Offbeat Adventures in the Land of the Midnight Sun

Anchorage has one of the highest rates of coffee shops per capita of any city in the country, so the hardest part of getting your caffeine fix is probably going to be choosing which place to go. If you can't decide, consider Midnight Sun Cafe. From basic drip and iced coffee offerings to Cubanos, Doppio, and a whole roundup of espresso drinks (including the Shot in the Dark, which is what Midnight Sun calls a coffee with a double shot of espresso added), along with teas and hot cocoa, there's a drink for everyone. The cafe uses organic beans that have been roasted in Homer, Alaska for the coffee. And, like any good cafe, it serves a variety of sandwiches, salads, and soups for breakfast and lunch. It's a great place to warm up and treat yourself to a mid-afternoon boost.

Another unexpectedly stellar view of Anchorage and its particular Alaska beauty can be seen from Ship Creek. Bird-watching is popular here, but this is also known as a great place to spot king and coho salmon in the spring through early fall. If you want to try your hand at actually fishing, there are gear rentals available. Pro tip: Cast in the hour before and after high tide for your best chance to land a fish. Be prepared, though, as these salmon can weigh up to 30 pounds. If you'd rather just watch the experts do their thing, there are viewing platforms directly over the creek for spectators. For more incredible salmon-spotting, two miles upstream is the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery.

Anchorage comes with some pretty interesting and unusual history. From the culture of the Alaska Native peoples to the gold rush that brought scores of pioneers north in search of fortune, there's a lot to learn. The Alaska Heritage Museum (inside a Wells Fargo bank) is one of the largest private collections of artifacts related to this history. From ivory carvings, hand-woven baskets, clothing, and even a sealskin-covered sea kayak--to work by local artists and a replica of a Wells Fargo stagecoach—there are plenty of stories to get lost in here. There's also a well-stocked library to go along with the small but well-curated museum.

One of the lesser-known bits of Anchorage history (at least to visitors) is the 1964 earthquake that devastated the city. The 9.2 magnitude quake, which lasted four minutes, was the strongest in North American history, and the second strongest in world history. It set off a series of tsunamis and landslides that further ravaged the buildings, ground, and infrastructure of south-central Alaska. The tragedy is commemorated at Earthquake Park, which stands at the site where one neighborhood slid completely into the ocean. The 134-acre reserve is quite scenic (especially the views of the city) but interpretive signs highlight the history and some of the lasting effects of the earthquake.

You don't even need to leave the city to see animals of all kinds. The Alaska Zoo is home to native wildlife such as foxes, owls, wolves, caribou, and eagles, as well as black, brown, and polar bear. You can also see tigers, camels, otters, and even Tibetan yaks. The zoo offers behind-the-scenes tours and wolf or big cat encounters for anyone brave enough to get up close and personal with the animals. Definitely spend some time in the Discovery Center, and if you need to warm up, there's a coffee shop with a greenhouse here, too.

If there's one thing Anchorage does better than coffee shops, wildlife, and scenery, it's craft beer. Cynosure is one of the handful of great breweries in town. It specializes in traditional and Belgian styles (think lagers, goses, wits, and saisons). Don't be afraid to try something you normally wouldn't order here; the staff aims to make their brews "sociable." The bartenders are friendly, the space is brand new, and there's usually a food truck outside, so plan to spend a bit of time here working your way through the tap list.