Recreation & Entertainment

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The largest of the United States contains an amazing array of recreational and entertainment opportunities, both indoors and out.

Alaska’s cities provide rich urban pursuits. Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, reveals a wealth of cultural endeavors. The Alaska Native Heritage Center fosters appreciation among visitors and all Alaskans for the cultural traditions of Native Alaskans. The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1946, along with the Anchorage Concert Association offer much to aficionados of music and performing arts. Art lovers will enjoy the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, which seeks to preserve and exhibit art from Alaska and the circumpolar North. Anchorage also hosts the Alaska Zoo, which offers fun and educational events for all ages, and contains many species native to Alaska, such as moose and polar bear. Anchorage also marks the starting point for the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, with teams of dogs and their leaders traversing some 1150 miles (1,850.7 kilometers) in 10 to 17 days to Nome, along the Bering Sea.

Juneau, the state capital, is a prime cruise ship destination. Juneau offers proximity to many outdoor opportunities, such as skiing, whale watching, and kayaking, and serves as a gateway to such spectacular natural destinations as Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and Tracy Arm Fjord.

Other cities such as Sitka, Fairbanks, and Ketchikan offer many recreational opportunities as well.

Sports lovers will appreciate the Alaska Aces hockey team, the Iditarod race, and the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics.

Skiers have several ski areas and resorts to choose from, including Alpenglow at Arctic Valley, Moose Mountain, Alyeska Resort, and Eaglecrest.

Alaska’s sheer size and geological diversity offers tremendous natural attractions in national and state parks. There are 15 Alaska National Parks and preserves, including Denali National Park and Preserve, which contains the tallest mountain in North America, Mount McKinley; Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, home to six Wild and Scenic Rivers, and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Many state parks take advantage of Alaska’s natural splendor. Especially remarkable are the Chugach State Park near Anchorage, the third largest state park in the nation, with nearly a half million acres with trails, rivers, and abundant wildlife; Caines Head State Recreation Area, with forests, beaches, and an old World War II fort; and Denali State Park which shares borders with Denali National Park.

The ample forests, rivers, lakes, sounds, and mountains of Alaska provide many fishing and hunting opportunities. Visitors are encouraged to research the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website for rules and regulations.

Whether one seeks solitude, urban activities, sightseeing, or just experiencing Alaska and the Far North, the Last Frontier boasts countless opportunities.

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