Anchorage - on a budget
(Especially focussed on end of April/early May time frame)
(Always subject to weather)

Site of the 33rd Annual Meeting of the
Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors
April 29 - May 2, 2001

Captain Cook Hotel

  1. Beluga whale watching from Beluga point
  2. Hiking any of the trails in town or in the mountains
  3. Attend a Nature Center lecture/demonstration in Eagle River
  4. Birdwatching at Potters Marsh, West Chester Lagoon, and elsewhere
  5. Pan for (REAL) gold
  6. Hunt moose (with a camera) at Kincaid Park
  7. Play miniature golf with the family at one of Anchorage's three miniature golf courses
  8. Drive a dog mushing team
  9. Paddle a canoe or kayak
  10. Visit the sod roofed visitors center in downtown anchorage
  11. Shop in one of the eight shopping malls in Anchorage
  12. Experience a simulated earthquake
  13. Visit the earthquake display at earthquake park
  14. Tour historic homes in Anchorage
  15. Get up close to native animals at the Wildlife Park
  16. Visit the Anchorage Zoo to see native species and several not native to Alaska
  17. Have a party at a nightclub
  18. Dance the night away at a local lounge
  19. Take the kids to the imaginarium
  20. Show the kids the only chocolate waterfall in Alaska
  21. Tour the Performing Arts Theatre
  22. Sing, or play with a musically inclined group
  23. Visit the State Trooper Museum
  24. Listen to the sounds of wolves, loons and other Alaskan critters at the Wolfsong store
  25. Visit the diorama animal exhibits at Ft. Richardson or Elmendorf Air Force Base
  26. Watch the sun set over Cook Inlet while sitting atop Woronzof Point
  27. Check out the Art and History Museum
  28. Investigate educational opportunities at one of the two local Universities
  29. See the historical Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetary
  30. Go swimming, indoor pool or outdoors
  31. Go exploring at the Locomotive Playground
  32. Learn about Alaska bush pilots and aviation at the Aviation Museum
  33. Relax in the cool woods at the Botanical Garden
  34. Travel the Seward highway just south of Beluga Point to see the Dall sheep
  35. Watch beavers building their home at Campbell Creek
  36. Visit the Elmendorf state fish hatchery
  37. Take in a scenic drive and visit the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer
  38. Envy eagles as they soar overhead
  39. Ride the horse drawn carriage downtown
  40. Ride the Anchorage trolley
  41. Discover the Athabascan Spirit Houses at the Eklutna Cemetary on your way to Eklutna Lake
  42. Get wet on a rafting trip in Girdwood
  43. Climb Mt. Alyeska by tramway for a spectacular view of Cook Inlet
  44. Attend a cultural festival with Irish traditions
  45. Play bingo
  46. Visit the Matanuska, Knik, Eklutna, Portage, or Exit glaciers
  47. Go fishing in local streams or lakes
  48. Roller blading on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
  49. Bike riding one of the numerous bike trails, city or mountain
  50. Drive your own hotel around by renting a recreational vehicle
  51. Meet new people and share experiences at a Bed & Breakfast
  52. Visit a native Alaska village
  53. Watch a large screen Imax show
  54. Discover Alaskan treasures at a souvenier shop
  55. Watch a presentation of the northern lights
  56. "Shoot" wildlife with a photo camera
  57. Get closer to your maker at a local church or synagogue
  58. Explore new vistas with friends aboard a bus tour
  59. Watch the salmon runs as they swim upstream at Ship Creek or Campbell Creek
  60. Read your way through one of the many bookstores in Anchorage
  61. Find out where you are, or where you are going by visiting the USGS mapstore
  62. Expand your cultural awareness by visiting the new Alaska Native Hospital
  63. Watch the midnight sun descend from on top Flat Top Mountain
  64. Fly a kite - One you bought ready-to-fly, or one you made yourself
  65. Paint a nature scene
  66. Participate in Alaska craft work projects using leather, beads, fur, or other materials
  67. Go ice skating at one of the seven ice skating rinks in Anchorage
  68. Intimidate your taste buds by dining on fresh shushi
  69. Look for constellations and count the stars (There are more of them in Alaska, you know)
  70. Visit the earthquake museum exhibits
  71. Attend group events at Kincaid Park
  72. Visit aviation conference at the Fedex hanger
  73. Bend your neck at the Elmendorf air show
  74. Watch floatplanes takeoff and land at the worlds largest seaplane base
  75. Tour the new airport tower at Merrill Field
  76. Practice your marksmanship at an indoor firing range
  77. Visit the firehouse and safety store
  78. Marvel at the rainbow over the snow capped mountains
  79. Walk a dog
  80. Make plaster casts of wild animal footprints in the woods
  81. Make a list of all the Alaskan wildlife you see on a day trip
  82. Watch a bore tide roll in near Bird Creek
  83. Watch commercial aircraft land and take off directly over your head at Woronzoff Point
  84. Collect native rock and mineral specimens
  85. Collect feathers, beads, fabrics, and other materials to make colorful native clothing
  86. Create your own walking cane from natural willow
  87. Compete with friends to see who can smash the most mosquitoes in one hour (probably unable to do this in late April and early May, since they are not usually out yet)
  88. Introduce yourself to five sourdough Alaskans and ask them what they like best about Alaska
  89. Set up and run an orienteering course
  90. Tie fishing flies and test them on the real thing
  91. Collect rock specimens to keep your luggage from blowing away
  92. Rent a cabin to add a real wilderness experience to your visit
  93. Scare yourself by reading one of the many books on Alaska bear tales
  94. Practice knot tying skills that you will use in camp
  95. Discover what a moose nugget, oosik and billikin are, and what they have to do with Alaska
  96. Sample eskimo candy
  97. Skip stones on the water at a local beach
  98. Discover why the "thousands of miles between the United States and Russia" as described by our Secretary of State only looks like two miles
  99. Make a souvenir whistle from native woods
  100. Make a native drum from natural Alaskan materials
  101. Watch for a sun dog display in the sky
  102. Sound off with Karaoke
  103. Laugh with friends and relatives at a dinner/variety show
  104. Count snakes in Russian Jack Springs Park
  105. Run in the 5K Challenge
  106. Listen to music in the park, an on-the-grass concert
  107. Get a taste of Scotland at the Scottish Highland Games
  108. Canine aficionados may want to sit and beg at the Alaska Kennel Club Dog Show
  109. Attend the Hispanic Summer Festival at Delaney Park
  110. Discover the latest in recreational vehicles at the Annual Winter Recreation/Travel Show
  111. See the reindeer and take a trail ride at the Reindeer Farm in Palmer
  112. Gaze at Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in the United States (when the sky is clear)
  113. Watch for signs of new volcanic activity west and south of Anchorage
  114. Visit the Sea Life Center in Seward
  115. Drive to Whittier or Seward
  116. Savor the taste of Alaska home brewed beers
  117. Climb a rock wall at the rock gym
  118. Practice shooting at clay birds at one of the trap shoot ranges
  119. Meditate and contemplate under a spruce tree
  • Visit Denali National Park (Actually, allow two days minimum - Limited access this time of year)

    Downtown Anchorage -live camera!

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