Page 72 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

70  ALASK A AREA B Y AREA

Street-by-Street: Downtown Anchorage

Although Anchorage began as a tented construction camp
on the shores of Ship Creek, the 1915 sale of lots shifted
its center to the site of present-day downtown Anchorage.
After almost a century of growth and development, along
with restoration work after the massive 1964 earthquake,
downtown Anchorage today features a mix of historic
buildings and modern high-rises interspersed with small
private homes. Containing an open-air weekend market,
a variety of shops, and most of the city’s main sights, as
well as a lovely town square and pleasant ornamentation
including public artwork and flower baskets hanging from Anchorage's busy 4th Avenue filled with visitors
lampposts, this compact area is a joy to explore on foot. and locals

3 The Anchorage Market
and Festival Alaskan arts
and crafts, snacks, and
fresh produce are on
sale here.

5 Alaska Public Lands Information Center 2 N D A V E N U E 3 R D A V E N U E
The Center has details on Alaska’s millions
of acres of wild places, including Denali
and 14 other national parks.

4 T H A V E N U E E S T R E E T 5 T H A V E N U E
F S T R E E T

6 4th Avenue Theater G S T R E E T
The Art Deco-style 4th Avenue Theater, which
was built in 1947, survived the Good Friday
earthquake of 1964.

4 Log Cabin Visitor
Information Center
This picturesque
downtown log
building has an oft-
photographed sign
showing the distance
to other cities around
the globe.
. Town Square
With over 9,000 plants, this is a popular lunch
and concert spot. In the winter, it boasts an ice
rink and hosts the New Year’s fireworks display.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p242 and pp250–51

070-071_EW_Alaska.indd 70 02/05/17 2:29 pm