Tag: Alaska

  • Northern Lights And Nonstop Flights: This Stunning Alaska City Is The Perfect Fall Adventure

    Northern Lights And Nonstop Flights: This Stunning Alaska City Is The Perfect Fall Adventure

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    Alaska may seem like a far-flung land, and that’s the case for parts of the state. Some regions are so vast and unexplored that they’re only reachable by plane or boat.

    There goes your plans for an epic Alaskan road trip this fall…

    One thing Alaska does have going for it is accessibility to some really cool places. It isn’t as lacking as you might expect.

    Northern Lights lighting up Alaska sky

    There are plenty of nonstop flights taking you to some truly jaw-dropping destinations. The main gateway, other than cruise ships, is the capital city of Anchorage.

    But a 6-hour drive north, the remote city of Fairbanks is full of surprises.

    You don’t need to have a passport in hand and fly across the ocean to Iceland or Scandinavia to bear witness to one of nature’s most incredible phenomena.

    That’s right, as summer winds down, it may be considered autumn for many, but in this part of the U.S., it’s the start of the Northern Lights season.

    America’s Northernmost Airport

    Fairbanks, AK airport

    Alaska is a beast! If you thought Texas or California were massive, coming to Alaska is a whole different experience as bright skylines and gridlock traffic are few and far between.

    Wide open spaces, frequent wildlife sightings, and majestic landscapes will have you forgetting all about city life distractions.

    That being said, what would we do without flights? Exploring the world sure would look a lot different.

    Even in places as isolated as Fairbanks, you gotta have an airport in this day and age.

    Best of all, you don’t need to fly into Anchorage just to make an extra 6-hour journey to reach this underrated city.

    Window view of mountains from Alaska Airlines plane

    What may be most surprising about Fairbanks is that Alaska Airlines actually offers a few flights to America’s northernmost airport.

    The good news is that they’re not the only notable carrier serving Fairbanks.

    Current nonstop routes to Fairbanks International Airport (FAI):

    • United: Chicago (ORD), Denver
    • Delta: Seattle (SEA), Minneapolis
    • Alaska: Anchorage, Seattle (SEA)
    • The rest are ‘puddle jumpers’ I can all but guarantee you’ve never heard of. You may notice American no longer flies here.
    Statues and clock tower in Fairbanks

    Perhaps that’s because the popular airline has a vendetta against liars! Despite being named Fairbanks International Airport, there are no international flights offered here.

    Nope, not even to Canada. And especially not Russia, despite being able to see the controversial nation from Alaska’s ‘backyard’.

    The Fall Adventure Of A Lifetime

    Alaska is brimming with outdoor wonders living up to the moniker of ‘The Last Frontier’.

    One thing is for certain – Alaska is made to be explored. There’s no better time for the remainder of 2024 than fall.

    Northern Lights in Fairbanks, AK

    Teeth-chattering temps will overtake the state come winter, so it’s best to get a head start on your travel plans for fall.

    As the midway point of August is behind us, September should be the focal point. This is the month when Mother Nature’s skies put on a show.

    Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights, illuminates the sky in greens, blues, and occasional pinkish hues from September to spring.

    While there are certainly natural phenomena to not look forward to, such as the current hurricane season, seeing the Northern Lights in person is a bucket-list item to splurge on.

    Northern Lights in Fairbanks

    As someone fortunate enough to witness the dancing sky myself, there’s really no comparison and photos don’t do it justice.

    In fact, my recommendation would be to put your phones away and soak it in. Even with the latest iPhone models, capturing the Northern Lights in their raw essence can be a tough project.

    Best to leave it to the pros.

    You can always venture out on your own to witness the Northern Lights, but for something really unique, you could try a tour like this one that includes dog sledding in the moonlight, dinner, and the Northern Lights!

    Tip: For best viewing, go outside the city away from light pollution.

    A Fairbanks Fall Over A Fairbanks Summer

    Fairbanks is a bit of an oddball – lots of quirks around here.

    Aerial view of Fairbanks cityscape

    Watch The Boneyard to throw your mind for a loop about this place!

    Summer is a popular time for the small city, but it can be a nuisance to those who enjoy some shuteye.

    Fairbanks sees long summers, meaning many days see 24 hours of nonstop daylight! Thankfully, hotels have heavily invested in blackout curtains, but this should be of minimal concern in fall.

    Less crowds, cheaper stays, and the endless fall foliage and wonders of the sky will have you forgetting all about the city life back home in this delightful town.

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    This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

    Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.



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  • I Took An Alaska Cruise And These Were The 6 Mistakes First-Timers Were Making

    I Took An Alaska Cruise And These Were The 6 Mistakes First-Timers Were Making

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    Are you planning an Alaska cruise this year?

    Cruises to Alaska are extremely popular right now, and 2024 is expected to be a record-breaking cruising season according to Cruise Industry News.

    Alaska is a unique and beautiful destination that is well-suited for exploration via cruise.

    Alaska Cruise

    This is because it’s difficult or impossible to travel between many destinations in Alaska except by boat or by air. It’s a huge state (larger than California, Texas, and Montana combined) so a cruise is a great way to visit multiple destinations in a limited amount of time.

    I took my second Alaska cruise last May, and these are the common mistakes I saw many travelers make. Be sure to avoid these mistakes to make sure you have a great Alaska cruise experience!

    Choosing The Wrong Cruise

    Holland America ship cruising in Alaska

    One common mistake that many people make is not considering the itinerary, dates, or cruise line for their Alaska cruise.

    The Alaska cruise season runs from late April through early October, but July and August are the warmest and sunniest months for visiting Alaska.

    If you want to see lots of wildlife like whales and bears, the best time to go is June through August. If you want to go salmon fishing, that window of time is also your best bet.

    When it comes to itinerary, you’ll need to decide if you want to cruise the Inside Passage (usually a week-long cruise starting and ending in the same port) or see more on a Gulf of Alaska cruise (which usually starts or ends in Anchorage.)

    As for cruise lines, I went with Holland America, which I really enjoyed — it’s more of an adult crowd (although still family-friendly) and focuses a lot more on the culture, history, and nature of Alaska.

    Holland America along with Princess Cruises are considered the two best cruise lines for Alaska cruises.

    Packing Poorly

    Female tourist in Alaska

    Obviously, an Alaska cruise is nothing like a Caribbean cruise — you’re going to a destination that gets COLD, even during the summer months.

    While summer is certainly the warmest time to visit Alaska, it can still be very chilly.

    The key to a successful Alaska cruise is packing lots of layers. I often started the day wearing a base layer, a light jacket or sweater, and then my heavier winter coat. As it got warmer, I was able to shed a layer as needed.

    One thing you should not forget? Lots of rain gear! I saw so many people who weren’t prepared for the frequent rain in Alaska.

    Be sure to pack an umbrella, a rain poncho (this was a lifesaver!), moisture-wicking wool socks, and water-resistant boots or sneakers for your Alaska cruise.

    You can also leave most of the formalwear at home. While your cruise might have one or two dressy nights for dinner, Alaska cruises tend to be a lot more casual overall.

    Booking Same-Day Flights

    Alaska Airlines Plane

    A HUGE mistake that first-time cruisers make is booking a same-day flight for arrival day.

    You might see that your cruise doesn’t officially depart until late afternoon and think that you can get away with arriving on a flight early in the morning and then heading straight to the cruise port. Wrong!

    If your flight is delayed or canceled for any reason, you’ll miss your whole cruise. It’s not worth the risk. Arrive in your departure port city at least a day early.

    For Alaska cruises, this will most likely be Seattle or Vancouver.

    You can book your departure flight for the same day because you will most likely have to be off the ship early in the morning on departure day. But for arrival day, don’t even think about it!

    Not Booking A Balcony Cabin

    Woman on Alaska Cruise

    The temptation to save money and book an interior cabin or an exterior cabin with only a window might be strong, but I highly recommend booking a balcony cabin for your Alaska cruise if you can.

    I normally don’t mind just having a window-view cabin on cruises, but I was extremely glad to have a balcony on my Alaska cruise.

    This is because a LOT of what you do is scenic sailing. It’s not like your typical cruise where the only view for miles on end is the ocean.

    On an Alaska cruise, there will be many times when you’re cruising past jaw-dropping scenery, like in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Yes, you can watch this from the public upper decks of the cruise ship, but it gets really crowded since everyone has the same idea.

    It’s so much nicer to have your own balcony where you can relax on lounge chairs and watch the scenery glide by in comfort and privacy.

    Waiting To Book Shore Excursions

    four humpback whales all coming out of the water in alaska

    One big mistake that many Alaska cruisers (including myself) make is waiting too long to book shore excursions.

    I booked my Alaska cruise pretty last minute (about one month in advance) and most of the shore excursions through my cruise line were already sold out.

    While there are some cruise destinations where you can wait to book your shore excursions, Alaska is not one of them. There’s limited inventory and many of the most popular excursions sell out in advance.

    This goes for excursions offered by your cruise line and third-party shore excursion operators. So don’t wait to book excursions!

    Overlooking DIY Excursions

    Mendenhall Glacier

    Okay, now that I’ve talked about the importance of pre-booking your shore excursions, let’s talk about another option — DIY excursions.

    Many cruisers don’t realize that it’s possible to visit many places independently in Alaska, saving you a lot of money compared to booking through your cruise line.

    For example, in Ketchikan, I knew I wanted to visit Totem Bight State Historical Park. A guided tour booked through my cruise line would have cost $60 per person, but to visit it independently, it was a simple 25-minute bus ride on the local bus for $2 per person and $5 per person for the entry fee.

    Similarly, I paid $45 per person for the Glacier Express bus in Juneau to visit Mendenhall Glacier, which included a round-trip bus ride from the cruise port and the glacier entry fee — a big savings compared to the $80 excursion through my cruise line.

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  • Why These 3 National Parks In Alaska Are Setting All-Time Visitor Records

    Why These 3 National Parks In Alaska Are Setting All-Time Visitor Records

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    While hordes of travelers will be flocking to beaches this spring, let’s not forget how awesome U.S. National Parks can be.

    Tourism records are being shattered all across the globe, but some surprising statistics released by the National Park Service showcase one state with a few records of its own.

    Alaska may seem far-flung and inaccessible, but that’s really not the case at all.

    sweeping views of glacier bay national park in alaska

    This massive state may be set apart from the mainland, but it’s not stopping travelers from exploring what some say is the last frontier of America.

    Glacier Bay National Park

    It’s hard to comprehend the sheer size of Alaska. Try to wrap your brain around this – Alaska is home to 8 National Parks and Glacier Bay alone is 3.3 million acres of scenic fjords, breathtaking mountains, pristine calm waters, and crystalline glaciers.

    @nicolemsunderland Prettiest National Park in my opinion 🥰 #glacierbaynationalpark #glacierbay #glacier #alaska #alaskancruise #hollandamerica ♬ original sound – Nicki | Luxury Travel

    That is both figuratively and literally the tip of the iceberg, as this massive park is just a fraction of a 25 million-acre World Heritage Site, which is one of the biggest protected natural areas in the world.

    One glance at Glacier Bay makes it easy to see why it’s worthy of a bucket list. The park welcomed 703,659 visitors, and among the most common ways to visit is by cruise, a mega-popular method of seeing Alaska’s top natural wonders.

    Who wouldn’t want to wake up to some of the most stunning scenery in America? And of course during cooler months, it’s nice to have a heater!

    @erikconover POV waking up in Glacier Bay, Alaska. Doesn’t this view make you want to sail with @Princess Cruises #PrincessPartner #MedallionClass #RoyalPrincess #PrincessCruises #CruiseTok #Cruise #CruiseShip #AlaskanCruise #realestate #luxurylife #luxurytravel #luxuryrealestate ♬ Sky Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

    Although, it’s just as fun, if not more, to get up close and personal exploring the wild, remote land for the ultimate adventure.

    There are no designated trails in the park, yet beaches, meadows and glacier-free areas are mostly walkable.

    Klondike Gold Rush

    Visitors trekking through the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park get a history lesson, all while enjoying the incredible sights and sounds of nature.

    @kelseyrosedeleon White Pass Railway | Skagway, Alaska #alaska #ak #usa #travel #traveltiktok #cruise #alaskacruise #alaskatravel #trip #vacation #holiday #hollandamericaline #traveler #mountain #whitepassrailway #adventure #alaskalife #cruiseship #train #trainride #skagway #skagwayalaska #skagwaywhitepass ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

    Throughout the park are remnants of its historical past as thousands of miners took part in an extensive gold rush well over a century ago.

    Klondike, as we’ll call it, begins in the small charming town of Skagway home to about 1,000 locals and over 1 million annual visitors.

    The park itself received 1.3 million visitors in 2023 to be exact. Although small in size, this town packs a punch with awesome attractions.

    While it’s no epic European train, inarguably, the White Pass & Yukon Route doesn’t receive the attention this unbelievably stunning route deserves.

    @travelwithmevbylisar Beautiful train ride #royalcaribbean #ovationoftheseas #skagway #whitepassrailway #train #snowmountain ♬ Beautiful Nature – Steven Solveig

    Rave reviews abound for both the train and Klondike with park guests highlighting horseback riding, wildlife viewing and ‘gorgeous views’.

    Parks Of The Northwest Arctic Borough

    Even some of the least visited National Parks are seeing a surge and setting new records. The Northwest Arctic Borough is the perfect example of why some may see Alaska as a far flung destination.

    While cities such as Fairbanks and Anchorage are relatively easy to reach, going off-path in Alaska is another story entirely.

    @timmertravels Follow for more travel inspiration! #travel #vacation #alaska #nationalpark #wildlife #kobukvalley #mountains #hiking #outdoors #explore #rivers #wilderness #sanddunes #tundra ♬ snowfall transition remix – cropz

    But as the famous Ralph Waldo Emerson saying goes, “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey”.

    Reaching the Northwest Arctic Borough can be a trek, but this stunning region of the state is home to a cluster of parks not often visited, yet visited enough last year to claim new records.

    Kobuk National Park is only reachable by plane, giving these parks ultimate bucket list status. The other pair are Noatak National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, reachable by plane or boat in the summer.

    Compared to mega popular National Parks, like Yellowstone, the parks visitation numbers look low simply due to the fact they’re harder to reach.

    @outdoor.kirbys #kobukvalley #sanddunes #kirbysclass #nature #awesome ♬ midnight city (slowed reverb) (feat. kadirhho) – ciaffa & fedo DJ

    Those who have made the arduous trek loved ‘flightseeing’ and immersing themselves in the wild to see untouched nature in its finest form, where some parts are so remote you could hear a pin drop in the forest.

    Kobuk, in particular, is home to stunning sand dunes that are completely unexpected in this climate.

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