The “Unofficial” Visitors Guide to the 2016 Ducks Unlimited National Convention
Anchorage, Alaska
FUN AND LOW-COST FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Looking for things for the family to do before and after the convention? I was asked last
year, “What is there to do in the Anchorage area for a family on a budget?” Residents of
Alaska get lots of visitors and we’re used to sharing the sights and experiences. Here is a
list of general information and favorite nearby activities that I have used for the past
twenty-plus years to entertain my visiting family and friends.
(Note: fishing information is found in a separate companion document)
“Milepost” guide: The ultimate travel guide for everything, everywhere in Alaska is a
massive, telephone-book sized, paperback titled the Alaska Milepost. If you are planning
to go anywhere or do anything while you are in Alaska, get a copy! It can found at any
Anchorage area bookstore, the book section of local grocers, and anywhere where tourist
information is available. Also available on Amazon.com. After you arrive in Anchorage,
if you are still looking for things to do, stop by the downtown Log Cabin Visitors
Information Center. The center is located at the intersection of 4th Avenue and F Street,
just blocks from the DU National Convention Headquarters.
Hiking: The Anchorage area is surrounded by a half-million acre playground called the
Chugach State Park (dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/chugach/), which abounds with trails.
Some are easy, some rugged. An excellent guidebook to all the wonders of the park is
entitled “A Naturalist’s Guide to the Chugach State Park”, by Jenny Zimmerman. It is a
250 page paperback, available in any Anchorage area bookstore and many tourist shops
where books are sold. Used copies can be found on Amazon.com.
Other good sources of park and trail information are the State of Alaska, Chugach State
Park; Municipality of Anchorage, Parks Division; and REI, Incorporated store on
Northern Lights Boulevard. Here are a few fun hikes that you may want to consider.

Flat Top Mountain: A favorite of locals and tourists, Flat Top rises 3,510 feet
above Anchorage on the front range of the Chugach Mountains. This 3 mile
round-trip hike is steep, but well maintained. If you have young children, you
might want to stop mid-way on Blueberry Knoll. Access to the trail is from the
Prospect Heights, just minutes from downtown Anchorage, but giving you the
advantage of starting from above 2,000 foot elevation! In late May, there might
still be sheltered slopes with snow for the kids to play in. And even if you don’t
feel like hiking, just drive up for the spectacular view. There is a viewing area
just a few yards from the parking lot, which is wonderful at sunset. All trailheads
in the Chugach State Park, including this one, require a $5 day-use parking
permit, available on site. There are shuttle services available that will take you to
Flat Top, and provide hiking guides.


Eagle River Nature Center Loop Trail: 10 miles north of Anchorage is the
town of Eagle River and its namesake. Follow the Eagle River Road to its end,
another 10 miles up the valley and you will find a delightful visitor center
(nominal parking fee), with well-maintained nature trails of 0.6 and 3.2 miles in
length. Terrain is flat and the hiking is easy. Additional information about the
Eagle Nature Visitor Center activities and trails can be found on their website,
www.ernc.org/
Bird Ridge: Another challenging, uphill hike, but not as urbanized as Flat Top
trail. Bird Ridge is a rocky, rugged trail, rising from sea level to 3,500 feet. It is
located about 20 minutes from downtown Anchorage, along the Turnagain Arm at
Milepost 102. This trail is also the site of an annual uphill race. Winners make it
to the top in just over 40 minutes, but you will want to plan on 3-4 hours for a
casual round trip hike, total distance 4.5 miles. When the sun is shining, this is a
very pleasant hike with stunning views of the Turnagain Arm.
Bear Safety: Do bears live in Anchorage? Yes! There is a resident population of both
black bears and brown bears right in town. But your odds of encountering a bear are
extremely slim. The bears really want nothing to do with humans, and chances are that if
you do cross paths with one, you will never know it. Regardless, it is a good idea to
make plenty of noise when hiking. For more information on safety in bear country, visit
the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website, or stop by the ADF&G Anchorage
office on Raspberry Road or at REI on Northern Lights Blvd.
Waterfowl viewing:
 Westchester Lagoon and Valley of the Moon Park are within walking distance
downtown Anchorage on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. These two bodies of
water attract a wide variety of migrating and nesting waterfowl. You may see
mallards, pintails, lesser Canada geese, scaup, widgeon, gadwalls, teal, and more.
There is a paved bicycle and walking path that connects these two small lakes.
And if you venture through the tunnel beneath the railroad you will find yourself
paralleling the tidal area of Cook Inlet. Approximately ½ mile beyond the tunnel,
the paved trail crosses a bridge over Fish Creek, one of the few undisturbed
saltwater estuaries in Anchorage. Ducks Unlimited provided funds to assist in the
acquisition and preservation of this property a few years ago.
 Potter Marsh on the southern outskirts of Anchorage, is manmade marsh that was
created when the Alaska Railroad laid track in the 1940’s. Now, it is a major
migratory and nesting area for waterfowl. Potter Marsh features a boardwalk with
interpretive signs. The marsh habitat includes Rabbit Creek, which is home to
runs of king, pink, and silver salmon (no fishing).
Salmon Viewing: Right in the heart of Anchorage, just blocks from the DU Convention,
is the most popular urban salmon fishery in Alaska, if not all of North America. Nearly
10,000 chinook (king) salmon return to Ship Creek every spring, beginning in mid-May.
Those that get past an army of anglers can be viewed at the Ship Creek Dam Fish Ladder,
or just a few miles upstream at the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery. At the
fish hatchery, salmon are collected for eggs and milt to provide hatchery stock for statewide fishery enhancement programs.
Moose Viewing: Everybody wants to see moose when they visit Alaska. Anchorage has
a resident moose population that numbers in the hundreds, and they are likely to show up
just about anywhere. In late May, many cows will have young calves, just days old. The
mothers are extremely protective with their new babies, so give them plenty of room!
Alaska Department of Fish and Game can provide you with moose safety tips, but
common sense is the main rule: stay a safe distance away if you spot a moose! Moose
are most active early in the morning or late in the day. Here are a few areas to go if you
want to increase your odds of seeing a moose in the wild:
 Northern Lights Blvd: follow Northern Lights Boulevard beyond Point
Woronzof. The road curves around and parallels the back of the runways of
Anchorage’s Ted Stevens airport. Drive slowly and watch on both sides of the
road. The road dead-ends after only a few miles. Often you will see moose
feeding right by the road.
 Potter Marsh: moose are attracted to much the same habitat as waterfowl. Visit
Potter Marsh late in the evening and look along the back of the marsh, near the
tree line. Bring your binoculars for best viewing.
 Kincaid Park: this large park in west Anchorage features great moose habitat, in
addition to being one of Anchorage’s favorite human playgrounds. There is a
large visitor’s chalet at the end of the road, with information on the parks trails.
The roof of the chalet features a viewing stand that is open to the public.
Bicycle Trails
 The paved Tony Knowles Coastal Trail stretches from downtown Anchorage to
Kincaid Park. Take a leisurely stroll or rent a bike and ride the trail,
approximately 16 miles roundtrip when starting in downtown. The trail winds
past many of the must-see tourist sites described in this pamphlet, including
Westchester Lagoon, the Fish Creek Estuary, Earthquake Park, and Point
Woronzof. Caution: moose have right of way on the trail!

The “Bird to Gird” Trail begins on the Seward Highway at the Bird Creek
campground, approximately 20 miles from Anchorage, at Milepost 101. This
bike trail follows the old Seward highway, higher up the side of the mountain than
the present road, and features many sviews of Turnagain Arm
Other Anchorage Activities and Points of Interest
 Lake Hood—world’s busiest float plane base: Big and small kids alike will get a
kick out of watching Alaska’s bush pilots taking off and landing at Lake Hood,
near the intersection of International Airport Road and Spenard Road. There is a
walking trail most of the way around the lake, for those who wish to take a stroll
while watching the action (see link above). If you drive around Lake Hood,
you’ll see roadside signs the likes of which you’ve probably never seen before:
“Aircraft have right of way on road”.
 Ship Creek salmon fishing: This is combat fishing, not what one typically
envisions when thinking of fishing in Alaska. But with a lot of luck and patience
(and a valid fishing license), you might hook the fish of your dreams. There is a
tackle rental shop on Ship Creek, or you can buy a rod/reel package at nearly any
Anchorage store with a sporting goods department. It is recommended that you
use line of at least 25 pound test, and you will need hip boots due to the tidal mud.
Pay close attention to the tides, which are very dangerous. Not recommended for
children!







Earthquake Park information display: the 1964 Good Friday earthquake,
magnitude 8.6, reshaped much of Anchorage and south-central Alaska. An
informative public park and display is located on Northern Lights Boulevard (and
on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail) approximately 3 miles from the downtown
area, which describes the geology of the earthquake and how it happened.
ADF&G Information Center: The Anchorage office of the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game has a visitor information center with information on fishing,
hunting, and wildlife viewing. The lobby area also has a collection of mounted
Alaska species including the world record moose. Located approximately 5 miles
from downtown Anchorage at 333 Raspberry Road, (907) 267-2107.
Anchorage Museum of History and Art: Located at 121 W 7th Avenue, within
walking distance of the convention hotels, the Anchorage museum features many
native and historical displays, and has a great gift shop. The museum also
features a family-oriented Imaginarum Discovery Center, a science-based
learning center with over 80 displays. Fun for the entire family!
www.anchoragemuseum.org/
Alaska Native Heritage Center: An educational and cultural institution, the
Alaska Native Heritage Center includes workshops, demonstrations, and guided
tours of indoor exhibits and outdoor village sites. Local residents and visitors to
Alaska are introduced to Native traditions and customs of both the past and
present. The Welcome House is a celebration of contemporary Alaska Native
cultures while the outdoor facilities and sites allow the exploration of ancient
tradition and the presentation of stories from the past. Admission ~ $25 for adults.
www.alaskanative.net
Alaska Zoo: on O’Malley Road, approximately 8 miles from downtown
Anchorage. Lots of Alaska animal species: moose, caribou, wolves, bears of all
kinds, porcupines and more. Admission ~$15 for adults, $7 youth.
http://alaskazoo.org/
Campbell Creek Science Center: located about 10 minutes from downtown
Anchorage, the BLM Campbell Creek Science Center is an outdoor science
education center for people of all ages. The center provides educational
opportunities for adults, children, and families. Visitors have access to creeks,
forests, meadows, and a rich abundance of plants and wildlife. The center’s
programs promote awareness, understanding, stewardship, and an appreciation for
the natural environment. The Campbell Creek Science Center is located in the
heart of Anchorage on the BLM Campbell Tract. It’s a beautiful and wild place to
take a walk with the family.
Anchorage Market and Festival: Alaska’s largest outdoor market is open every
Saturday and Sunday at the corner 3rd and E Streets, just blocks from convention
headquarters. The market features entertainment, food, souvenirs and gifts from
hundreds of Alaska vendors.
Seward Highway, scenic day drive:
OK, if you’ve been paying attention, you’ve no doubt noticed that many of the attractions
featured here are located along the Seward Highway, south of Anchorage. The Seward
Highway has been identified as one of America’s most scenic roads. Pick up a copy of
the Milepost, and enjoy your drive. Stop in Girdwood for lunch on the way out or back,
and have a great time taking in the sights. Make sure to stop and take lots of pictures, but
keep your eyes on the road when driving. The highway is quite busy, with lots of tourists
as well as impatient residents. The following attractions can be found along the Seward
Highway:






Bald Eagles: Want to see lots of bald eagles? Drive the Seward Highway to the
head of Turnagain Arm, near Milepost 80. In late May, there is a migration of
small fish called “hooligan” in Turnagain Arm waters. Countless numbers of
these smelt-sized fish get stranded in the mud-flats at low tide, and the eagles are
waiting for an easy meal. It’s not uncommon to see 20-30 bald eagles sitting on
the flats, at low tide. The hooligan also attract large numbers of Alaska residents,
who scoop them up with long-handled nets. In late May, you will likely see
fisherman dipping hooligan near the Twenty Mile River bridge at Milepost 81.
Turnagain Arm tides: The Cook Inlet is home to the 2nd most extreme tidal influx
in the world, with commonly over 35 feet difference between high and low tides.
The narrow reaches of the Turnagain Arm are home to a natural phenomenon
known as a “bore tide”, literally a wave of water rushing in during the changing
tide. The bores range between 6 inches and 6 feet in height, ever-changing with
the tidal conditions. The bore tides can best be viewed from pull-outs on the
Seward Highway between Bird Point (Milepost 99) and Girdwood, approximately
2 hours after the predicted low tide time in Anchorage. Daily tide times are
usually printed in the Alaska Dispatch News daily newspaper, on the weather
page. Many local stores also provide free tide table booklets in the sporting goods
(fishing) department.
Dall sheep viewing: there is a resident (and reliable) band of Dall sheep that
reside on the cliffs near Windy Point, approximately 9.5 miles down the Seward
Highway from Anchorage, at Milepost 106. There is a safe pull-out with large
parking lot on the water side, from which the animals can be viewed. Please do
not stop on the highway!
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
is near Portage, approximately 40 miles from Anchorage. It is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to conservation, education, and quality animal care of
Alaska’s wildlife. AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round and
provides spacious enclosures and quality animal care. Animals that cannot be
released into the wild are given a permanent home at the center. The center has
moose, caribou, grizzly bears, and wood bison. The wood bison have been
extinct in Alaska for over a century. A herd of 150 wood bison from AWCC was
released into the wild in 2015 to establish a new, resident population.
www.alaskawildlife.org
Alyeska Ski Area: located in Girdwood, 42 miles from downtown Anchorage, the
Alyeska ski area is sometimes open for skiing as late in the season as Memorial
Day weekend. If you are not a skier, simply ride the tram to the top for a
splendid view of Turnagain Arm, or to dine at the Seven Glaciers Restaurant
(reservations required) at the top. www.alyeskaresort.com
Seward Sealife Center: located in Seward, approximately 130 miles from
Anchorage. Take a drive or ride the Alaska Railroad for a daytrip to Seward. The
Alaska Sealife Center is “Alaska’s only public aquarium and ocean wildlife
rescue center is celebrating ten years on the shores of Resurrection Bay. Visitors
to this “window on the sea” have close encounters with puffins, octopus, sea lions
and other sealife while peeking over the shoulders of ocean scientists studying
Alaska’s rich seas and diverse sealife.” The Sealife Center is a non-profit
organization. Adult admission is $20. Reduced admission for children, and
discounts for seniors and others. See website for details. www.alaskasealife.org
Up north
If you are travelling before or after the convention, and heading as far as Denali,
be sure to check out Alaska’s second largest city, Fairbanks.
www.explorefairbanks.com includes a short destination video that is worth
viewing.
Get lots of rest before you arrive-- you’ll have nearly 20 hours of daylight to see the
sights during early June. The sun will rise at 4:30am and won’t set until well after 11pm,
with several hours of “twilight” on either side. You’ll be having so much fun, you’ll
forget that its nearly midnight.