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Anchorage Attractions and Things to See
Anchorage, Alaska is the northernmost
significant city in the United States, as well as being the
biggest city in the state, and contains over 40% of the state's
total population; and named an All-America City four times, in
2002, 1984-85, 1965 and 1956. Kiplinger Magazine stated that it
is the most tax friendly city in the nation. Since this city is
so far north, in a region of cold temperatures and fabulous
landscapes, it is one of the most fascinating cities in the
United States with attractions quite different than those of the
lower 48, but also has more wildlife and interesting sights that
bring visitors here for extreme vacations and pleasure trips.
Its Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the third
busiest cargo airport in the world, surpassed by Hong Kong and
Memphis only, and because it has a large supply of jet fuel. The
Port of Anchorage welcomes 95% of all the goods that enter the
state, and the large amount of traffic is that it is located on
the great circle of routes between Alaska and the lower 48.
There are two military bases housed there, Fort Richardson and
Elmendorf Air Force Base, and the Kulis Air National Guard base
that employ some 8500 people, with the military personnel and
their families making up 10% of the total population. The city
doesn't have a sales tax, which is great for the locals, but
does have a 8% tax on car rentals and 12% bed tax that makes it
difficult on visitors, but the state seems to think that the
other amenities and attractions located here will be more than
enough to offset those additional costs.
The city has an excellent arts venue, with the Alaska Center for
the Performing Arts located in the downtown area, with a
three-part complex that hosts many performing arts events during
the year. During the year 2000, around 245,000 people would
enjoy 678 public performances, and home to eight performing arts
companies, and has hosted mega-musicals performed by visiting
companies, and hosts the International Ice Carving Competition
as part of its famous Fur Rendezvous festival in February. Other
venues that pertain the arts include the Wells Fargo Alaska
Heritage Library and museum, the Alaska Native Heritage Center,
Oscar Anderson House museum, Alaska Museum of Natural History,
Imaginarium: Science Discovery Center, the Alaska Aviation
Heritage Museum and the Anchorage Museum of Rasmuson Center.
Their sports events showcase a variety of unique venues, like
the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race that is brought to
national attention on the first Saturday in March, and is the
longest and most well known sled dog race in the world. There
are two baseball leagues that many folks in college sports are
among the best amateur college summer leagues in the nation. It
has two professional teams now, the Alaska Aces, a hockey team
in the ECHL and the Alaska Wild, an indoor football league
member. There are four rugby clubs, gymnastics and hockey, at
the local college, and the city hosts the Great Alaska Shootout
that is a NCAA Division I basketball tournament. It is also the
location of the finish line for Sadler's Ultra Challenge
wheelchair race, an outstanding premier cross-country skiing
city, and contains 105 miles of trails. Anchorage has more than
three dozen parks that offer excellent opportunities for
recreational activities, the Alaska Botanical Garden that houses
more than 900 species of hardy perennials and 150 indigenous
plant species, the Alaska Zoo and the Delaney Park Strip. There
are four ski resorts and areas, with the Tony Knowles Coastal
trail providing excellent trails for biking, hiking, jogging,
and more.
Transportation is not as good out here, which is why they
decided to create the rental car tax, since there is just one
numbered state highway, Alaska Route 1, with no other roadway to
access the city. Their local bus system is called the People
Mover, but they do have a train station located there for those
that prefer to travel around by rails.