Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska is best known for its pristine natural beauty, and Anchorage is the most convenient starting point for an exploration of Alaska’s beautiful glaciers, abundant wildlife, rich Alaska Native culture and vast national parks. New flights, new ways to explore Alaska history and culture and freshly remodeled hotels make summer 2013 the perfect time to come to Anchorage.
 

New Airlift

Several carriers have added new routes or increased the frequency of service into Anchorage for summer 2013.  Virgin America has announced summer nonstop service between San Francisco and Anchorage. San Francisco connects to six other Virgin America destinations: Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Austin and San Diego. Flights begin June 6 and run through Sept. 8. Alaska Airlines plans to increase the frequency of its nonstop service from Los Angeles, Calif. Delta also announced new flights out of Los Angeles. JetBlue, in addition to nonstop flights between Anchorage and Long Beach, Calif., will add nonstop flights from Anchorage to Seattle. For travelers from the East Coast, United will fly nonstop from Newark to Anchorage between July 6 and Aug. 31, and Delta adds a nonstop flight from Atlanta between June 21 and Aug. 31. Anchorage will see service on Icelandair out of Reykjavik, Iceland, starting May 15 with connections to Great Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Finland and Sweden.
 

Museum Adds Historic Aircraft

The new aircraft coming into Alaska are not limited to commercial air service. The Alaska Aviation Museum has added three historic aircraft to their hangars. The museum is dedicated to the history of flight in Alaska and restoring vintage aircraft to airworthy condition; especially noteworthy since 2013 is the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Alaska. A comprehensive rebuild and restoration of a 1931 Fairchild Pilgrim has been completed. The plane carried cargo across Alaska for nearly half a century before falling into disrepair and retirement in 1985. The fully restored aircraft made its debut this spring and is one of only four aircraft that are listed on the National Historic Register. The museum also adds two storied World War II-era aircraft:  an AT-6 Texan trainer and a Japanese Mitsubishi Zero fighter. www.alaskaairmuseum.org

From Iconic Wings to Native Ways

The Anchorage Museum’s summer exhibits mark Alaska’s aviation anniversary, and also celebrates the culture of Southcentral Alaska’s first inhabitants. “Arctic Flight: A Century of Alaska Aviation” runs through Aug. 11, 2013. The exhibit chronicles pioneers of aviation, World War II flyers and modern day adventurers.  Co-curated with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum, artifacts include footage from the first flight over the North Pole, military aviation uniforms and gear, and a 1928 Stearman biplane brought to Alaska in 1928. Late summer visitors can check out the first comprehensive exhibition about Dena’ina Athabascan people, the Native Alaskans who call the area around Anchorage home. “Dena'inaq' Huch'ulyeshi: The Dena'ina Way of Living,” opens September 2013 and will feature about 200 Dena’ina objects from museums across the globe, including caribou skin clothing adorned with fine quill work, puffin beak rattles and birch bark cradles. Art, music, storytelling, re-created settings and hands-on activities will chronicle Dena’ina history and culture. www.anchoragemuseum.org

Dig into the Gold Rush

There is a new way to tap into Alaska’s gold rush history and get a look at a modern mine too. Gold Mine Safari Tours drives into the heart of mining in Girdwood, Alaska. Aboard Pinzgauers, six-wheeled trucks named after a breed of sturdy horses famous for their skill in mountain terrain, guests explore two gold mines surrounded by 7,000-foot peaks in the Chugach Mountains. Pan for gold, trace the Historic Iditarod Trail to learn about early trailblazers and keep a sharp eye for Alaska wildlife. Guests explore historic Crow Creek Mine, which began operation in the 1890s and also get exclusive access to an active modern gold mine. Visit www.alyeskatours.com for details.

Hotel Happenings

The Millennium Alaskan Hotel has completed the first phase of a four part, $5 million renovation that will completely renovate and update the hotel. Phase I consists of a refresh of the restaurant, bar and lobby including lighting, carpet, wall covering as well as new furniture. The lobby looks incredible and guest rooms, meeting spaces, restaurant and common areas are next on the list. Phase II will begin in May, with the hotel upgrading guestroom corridors with new carpet, wall covering, lighting and furniture, as well as the deck overlooking scenic Lake Spenard.  Phase III will remodel the banquet facilities later in the summer. Each of the Millennium’s three conference rooms will be freshly renovated and ready for their debut in time for the busy fall meeting season. Then in October, Millennium will completely remodel all 248 guest rooms to include new bedding, carpet, wall covering, linen, air conditioning, televisions, cabinetry and bathrooms. All of the upgrades are planned for completion by early March 2014.  www.millenniumhotels.com/millenniumanchorage

South of Anchorage near Seward, Alaska, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge has resumed construction on their remodel project. The lodge’s new 3,300-square-foot building is repositioned on the apex of the beach on Fox Island. The redesigned lodge will feature immense windows overlooking Resurrection Bay, as well as a new spacious dining area and lounge.  Work will be completed and the lodge ready for guests beginning June 1, 2013. www.ciritourism.com

Visit Anchorage's mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. With more than 135 miles of paved trails, the nation's third largest state park, first-class amenities and a blend of cultures found only in Alaska, Anchorage lives a Big Wild Life™. For more information on Anchorage's wild adventures and urban delights, visit www.Anchorage.net.