If I had the major part of a day in Anchorage, I would rent a car and drive at least a portion of Turnagain Arm. The scenery is awesome! http://www.alaskascenes.com/turnagain.html

That drive is very scenic and I would second the suggestion. If you get an early start, you could go as far as Girdwood and even stop at the the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for a look at some of the animals. http://www.alaskawildlife.org

Alternatively, in Anchorage, you could visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Anchorage Museum. Both are very worthwhile attractions.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Thanks for the ideas, but I should have mentioned: I will be visting the Turnagain Arm area (and also Whittier) earlier in my trip.

I will probably visit the Anchorage museums, but that will probably take up only about an hour or two of the day. Do you have any additional suggestions?

The Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Anchorage Museum are good for two hours each. Add in lunch at Orso http://www.orsoalaska.com/Pages/Lunch.html which is close to the Anchorage Museum and you pretty much have your half day covered. BTW, the smoked salmon chowder at Orso is superb.

If you don't get to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, there is the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage: http://www.alaskazoo.org

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie