SIX18 TRAVEL

Alaska's most populous city sits on land occupied for centuries by the Dena'ina Athabascan people, whose access to the temperate climate and abundance of subsistence resources aligned perfectly with the land. Anchorage proper was founded upon the muddy banks of Ship Creek in 1914 with the arrival of the Alaska Railroad. An unimpressive collection of tents then, the city grew into a neat grid of homes and businesses that has since blossomed into the state's financial, commercial and cultural hub, with 40% of the state's population residing in the "Anchorage Bowl," with Cook Inlet to the west and the Chugach Mountains to the east. More than 100 languages are spoken at Anchorage schools, and 20 unique Alaska Native groups live within the municipality.

From the ground, Anchorage looks like any other urban sprawl, and not much like the tourist brochures. It isn't until you step off the ordinary, everyday sidewalks and into a wealth of activities that one realizes the "real" Alaska was right here, all along. The convenience of urban resources combines with an allure of rural wilderness, meeting quite comfortably in parks, on trails and among its fabulous eateries. Anchorage is the logical home base for visitors to Alaska, boasting a plethora of attractions, including museums, cultural centers, recreational opportunities and access to remote sections of the state thanks to the Lake Hood Seaplane Base, the busiest in the world. Visit during the summer to experience the "City of Lights and Flowers" (home to about 80,000 flowers throughout 460 flower beds) in full bloom, or between September and April to be dazzled by the sparkling northern lights (several of the best Alaska tours can help you spot them).