Alaska Local Information
and Area Highlights
Breathtaking fjords, more than three million
lakes, wild caribou roaming… only a small taste
of the wonders to explore in Alaska. An Alaska vacation
rental offers respite from busy outdoor or indoor days
of touring and discovering.
Sportfishing in Alaska
Alaska sportfishing is a premier activity and an unforgettable
experience amidst the sheer beauty of the Alaskan territory.
Choose from ice fishing, fresh or salt water fishing,
or fly-fishing…you can’t go wrong with over
600 species of fish to catch. Transportation to reach
the fishing areas may be from car, chartered boat or
plane. Alaska is home to eleven managed sportfishing
areas located throughout the five regions of the state.
Good fishing can be found as far north as the Anaktuvuk
River, with a one-month peak season, to Salt Lagoon
Creek, featuring white and pink salmon, cutthroat, and
Dolly Varden.
Alaska Key Areas
The Far North area in Alaska is only accessible by
a single gravel road on land, and is mostly explored
through commercial and charter airplanes. Inupiat Eskimos
live juxtaposed against today’s oil field technology
in the Far North. Visit the northernmost community of
Barrow, with daylight from May 10th through August 2nd,
and four main types of whale migration (beluga, bowhead,
gray, and killer). Kotzebue is a primarily Eskimo-inhabited
commercial center, where visitors can view the traditional-style
fish camp of North Tent City, and watch the Eskimo Olympic
events such as the greased pole walk and finger pulling
contests. Nome is a blend of Eskimo history and culture
with remains of its gold rush history. Nome is the endpoint
of the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Wildlife
in the Nome area includes reindeer, moose, and musk
oxen. Parks and public lands in the Far North include
Gates of the Artic National Park and Preserve, and the
Bering Land Bridge National Preserve.
Mt. Mc Kinley, the highest mountain in North America,
is a feature part of the interior region of Alaska.
It is encompassed within the incredible views of and
berry-filled Denali National Park and Preserve, home
to caribou, bears, Dali sheep, and wolves. Outdoor recreation
in Fairbanks is abundant; boating, rafting, fishing,
hunting, hiking, camping, and skiing are all available.
The annual World Ice Art Championships are held here.
Take a ride on the Chena and Tanana Rivers with the
Authentic Sternwheel Riverboat. Nenana is a river port
community famous for a cash contest, where individuals
guess the time when a tripod placed on the ice will
fall over due to ice breakage. The Delta Junction area
offers wildlife and scenic tours; there is a great view
of the Alaska Range.
The more populated and easily accessible South Central
region shows a diverse mixture of glaciers, fjords,
beaches, and lakes at the side of the roads. Agriculture
areas such as the area of huge vegetables, the Matanuska-Susitna
Valley, and ski resorts aren’t far from wilderness
here. Homer is a seaside community where halibut fishing
is extremely popular, and is surrounded with majestic
glacier-topped Kenai Mountains, and green bluffs painted
with wildflower colors in summertime. Artisans use this
backdrop to stimulate creations sold locally in shops
and galleries. Homer provides access to parks and habitats
famous for outdoor sports like sea kayaking and brown
bear viewing. Homer is an ideal area to book a vacation
rental. Another area for a great vacation rental is
sharply contrasted to Homer’s setting- the larger
city of Anchorage. Mountain ranges also provide natural
beauty here, amidst a modern, progressive city. An odd
sight to catch is a moose walking through a populated
area, while interesting ongoing attractions include
the Earthquake Park, and the garment-making Oomingmak
Musk Ox Producers Co-op. Kenai allows travelers to play
18 holes of golf, learn about Russian and Native cultures,
then view waterfalls, eagles, and loons while fishing.
The Southwest area of Alaska is covered with a variety
of cultural influences, from Aleutian to Yupik Eskimo
to Russian. Southwest Alaska’s history includes
significant World War II events, and landmarks to see.
Unalaska and the Port of Dutch Harbor was the site of
Japanese bombing in 1942, and is the largest seafood
processing port in the United States. More history can
be found at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy
Ascension, where many religious artifacts can be seen.
Unalaska has a number of tours available for industry,
culture, and history, and on-your-own hiking to see
mammal, bird and fowl wildlife for all skill levels.
There are many parks and refuge areas to explore on
Kodiak Island, home of Kodiak brown bears, and known
globally for bird watching.
Take a trip to the Inside Passage for spruce and hemlock
forests, a milder climate, and Glacier Bay National
Park, with active tidewater glaciers. Enjoy the cultures
of Russia, several groups of Native Indians, and the
history of gold rushes past. View both the Orthodox
churches and totem poles, and hear and see traditional
Native music and dance. See the 200-foot tall Mendenhall
Glacier just outside of Juneau, the capital of Alaska.
Juneau has 32 area gold mines, and the Eaglecrest Ski
Resort on Douglas Island. Skagway is drenched in gold
rush history with trails and parks. Ketchikan is replete
with Native art and culture, the largest number of totem
poles in the world, and a wealth of superior shopping
and galleries in town. Ketchikan also provides many
outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, and fishing
for various species.
Sites and tours to see
Walking tour of Cape Smythe Whaling and Trading Station
in Barrow
Kotzebue and NANA museums in Kotzebue
Salmon Lake Campground and walking tour of the town
and museum in Nome
Pioneer Park, Alaska's only frontier theme park in Fairbanks
The Sullivan Roadhouse Museum in Delta Junction
Rika's Roadhouse and Landing in the Big Delta State
Historical Park in Delta Junction
Alaska Homestead and Historical Museum in Delta Junction
Trans-Alaska Pipeline suspension bridge in Delta Junction
Tours of the Alyeska Pipeline Pump Station, summer months
in Delta Junction
LeConte Glacier, cruise or boat tour from Petersburg
(or Prince of Wales Island)
Beautiful Hammer Slough in Petersburg
Bishop's House in Unalaska
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