Kristie Lent Photography

Serious birders and outdoor lovers will love meeting up with fellow enthusiasts at the Anchorage Audubon Society. Such offerings as a "bird hotline" is available with updated information on the latest bird sitings and where they occurred in the Anchorage bowl area. The society also presents lectures and field trips led by experts who are as equally excited about the 230 species of birds spotted in the area over the past few years.

As a couple, it's always good to have a lot in common. But if the one thing that the two of you have in common the most is stress, then that situation can be changed for the better with a visit to the Alaska Institute of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture & Massage Therapy. The two of you can relax and enjoy not only each other's company, but also a menu of full therapeutic services that will have both of you feeling completely relaxed in no time. The Center is open seven days a week, and walk-ins are welcome, so plan for some real chill time on your next romantic outing.

The Aurora Fine Arts Gallery not only features an impressive selection of exhibits that showcase the work of some of the area's most talented artists, they also pride themselves on making your visit as informative, educational and entertaining as it possibly can. That is largely due to the highly helpful, knowledgeable and friendly staff that are always ready to welcome visitors with a smile and happily answer any and all questions you may have about the gallery's many exhibits.

What's a visit to Anchorage without uttering the word "mush?" Well, shouting the word is more like it at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race held every March. World-class sled racers and their dog teams mush toward the Bering Sea coast through the area's rugged terrain in what has been termed the "Last Great Race on Earth." The route is a staggering 1,150 miles and it all starts in downtown Anchorage the first Saturday in March with a grand ceremony to begin the race.