PLANNING YOUR TRIP, ALASKA IS BIG, It can be overwhelming to plan a trip to Alaska. What are the best spots to see bears or moose or beautiful sunsets? Do you want to spend a lot of time in one area exploring the wilderness and mountains or make those side excursions while visiting Alaska’s diverse cities? Because Alaska is so big, it’s divided into 5 regions—start your planning by learning about these different locations. If you…
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Alaska attracts more than its fair share of artists. They, in turn, show their love for this unusual place by creating a staggering depth of artwork using local materials and inspiration. Some of the more unusual offerings include soap made with glacial silt, wallets made of fish skin, and prints made by painting the side of a fish and then pressing that fish against the canvas. Photography is…
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Kodiak Island and the Aleutian Islands are Alaska’s own emerald isles, and the history of the Unangax̂, Sugpiaq , and Yup’ik peoples is shaped by their connection to land and sea. Like the Inside Passage, the weather in Southwest Alaska is heavily influenced by ocean currents and maritime conditions. Winds and waves shape the landscape, and rain showers support lush vegetation. Summer…
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Brought to you by the Alaska Marine Highway System, If you’ve ever dreamed of a trip to Alaska, take an unforgettable trip aboard an Alaska State Ferry. It’s an ideal way to travel as a walk-on passenger or with a vehicle and allows you the flexibility to create your own schedule, explore off-the-beaten-path destinations, and experience Alaska at your own pace. Passengers on board an Alaska Marine Highway ferry The Alaska Marine Highway is a state…, Traveling with your vehicle, The Alaska Marine Highway can accommodate a variety of vehicles: from bicycles and motorcycles to passenger vehicles and RV’s. Details on vehicle categories and restrictions are outlined on the Alaska Marine Highway System website . Vehicles over 30 feet in length cannot be booked online but reservations can be made by contacting the reservations call center Monday through Friday, 7:30am – 4:00pm…, Cabins & Facilities, Cabins onboard the ferries provide basic amenities and vary in price according to size and location. Cabins are sold per trip, not per day or per person. Cabins are equipped with single or double bunk bed style berths. Most cabins include private bathroom facilities. For those that do not have private bathrooms, public restroom and shower facilities are available. Passengers sightsee from the…, Camping Onboard, For passengers who opt to travel without a cabin, the recliner lounges also serve as sleeping areas with space to roll out a sleeping bag. Covered solariums located on the upper decks of each vessel are also popular sleeping areas. Travelers are also allowed to set up small tents on the upper decks., Onboard Dining, All vessels, with the exception of the MV Lituya, offer food and beverage service. Hot and cold items, which include Alaska seafood, salads, sandwiches, and beverage service, are served throughout the day in self-service dining areas. Passengers may also bring aboard their own coolers or picnic items. Refrigeration is not available, but mainline vessels do provide coin operated ice machines and…
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Brought to you by Visit Anchorage., Explore a vast state park. Find wildlife and wide-open natural beauty. With Anchorage as your base camp, unforgettable Alaska adventure is always right around the corner. These five easy day trips offer up-close views of Alaska’s outsized outdoor splendor., Girdwood, Hit the scenic Seward Highway and head for Girdwood , the picturesque ski community nestled in the Chugach Mountains. The 45-minute drive is an adventure of its own: The Seward Highway is a designated USDA Forest Service Scenic Byway, an Alaska Scenic Byway, and an All-American Road, and it carves an awe-inspiring path between towering mountains and the powerful tides of Turnagain Arm. Roadside…, Portage Valley, An hour’s drive south of the city, Portage Valley is one of the best places to spot glaciers in the Anchorage area. Start by walking the Williwaw Nature Trail from the Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform. The path connects to the Trail of Blue Ice before reaching the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, with stunning glacier views the whole way. Spend time at the visitor center to learn more about the area’s…, Eagle River, A 15-minute drive north of downtown Anchorage, Eagle River hosts some of Chugach State Park’s most scenic trailheads. Spend an afternoon exploring at the Eagle River Nature Center: It offers interpretive material and a variety of educational programs, and opens the door to a vast trail system offering everything from short walks to days-long backcountry treks. Explorer Walter Mendenhall called…, Eklutna, An hour’s drive north of Anchorage, Eklutna Lake is a turquoise gem set between lofty Chugach peaks. The area is an outdoor playground in all seasons. In summer and fall, hike the popular Twin Peaks Trail – a 2.5-mile uphill route leading to a scenic mountainside lookout — or explore the level, 12.7-mile Lakeside Trail. Walk, bike, or enjoy an ATV tour, or rent kayaks and paddle the lake when the…, As the Crow Flies, Anchorage is home to the largest floatplane base in the world, and Lake Hood is an ideal place to catch a flight. From there, flightseeing tours deliver amazing views of Chugach State Park or Denali itself. Head out to watch for bears in Katmai National Park, or buzz the fractured face of a bright blue glacier. Spend 30 minutes soaring over the city, or book a day-long expedition into a national…
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Brought to you by Visit Sitka, Sitka embodies the total Alaskan experience for visitors. Sitka is located on Baranof Island, on the outer coast of Alaska's Inside Passage . Like most Southeast Alaska communities, Sitka is accessible only by air and by sea. The downtown area is centrally located, and most points of interest are within walking distance of one another. Sitka offers world class-fishing and wildlife encounters, a…, Our Community, Sitka is a community of about 8,500 year-round residents. The Tlingt people have lived here for thousands of years, in the 1700’s Russian fur traders moved into the Sitka area, and in 1867 Sitka was the site of the Alaska transfer from Russia to the United States. We are a community of artists and makers, we share a passion for the outdoors and all that it gives to us. And we are constantly…, History & Culture, With an abundance of culture there is something for everyone in Sitka. Stroll through the Sitka National Historical Park, this area commemorates the site of 1804 Battle of Sitka between the invading Russian traders and the Tlingit Kiks.adi clan. The beautiful accessible park trails are lined with totem poles and in the summer Alaska Native artists demonstrate their work for visitors. The Sheldon…, Wildlife, Sitka is a town on Baranof Island, and we are the only community is Southeast Alaska that faces the open ocean. We are located in the Tongass National Forest, which is a temperate rainforest, so between the rainforest and the ocean we have a mild climate, similar to Vancouver. With an abundance of marine life one of the best ways to see wildlife is on a boat. Sitka’s experienced tour operators…, Fishing, Facing the open ocean and with so many freshwater streams and lakes it’s no surprise that Sitka is known for its world class fishing. We get all five species of salmon here, halibut, and beautiful freshwater trout. Whether you want a guided trip or want to venture out on your own, Sitka will provide a fishing trip of a lifetime. Your fishing options are unlimited, multi-day fully guided trips…, Accommodations, When you are looking for just the right place to lay your head, you have the pick of options to suit your tastes. Sitka has boutique hotels right on the water, hotels with fully equipped suites, and private cabins where you will hear only the sounds of nature. If you want everything taken care of for you, check into one of our all-inclusive resorts with fine dining and award-winning wine…
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Alaska is like no other place in the world, especially in the winter. Snow blankets many of the towns and surrounding landscapes transforming them into a winter wonderland. The breathtaking scenery, unique living culture and thrilling snow sports make any winter visit to Alaska a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But for visitors in search of the spirit of the holiday season, the 49th state is known…, SANTA CLAUS HOUSE, It’s hard to not feel the holiday spirt after visiting North Pole’s magical Santa Claus House. Inside, visitors will be able to check off their shopping lists for friends and family of all ages. Plus, a visit to the Santa Claus House would not be complete without sweet treats! Fudge, cookies, chocolates and candy are all available from the Sweet Shop. After sampling a few snacks, browse through…, SANTA’S LETTERS & GIFTS, Whether families are spending the holidays in Alaska or at home, they can hear from the jolly ‘ol man himself with a personalized letter from Santa’s Letters and Gifts. A family-owned business located in North Pole, Santa’s Letters and Gifts offer letter packages, ornaments and Alaska-made gifts like art tiles, poems and Alaska-themed products. With Santa’s Letters and Gifts packages, all the…, RUNNING REINDEER RANCH, If one reindeer experience is just not enough, trot over to Running Reindeer Ranch. A truly unique Alaska experience, visitors can embark on a guided reindeer walk through boreal forest or take a guided tour of the ranch. There’s even an option to stay overnight at a chalet where guests wake up with reindeer grazing nearby. On the hour-long guided reindeer walk, visitors travel alongside reindeer…, AURORA BOREALIS VIEWING & MORE, As if magical holiday experiences weren’t reason enough to book your Alaska vacation, visiting Fairbanks in the winter also offers travelers a chance to see the northern lights and try a variety of snowy adventures. Walking in a winter wonderland is really a thing! By day, spend time dog mushing at a local kennel, fat-tire biking or cross country skiing on a myriad of trails, snowmobiling ,…, WINTER PLANNING HELP, An incredible winter wonderland, there is nowhere that embodies the festive holiday spirit more than Alaska! Be sure to check out our winter itinerary suggestions to make the most of your trip. From cozy stays in wilderness lodges , exploring small towns aboard the Alaska Railroad , skiing Alaska’s epic slopes, our winter itineraries highlight trip ideas for all interests. Plus, our free …
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The 49th state is abundant in soaring mountains, thriving wildlife, bright summer skies, Indigenous culture and endless wide-open spaces waiting to be explored. Alaska’s big backyard awakens travelers’ sense of adventure as cities seamlessly blend into nature. There’s no time like the present to start planning the Alaska vacation of your dreams . Whether you’re booking a summer vacation, family…, CRUISES, Embarking on an Alaska cruise is one of the most popular ways to experience Alaska, and several major cruise lines are saying out with the old and in with the new — new, larger cruise ships that is. Major cruise lines sailing to Alaska include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Windstar Cruises, Hurtigruten, Cunard Line, Crystal Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and more.…, VACATION TOURS & EXCURSIONS, There is plenty in Alaska to explore on your own, but no one knows Alaska better than the locals! A great way to experience all the state has to offer is by embarking on a locally guided Alaska tour. Depending on the season, travelers can go dog sledding, aurora viewing, flightseeing, whale watching, fishing, hiking and more. These are a few examples of tours and excursions travelers can add to…
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