Things to do in and around Anchorage

Biking: Ride bikes on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (bikes rentable at Pablo's Bicycle Rentals and the Copper Whale Inn).

Museums: visit the Anchorage Museum, which often has top-notch temporary exhibits about the North; or drive 4 miles east of downtown to the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

Hiking: There are numerous spectacular day hike opportunities in Chugach State Park if you can drive 20-30 minutes to a local trailhead. Our less-vertical favorites are Powerline Pass, starting at Glen Alps Parking Lot, and Eagle River, starting at the Eagle River Nature Center. Our more-vertical favorites include Flattop (from Glen Alps trailhead), Wolverine Peak (from Prospect Heights trailhead), and Falls Creek (from mile 105 of the Seward Highway just north of Indian) . Read all about these and many more in the book 55 Ways to the Wilderness. Or pick up the most excellent map of Chugach State Park sold at Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking, Anchorage REI, or other outdoor stores. (We like AMH best!)

Alaska State Fair: The Alaska State Fair is in full swing from August 30 through September 7, 40 miles north of Anchorage in Palmer. The Concert line-up features well-preserved classics such as: Credence Clearwater Revisited [sic] (Sunday Sep 6, 7:30 pm), or The Beach Boys (we're not kidding) on August 30. On Friday, Sep 4, you can enjoy the Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off at 6pm.

Special Events: Check the Anchorage events calendar for more ideas. As of June, the calendar reveals: The touring version of The Lion King opens at the Alaska Center for Performing Arts in downtown Anchorage beginning on Sep 2, and the Whittier Silver Salmon Derby for die-hard anglers looking to strike it rich.

The gateway Web site Alaska.org and its Top Day Tours page offer more options.