Getting There and Around
It's easy to get to Anchorage. Simply book a flight to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), which is a short 15-minute drive from downtown. Many airlines serve this airport, including Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Northwest, and US Airways.
If you're not taking a group tour or embarking on a cruise out of Whittier or Seward, you'll need to rent a car to get around. All the major rental agencies are represented at the airport. Most hotels and motels provide complimentary airport pickup service; arrange the transfer in advance or use the courtesy phones located near baggage claim. You can also take the Municipality of Anchorage People Mover Bus, which stops at the airport every 30 minutes, to get downtown between 6 a.m. through 11 p.m. (One-way costs $1.75 for adults, $1 for ages 5 through 18, 50 cents for seniors, and free for children under 4.) You can also use the People Mover to get around town during your trip.
Another option to get from Point A to Point B is the Alaska Railroad. From Anchorage the Denali Star will take you all the way to Fairbanks with stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna, and Denali in between. The Coastal Classic whisks passengers from Anchorage to Girdwood to Seward (a popular cruise port and point of embarkation). Another cruise port, Whittier, is a stop on the Glacier Discovery Train, which also calls on Girdwood, Portage, Spencer and Grandview.
The Art of Smart Timing
A good rule of thumb is to visit Anchorage during the summer school break since the best weather and animal viewing generally begins at the end of May and lasts through mid September. Remember that summer brings extended daylight hours. In fact, the longest days of the year coincide with summer solstice in June when you will enjoy 19 hours of daylight.
Summertime pursuits range from bird watching and berry picking to biking and hiking to horseback riding and flightseeing. There's something to entice even the pickiest traveler. Seen and done all there is to do? Try panning for gold or take a glacier sightseeing cruise. Summer in Anchorage is spectacular.
That's not to say that winter is a bust here. In fact, it's a veritable winter wonderland and definitely worth making the trip in March if you want to cheer on mushers and sled dogs at the ceremonial start of The Iditarod. Snow blankets the Anchorage area from mid-October through early April so wintertime sports are a big draw too. From alpine and Nordic skiing to snowboarding and snowshoeing to ice fishing and skating, you will never get bored. And, there aren't too many other spots in the United States where you can catch a glimpse of Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights. That's when the star-filled night lights up with glowing swatches of color ranging from yellow to green and red to purple. It's an experience you and your children will never forget.
Visitor's Bureau
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
Anchorage Planning & Tips
Anchorage Planning & Tips
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