So family is coming out in a couple weeks and I wanted to take them flying. I'm looking for ideas as to where to take them but I'm still fairly new to the area.

I'm open to pretty much anything but I have some limitations. I'll be flying an Aero Club 180hp 172 and will be limited to 2000ft strips (Aero Club rules). My buddy might join me in his PA-28-160 as well. We can just go fly around, or drop in somewhere to fish.

Any of you long-time Alaskans have some ideas?

Just some of the close strips, Talkeetna, Palmer, Wassila, Homer, Soldotna, Kenia, Seward, Birchwood, It's been awhile but I think Goose Bay would fit your parameters Whitier might work, just be carefull of the winds going thru the rocks(they can really move there)
Have fun!
pm me I should be coming thru ANC. around the 1st

Goos Bay is a rat hole but yes, big enough and nothing to see.
Skwentna has a Herc strip and they make a mean burger.
Talkeetna is alsways good for out of towners and not too far (The West Rib), stick to the main field not the Village strip. Fairbanks is nice if they're not afraid of sitting in the plane for a little while. Homer (Salty Dog) Valdez (Pipeline). Measure things in time not distance.
If you have the coin, put them on the train to Denali and then after they do that, fly them on the same route. It will change their perspective for good!
Another option depending on the time of year is to work with your buddy in the -18 and ferry them from the long strip to the gravel bar for Silver fishing. Few places available for Kings this year though it seems.

A nice local sightseeing flight (provided wind isn't ripping over the mountains) is: take off from any Anchorage-area airport, and go up arctic valley. Use the valley to get time to climb, so when you reach the head and you're over the Chugach in all its beauty, with the glaciers sprawling beneath you, you have altitude. In fact, if you look carefully and then take the time to make a climbing 360 or two, you can pass it off as photo opportunities for Anchorage and the mountains. Go over the head of Crow Creek pass, back toward Upper Lake George, and come down over Upper Lake George, Inner Lake George, and the Knik Glacier. (Before you do this, familiarize yourself with the area CTAF and reporting points in the back of the supplement, so you know where the other planes are going to be. Talk. It's a easy, fun flight, if you know where traffic is and they know where you are. Keep a sharp eye out for no-radio cubs anyway, because they're out there. )

Come back down the Knik River - you'll pass some spectacular waterfalls, there's a mountainside where a flock of mountain goats tends to hang out pretty reliably, then you've got moose-spotting fun in all the braided channels. Use this time to lose altitude. Call in to Palmer, land there, and it's a short and easy walk (a mile, maybe?) into downtown for food at the Vagabond Cafe or somewhere else awesome. This also gives any female passengers a bathroom break, which is never a bad idea, as well stretching legs and a chance to switch who's sitting up front. (Also keeps the flight short enough that it reduces chance of airsickness.)

Come back to Anchorage along the West side of the Chugach, following the highway in - stay over the highway or to the east of it to avoid Elmendorf's restricted area, unless you Aero club guys can cut across there, and keep in mind that if the wind is coming out of Prince William Sound, you want to be to the east of the highway when passing Eagle River, so you don't get blown into the restricted area. Keep your eyes peeled - it's a busy corridor. And have fun!

Alternatively: Willow's fun to land and dash across the highway to the trading post for ice cream and pie (or actual food, but who wants that when there's rhubarb pie?). Plan your climb carefully, and take the long way through Hatcher pass, or just come meandering through the Matsu Valley, if they're aviation-oriented, and play spot-the-airstrips. Either way, listen to the area CTAFs and keep your eyes peeled for skydivers if it's good weather.

For running up to Fairbanks, I recommend a stop in Talkeetna (provided you can find space in transient parking) for bathroom break, coffee, and brownies, as well as one last check of Windy Pass before going through. Even passengers who don't spend much time in small planes can be hauled fairly long distances if you keep the legs short.

For Homer: plan on it taking up the day, especially if your guests like to hit the touristy shops on the spit, or rent a kayak. Bicycle rental makes getting around a lot easier, and prevents the "I refuse to take another step" conversation with a small child who didn't tell you they got a blister after running into the waves and soaking their shoes. By the way, pack moleskin. You may get plenty of PT, but lots of people wear bad shoes and severely overestimate their ability to walk long distances. A little forethought and a small first aid kit with extra sunscreen, aloe vera, dramamine, moleskin, ibuprofin, tweezers, a couple clif bars and a bottle of water or two can save the day.

YELLOWMAULE wrote: Homer (Salty Dog) .

the salty dog doesn't serve food, kurt......what sort of fly-in visit could one make to this establishment without an overnight stay ?

I can't believe the entire Anchorage area stripped for some families visit.