Attractions in Downtown (Anchorage)

Oscar Anderson House Museum

Part of the Anchorage walking tour, this house (circa 1915) was built by the self-proclaimed "18th person" to walk into Anchorage, Oscar Anderson. Restored in 1982, it is open for guided tours Memorial Day to Labor Day (approximately May 27-September 2). Get a glimpse of the life style of the Anderson's, and learn more about the early history of Anchorage (1915-1925). The home is directly adjacent to the paved Tony Knowles Coastal Trail that follows the Inlet. Admission: Adults USD2; seniors USD1; children USD1.

Public Lands Information Center

This place is a much more entertaining destination than you might guess. Daily programs at 2pm include discussions led by park rangers, zoo personnel or guest presenters. These experts talk about a variety of topics such as nature, wildlife and natural, local features. The presentations occasionally include a visit from an Alaskan animal. Check out the hourly videos of bears, earthquakes and more. Hundreds of maps are available here, as well as a computer planning station to assist in mapping a day of trips, hikes and adventures. No admission charge.

Resolution Park

This large wooden platform offers terrific views of Cook Inlet (named for the man who discovered this waterway in 1778). A bust of Captain Cook and biographical and historical information are part of the monument. For 25 cents, visitors can peer through a telescope to look at Fire Island, Mt. Susitna or the Alaska Range across the Inlet. This is also a great way to get a closer view of the largest mountain in North America, Mt. McKinley (20,320 feet), 120 miles away. No admission is charged.

Alaska Railroad Depot

The Alaska Railroad covers 500 miles from Seward to Fairbanks. In 1985, the Railroad was purchased by the State of Alaska from the federal government. Rebuilt and improved on in 1997, the first floor is designated for passenger ticketing and tour information, and has historical photos of the Railroad's development dating back to 1914 when the construction began. Many different tours are available for purchase, including float trips, glacier cruises, sightseeing flights and jet boat safaris. Call for prices and tickets.

Alaska Statehood Monument

This monument was erected in 1990 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of residents into the Anchorage area. Beginning with the 1915 settlement of Tent City (in the Ship Creek area several blocks from this monument), this city went on to grow and prosper. The monument also celebrates January 3, 1959, the date when Alaska was declared one of the United States by President Eisenhower. This monument offers a nice vantage point from which to view the valley where it all began. No admission.

Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery

This 1915 historic site was the town's original gravesite. Upright whalebones mark, in traditional Eskimo style, some of the graves where many well known forefathers of this state rest. Alaska's well-known artist, Sydney Laurence, is buried here as is Robert Reeve, the pioneer aviator of the Anchorage-Seattle route, and Charley Stanford, who carried the mail over the Iditarod route with sled dogs. This location was designated a National Historic Site in April 1993. There is no admission fee for viewing this park.

Wendler Building

Originally built in 1915, this award-winning building has the only corner turret found in Anchorage. It was constructed by an early civic leader, A.J. Wendler. Each year, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race begins in front of this building; the starting point is marked by a large bronze sled dog. This building was occupied for 18 years by "One People," a co-op that enables indigenous people worldwide to be self-sufficient by providing a sales outlet for their endangered arts and crafts. It is now a coffee shop and art gallery dedicated to displaying works by Alaskan artists. - Christine Keene

William A Egan Civic And Convention Center

Alaska's first elected governor was William Egan, and this convention center was named in his honour. It is the state's largest convention and meeting center, with more than 40,000 square feet of conference area. More than a block in length, it features a front wall made entirely of curved glass parallel to Fifth Avenue. The lobby houses a constant display of Native art, including sculptures, beading and carvings. There is no admission fee for viewing the center.

Historic City Hall

With free summer concerts held in front of the building at noon (Wednesday's & Friday's) and the Log Cabin Visitor's Center just next door, this old City Hall is frequently bustling with activity. Housing the office of the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau, the building, originally built in 1936, is a two-story structure that served as the city's first government seat. The lobby holds a permanent exhibition of photographs and artifacts of early Anchorage. It is open year round.

Town Square Municipal Park

This is the town's center for many events and celebrations. During the summer, this flower-filled park hosts concerts and festivals; while in the winter, this is the location for some of the New Year's Eve fireworks and the town's Christmas tree lighting ceremony centers around the park's huge fir trees. This park has an outdoor amphitheater that holds 400 people where, strangely enough, even in winter the seats are filled during events and celebrations.

Pioneer School House

Built in 1915, this one room schoolhouse served children of every age and grade as Anchorage's first source of education when the city began. Now, it is used as a meeting place for organizations such as the Green Political Party and the Anchorage Garden Club. The schoolhouse has been hosting Tango and other Latino dance classes here. Locating this place should post no problem— it is just around the corner from the Days Inn.

Delaney Park Strip

This grassy, garden strip (11 blocks long, two miles in circumference and one block wide) was designed as a fire protection strip for the downtown district. Later, it acted as a landing strip for the city. Now, it is a recreational area with eight tennis courts, space for flying kites, ball fields, basketball courts, volleyball courts, a skating rink, a steam engine and a Veteran's Memorial. Named for the 1929 Anchorage mayor, James Delaney, it hosts several festivals each year. Admission: free.