| Population | 625,000 |
| Capital | Juneau |
| Language spoken | English |
| Currency | American Dollar (USD) |
| Average temperature | 55°F in summer; 23°F in winter |
| High season | June through August |
With an abundance of natural attractions and adventurous activities, Alaska deserves any traveler's attention. Already a popular cruise destination, America's Last Frontier has established several excellent sights on terra firma that draw in 1.1 million visitors per year, almost double its current population.
The next time you feel the need to escape the urban sprawl, breathe fresh air and see nature's wonders, give Alaska serious consideration. Worries that the cold weather will deter fun activity are unfounded, since the average temperature during the peak tourist months of July and August climbs to a warm 65F (18C).
Cities like Anchorage and Juneau are developed and modern, offering the same types of comforts that metropolises further away from the Arctic Circle have. With no excuses left to avoid visiting the largest state in the Union, let's see what three full days can bring.
Day 1: Anchorage
Alaska's largest city is an unavoidable hub for most visitors. It hosts an international airport and all the amenities sought out by sportsmen and businesses travelers. Although Anchorage was once dismissed by locals as a mere gateway to bigger and better things in the rest of the state, the recent aggressive development of the city has rendered such criticism obsolete.earthquake park's a shocker
After settling in at a Hilton, Marriott or a more cozy bed and breakfast, get ready to explore Anchorage's great parks, museums and recreational centers.Your first visit should be to Earthquake Park, a site commemorating a powerful 1964 quake that killed three and shifted land 2000 feet towards the sea. The account of the mini-disaster is interesting but, more importantly, the park provides great views of Anchorage's skyline and the hulking Mount McKinley and Mount Foraker.
cruise the downtown strip
With this tour complete, you'll be better equipped to travel through Anchorage, which covers twice the land of New York City. Next, stroll through Delaney Park, a downtown green space replete with lazy sunbathers and local merchants.After seeing your fair share of cosmopolitan Alaskan hotties, veer off to the downtown grid. Though the city lacks a true core, you'll still find cool stores and restaurants.
delaney park's a treasure
No trip to Anchorage is complete without a true taste of the Alaskan outdoors. Forget the urban landscape and geese seen at Delaney Park; Chugach State Park is where the manly outdoors awaits. This half-million-acre preserve serves as a constant reminder that minutes outside the confines of the city lie miles of uncharted territory.At Chugach, grab a pair of binoculars and look for eagles, take a romantic stroll with your woman along the many wildflower-lined paths, or organize a hike and look for mountain goats, sheep, bears, and wolves. The more adventurous types will want to tackle a mountain-biking trail, but keep in mind that this requires a half-day of your time and a reservation in advance.
dinner and drinks
So far, you've only gotten a peek into what Anchorage offers. Fathers will appreciate the distraction the Imaginarium museum and the Alaska Zoo provide for their kids, while a great number of historical and art museums will keep any culture-lover content. No matter where you go, you should top off your day in Anchorage by sitting down with dinner at the Club Paris steakhouse and grabbing a beer at the Glacier Brew House.Day 2: Denali National Park
To see why tourism is booming in Alaska, you'll have to move out of Anchorage and check out the wild splendor that is Denali National Park. With the 20,320-foot Mount McKinley as a focal point, it has become the state's most popular spot thanks to vast camping grounds, hundreds of terrific hiking paths and plenty of animal sightings.stay in a cabin or tent
Denali National Park is 229 miles north of Anchorage, and is easily accessible by car via the George Parks Highway. The length of your stay here depends on what you want to do: campers might elect to stay a couple of nights in their own tents, while those wanting more comfort can rent cozy cabins for a week or more. Rates for these cabins can range from $99 per night for a couple to $199 per night for a group of six.dogsled in winter
A typical day usually starts with a stroll along a nature trail. These meandering paths can range in length up to several miles -- the length of your stroll on them will depend on how far you stray in search of a rare bird or a little forest foray with your lady friend. If you do plan on wandering, make sure to pack a compass and whistle. Have no idea where true north is? Visit one of three visitor centers for lessons on orienteering.In the winter, these hikes turn into great snowshoeing and dogsledding opportunities. In fact, despite the agreeable weather in the summer, it is the winter in Denali that is most attractive. Following a hike or snowshoe trip, you can make Native Alaskans proud and try your hand at dogsledding. Corral huskies from Denali's kennel and scream "Mush!" as you ride around the base of Mount McKinley.
chill in a hot tub
Following a marathon walk or dog-ride, you'll need to rest. Check back into your cabin and take a relaxing dip in the personal outdoor hot tubs that Denali's management provides. Then, to optimize your limited time, grab your camera and a map of the park: It's time to do find some animals.Many visitors to Denali can boast at least one grizzly bear, wolf, caribou, moose, or lynx sighting. Join this group by patrolling the backwoods, being quiet and keeping your eyes peeled. Just remember not to get too close; you don't want to be featured on FOX's next When Animals Attack special.
raft, climb & ski
If picture-taking is too tame for you, suit up in a wetsuit and try whitewater rafting on the Nenana River. Other heart-stopping adventures include mountain climbing and heli-skiing. To close out a day at Denali, enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal by the lodge's chefs and then relax by a fire, either in the cabin or outdoors with other adventurous campers.Day 3: Fishing in the Kenai Peninsula
You don't think that I'd recommend a vacation to Alaska without a fishing trip, do you? Of all the outdoor activities that Alaska offers, this may be the best. The clear waters, abundance of salmon and halibut, and experienced guides in the Kenai Peninsula region make it one of the best fishing spots in North America.small villages
The Kenai Peninsula, which lies to the south of Anchorage, is the state's busiest recreational spot. The scenic hamlet of Homer and the fjords and glaciers which dot the coastline make it a popular tourist stop. Behind the area's successful tourism push is fishing; guides are overbooked for river, ocean and stream angling.boats & abundant fish
Your best bet for a true Alaskan fishing experience is to settle in the village of Homer, Kenai or Ninilchik. Boats specially designed for saltwater fishing sit in the docks awaiting eager groups of fishermen. Most are equipped with GPS, depth sounders and top fishing rods and lures in order to give you and your fishing buddies the best experience possible.While floating in the Pacific Ocean, Kenai River or a small stream, you'll have the opportunity to catch red, pink and king salmon, as well as halibut, rainbow trout and numerous others. Many of the charters offer day-long fishing trips and are happy to freeze, can or smoke your catch at the end of trip.
Commonly, fishing companies charge $165 for a day of halibut and salmon angling, while four- or five-day excursions can cost upwards of $1,100. You'll have to dig deep in your checkbook to enjoy this trip to the fullest.
relax at a b&b
After a whole day on the water, retire to one of Kenai's quaint towns. You can feast on your day's catch at a bed and breakfast and then wind down by touring the popular local art galleries. No matter how you look at it, fishing is the way to go in Alaska.alaska, for the outdoorsman
From Anchorage to Kenai and Mount McKinley to Homer, Alaska has the goods to please any adventurous dude. Fishing, mountain climbing, dogsledding, and hiking are only a few of the outdoor activities available and, along with a few friends, can make your stay in the Great White North fantastic.tips for the trip
Resources:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_america/anchorage/attractions.htm
http://www.concierge.com/destination/anchorage/overview
http://www.nps.gov/dena/pphtml/activities.html
http://www.alaskanet.com/Tourism/parks/Denali/index.html
http://www.denali-cabins.com/
http://www.worldwidefishing.com/alaska/b154/
http://www.kenairiverbend.com/rates.htm
http://www.kenaioutfitters.com/alaska-fishing-rates.shtml
Alaska Travel Guide
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