Alaska ideas

I heard they have an opening for a crazy guy to live with the bears.
Apparently the job has been open for several years.

 

No kidding, bring warm clothes. We're in the middle of what is shaping up to be the coldest summer on record in Anchorage. We've only cracked 70 degrees 2 or 3 times. Right now it's cloudy, rainy and 55, or in other words a typical day this summer.

As for things to do in Anchorage, you could indeed go to Humpy's -- it's a great place with great food and a lot of different beers on tap -- and sample the Moose's Tooth IPA or you could actually go to Moose's Tooth, a gourmet pizza joint, and sample all of their fine brews from the source.

Downtown has a lot of touristy things to sample, like signage all over the place detailing the history of the city and a statue of Balto, one of the dogs involved on the serum run to Nome that eventually inspired the Iditarod. The Anchorage Museum is also downtown, or you could hitch a ride out to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, where you'd likely see a demonstration of Native games that will amaze you.

If you're feeling adventurous, find your way to Far North Bicentennial Park, where there's a decent chance you'll get mauled by a bear.

The train ride to Seward is amazing. You'll pass by Portage Glacier, and the train slows down to a crawl several times for photo ops of wildlife and whatnot. Seward itself is a pretty cool place. If you have the chance, make you're way downtown to Thorn's Showcase Lounge. It is a relic from another place and time. The Yukon Bar right across the street is a cool place as well, and usually has live music of some sort.

You may be tempted to go to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. Don't. It is ridiculously expensive and you will see and learn so much more about wildlife on the cruise you will really feel robbed. My only caveat to that is if you've got young children. The SeaLife Center is geared toward that age group and the kiddies would probably like it. Still way too expensive, though.

I've been on a few wildlife cruises that go around Resurrection Bay, but I've never made it out into the Gulf. I can guarantee you will be impressed.

 

That's a great post WhiskeyRiver.

Looks like there is a lot to experience up there.

 

Paging Amraeder, Mr. Raeder to the white courtesy phone, please

 

Stop by The Brick, try to get a date with Shelly.

 

Don't go in February. Take a camera; it's the prettiest place on the planet.

 

That's not dollars? What do they use, moose antlers and bear teeth?

Oh ... one mandatory item: Extra-strength mosquito repellent.

 

Wow! Thanks everybody for all the great suggestions. Especially the detailed post from Whisky River. I also got a pm from amraeder with some great tips. I'm taking two cameras and binoculars so I should be well-prepared to see wildlife although I must admit seeing them up close is probably not at the top of my to-do list. This thread has definitely made me even more excited for the trip.