***More up-to-date and detailed town profiles and specific employment information about Alaska largest town, Anchorage can be found at Alaska Job Finder.***

Unfortunately, our licensing agreement with AlaskaJobFinder doesn't allow us to use the most current version of their Alaska fishing job information. Please use this town profile only for general information, as some of the information may be outdated.

If you work anywhere in Alaska outside the Panhandle, chances are you'll travel through the state's largest city, Anchorage. Anchorage is the hub of Alaska's commerce; home to fully half its population and its largest airport. Anchorage is well-connected to Alaska's road and rail networks, making for easy access to Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska as well as inland destinations like Fairbanks and Denali National Park.

Anchorage is not a great place to visit if you're looking for budget accommodations; hotels and restaurants are expensive and camping is illegal outside designated campgrounds. Fisheries work is also relatively hard to come by in Anchorage. Few deckhand jobs can be found in the city, though a few processing plants and factory trawlers are based near town. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a taste of civilization before heading for more work or back to the Lower Forty-eight, Anchorage is the place to be. You might actually have some luck breaking into the Alaska oil industry while visiting Anchorage. Working in the oil business can be quite lucrative and is as adventurous as being on a fishing boat. Anchorage boasts a lively nightlife and restaurant scene, as oil and fisheries workers return to town and blow huge wads of cash at the city's clubs, bars, and famous striptease joints.

During the long summer daylight hours, check out the salmon run at Ship Creek, visit the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, and enjoy the city's zoo and numerous parks. We also highly recommend taking the three-mile trek up Flat Top Mountain on the edge of town, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Anchorage and Denali (Mt. McKinley). Other outdoor activities include jogging or cycling along Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, climbing Wolverine Peak, or, further afield, visiting Chugach State Park, covering nearly 800 square miles.

There are tons of recreational options for those who wish to get out of the city. The agricultural Mat-Su Valley begins north of Anchorage, and is home to record-breaking cabbage and the like. The equally giant Alaska State Fair is held here every year in late August, featuring a rodeo, 4-H exhibits, and plenty of produce. Those touring through the valley will be greeted by spectacular scenery, excellent fishing and camping, and a restored historic mine site.

Each March the world-famous Iditarod race begins here and travels more than 1 ,000 miles via sled dog over two mountain ranges, ice packs, and along the frozen Yukon River before crossing the finish line at Nome.

Popular summer events include the Anchorage Music Festival, the Mayor's Marathon, held on the solstice, and watching the city's two semi-pro baseball teams play. Getting around in sprawling Anchorage isn't easy; the city bus system, or People Mover, covers the entire city but routes are widely spaced and run infrequently. Taxis are in wide use, but phone them, as they're difficult to hail.

Anchorage Information

Population: 275,000

Location: At the end of Cook Inlet in south-central Alaska

Annual precipitation: 15.2 inches

July averages: Temperature 58.1°F; precipitation 1.9 inches

Inexpensive lodging: Anchorage International Hostel is a very popular place among travelers on their way to canneries on the Kenai or visiting Denali, so make your summer reservations at least one month in advance. Only one block from the city bus terminal. 700 H Street, (907) 276-3635. $15 for AYH members; $18 for nonmembers.

Camping: Centennial Camper Park, 8300 Glenn Highway, (907) 333-9711. Great facilities with restrooms, pay phones, and a nearby grocery store; $13 a day.

Bus Service: Alaska Direct Bus Lines, Inc. (907) 277-6652 heads north, but if you're going south to the Kenai peninsula try Alaska - Denali Transit (907) 273-3331 for cheap fares.

Train Service: The Alaska Railroad, (907) 265-2494,has daily train service to Seward for $43.

Visitors Information: The Log Cabin Visitor Information Center, (907) 276-4118, on the corner of 4th Avenue and F Street has a helpful staff and free maps and lodging information.

Chamber of Commerce: 441 West 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501; (907) 272-2401

***More up-to-date and detailed town profiles and specific employment information about Region 2 towns including Anchorage can be found at Alaska Job Finder.com. Unfortunately, our licensing agreement with AlaskaJobFinder doesn't allow us to use the most current version of their Alaska summer job information. Please use this town profile only for general information, as some of the information may be outdated.

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