If I had 3 days with a rental car in Anchorage, I would LEAVE Anchorage. There isn't anything wrong with Anchorage, but there are just SO many things to see and do everywhere!
I would head north out of town - destination Denali National Park. If you are there EARLY in September, it should still be open. If you are crazy lucky, it will still be in "fall" (which lasts about two weeks) with spectacular golden leaves and possibly brilliant red fireweed. Book a bus tour into the park, it's worth every penny. You can only drive a few miles in but the buses go all the way to Wonder Lake.
On the way up or back, hit up Talkeetna. It's few miles off the main road, but it's good pavement/safe travel and is just a cool little town. Touristy, but also THE jumping-off place for those who are climbing Denali. You won't run into anyone actively prepping for their climb in September as that seems to run quite a bit earlier in the season. Great place to eat is Talkeetna Roadhouse. Great food, generous portions and a lot of fun group seating. Especially if you are up earlier in the year and get to eat with people prepping for a climb! They are SO jazzed up! Need a little more adventure? Get a plane tour of Denali - some of them even land on the shoulders of the mountain.
If you are out of the car, don't mess with the moose or the bears...
angela
