One of the state's most popular events is the Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival, held every January. This year, the festival marks its 15 year anniversary, and it brings together not only the people who enjoy imbibing but also the people who create the beers, wines, and other assorted beverages. Demonstrations, lectures, exhibits, and of course, samples all make this event an extremely popular tradition.
Portage Glacier Cruises makes it possible for you to get up close and see a glacier from a vantage point that would otherwise be nearly impossible. Get ready to visit the sheer, crystalline surface of an Alaskan glacier. This one-hour cruise has many highlights, including the opportunity to stand just 300 yards from a relic of the Ice Age. The water is quite calm even though you may see pieces of the glacier break off and drift away. The guides are well-informed and friendly and they also allow you time between their descriptions for you to just take in the natural beauty of these majestic, icy works of art. Tours must be booked at least 7 days in advance.
When you visit Alaska, the wildlife will seem like it's everywhere! To familiarize yourself with your new surroundings, a visit to the Alaska Zoo might be in order. You'll marvel at the incredible diversity of creatures as well as how accurately they represent the animals you might encounter as you spend time in the state. The large viewing area features such popular zoo inhabitants as caribou, moose and Dall sheep grazing along together. Also, one of the zoo's most dramatic attractions is the 25-acre bear habitat where you'll see black bears, glacier bears, and brown bears, also known as grizzlies. Some of the zoo's other more notable inhabitants include a few camels, a Siberian tiger and an elephant that has the distinction of being the only one in the entire state!
The Eagle River Nature Center knows that nature doesn't take a break, so they don't either. The center is open year-round, so there is always something interesting happening. Take advantage of their schedule of guided nature walks, lectures and special presentations that are designed to educate visitors about Alaska's unique ecology. The main building features several exhibits and hands-on activities that are designed to tell several of nature's stories. You can plan to spend several days outdoors here, as there is great hiking available on the nearby trails and cabin rentals available as well.