Anchorage

The city of Anchorage is an exhilarating combination of backwoods and big city. With more than 250,000 people (plus those in outlying municipal areas), it is home to almost half the state's entire population. It is surrounded by both ocean and mountains, which provides a backdrop of gorgeous scenery. Enjoy fine dining, arts and culture, yet still see moose meandering along the highways and eagles soaring overhead.