Living in Ohio, many of my family and friends flock to Florida for their annual vacations. And can you blame them? From a tropical climate to sandy beaches, Florida has a lot to offer both visitors and residents alike.
But what about a different lifestyle? One with crisp mountain air, beautiful scenery, and an abundance of wildlife? And who can forget the northern lights or the midnight sun? If that sounds like a unique opportunity-look no further than Alaska!
I had the opportunity to visit Alaska recently. I was amazed at all the state had to offer and hope this guide will help anyone interested in visiting for themselves! For the purpose of my trip, I stayed in Fairbanks and only saw a small portion of what Alaska has to offer. Because I went in the winter I can only attest to my experiences.
Alaska-The Final Frontier
Alaska was sold to the US from the Russian Empire in 1867 for 7.2 million dollars. It was admitted as a territory in 1912 and finally as the 49th state in 1959. Alaska is the largest state in the Union by area and boasts several different economies.
Only 733,000 Americans call Alaska home. Harsh weather. and higher cost of living contribute to a small population.
But it isn’t all negative. Alaska has no sales or income tax. Permanent residents receive a stipend yearly based on the profits of mining and oil in the state.
Things to See and Do
Alaska in the winter has so much to offer! Below are my recommendations for the Fairbanks area-
- The northern lights come out between October and April when conditions are right. A lot of factors go into visibility, but seeing them for yourself is well worth the trip.
- The Chena Hot Springs offers a unique outdoor pool experience and is located roughly two hours east of Fairbanks. The drive to the hot springs goes through the Chena River State Recreation Area, which offers beautiful natural scenery as well as many wildlife viewing opportunities. https://chenahotsprings.com
- The Ice Dogs hockey team call Fairbanks home. Check their website for their game schedule. Tickets are only $16 for adults and $11 for kids. https://www.fairbanksicedogs.com
- Visit the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The campus itself has a museum dedicated to the history of Alaska and showcases all the University’s programs throughout the state. The University also has walking trails that are well-maintained throughout the year. https://www.uaf.edu
- The Santa Claus House, located in North Pole, is roughly 20 minutes from Fairbanks. The store celebrates Christmas everyday, and Santa is on hand to hear your Christmas lists. https://www.santaclaushouse.com/
- Take a tour! Many tour groups leave from Fairbanks. I suggest taking a tour up to the Arctic Circle, since most rental car agreements prohibit driving on the Dalton Highway.
- Go ice fishing. There are many tours available that offer ice fishing near Fairbanks. Chena River also has ice fishing huts that are available to rent daily. Don’t forget your Alaskan fishing license, which is $15 for non-residents and can be purchased in town or online.
- Poker Flat Research Range, the only university owned launch facility in the world, occasionally launches sounding rockets specifically to study the aurora. Alaskan launches have a tighter launch criteria, mainly due to weather. Check out their website for upcoming missions. https://www.pfrr.alaska.edu/content/welcome-poker-flat
How to Travel to Alaska
The main connecting airport to Alaska is SEA in Washington. Alaskan Airlines and Delta offer year-round flights direct to Anchorage and Fairbanks. In the summer months, American Airlines and others will offer services to Alaska. The flight from Seattle to Fairbanks was roughly 3 hours.
MCO and TPA both offer direct flights to Seattle almost daily. As does MIA. Many other flights from Florida to SEA are available with a layover.
Accommodations
Fairbanks has plenty of hotels, many that offer airport shuttles. If you’d like a unique experience, book a cabin. Many can be found on AirBNB and other similar sites. Most are referred to as “dry” cabins, meaning they don’t have indoor plumbing. Rather, an outhouse is available for use. I stayed in two different cabins, each on the outskirts of town. Both were different experiences that made my Alaskan trip more worthwhile in my opinion.
To get the most out of your trip, I recommend renting a car. Many different rental companies are available at Fairbanks International. Uber and other ride share services aren’t readily available. Taxis are common.
Many tourism agencies will offer specific tours. These tours will drive you to common tourist destinations, but for a price. Worth noting, most aurora tours don’t guarantee that you see them, meaning you may be out of luck if the weather or solar storms aren’t in your favor.
Advice For Visitors
- If you visit in the winter, a 4WD/AWD vehicle is highly recommended. Alaska doesn’t use road salt, rather they just add sand and rocks to the road to help with traction. Many roads are closed in the winter due to lack of maintenance. If you rent a car, check their specific rules about where you can drive, because many have road restrictions. If you aren’t comfortable driving in the snow, Alaska in the winter probably isn’t the place to learn.
- If you plan to see the northern lights, give yourself time. Since they are a natural phenomenon and can’t be controlled, don’t be surprised if they don’t come out. Many tour agencies suggest giving a week for the best chance of seeing them. I didn’t see anything until my last night and I had been there for 5 days at that point.
- Wildlife are everywhere. But never when you want them to be. I went looking for moose every day only to see online that they were spotted in the grocery store parking lot where I had been an hour earlier. Be patient!
- Gas prices are relatively similar compared to Ohio/Florida. Food prices are higher. The same fast food restaurants are available, but the combo prices you are used to don’t exist in Alaska.
- Watch what you pack! Fairbanks has a Walmart that was well stocked.
- Like Florida, the weather in Alaska can change in an instant. Dress appropriately for the weather and always have extra clothes with you.
- If you choose to book a cabin, be careful where it is. Many are off the beaten path and are away from town, which can make travel difficult in bad weather.
- Bring a camera-you never know what you will see.
- Be flexible! Weather can change quickly, and it is important to have multiple backup plans in the event your activity needs to be changed.
Alaska is beautiful and a change of scenery from Florida is well worth the trip! You will not be disappointed with what you discover.
