Visiting Anchorage

If you go

THE BEST WAY TO ANCHORAGE

From LAX, Alaska offers nonstop service to Anchorage, and Delta, Alaska, United, US Airways and Frontier offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares from $585.

WHAT TO RIDE

Motoquest (4346 Spenard Road, Anchorage; [907] 272-2777, motoquest.com) rents the highest-grade motorcycles and equipment as well as supplies guides. Most riders on this trip were on BMW GS1200s, which are $170-$210 a day, depending on length of rental. Some of the best roads are open only mid-May to September.

WHAT TO WEAR

The weather in Alaska can be extreme even in summer, with daytime temperatures in June from 35 to 75 degrees. A waterproof jacket and pants, with zip-out warm-weather liners, is essential, as are waterproof boots and gloves.

WHERE TO STAY

Swiss-Alaska Inn, 22056 S. F St., Talkeetna; (907) 733-2424, www.swissalaska.com. Singles from $152.

Tangle River Inn, Mile 20, Denali Highway, Delta Junction; (907) 822-3970, tangleriverinn.com. Cabins from $157.

Best Western Harbor Inn, 100 Harbor Drive, Valdez; (907) 835-3434, www.valdezharborinn.com. Singles from $179.

Sheep Mountain Lodge, 17701 W. Glenn Highway, Glacier View; (907) 745-512, sheepmountain.com. Cabins from $169.

WHERE TO EAT

Anchorage has many food options. Outside the city, choices are more limited. Our best meals were at:

Open Café, 606 S. Alaska St., Palmer; (907) 745-3330. Excellent chili and banana cream pie.

Wildflower Cafe, 13578 N. Main St., Talkeetna; (907) 733-2695, Fresh Alaskan salmon and halibut.

Long Rifle Lodge, 31406 Glenn Highway, Sutton; (907) 745-5151, longriflelodge.co. Try the Glacier burger and the berry crisps.

Sheep Mountain Lodge, 17701 W. Glenn Highway, Glacier View; (907) 745-5121, sheepmountain.com. Famous for homemade pies and sourdough pancakes.

TO LEARN MORE

Websites for Denali National Park (www.nps.gov/dena) and the Bureau of Land Management (on.doi.gov/VspBDK) have useful information on driving and riding between Anchorage and Mt. McKinley.