500 miles of hiking trails

From either downtown Anchorage or Earthquake Park, you can access the 11-mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for a hike or bike ride, stopping to marvel at the swirling mud flats formed by the inlet’s rushing tides and to let the kids feed the ducks at Westchester Lagoon. Ducks also paddle the waters of Lake Hood, the busiest float-plane base in the world. For a more challenging hike for older kids, join the locals in a trek up Flattop Mountain, where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the Anchorage Bowl.

The whole family will also enjoy the Alaska Native Heritage Center, where in addition to permanent displays on the Yup’ik, Athabaskan, Inupiat, Tlingit and Haida cultures, there are often live demonstrations of traditional native crafts and activities. Kids will also have fun catching a glimpse of Star the Reindeer, housed at a private residence at the corner of Minnesota and 10th Streets, or ogling the huge chocolate waterfall at the Alaska Wild Berry Products store.

Just south of town, you can ride a tram up Mount Alyeska, stopping to hike, explore or pick berries at the top. At the foot of the mountain, stop by the world-famous Double Musky Inn, known for its Alaskan seafood served Cajun-style—but be prepared for a wait, as the place doesn’t take reservations. And if you’re hoping to subsidize your trip with a bit of the stuff that made prospectors rush the Klondike, stop by the Indian Valley Mine, where even the kids can pan for gold.

Contact information:

Food

Double Musky Inn
Crow Creek Road, Girdwood
(907) 783-2822
www.doublemuskyinn.com

Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse
610 West Sixth Avenue
(907) 276-2337
www.humpys.com
Casual favorites like halibut tacos in a friendly (if sometimes noisy) setting.

Simon and Seafort’s
420 L Street
(907) 274-3502
www.r-u-i.com/sim/
Great martinis and fine dining with fabulous ocean views. 

• Child at the Anchorage Native Center in Anchorage.
• Frank Flavin

Snow City Café
Fourth Avenue and L Streets
(907) 272-2489
www.snowcitycafe.com
Great breakfasts. Call ahead to put your name on the waiting list.

Snow Goose Restaurant
(907) 277-7727
www.alaskabeers.com
Home of the Sleeping Lady Brewery, with a nice outdoor deck and live music on weekends.

Lodging

Historic Anchorage Hotel
330 E Street
(907) 272-4553
www.historicanchoragehotel.com
Twenty-six charming rooms and suites in the heart of Anchorage.

Copper Whale Inn Bed & Breakfast
440 L Street
(866) 258-7999
www.copperwhale.com
Built in 1939 in downtown Anchorage.

The Hotel Captain Cook
Fourth Avenue at K Street
(907) 276-6000
www.captaincook.com
A favorite of tour companies, but there’s plenty of room for all in the three towers of this hotel.

Voyager Hotel
501 K Street
(907) 277-9501
www.voyagerhotel.com
A friendly small hotel, with 40 guest rooms.