Try Priceline for cars, and look for secondary chains for accommodation, not Hilton, Sheraton et al. The cruise business absolutely drives the tourism economy in Anchorage in the summer, buying massing blocks of rooms.

You won't save any money on accommodation, but I'd recommend first timers heading down Turnagain Arm to Girdwood for an overnight. You will definitely feel like you're in Alaska, rather than a fairly typical US city (albeit with mountains in the suburbs and moose in the neighborhoods on occasion.) Next day, take the "26 Glacier" cruise out of Whittier for some up-close encounters with amazing scenery. Try the Double Musky restaurant at Girdwood, and the bakery at the Alyeska ski resort lodge in the morning, for cinnamon rolls from heaven.

Visit the Native Heritage Center on the northern edge of Anchorage, to get something of a glimpse of the many human aspects of Alaska, rather than just a diet of mountains and critters.

If you want to buy the best native crafts to take home, the gift shop at the Alaska Native Hospital (get a map - not far from downtown) is by far the best, and quite reasonable given the quality.

If time permits, do try a floatplane flightseeing trip out of Lake Hood (next to ANC.) Some amazing scenery just outside the suburbs.