Alaska Vacation PackageKathryn Hoyt2023-06-19T10:45:20-05:00
LET TRAVELKATZ PLAN YOUR ALASKA VACATION PACKAGE
Travelkatz will put together an Alaska Vacation Package custom tailored just for you. We handle all aspects of your trip so you can sit back, relax and enjoy. We provide three options for every state in the USA. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate in contacting us.
MILITARY
Alaska Military
Alaska Military – Though our very northern most state, Alaska plays an important role in our military security and homeland safety across the northern hemisphere and the north pole area.
Military and Family Readiness Center: Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson is a United States military facility in Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. It is an amalgamation of the United States Air Force’s Elmendorf Air Force Base and the United States Army’s Fort Richardson, which were merged in 2010. The Military and Family Readiness Centers provide training, education, programs, information, and referrals to service members and families, retirees, and DoD civilian employees.: If you are stationed here with your family, you will have a lot of activities to choose from for fun and fitness. Some examples include Black Light mini-golf, rock climbing, simulators, Coconut Bowling, and Bouncy Houses. If those don’t interest you and/or your family, maybe Polar Paradise Pool or Arts and Crafts will be a fit for you and your family. Ongoing training would be the 673d Air Base Wing command team and their mission, vision, and priorities today, highlighting the wing’s commitment to support, the activities of the installation, its joint units, and homeland defense and security in Anchorage.
Kodiak Military History Museum: Full of WWII artifacts housed in an old bunker. The volunteers are a wealth of information and stories. The $5 donation keeps the “lights on”. Museum items include weapons, radios, uniforms, even a jeep; the guides are excellent in providing historical facts and explaining the significance of this Fort during WWII. Seeing the bunker and realizing that our service members are still placing themselves in harm’s way to protect us can be profound. Because this museum is run by volunteers it is not open to the public every day but is educational and fun. There are hands on exhibits for everyone to touch and play with. Take the time to support this museum and you will learn something about the Island’s history. This is a very worthwhile reminder of how we communicated decades ago. Sail to Kodiak Island to enjoy this museum.
Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum: This aviation museum is at the heart of Alaskan aviation history. It sits on the south shore of Lake Hood, the busiest seaplane base in the world, with more than 87,000 takeoffs and landings per year. A half-mile away is Ted Stevens International Airport, the air crossroads of the world. You can watch takeoffs and landings right from the museum. The museum presents one of the finest displays of Alaskan aviation history with many interactive displays, memorabilia, photographs, films, and artifacts from personal collections of Alaska’s pioneer aviators. The museum has free parking, and you cross an aircraft taxi area to get to the museum. It does not look very impressive from the outside; but it is so much more once you get inside. There is an excellent history of flight in Alaska. You can watch a film about the Japanese invasion and occupation of some of the Aleutian Islands during World War II. There are several planes on exhibit inside the hangars and several more outside. You can also walk across to the observation tower and watch and listen to the activity of the small plane airport and gift shop. You can’t miss this museum since it is in Anchorage.
Prince William Sound Museum: The Association was formed in 2003. Over the last several years, the museum has built up a presentation of 32 exhibits in a 1200 square foot space at the Anchor Inn donated by the Shen family. These exhibits tell the story of Whittier’s history as a military port and rail terminal as well as Alaskan military heritage during World War II and the Cold War. A gem of a small museum! Great information on the invasion of the Alaskan islands during WWII There is a lot of information to read about the invasion and retaking of Attu and Kiska Alaskan islands during WWII. You can spend several hours in this museum learning about these little-known islands. The displays do require a lot of reading, so we would not recommend this museum for small children, but a must see if you are interested in WWII. Absolutely incredible museum curated by a true expert in Alaskan history. Beautiful exhibits and artifacts and a wealth of information on Alaska in WWII, aviation, the town of Whittier, the natives, and exploration of the region. The museum director, historian, and fifth generation Alaskan, Ted Spencer, knows everything about Alaska! Come to the town of Whittier to enjoy this museum.
Give us a call at 352-277-7300 and Travelkatz will see to it that you and your family will have a great time exploring Alaska’s military museums.
GARDENS
Alaska Gardens
Alaska Gardens – Famous for the Iditarod, gold mining, sourdough, the Alaska Railroad, aviation, Alaska Native heritage, homesteading, world-class fishing and seafood, outdoor adventures, fresh air, and a slower, more self-sufficient way of life is what you will find about Alaska. It is also famous for its salmon, its size, and the wildness of it all. Alaska is by far the largest U.S. state by area, comprising more total area than the next three largest states of Texas, California, and Montana combined! And then you have Denali! Who wouldn’t want to vacation, cruise, or just see all that Alaska has to offer?
Alaska Botanical Garden: Planning for this Garden began in 1983 as members of the Alaska Horticultural Association considered the creation of an arboretum, and the idea grew. Much of the land remains in a natural state, with individual “gardens-within-the-Garden” interconnected by trails through the 110 acres of boreal forest. The Garden consists of approximately 8 acres of cultivated gardens and interconnecting nature trails. The Garden hosts over 1,100 varieties of annual and perennial plants hardy in Southcentral Alaska. There are about 150 species of Alaska native plants. The Garden now has two hardy perennial gardens – Lile’s Garden and the Lower Perennial Garden – an Herb Garden, Anchorage Heritage Garden, Trailside Gardens, alpine Rock Garden, an entry shade garden, an Alaskan Kitchen Garden exhibit, a Wildflower Trail, Junior Master Gardener Plot, Research & Development site, Forest Health Trail, and a Nature Trail. During the 40s and 50s, the area was used for training by the US Army. The trails in the area were a part of the “Bull Dog Trail” network that extended from Ft. Richardson to the Army Air Corps’ airstrip in what is now Far North Bicentennial Park. In 2014, the Anchorage Heritage Garden exhibit was added. Beautiful and peaceful. This is a calm and quiet respite from the city. Beautiful spaces, plants, and flowers. The displays and immersion into the environment are wonderful. We recommend taking an afternoon in the middle of your visit to Alaska to visit this beautiful botanical garden. It is a very nice way to unwind and take in some nature while in the city, and here you might have a bear make this an even more exciting visit! Enjoy the peonies and this unique, wispy flower called Prairie Smoke. This garden is definitely worth the small $5 admission fee. Take time to walk around all the areas, but also find a bench and just relax with a loved one and take in the flowers. You can take an in-person field trip to the natural Boreal Forest. You will find this garden in Anchorage.
The Georgeson Botanical Garden – A nationally recognized botanical garden and a member of a network of educational and research institutions dedicated to plant culture and conservation. It is located at the Fairbanks Experiment Farm and is part of the School of Natural Resources and Extension at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Garden began in 1989 as a research, educational, and public outreach program. In 1898, 31 years after the US purchased Alaska, the Secretary of Agriculture sent special agent of agriculture, Charles Georgeson, to Alaska to explore the agricultural potential of the state. As a result, Georgeson established 7 Agricultural experiment stations in Alaska. Fairbanks and Matanuska are the only remaining experiment farms. The Fairbanks experiment station was established in 1906 and in 1931 the farm was incorporated into the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines – renamed the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The purpose of setting up these experiment stations was to learn which crops would grow best, to develop techniques for crop production, and to share knowledge with local residents. The muddy paths and straight rows of trial plants was turned into a space that is more accessible and welcoming to the public. It’s a beautiful garden where you can have a picnic, plenty of organic vegetable s are grown, there are a variety of berries, and such pretty flowers. Its beauty inspires artists and writers for sure. The ideal time to visit is in the summer. It shows how the non-stop daylight can produce a bountiful harvest of vegetables and flowers that you are able to enjoy. Additionally, it’s a perfect place for an afternoon stroll. Very peaceful, great for couples and families. The grounds are beautifully maintained with a surprising variety of plants. The children’s garden has a large hedge maze where you’ll enjoy getting lost – what fun! This garden is found at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.
Alaska is one of the most popular states to visit and TravelKatz is waiting to help you visit this great state and its botanical gardens. Just give us a call at 352-277-7300 or “chat” with us at www.travelkatz.com. We will help you have a once in a lifetime vacation.
STATE PARKS
Alaska State Parks:
Alaska State Parks – This state is filled with parks, both state and national. Enjoy the seasons as you explore each park and the amazing wildlife that you will see, too.
Chugach State Park: Beyond the foothills at Anchorage’s edge lies the third largest state park in America — a half-million acres of some of the most accessible activities. Those lucky enough to live there feel the influence of the park almost daily. The Chugach foothills are a beacon for changing weather and resident wildlife have been known to wander into town. There are three campgrounds in the park, offering experiences ranging from fishing, hiking, whitewater rafting, wildlife viewing, and spectacular sunsets. Cabins and yurts in both areas have a fee and reservations are required. Non-motorized boats, or boats with an electric motor, can be used on Eklutna Lake, where they must be hand launched. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are permitted on Eagle River. Bird Creek hosts pink salmon in June and July, and silvers in August. A new fishery for king salmon has opened in Eagle River. Many other lakes and streams throughout the Anchorage area are stocked with rainbow trout for added fishing enjoyment. Just outside of Anchorage.
Denali State Park: This is an integral part of one of North America’s most spectacularly beautiful regions. The park is almost one-half the size of Rhode Island, providing the visitor with a great variety of recreational opportunities, ranging from roadside camping to wilderness exploration. Mt. McKinley is a spectacular sight. The park is about 100 air miles north of Anchorage and is divided roughly in half by the George Parks Highway, the major road link between Anchorage and Fairbanks. The landscape varies from meandering lowland streams to alpine tundra. Dominating this diverse terrain are Curry and Kesugi Ridge, a 35-mile-long north/south alpine ridge, the backbone of the eastern half of the park. The varied landscape is home to moose, grizzly, and black bears. Though seldom seen, wolf frequents much of the park, and caribou occasionally reach the park’s northern end. Smaller, elusive residents include lynx, coyote, red fox, snowshoe hare, can be seen, too. Wet areas are habitat for muskrat and beaver. Denali State Park was established in 1970 and expanded to its present size in 1976. Its western boundary is shared with its much larger neighbor, Denali National Park and Preserve. Enjoy camping and other activities in Soldotna.
Kachemak Bay State Park: This is Alaska’s first state park, and only wilderness park, contains roughly 400,000 acres of mountains, glaciers, forests, and ocean. The bay’s twisted rock formations are evidence of the movement of the earth’s crust. Highlighted by constantly changing weather patterns, the park’s outstanding scenery is a backdrop for high quality recreation. Park visitors have opportunities for fishing, kayaking, hiking, camping and mountain sports. This is a critical habitat area, supporting many species of marine life. Visitors frequently observe sea otters, seals, and whales. Inter tidal zones offer natural settings for marine studies. Land mammals include moose, black bear, mountain goats, and wolves. The many species of birds that inhabit the bay, including eagles, falcons, and puffins, make it a popular area for bird watching. Hiking and camping along the shoreline and in the surrounding forests and mountains are excellent. Above timberline, skiers and hikers will find glaciers and snowfields stretching for miles. Special park attractions include Poot Peak, Halibut Cove Lagoon, and Humpy Creek. These two state parks are side by side in Soldotna.
Wood-Tikchik State Park: This is the largest state park in the nation, at 1.6 million acres! This state park was created in 1978 for the purpose of protecting the area’s fish and wildlife breeding and support systems and preserving continued subsistence and recreational activities. The management philosophy is one of non-development and maintenance of the area’s wilderness character. Park facilities are rustic and few, with great emphasis placed upon low impact camping amid, clear water lakes, the park is characterized by its water-based ecosystems. Enjoy camping in Dillingham.
Please give Travelkatz a call when you are ready to travel to Alaska at 352-277-7300 or visit www.travelkatz.com
MUSEUMS
Alaska Museums
Alaska Museums: Alaska is known for the Iditarod, gold mining, sourdough, the Alaska Railroad, aviation, native heritage, homesteading, world-class fishing and seafood, outdoor adventures, fresh air, and a slower, more self-sufficient way of life. These following museums are only a part of the happenings in Alaska.
Gold Daughters Alaska: Whether you are a first-time visitor to Alaska, or you have lived here your whole life, there is an unforgettable experience waiting to be found at Gold Daughters. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you through the best gold panning in Alaska, and it all starts with a panning lesson. Once you are confident with your technique and have graduated from a Cheechako to a Sourdough, you are welcome to pan until you’re rich, tired or we’re closed (whichever comes first). Staff members like Lisa educate each visitor with how to pan, the property of gold versus other rocks found with Gold and demonstrates techniques for ensuring a good panning outcome. This is right across from the Alaska Pipeline so you can visit both on the same day. Open Daily 10am-6pm Mid May – Mid September. WHERE?
Aurora Dora: Drop in and see the artistic talent of Dora Redman. From long and cold nights photographing amazing auroras through the skies, to teaching northern lights photography workshops, to explaining to summer visitors the auroras; she is active all over Alaska every season. She is a photographer in Alaska, living the dream life of many photographers. She captures the Alaskan essence with her photographs. The photos etched onto metal are something to behold. Visit Dora in Talkeetna
Alaska State Museum: This museum presents a unique view of Alaska’s history and diverse cultures. Exhibits feature an expansive collection of Alaska Native materials, fine art, and objects relating to topics such as mining, fishing, forestry, Russian-American period, and World War II. The Science on a Sphere theater cycles through a variety of animated geographical programs showing Alaska’s place in the world. There is a discovery room, with a climb-aboard replica of an early sailing ship and fun activities for all ages; always something new to see in the changing temporary exhibition. The special summer show is “Titanic”. Visitors can explore the State Library and Archives with Alaskan collections, newspapers and magazines. A small cafe on the first floor serves breakfast and lunch. Located in Juneau, open in the summer – 9am-5pm daily.
Hammer Museum: Hammers that you have never seen before or could even think of creating yourself. This museum is fun and funny. You can see a hammer pendulum, a giant hammer, a hammer signed by Tim Allen, a Breast Cancer Awareness Hammer, and more! If you go there to enjoy it, you likely will. Over 2,000 hammers are on display. Come see the Hammers in Haines.
American Bald Eagle Foundation: Since opening in 1994, the aim is to educate and inspire guests from around the world about the American Bald Eagle and interconnected species through the natural history museum and raptor center. Anyone who passes through these doors will take a walk through the cultural history of S E Alaska. To see these beautiful animals up close is quite an amazing experience. You can tell the employees are passionate about these animals and that they really know them well. Located in Haines.
The Valdez Museum and Historical Archive: A small museum but crammed with interesting fact-filled exhibits about the area history including the Gold Rush and earthquake of 1964. Very interesting exhibit on the oil spill and continuing effect on Alaskan wildlife. Worth the visit in Valdez.
The Alaska Aviation Museum is the showcase for aviation relics. Located near the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, the museum houses everything from a flight simulator to an F-15 screaming eagle to a
Boeing 727 cockpit. Don’t miss looking inside the hangar where the museum’s historical aviation relics are restored. Visit this museum in Anchorage.
TravelKatz will be happy to make your vacation to Alaska come alive with these unique museums. Just give us a call at 352-277-7300. We’ll send you packing to Alaska…
FESTIVALS
Alaska Festivals
You’d be surprised at the variety of festivals Alaska has to offer. These are just a few we thought you’d be interested in checking out…
Anchorage July 4th Festival: Celebrate America’s birthday on July 4th in true Alaska style. This old-fashioned, patriotic celebration is complete with family-oriented events such as the pancake breakfast, downtown parade, picnic and other activities. Anchorage’s Delaney Park Strip is host to the annual Anchorage July 4th Celebration; rise and shine and hit the pancake breakfast, at 8 a.m. Then head from pancakes to procession; the Anchorage 4th of July Parade begins at 11 a.m. with a festival following. The event is open from noon to 6 p.m. and includes music, games, vendors and food. The Harvard Club reads the Declaration of Independence at 1 p.m. Enjoy period costumes from the Revolution. If you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat before the annual fireworks show. Anchorage dining includes some of the freshest seafood in the world, which Alaska chefs offer up in a variety of mouth-watering creations in Anchorage restaurants. The annual Alaska Baseball League doubleheader between crosstown rivals the Anchorage Glacier Pilots and the Anchorage Bucs takes place at Mulcahy Stadium, with the games starting at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Fireworks put an exclamation point on the conclusion of the second game. The best spot to see the fireworks is right near the action. Grab a blanket or folding chair and stake out a place on Kosinski Fields next to Mulcahy Stadium.
Eagle River Bear Paw Festival: The Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce presents the annual Bear Paw Festival. The festival runs July 10-14, 2019. The whole town turns out for a weekend filled with fun for all ages. Sometimes unexpected but always a good time, events run the gamut. The Slippery Salmon Olympics are perhaps the best-known event. Teams of two race against the clock and each other with a real salmon as the critical item to take along while tackling all the obstacles. The Running of the Bears, a 300-yard fun run, races alongside costumed animal mascots from many local businesses and community organizations. Human foosball takes the popular rec room game and replaces the plastic men with real life players. Other popular events include the Teddy Bear Picnic, a classic car show, parade, carnival rides, and the I-Did-A-Duck Race, a rubber duck regatta.
Copper River Wild! Salmon Festival: The Taste of Cordova, arts and crafts, music and children’s activities are offered. Such running races as the Alaska Salmon Runs, the King Salmon Marathon, the Coho 10K and the Humpy 5K also are featured. July 14, 2019
Downtown Summer Solstice Festival: Each June, Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd. hosts the annual Downtown Summer Solstice Festival. Usually falling on the weekend of the summer solstice, this festival is guaranteed fun for all ages! It’s FREE to attend and is a great opportunity to have some fun in the sun with family and friends. Come and enjoy live music, food trucks and vendors, a basketball tournament, chalk art gallery, petting zoo, bouncy houses, hip hop dance performance, DJs, the Hero Games, and a couple beer gardens, all scattered throughout one big downtown party!
The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival is broadening its reach into more trad music with a first week of an American Roots Series and more. There is quite a diversity of music and arts at this event. The Summer Arts Festival will be held on July 14-28, 2019. It’ll feature 200 workshops and more than 100 events. There will be music, dance, visual arts, healing arts, culinary arts, creative writing, theatre, and much more.
Other Festivals Include:
Alaska State Fair is a 4-star event that is held in Palmer Alaska during the last part of Aug. and the first week in Sept.
By the Sea Art and Seafood Festival in Coffman in mid- August.
Eagle River Nature Center Seymour Challenge: held in May where you get the freshest seafood done in the Alaskan way.
PLACE OF INTEREST
Fairbanks
Arctic Circle Day Trip from Fairbanks: Bundle up and embark on this small-group tour from Fairbanks — limited to just eight people — that takes you to the Arctic Circle, 200 miles away. Earth’s northernmost circle of latitude, where the sky is completely dark or light all day. Aboard a climate-controlled van, cruise along the Dalton Highway, cross the Yukon River and then enjoy lunch in the arctic landscape. Listen to informative commentary from your guide and enjoy beverages and snacks during the drive. When you traverse the Yukon River, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. You’ll also set eyes on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), one of the world’s largest pipeline systems that carries oil hundreds of miles across Alaska. Arrive at the Arctic Circle, where most of the region is always blanketed with ice. Hear more about this major circle of latitude that is one of five making up the map of Earth. The sun never rises here in the winter, and in the summer, sunlight around the clock melts the icy waters. Spend about an hour at the Arctic Circle. Take memorable shots of this special place and settle in for lunch in this remote landscape. Your guide provides facts about the local geology, as well as the indigenous Eskimo culture with roots in the region for thousands of years. With an official Arctic Circle certificate and plenty of photos as souvenirs of this unique day, board your van for transport back to Fairbanks.
Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour from Fairbanks: Pair aurora borealis with spa treatments and you will have a northern lights experience like no other. This night trip from Fairbanks takes you to Chena Hot Springs Resort for an exciting but relaxing array of activities. Discover eye-popping sculptures at the on-site Aurora Ice Museum, and then unwind in the resort’s legendary mineral water baths. When the conditions are right, a guide takes your small group to the best locations to watch for the ethereal northern lights, with warm beverages in hand. First, tour of the one of most unique museums you’ll ever visit, the Aurora Ice Museum, constructed out of over 1,000 tons of ice and snow. Marvel at ice sculptures by world-renowned carvers Steve and Heather Brice, whose work includes life-size jousters on horses and a two-level tower with a circular staircase. Fancy a drink? Head over to the museum’s bar, settle in on a caribou fur–covered stool and purchase a cocktail poured into a martini glass carved out of ice. For food, check out the offerings at the Aurora Café or the Chena Hot Springs Resort Restaurant.
Or, put on your bathing suit and work on loosening those knots in your back. Slip into the resort’s hot springs, which swirl with lake water averaging 106 degrees Fahrenheit all year. Escape to an outdoor hot tub and unwind under the stars. A heated indoor pool is also available.Then, dress warmly and meet your guide for a small-group outing to watch for the northern lights. You’ll be taken to prime viewing locations at Chena Hot Springs, a great spot to witness the green and purple ribbons of light dazzling the sky. If you prefer to be indoors, you can see the action from inside the Aurora Café. Either way, you’ll be holding a warm drink as you gaze at the celestial wonder. Afterward, enjoy transport back to your hotel, with a commemorative certificate of your viewing experience at Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Fairbanks City Highlight Tour: Get to know Fairbanks, called the ‘Golden Heart City,’ on this 5-hour sightseeing tour. Visit the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center for an intro into the city’s history and culture, and admire the architecture at the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North. Feast your eyes on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the world’s largest pipeline, and wrap up your day at the Santa Claus House in the North Pole. Hotel transport included.
Running Reindeer Ranch: You learned so much about reindeer, and the tour is not only fun, but highly educational! These reindeer were so emotional, complex and interesting! Someone greets you in the parking lot waiting to show you where to park. Then we waited for the rest of the group for our tour, and petted the reindeer while waiting. The guides were SO helpful and reassured us on proper reindeer etiquette! You can be reassured that we would stop midway through the tour for a photo op to make sure that everyone had a chance to get some reindeer photos! They even had one specific reindeer designated as the “photo op reindeer”, and she (Buttercup) is lovely! The landscape was also spectacular and was a true winter wonderland! The aspen trees were SO gorgeous in the winter!
There are flights from Tampa, so Fairbanks is easy to get to and TravelKatz will put together a unique vacation that will long be remembered. Just give us a call at 352-277-7300.
Alaska State Capital: Juneau
Harrisburg. That was Juneau‘s name before Richard Harris fell out of favor with the locals, who turned their allegiance to his co-founder, Joe Juneau. In 1880, prospectors Harris and Juneau relied on a local Indian chief to guide them to the mouth of Gold Creek, where they discovered gold. The state’s first major gold strike was broadcast (starting the Alaska Gold Rush), and the timeline for modern Juneau history began. That was in the 1800’s!
A first rush of about 40 miners brought trading posts, saloons and missionaries. Within a year, the tent camp became a small town and was the first one founded here after Alaska’s purchase from Russia.
Today, Juneau is a thriving city offering a great blend of city amenities and small-town hospitality, all in the heart of Alaska’s majestic mountains, rivers, glaciers, and forests. Nearly 32,000 people call Juneau home – many of them working in government, tourism, mining, and fishing, and all of them instilled with a deep love for this place. Such a mix of personalities makes Juneau unique. There is no better way to see the city sights and the surrounding areas than by plane or helicopter.
From National Geographic to the New York Times, everyone’s talking about Juneau. Between food trucks, art walks, open mic nights and beyond, the streets of Alaska’s capitol city are humming with activity. Find your next running challenge with one of our many summer races or get out and walk the hills with the locals on a berry walk. In the winter months, watch as fireworks light up the sky at Eaglecrest Ski Area or prepare to be dazzled by a swirl of costumes at Wearable Arts. No matter the season, Juneau is your Alaskan event.
Juneau’s “off season” – October through April – may be a sleepy time for the local bears, but we’re wide awake! Not ones to hibernate, and with hefty amounts of snow to enjoy, we love spending quality time in the mountains surrounding Juneau. Our breathtaking winter landscape is the backdrop for adventure, and we invite you to join in! Just a quick two-hour flight from Seattle lands you in the middle of some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the Northwest.
For the winter/snow enthusiasts…downhill, snowboarding, and heli-skiing options will test the mettle of the most experienced powder buffs. Cross-country ski in picturesque mountain meadows or skate ski on the lake in front of the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. Now that’s something you don’t do every day!
Most often time visited is May thru September.
However, if you want to go home with a cool story, be in Juneau on the longest day of the year, June 21, for the Midnight Sun. There are 18 hours and 18 minutes of daylight that day, and the sun never really “sets” — it just dips below the horizon, where its glow keeps illuminating the sky until it reappears the next morning just a few hours later. In the fall, we experience a rapid decrease in light. The shortest day, December 21, has just 6 hours and 21 minutes of daylight.
Glacier Sightseeing & Activities – Join us on hikes along Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau’s #1 choice for full-day cruises to Tracy Arm & Sawyer Glacier, View the majestic Glaciers by Helicopter, Floatplane, or Bus!
Wildlife Viewing – Bears, Whales, and Fishing, waterfalls, seals, & eagles
Outdoor Adventures & Activities – The USDA Forest Service Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is in the Mendenhall Valley, 12 miles from downtown Juneau. Visitors may reach the visitor center by city bus, taxi, tour bus or rental car. The city bus drops visitors a mile and a half from the visitor center.
The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center provides a high-quality recreation experience with emphasis on glacial phenomena, ecosystems and protection of fish and wildlife. Staff at the visitor center are available to answer questions about the area. There is a $5 entrance fee for 16 & over
Sportfishing – fly fishing, salmon, & halibut among other types
Attractions & Tours – historic city/museum and gold panning, along with city sightseeing, Glacier Gardens Botanical Gardens Rainforest Adventure began as a stream restoration project and soon became a unique botanical garden.
Restaurants – The Gold Creek Salmon Bake is an event that’s been grilled to perfection for more than 30 years. Savor an all-you-can-eat adventure, in a unique outdoor environment you’ll find nowhere else. Arrive at a beautiful setting, in lush rain forest alongside a creek, under translucent domes that protect you from the elements, rain or shine. Savor the aroma of wild salmon, grilling slowly over fires of fragrant alder wood. And settle in for a feast for all your senses! The sumptuous spread has something for everyone. Pubs, breakfast bars, Thai cuisine, bake shoppes, etc.
Shopping – Fine Crafts from the locals, knife shops, fudge shops, salmon stores, leather and fur goods. Shipping them home would be suggested, especially the knives.
Flying to Juneau is as easy and affordable as flying to any popular vacation destination. Believe it or not, it’s only about two hours nonstop from Seattle.
Humpbacks breaching, Orcas jumping, porpoises playing, glaciers sliding down mountainsides to meet a never-ending coastline — these and other sights await the ocean-going voyager to Juneau.
Cruising is by far the most popular way to explore the Inside Passage — and for good reason (be sure to free-up plenty of space on your camera). With cruise ships docking right downtown, Juneau is a natural port of call for large and small lines alike. Large cruises offer entertainment, extensive dining options, and shopping; small cruise companies focus more on a more “boutique” wilderness experience. Either way, if you’re taking an Alaskan cruise, your itinerary will probably include Juneau.
Where to stay: Bed & Breakfast, major hotels, quaint owner motels downtown.
ALASKA VACATION PACKAGE MADE EASY
Another option for our Alaska Vacation Package is the Natural Wonder. See our selection of choice below to see if it fancies your style. Please don’t hesitate in contacting us with any questions or concerns.
The Northern Lights
TravelKatz will handle all aspects of your dream Alaska Vacation Package.
Give us a call today and see why we are a top rated Travel Agency!
Enjoy your Alaska Vacation Package.
Relax on your Alaska Vacation Package.
Indulge on your Alaska Vacation Package.
