Seward Highway
Adventures in Anchorage's Past

Departure: Anchorage, Alaska
Destination: Anchorage, Alaska
Time to allow: 1 day

Before beginning a trip along Seward Highway, stop to spend a day in historic Anchorage, Alaska. Learn about the history of Alaska through a myriad of museums and historic sites, each of which has its own story to tell. Drop by the Alaska Museum of Natural History to learn about Alaska's dinosaur discoveries, or stop in at the Alaska Native Heritage Center to unearth Alaska's native traditions and culture. In Anchorage the past is today's adventure.

Day 1

  • Start: Anchorage

    The city of Anchorage began as a ramshackle community of rail line workers living in tents. The community, settled in 1915, has grown and evolved into the largest city in Alaska with 260,000 people.

    For a look at Alaska culture, Anchorage is the place to be. Explore the Anchorage Museum of History and Art or the Alaska Native Heritage Center for a taste of what Alaska has to offer.

  • Stop 1: Alaska Heritage Museum

    From previous stop: same location
    Directions:

    Start at Wells Fargo at 301 West Northern Lights in Anchorage.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour 30 minutes

    History buffs will want to swing by the Alaska Heritage Museum to learn about Wells Fargo's role in the Alaskan Gold Rush. A three-quarter size stagecoach is featured in the museum as well as Alaska Native artifacts, a 2,600 volume reference library of books and fine art by Alaskan artists. Call 265-2834 or email bonadear@wellsfargo.com to contact the museum.

  • Stop 2: Alaska Museum of Natural History

    From previous stop: 10 minutes / 4.7 mi (7.5 km)
    Directions:

    Turn south onto Eide St. then immediately turn east onto Benson Blvd. Turn north onto I-A1 go approximately 1.6 miles. Turn east to stay on I-A1, go approximately 2 miles. Turn north onto Bragaw St.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Found in the Talkeetna Mountains, North America's oldest duckbill dinosaur is at home in the Alaska Museum of Natural History. Here you can also learn about other major dinosaur discoveries from the 90s. See the largest exhibits of minerals, rare fossils, and rocks in the state of Alaska. Call 274-2400 or email c.fine@alaskamuseum.org to contact the museum.

  • Stop 3: Alaska Native Heritage Center

    From previous stop: 8 minutes / 4.3 mi (6.9 km)
    Directions:

    Start on Bragaw St. going south. Turn left east onto I-A1 go approximately 2.6 miles. Turn right onto ramp (Muldoon Rd North). Bear right (north) onto N Muldoon Road. Turn right onto Heritage Center Drive.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Surround yourself with the Native traditions and customs of Alaska. Learn in both academic and informal settings. Take a workshop, experience a demonstration, or go on a guided tour in the indoor exhibits and outdoor village sites at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Witness for yourself contemporary and ancient Alaska Native cultures in one place. Call 330-8000, 800-315-6608 or email info@alaskanative.net to contact the museum.

  • Stop 4: Oscar Anderson House Museum

    From previous stop: 12 minutes / 7 mi (11.2 km)
    Directions:

    Start on Heritage Center Drive going North. Travel approximately .8 mile. Turn east onto N Muldoon Road. Take ramp (right) onto I-A1. Travel 4.8 miles and keep straight onto 5th Avenue for 1.2 miles. Turn right onto Main Street.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Take guided tours to learn about the early history of Anchorage at the city's only house museum. The museum is one of the city's first privately built permanent family residences. Discover the history of Oscar Anderson, Anchorage pioneer and businessman. The museum contains many original fixtures and Anderson family belongings. Call 274-2336 to contact the museum.

  • Stop 5: Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center

    From previous stop: 3 minutes / 0.89 mi (1.4 km)
    Directions:

    Start on Main Street going south. Turn east onto 5th Avenue. Then turn south onto L Street. Finally turn east onto W 7th Avenue.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours 10 minutes

    Tour spacious galleries that house Alaskan art, Alaska state history and information about Alaska's Natives. Attend classes, tours, lectures, films and performances in the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. You can stop by the museum shop, take a break in the cafe, or search the library and archives. Call 343-4326 or email museum@anchoragemuseum.org to contact the museum.

  • Stop 6: Alaska Statehood Monument

    From previous stop: 3 minutes / 0.6 mi (1.0 km)
    Directions:

    Start on E Street going south. Then turn left east onto 3rd Avenue. Turn south onto C Street. Then turn east onto W 7th Ave.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    Erected in 1990 the Alaska Statehood Museum offers you a chance to view the valley where immigrants first arrived in the Anchorage area. The monument also celebrates January 3, 1959-- the date that Alaska was declared a state in the Unites States.

  • End: Anchorage

    From previous stop: same location

    The city of Anchorage began as a ramshackle community of rail line workers living in tents. The community, settled in 1915, has grown and evolved into the largest city in Alaska with 260,000 people.

    For a look at Alaska culture, Anchorage is the place to be. Explore the Anchorage Museum of History and Art or the Alaska Native Heritage Center for a taste of what Alaska has to offer.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled: 17.49 miles / 28.0 km
Total Travel Time: 36 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 10 hours 10 minutes