Welcome to the Alaska Travel & Vacation Guide. This site will provide you with information about Alaska from the unique perspective of an Alaskan’s point of view. While seeing Bald Eagles or Moose while on a drive are common, they are still well appreciated by all that see them.
Alaska, often described as a land of superlatives, offers a different glimpse for everyone that visits or travels in the state. Being such a large region it can’t help but show a different side to different people. Those that visit Southeast Alaska, marvel at the tremendous beauty, abundant sea life, and dense vegetation. Visitors to the interior of Alaska may experience hot dry weather, open plains, and view less wildlife than on the coast. Those that go to Denali Park will come to expect a new wildlife encounter around every bend in the road.
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MyAlaskan was written to help you plan a trip to Alaska, whether it be an cruise or a wilderness adventure. If you would like to keep track of changes we make to this Alaska Travel site you can check in at our blog where we will post changes and new content to the site. We will also make an effort to highlight changes on this home page if you want to check back from time to time.
While all of these perspectives are true, none truly describe this great state in its’ entirety. Our goal is not to create just another Alaska travel site, but rather offer unique and helpful I
nformation for every Alaska visitor. While we can help you plan an itinerary with suggestions, we hope that the depth of information we provide helps you create your own special trip to Alaska, and allows you to see or experience most your goals for your Alaskan Adventure. A common realization when coming to Alaska or planning a trip is that you need more time — or want more time once you are here. Many visitors come to the state on a 7 or 10 day cruise, and while wonderful, they find it is only a teaser of what there is to experience. Travelers that come by ship are now frequently adding an additional week or two of land excursions or returning the next year for more adventurous travel. About a third of the riders on the Alaska Railroad at any given time during the summer are return visitors.
Group travel and wilderness adventures in some of the more remote areas of Alaska are becoming quite common. In the past you may needed your own experience and equipment, chartered you own plane, and logistical support for a wilderness trip — today there are many qualified companies that provide float trips, hiking, camping, and glacier travel. They can provide the trip, support, training, or just the equipment, you just need the desire.
Featured Alaskan Town – Barrow Alaska
Alaska is composed of many wonderful places. They range from wilderness gems, villages, rowdy towns, and magnificent alpine peaks. We have put together a few of these wonders of Alaska and are sharing them with you. As you travel or live in Alaska try to visit these places and share them with your friends and guests from the outside. We’ll start with the largest town in Alaska. This months featured city is Barrow.
Barrow Alaska History: The Inupiat have inhabited the Arctic, for thousands of years. Evidence exists today that this area was inhabited from about 5000 to 900 A.D. Archealogical remains of sixteen dwelling mounds from the Birmirk Culture can still be seen. These early residents of Barrow, Alaska survived, and thrived, by hunting whales, seals, and walrus, fishing and inland hunting.
Barrow, Alaska borrowed its name from Point Barrow. Point barrow was named for Sir John barrow of the British Admiralty. In the early 1800s the British were plotting the Arctic coastline in North America. By 1881, the U.S. Army established a meteorological and magnetic research station at Barrow. A decade later the Cape Smythe Whaling and Trading Station was established. By the turn of the century Barrow, Alaska had a post office and a Presbyterian Church. By the mid 1940s oil exploration had begun.
The Naval Arctic Research Laboratory was built in the 1940s just north of Barrow, Alaska. The Naval Arctic Research Laboratory has taken the place of expeditions to the Arctic to gather scientific information. Scientific study of the Arctic is now done with satellites, and automated instruments or sensors taking readings on the ice, in the ocean, or on land. Using computers data is compiled and analyzed.
Oil was discovered in nearby Prudhoe Bay and construction of the oil fields and the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline began in March 1975 and was completed in May 1977. The pipeline covers over 800 miles of Alaskan landscape. It crosses three mountain ranges, and over 800 rivers. The pipeline is 48 inches in diameter. Nearly 21,600 people were employed to build the pipeline at the peak of its construction.
The tax revenues from the North Slope oil fields fund many borough and Barrow services. The North Slope also provides many high-paying jobs to those living in Barrow, Alaska. Learn More.
Things to do in Alaska
Alaska offers the visitor a wide variety of activities to do during their trip. Some are unique to Alaska and other activities are best experienced in Alaska. Whether it be shopping for native Alaskan crafts, riding in a dog sled, fishing for halibut, or panning for gold, Alaska will satisfy even the most selective travelers needs for unique and wonderful experiences.
A common problem most visitors to Alaska face is not finding something to do during their vacation but rather selecting which of the many options they have available to them do partake in during their Alaska Vacation. We have selected the most popular activities for people coming to Alaska, but this list in far from being definitive.
MyAlaskan Local Guide is constantly growing and we will add more things to do on your Alaska vacation as time allows. Where appropriate we list approximate prices and time required for the activity. Some of the activities and excursions listed here can be easily done with no prior planning or preparation. Others might require a reservation made months in advance, training, and specialized gear. What ever the case we will let you so that you can make the most of your Alaska Vacation.
Gold Prospecting: — To many people gold prospecting is synonymous with Alaska and something they would like to “try their hand at” during a visit to Alaska. No matter if you want to a one hour lesson in gold panning, spend a day working gold bearing gravel, or strike out on your own — you’ll find what you need in Alaska to start your gold prospecting adventure. To get started you only need an inexpensive gold pan, some knowledge of where to go, and the desire to find gold in Alaska.
