Added in early 2002 as the second main pillar of the Kunstsammlung and accommodating contemporary art was the Ständehaus am Kaiserteich, until 1988 the seat of the Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia. Four wings with continuous arcades surround the building’s central public area, a spacious plaza. The creative treatment of this representative building in the Historicist style (1876-80) by the Munich architectural office of Kiessler + Partner created a modern museum building with a striking glaze domed roof which shapes the building’s aesthetic and at the same time spans an expansive sculpture garden located on the uppermost level. Together, a flexible hall for temporary exhibitions in the ground floor level and the upper galleries comprise more than 5300 m² of surface area. Installations and artist’s rooms are an important focus of the Kunstsammlung, an area which has been expanded continuously in recent years.

Take a padlock and key and take your sweetheart to Tumski Bridge, lock the padlock to the bridge and then throw away the key to Odra River. By doing so it is claimed to make your love stronger and make it last forever. You will also find out that you are not the only one; there are hundreds of padlocks on the bridge, with names, dates and short messages.

You don’t even have to go far—or leave the city—to fish in Anchorage. During salmon season, Ship Creek, just a few blocks from downtown, fills up with locals trying their luck. Outfitters around town can help with gear, licenses, and tips if you’re new to it. If you’ve got a car, there are plenty of spots within an hour where you can go after trout, grayling, and more salmon.

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail runs about 18 km from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park, tracing the edge of the shoreline the whole way. You can bike it, walk it, run it—whatever pace you’re feeling. Enjoy scenic views of the water and the towering presence of Denali on cloudless days.