We've got two nights and like 1-1/2 days in the Anchorage area prior to beginning the meat of our trip. We are going to Denali, Katmai, Homer, and Seward for the rest of our two weeks. Looking for something within an hour or two of Anchorage for something differnet. We have an 11 & 13 year old and like to hike etc. Our first thought was Sheep Mountain, but response to my previous post makes me think it's not worth the trip. Now thinking maybe Hatcher Pass or Girdwood (looks a bit too developed). Do you guys have any comments or other suggestions? Not interested in whitewater rafting or fishing, we have plenty of that around here. Don't have enough time to get to Kennicott/McCarthy or Valdez

You don't say when you are going to be there. That makes a difference!
Hatcher Pass is pretty, and the old mining camp is neat, but after the first snowfall, it's inaccessible unless you have a 4x4. Girdwood is beautiful. Your kids might enjoy riding the mountain tram at the Alyeska Resort. In Anchorage, the History & Art museum is a good way to learn more about Alaska, and the Native Heritage Park is good, too. Take your kids for dinner at the Sourdough Mining Company.

I would recommend going to Whittier and taking the 26 Glacier tour. It's only about a 45 minute drive from Anchorage so an easy day trip. Just make sure you find out what time the tunnel lets cars pass. It was a great day out for me.

Whoops - we're going the first two weeks of August. Girdwood does look very nice. We're already going to be on/around water for much of our trip already so the 26 glacier trip might be overkill. Thanks for the responses, open for more though!

I did both the Kenai fjord tour and the 26 Glacier tour and would go again in a heartbeat. Alaska is so beautiful, especially by boat. Your choice though. The Aleyeska is a lovely resort if you decide to stay there.

Re: "looks to developed."

Anywhere on the road is developed..... 100 park and walk 100 yards and you're in bear country..... Even in Anchorage.

The Chugach Mountains that border the town are home to sheep, wolves, black and brown bears, foxes, ermine, eagles, marten, beaver, moose, and, of course, every other creature imaginable for the area.

The letter brings up a crucial point that too often, people overlook Anchorage when on their way to the "wilderness" of Denali etc. Yet, the truth is, you'll probably see less people within the Chugach than you will in the National Park.

Check out Arctic Valley (21 mile grizzly laden trail to Indian).

The Matnuska Glacier is also a great place where you can go out and climb on the ice. ... and, is near Sheep Mountain if your opinion changes.

In that same area, the Meekin Famnily used to run trail rides on horseback....not sure if they still do.