The Land of the Midnight Sun
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The Far North
The Far North is located inside the mysterious Arctic Circle. Legend has it that as pilots fly over it, they give their passengers a bump to let them know they have crossed over into uncharacteristic territory. Alaska’s Arctic is home to the Inupiat Eskimos, many who still live and preserve their history verbally from generation to generation. The villages of the Far North are easily reached through Fairbanks or Anchorage by jet or small aircraft. This is one of Alaska’s most varied regions, filled with cultural opportunities, wildlife, and a setting ranging from coastal plains to mountain peaks. In Nome there are a variety of opportunities to participate in the Far North’s great outdoors. The Carrie McLain Museum is home to over 6,000 historical photos and exhibits about Native culture, Eskimo art, and the gold rush. Nome’s most exciting event is the finale of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race which runs 1,049-miles from Anchorage to Nome and celebrates efforts to deliver life saving serum to Nome during a diphtheria epidemic in 1925. Anaktuvuk Pass is the last remaining settlement of the inland northern Inupiat Eskimo. Their ancestors, who date back to 500 BC, settled the village in this area because it lies directly on a caribou migration route.
Alaska's Interior
Known as Alaska’s heartland, the Interior is home to Mt. McKinley, the continent’s highest peak, and forests teeming with wildlife and birds ranging from the formidable grizzly to stately herds of caribou. In Delta Junction you can arrange to visit glaciers, pick wild berries, fish, or even observe a herd of American bison at the Delta Bison Range. Visiting Fairbanks, you can tour a working gold mine, visit an authentic gold dredge, or get a taste of pioneer life at Pioneer Park featuring several museums, shops, and authentic turn-of-the-century cabins. Kids will love a trip to the community of North Pole, which receives thousands of letters for Santa Claus every year. Attractions include views of the trans-Alaska pipeline and plenty of hot springs in the area to visit and relax in. South of Nenana is the Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park and Preserve with recreational opportunities including hiking, rock and ice climbing, photography, wildlife viewing, nature walks, horseback treks, and river excursions. See its famous panoramic views of Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range.
The Southern Region
The Southern region is home to well over one-half of the state’s population and is home to a plethora of activities from world-class fishing to hiking and wildlife viewing. Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, is a popular visitor destination offering luxury hotels, fine cuisine, and shopping only minutes from state parks, a large paved bake path system, famous historical sites, and a gorgeous view of the Chugach Mountains. The town of Seward’s harbor is alive with cruise ships, fishing charters, and sailing opportunities with Wildlife cruises leaving around the clock for Kenai Fjords National Park to look for whales, seals, and sea lions. Visit Homer, an active fishing and artistic community. The Homer Spit offers five miles of beaches along Kachemak Bay, famous for salmon and halibut fishing. Kodiak is the principal town on Kodiak Island and the home of Alaska’s largest fishing fleet. While the original inhabitants of Kodiak were the Alutiiq people, 7,000 years later their descendants still live on the island so visit the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository to get an indication of the local Native history and culture. The Alaska Peninsula extends 550 miles into the Pacific Ocean and visitors use scheduled air service from Anchorage to Dillingham, Iliamna, or King Salmon for access to the region’s fly-in fishing lodges. Past the tip of the Alaska Peninsula, the Aleutian Islands begin their 1,000-mile stretch towards Asia. These incredible windswept islands, the location of numerous national wildlife refuges, were the location for a battle between Japanese and American troops lasting 19 days in May of 1943. Bird watchers can fly from Anchorage to see the world famous wildlife colonies on St. George and St. Paul Islands in the Bering Sea that are home to over 240 bird species, including puffins. A population of 2.5 million birds makes St. George the host of the largest known sea bird colony in the Western Hemisphere.
The Inside Passage
Alaska’s Inside Passage boasts wildlife-filled fjords and lush island scenery, a habitat for bald eagles, sea lions, porpoises, and whales formed by the overwhelming force of colossal glaciers millions of years ago. Ketchikan serves as Alaska’s southern most port for the majority of Inside Passage cruises and is a major center for sport fishing. Visitors can tour the Tongass Historical Museum, which offers exhibits of conventional native culture, a history of the fishing business, and an example of a timber camp bunkhouse. Juneau, Alaska’s capital and the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park, is a lively mix of contemporary architecture and charming Victorian homes. Popular attractions include the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, local museums, and the famous Mendenhall Glacier. Fly over the magnificent Juneau ice field, birthing ground to more than 40 glaciers or you can take a scenic boat tour to magnificent Tracy Arm Fjord to view birds, seals, and whales.