Begich, Boggs Visitor Center — Attraction in Alaska

At different times of the year the lake and mountains can be quite stunning. If you are thinking about getting a better camera before going to Alaska, this is one of those places where you will be glad you did. Air is clean and clear. You might take photos for an hour like I did. I didn't need a tripod. Every shot was beautiful. Glacier can be seen more when the snow is gone, which is in the summer. Still a lot of snow but not so much it hides the ice. The tunnel is here at the Visitor Center for the highway that goes over to Whittier. Visitor Center is good for about 30 minutes. Nice restrooms in the Visitor Center. Snack and drink vending. Plenty of parking for your RV. At times a boat ride around the lake is offered. We were with a group and didn't have time. You might. I should add, if you are on a bus going from Anchorage south to Seward, sit on the right side of the bus. About 90% of all the beautiful lake views are on the right side going south. Reverse that going north. Lots of fog in the Anchorage area in the mornings but it burns off by maybe 10 am. Set your digital camera on Sports Setting, or set the shutter to about 1/1000 speed. Most...

Good visitor center, staff seemed not very engaged. To entrr the movir and exhivit areas you have to pay $5 or have a NPS pass (America the Beautiful Annual, a Senior Lifetime or Military NPS pass) Movie, while very good, had trouble starting (staff had to reset)and due to the curtains behind the film not being closed properly all the way we suffered thru a foot wide white line of daylight thru the entire movie so the quality was not as great. Did not realize what it was till too late to tell staff. One area of artifacts roped off. Salmon running film was timestamped 2014. Surely a newer one could have been done since then? I read in some guide that there was to be a recreated ice cave at the center - we saw no evidence of that. It IS a great center to bring children. Many of their interactive exhibits are geared towards children, school-aged. For all the build up this center gets, we were disappointed. Also, we had to request that toilet paper be filled as multiple stalls were out at the same time, which told me no one checked supplies that morning. Overall, it was not a great visit- we had...

The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is a surprisingly informative gem dedicated to the Chugach National Forest and Portage Glacier. It features several rooms filled with engaging exhibits, including animal sounds, interactive displays, and binoculars for wildlife viewing. The on-site cinema offers an immersive experience, showcasing the stunning natural beauty of the area.The center is much more than a typical visitor center; it's a full-fledged museum. Given its extensive and educational exhibits, a name change to reflect its museum-like quality would be fitting. Instead of expecting a simple information desk with maps, visitors will find a rich, educational experience that brings the wonders of the Alaskan...