Page 69 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

ALASK A AREA B Y AREA  67

ANCHORAGE

Spread across an alluvial plain between the lofty Chugach
Range and the waters of Cook Inlet, Anchorage is Alaska’s
largest city. In less than a century since its founding in
1914, this former tent city has grown into the economic,
commercial, and transport hub of the state. With excellent
museums, theaters, parks, and shops, Anchorage is not only
the perfect urban foil for Alaska’s wilderness, but an ideal
jumping-off point for adventures farther afield.

The original tent city on the shores of includes not only the city proper, but
Ship Creek was a service camp for the also the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Alaska Railroad. An early sale of lots led to (JBER), several vil lages along Turnagain
the growth of downtown Anchorage on Arm, and a string of suburbs, includ ing
the nearby bluffs, while the banks of Ship Eagle River and Chugiak, along Knik Arm.
Creek developed into the town’s port, It also takes in the vast swathe of Chugach
shipping, and industrial district. State Park, which brings the “real Alaska”
The massive Good Friday earthquake of right to the city’s back door. To the north,
1964 destroyed parts of Anchorage, but the growing Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su)
construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Borough provides space and a more
in the 1970s completely changed the outdoorsy lifestyle than is possible in
profile of the city. A large share of oil Anchorage proper.
revenue came to Anchorage, leading to All year round, travelers will find
an explosion of growth. The downtown numerous good hotels and excellent
area was revitalized with new sports restaurants. In the summer, however,
arenas, civic centers, and performing downtown Anchorage comes into its
arts venues, and outlying suburbs were own, bustling with visitors from across
integrated into the urban area. Today, the world who stop off to see the sights
the municipality of Anchorage, with and prepare for adventures in the more
a population of over 300,000 people, remote parts of the state.

Native Alaskans performing traditional dances at the Alaska Native Heritage Center
Crystal Lattice, a contemporary sculpture by Robert Pfitzenmeier, Anchorage Museum

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