Top Reasons to Go to Anchorage

Tackling a 50-pound salmon: Anglers can cast for huge king salmon or feisty silvers while wading among reflections of skyscrapers at Ship Creek.

Winter celebrations: In late February locals celebrate Fur Rendezvous, Alaska's answer to Mardi Gras. Events lead up to the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in early March.

Shopping: Shops sell everything from gold pans to mini totem poles and Native Alaskan handicrafts. Check for the Silver Hand emblem for Native-made items or the "Made in Alaska" polar bear logo for craft items manufactured in-state.

Seafood: Dining out in Anchorage offers dishes featuring local halibut, salmon, king-crab legs, scallops, and oysters.

Hiking and biking: Laced with rugged paths leading into the Chugach Mountains and more than 120 mi of paved urban trails, Anchorage is a paradise for hikers and bicyclists.