Best Inspection

Experience what it was like to pan for gold as you travel back in time to when Anchorage was the crossroads for gold rush adventurers. Maybe you'll hit the motherlode as you pan for gold in a setting that most closely resembles that of the early pioneers. It will be a fun afternoon of learning (and panning) for the whole family at Indian Valley Mine.

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail was named for the Anchorage mayor and Alaska governor. This trail extends for ten miles from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park. The paved thoroughfare is popular with all kinds of outdoorsmen and athletic-types like in-line skaters, bikers, and walkers. The section of the trail that stretches through Westchester Lagoon is tagged as the "fitness trail" and features chin-up bars, steps and other items that encourage cross training among the trail's visitors. Also, the trail is not without its natural beauty, as moose, whales and birds can be seen from several vantage points.

The Fur Rendezvous Festival held in late February or early March dates back to the early 1900s when trappers and miners came back from the wilderness to trade, socialize and compete in survival-type games. The event has been updated somewhat, and now those games consist of a weight pull, sled dog races, snowshoe softball games, ice sculpture competitions and lots more. There's also the popular Miners and Trappers costume ball, so make plans to be a part of this fun, week-long event.