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Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, is a metropolis surrounded by wilderness. Its residents often find themselves host to some of Alaska’s well-known wildlife. It is not uncommon to see moose in the backyard of residential area or even black or brown bear in north and south Anchorage. Almost half of Alaska’s residents live in this area surrounded by miles of coast, mountain ranges, hundreds of lakes and rivers, glaciers, ski resorts, excellent fishing and recreational opportunities and nearly 20 state parks.
Anchorage is a modern city, complete with skyscrapers, a thriving business district and bustling international airport. The Municipality encompasses 1,955 square miles, including the smaller communities of Eagle River to the north and Girdwood to the south, an area roughly twice the size of Rhode Island.
The population of Anchorage is approximately 263,000 and the city is the hub of the state’s major business activities. However, it remains the scenic beauty and access to recreation and wildlife viewing opportunities that continue to attract people to Anchorage. There are more than 200 miles of paved and un-paved trails in the Municipality of Anchorage for hiking, walking, biking and other recreational uses in the summer. In the winter more than 130 miles of walkways are plowed and 100 miles of ski trails are groomed for public use. There are even 36 miles of trails dedicated to the state’s official sport: dog mushing!
"Welcome to Beautiful Downtown Talkeetna" sign is one of the first things you see as you drive into town. Talkeetnans share their friendly, small town atmosphere with travelers from all around the world visiting this amazing area. Talkeetna offers visitors year round accommodations, good food and fun. Local flavor is abundant in town at the pubs and eateries, which host local and visiting musicians. Dance in the streets, land a 50-pound salmon, and flightsee Denali, the tallest mountain in North America – all in one summer day.
Winter visitors enjoy the serene beauty of Alaskan days and nights. Relax, enjoy a good book by the fire, take a flightseeing tour of Mt. McKinley, browse the local gift shops and galleries, or be active and go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing along the river. In March, fly the Iditarod Trail as the dog mushers head to Nome. Sunrises and sunsets, Northern Lights... Talkeetna's special winter beauty will amaze you! Talkeetna COC, Oct 2008
The Kenai Peninsula extends westward from the southern coast of Alaska. The glacier-covered Kenai Mountains that run along the southeast spine of the peninsula along the coast of the Gulf of Alaska. Much of the range is within Kenai Fjords National Park. The northwest coast along the Cook Inlet is flatter and marshy, dotted with numerous small lakes such as Bear Lake. Several larger lakes extend through the interior of the peninsula, including Skilal Lake and Tustumena Lake. Rivers include the Kenai River, famous for its salmon population, as well as the Russian River, the Kasilof River, and Anchor River. Kachemak Bay, a small inlet off the larger Cook Inlet, extends into the peninsula's southwest end, much of which is part of Kachemak Bay State Park.
The Kenai Peninsula is littered with glaciers on its eastern portion. It is home to both the Sargent Icefield and Harding Icefields and numerous glaciers that spawn off them.
Situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is one of Alaska’s oldest and most scenic communities. Known as the 'Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park' Seward is a picturesque town located 126 miles south of Anchorage. Visitors can easily reach us via the Seward Highway Scenic Byway, the Alaska Railroad, or by bus, air, or cruise ship. Upon your arrival you will discover our bustling harbor and historic downtown district filled with quaint shops and art galleries. Experience trophy sport fishing, glacier and wildlife cruises, sailing, hiking, kayaking, flight seeing, summer dog sled rides, and more. Seward is also a winter wonderland offering cross-country skiing and snow machine adventures.
At the tip of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age still lingers. In Kenai Fjords, glaciers, earthquakes, and ocean storms are the architects. Ice worms, bears and whales make their home in this land of constant change. Native Alutiiq used these resources to nurture a life entwined with the sea. Exit Glacier is the only part of the park accessible by road. Here you can stroll the trails, walk very close to an active glacier or take a ranger-led walk. It is a place where you can witness up close how glaciers re-shape a landscape and learn how plant life reclaims the barren rocky land exposed by a glacier’s retreat. Boat tours are a great way to experience the Park's coastline, tidewater glaciers and marine wildlife. Kayaking gets you up close and personal with the marine environment at Kenai Fjords. nps.gov, Oct 2008
When you visit Seldovia, you must arrive by plane, boat or car ferry. There are no highways to Seldovia, you can bring your car to town on the M/V Tustumena Ferry. The harbor is the heartbeat of this charming coastal village and provides the town with a vital link between work, recreation and local access. Main Street parallels the waterfront and runs the full north-south length of the town with NO traffic lights anywhere in Seldovia! Visitors will enjoy several delightful restaurants and lodging options.
Offering breathtaking views of mountains, glaciers and wildlife, Homer is a quaint town nestled on the shore of Kachemak Bay. Known as the Art Capital of Alaska, Homer is alive with the art culture with performances in dance, theatre, music, visual and literary art. Local museums and interpretive centers bring natural history and native culture alive with state of the art technology and award winning exhibits. Locals proclaim, Homer, it’s an Artrageous place to stay! Homer COC, Oct 2008
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Anchorage | | |
Flightsee Denali | | |
Kenai River | | |
Kenai Fjord Nat'l Park | | |
Seldovia | | |
Seldovia Boardwalk | | |
Homer | | |
Aerial view of Homer | | |
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