Frommer's Review
Don't expect the variety of a big-city zoo, but what the Alaska Zoo lacks in size it makes up with a charm all its own. Anchorage residents have developed personal relationships with the animals, naming many of them. That affection has made the national controversy over Maggie the African elephant an especially hot topic -- animal welfare groups don't think she belongs in Alaska, and everyone from children's magazines to Jay Leno and David Letterman have weighed in. The zoo is trying to keep Maggie happy with improved indoor facilities, including a one-of-a-kind elephant exercise treadmill (which, like most human treadmills, has gone unused). The zoo's best attractions, however, are the Alaskan animals. I enjoy watching Ahpun the polar bear play and swim underwater (you can check that out on a webcam, too). Gravel paths meander through the woods past large enclosures with natural flora for bears, seals and otters, musk oxen, Dall sheep, moose, caribou, waterfowl -- all the animals you were supposed to see in Alaska but may have missed. (Don't get the Amur tigers, yaks, snow leopards, or Bactrian camels in your snapshots -- they'll blow your story.) You can easily spend half a day here. If you don't have a car, consider using the free summer-only shuttle from downtown. It is timed to meet up with 2-hour naturalist tours that take place every day at noon and include some backstage stops. The tours are $25 for adults, half price for children 12 and under. A snack bar serves basic meals and there is a gift shop.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
