Eagle River Nature Center - Only a short distance from downtown Anchorage, at the nature center take a walk down the Rodak Trail to viewing decks to look for beavers and  salmon (salmon spawn in August).  On the Albert Loop Trail, moose or bears are often sighted. Inside the center is the "Close up corner," where kids can touch caribou antlers, black bear pelt and skull, beaver tail, or moose hoof. Picnic tables in a nice outdoor setting.

Mirror Lake - Just north of Eagle River on the Glenn Highway, stop off a Mirror Lake to enjoy the picnic tables by the lake, a small children's playground with swings, and swimming on a warm day.