When does the Iditarod Start?

I'm going to Alaska for the start of the Iditarod at the end of the month. What's not to be missed that's either race-related or in and around Anchorage?

• Answer:

  The ceremonial start of the Iditarod occurs in Anchorage, and then the formal start ("restart") occurs the next day in Willow, whence the racers push north. These are the best two places to see the race - otherwise you need to have access to snowmachines (this is what Alaskans call snowmobiles) or planes. Ideas for things to do in Anchorage (borrowed from my answer to : Go snowshoeing in Far North Bicentennial Park or Chugach State Park - these border on each other. (snowshoes available for rent at REI) (park info: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/chugach/) Go cross-country skiing on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail or Chester Creek Trails (these are part of the ceremonial Iditarod course). Go ice skating on Westchester Lagoon (You can rent skates at Play It Again Sports in Spenard). (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=tony+knowles+coastal+trail&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl) This is a little lake that Parks & Recreation maintains for skating in the winter Go to the Alaska Native Heritage Center (not open 7 days a week in winter, check). (http://www.alaskanative.net/) Have lunch or dinner at the Bear Tooth Grill. Drink a Pipeline Stout- best dark beer in the world. (http://beartooththeatre.net/) Have a beer at Midnight Sun Brewery. Amazing beer. http://midnightsunbrewing.com/ Visit the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center to see beautiful Alaska Native art. http://www.anchoragemuseum.org/ Check the Aurora forecast to see if it's worth looking for the northern lights:http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/auroraforecast/. If the lights are happening, you can get a great view at the Flattop Parking Lot in Chugach State Park. If you have access to a car, drive to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, to see bears, moose, bison, muskoxen, caribou and all kinds of other Alaskan wildlife. http://www.alaskawildlife.org/ - this is about an hour south of Anchorage. Also if you have a car, drive to the Portage Glacier VIsitor Center. Get up close and personal with a glacier. (http://www.alaskageographic.org/static/846/begich-boggs-visitor-center-portage-valley)