Page 82 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

80  ALASK A AREA B Y AREA

elephant as the grand prize. To
the company’s surprise, the
Anchorage grocer who won
chose the baby elephant.
Eventually, Annabelle the Asian
elephant was donated to local
horse rancher Mrs. Seawell, who
decided that the community
needed a public zoo. The Alaska
Children’s Zoo opened in 1969,
developing slowly into what is
today the sprawling Alaska Zoo.
Village buildings at Anchorage’s popular Alaska Wild Berry Products Although Annabelle is no
longer alive, visitors can see
y Alaska Wild Berry park offers tubing opportunities a host of Alaskan and exotic
Products as well as a Riverwalk, a fitness animals. There are enclo sures
walk in slow running water, for moose, rein deer, and Dall
5225 Juneau St. Map F2. Tel 562­8858. three times a week. A Wave sheep. Waterfowl ponds pro vide
@ 60. Open Jan– May: 10am–8pm Pool provides body surfing at a habitat for tundra and trum­
Mon–Sat, noon–6pm Sun; Jun–Aug: a balmy 27° C (80° F) – even peter swans. There are snow
10am–9pm daily; Sep–Oct:10am– in winter. The leopards and
8pm Mon–Thu, 10am–9pm Fri & Sat, Pirate Ship fea­ Siberian tigers, as
11am–8pm Sun; Nov–Dec: 10am– tures slides for well as a brown
9pm Mon–Sat, 11am–8pm Sun. chil dren. Visitors bear, polar
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, can barrel down Sign at Alaska Zoo, south bears, Bactrian
and New Year’s Day. 8 7 0 =
∑ alaskawildberryproducts.com a 500­ft (150­m) of Anchorage camels, and even
water coaster on a yak. Children
Located on the banks of the an inflatable raft, or body­slide will enjoy the petting zoo.
scenic Campbell Creek, Alaska down the tamer enclosed water
Wild Berry Products is a pop ular tube. Adult swimmers can later
tourist attraction. It boasts relax in a whirlpool spa. o Hilltop Ski Area
the world’s largest chocolate Upper Abbot Rd. Map F2. Tel 346­
waterfall, a 20 ft (6 m) cas cade 2167. Open winter: 3–8pm Mon–Thu,
of melted chocolate, which i Alaska Zoo 3–9pm Fri, 9am–9pm Sat, 9am–5pm
conjures up images of Roald 4731 O’Malley Rd. Map F2. Tel 346­ Sun. & 7 disabled adaptive skiing
Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate 2133. @ shuttle from downtown. programs available. - 0 =
Factory. Through observation Open Mar, Apr, Oct: 10am–5pm daily; ∑ hilltopskiarea.org
windows, visitors can watch as May & Sep: 9am–6pm daily; Jun–Aug:
the company’s jams and sweets 9am–9pm daily; Nov–Feb: 10am–4pm New skiers and those without
are made. daily. & 7 - = ∑ alaskazoo.org the time or money to head
A stroll around the Wild Berry for the larger Alyeska Resort in
Park and Village leads to a trail In 1966, the Crown Zellerbach Girdwood will appreciate the
and reindeer enclo sures. The Pulp Company staged a contest, 30­acre (12­ha) Hilltop Ski Area,
attached Sourdough Mining offering either $3,000 or a baby Anchorage proper’s only ski
Company serves tradi tional
Alaskan fare and holds gold
panning demonstrations.
Visitors staying downtown
can call for a free pickup. There’s
another outlet in Wasilla (see p89).

u H2Oasis
1520 O’Malley Rd. Map F2. Tel 522­
4420. @ 2. Open late May–late Aug:
10am–8pm Mon–Sat, 11am–7pm
Sun; late Aug–late May: 3–8pm Mon,
Wed, & Fri, 10am–8pm Sat & Sun. &
7 - Riverwalk: Open 7–10am Mon,
Wed, & Fri. ∑ h2oasiswaterpark.com
Alaska’s only indoor water park,
H2Oasis has activities for all ages.
The Lazy River encircling the Families enjoying the tropical environs of H2Oasis
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p242 and pp250–51

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