Juneau
Outdoor adventure is second nature to Juneau residents, and camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, rafting and boating are all embraced with enthusiasm. However, there are plenty of indoor activities in the southeastern city of Juneau as well, such as the Alaska State Museum, the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church or the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. Check out the State Capitol building, constructed in 1931, via a free tour or visit the Governor’s Mansion, built in 1912. Fine restaurants, quaint boutiques and shops and a bustling port make this capital city come alive, day or night. Many charter companies are located in Juneau to take travelers into the nearby Sitka National Historic Park via plane, boat or hiking tours.
Fairbanks
Nestled in the heart of Alaska’s interior, Fairbanks is the link between the more civilized southern cities and the wilderness to the north. A commercial center and headquarters for adventure trips, Fairbanks has amazing scenery and plenty of history. Outdoor recreation is plentiful and many people use this frontier city as the starting point for expeditions to Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain in North America. See the University of Alaska Museum of the North or shop for Native American crafts downtown. Enjoy a Gold Rush festival and take a turn at dog-sledding or snowshoeing. Fairbanks is also home to the Creamers Field Migratory Bird Refuge, where thousands of birds come to live during the season. For a final thrill, ride the Riverboat Discovery up the river on a guided tour.
Sitka
The fourth largest Alaskan city, Sitka is a city with many historic sites to see. The dormant volcano, Mount Edgecumbe, dominates the scenery at 3,200 feet. There are many attractions in Sitka, such as the Pioneer Home, the Sheldon Jackson Museum, St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center. Sitka by the Sea, as it is often called, is a fine place to explore the people and events that made Alaska what it is today. There are many day cruises and guided tours into the nearby wilderness from Sitka. Enjoy some of Sitka’s cultural events, such as the Sitka Jazz Festival, the Summer Music Festival and the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
Ketchikan
The southernmost city of significant size, Ketchikan sits on Alaska’s panhandle on the Revillagigedo Island. It’s the gateway into Alaska and residents are proud of their lovely city that has many of its homes and shops suspended above the water. Many Alaska cruise ships stop in Ketchikan and thousands more visit from the south. Logging and fishing are the primary industries in Ketchikan. The City Dock and Historic Creek Street area features the Tongass Historical Museum, Dolly’s House Museum and the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. Check out the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show for some thrilling demonstrations, and see the native culture at the Totem Heritage Center.
Kenai
Because it was once owned and inhabited by Russians, there are many significant architectural influences to be found in Alaska. The city of Kenai is no exception, and the Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church is a fine example of this type of architecture. The church, built in 1894 is still used today. Kenai boasts the best qualities that a smaller town has to offer, and this tight-knit community is a wonderful place to live and play.
How to get there:
There are actually several ways to get to Alaska, depending on what part of the state you are heading to. Of course, the easiest and quickest way is to fly. Depending on where you are flying from, most flights go into Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Ketchikan. There are also ferries that you can take but don't expect a short trip. For example, from Bellingham, WA to Ketchikan, AL takes approximately 37 hours. Last but not least, you may choose to make the trip a true adventure and drive! If you plan on driving, do your research and plan for a long, long car ride! For more information on driving to Alaska, visit the community discussion at
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The Climate:
Given the enormous size of Alaska and its location, the weather varies greatly depending on where your Alaska flight takes you. Some places go into the 80s (F) and 90s in summer, others make it into the 30s. Along the southern coast winter temperatures are in the 20s, while farther north they drop to -50 and lower. The southern areas have well-defined four seasons and northern areas have winter and summer. The northern coast has the most dramatic change in daylight hours. In Barrow, the sun sets at 12.50pm on November 18 and rises at 11.51am on January 24. By 1.06am on May 10 there is 24-hour daylight. Alaskan weather is famously unpredictable; a snow storm on July 4 followed by a hot July 5 is not out of character.
Why Alaska?
It’s an exciting travel destination, and Alaska provides many amazing opportunities for fun and adventure. At the Inside Passage, see the glaciers crash into the frigid ocean or follow in the footsteps of early prospectors at the town of Skagway, the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush. Juneau and Anchorage offer the best cultural entertainment, museums and sporting events, and the isolated Aleutian Islands provide a glimpse into Alaska’s native past. Many national parks can be found in Alaska, from Denali National Park to Sitka National Historic Park, where outdoor recreation abounds and wildlife flourishes. So, why Alaska? Why not!
Anchorage
