Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

December 31^st isn’t the best day to think of coming here but really it was a heatwave going on (high 30s I would say). The earth was one big frozen sheet of slippery ice. However

Holy crap! How have I never reviewed this place?
If you’re new to Alaska or have friends visiting, this is pretty much a must-​visit.
It’s the easiest and safest way to see bears… and probably also moose.
They’ve got most of your standard Alaska mega-​fauna here, but in a much better environment than your typical zoo.
Yes, you may see some zoo-​like things that make you uncomfortable occasionally (repetitive behaviors like pacing, for example) but most of these animals are either unfit for the wild (injured, too cozy with humans, etc.) or will eventually be released back into the wild (see: Wood Bison).
Fees are reasonable and if you plan on coming more than once you should just pony-​up and get a pass.
You can get some really GREAT photos here, especially when the surrounding mountains have snow on them.
For a crazy show, try to come by when the bears are being fed. I once saw a lone Bald Eagle (a wild one) swoop down and steal food from the seagulls! (who were raiding the bear food).
Definitely worth a stop.
Go to Jack Sprat (
) for brunch before… or for dinner after.