This happens to be one of my (Katrina's) most favorite places. Located in northwest Palmer up a winding road following the Little Susitna River, there are countless hiking trails, mountain lakes, berries to pick, alpine meadows, breathtaking views, and the abandoned Independence Gold Mine to explore. I highly recommend setting aside a day to make a trip out this way!

Located about 40 miles north of Anchorage, this scenic lake is located in Chugach State Park. It offers a campground, many hiking and biking options that offer views of the entire valley, and kayak rentals available at the lake. Riding Alaska ATV Tours also offers 3.5-hour tours on Sundays that traverse 7-miles along the lake and 5-miles beyond to within site of Eklutna Glacier.

Open 7 days a week, this sanctuary is dedicated to preserving Alaska's unique wildlife. A 45-minute drive south of Anchorage, you will see bears, lynx, porcupines, moose, wood bison, and more. You can even make it down to view a scheduled feeding for the lynx or bears, or the black bear Kobuk's enrichment training. Highly recommend!

Another option to see Arctic, sub-Arctic and like climate species. You can visit the Alaska Zoo to view a polar bear, black bears, grizzlies, wolverines, muskox, bald and golden eagles, and more. Located in southeast Anchorage, this would be a fun and convenient stop-- especially if you have little ones with you.

This 4.6-mile loop trail located in Eagle River offers amazing views with wildflowers and berries adding to the colorful scenery. There are two options depending on if you're looking for a more challenging or relaxed hike. The route to the right will definitely get your blood pumping, while the left route offers a much more gradual climb.

The Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage includes Cooper Landing, Soldotna, Kenai, Homer, and Seward. To give you an idea, the town of Kenai is roughly a 3-hour drive from Anchorage. Each of these towns have fishing charters/guides available. If you're looking to catch halibut, Pro-Fish-n-Sea Charters out of Seward or Homer Ocean Charters are a good bet. The Kenai River, whether launching out of Cooper Landing, Kenai, or Soldotna, are sure to be hot spots for salmon. After all, mid-July through early August is one of the best times for Sockeye salmon fishing!

This is a hands-on science discovery center located downtown as part of the Anchorage Museum. Exhibits include simulated earthquakes and auroras, tidal pools, and other interactive exhibits. This would be a fun place for those traveling with young ones.

Located in the resort town of Girdwood about an hour south of Anchorage, there is Hotel Alyeska-- a hotel surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and the coast. There are so many things to do here, from riding the aerial tram up the mountain to biking along Turnagain Arm to hiking the North Face Trail that winds up the face of Mount Alyeska (prepare for torture). The good thing is, if you make the hike up you can take the tram down for free. There are also many great restaurants to reward you for your efforts, including the Sitzmark and Seven Glaciers. Girdwood would be a fun and unique place to explore while you're here!

The best pizza and beer in town (no joke). Unfortunately they do not take reservations, but they serve delicious beer from Broken Tooth Brewing to keep you happy during the wait. They are kid-friendly and offer a wide range of pizzas, from specialty to traditional options. Please invite Jake & I to join anytime-- our goal is to eat here as many times as we can.