Fun Friday
Good Morning we have made it through another week and now it's time to go on our weekly Friday adventure.
Can you guess where we are going this week? We are going to the very last state here in the USA the beautiful state of Alaska
1.) Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center hours of operation are 10-4pm located in Juneau Mendenhall Glacier is easily accessible via roads from the local airport, cruise ship terminal and state ferry terminal. Our facility and lands are managed by the federal government through the United States Forest Service. Federal passes are accepted and sold as well as daily passes. There is a visitor center with a theater showing a 15-minute film on Mendenhall Glacier, a bookstore operated by nonprofit organization Discovery Southeast, and exhibits on wildlife, history, and glacial and geological changes. Rangers provide talks at various indoor and outdoor sites in summer. Open hours in summer are 8am to 7:30pm daily. Due to wildlife and bears, no food is allowed outdoors from April-November. There is no beverage or food service available to prevent bears from becoming food-conditioned. Nearby Steep Creek is the spawning stream for wild sockeye salmon from late July through early September. Later in the fall, a run of coho salmon spawn in the creek. Porcupines can be seen foraging on leaves in deciduous trees. Beavers are visible early in the morning and in the evening. Learn about Alaska and the natural world around the glacier and lake. Enjoy a one-hour hike to 400-foot-tall Nugget Falls. Other trails lead to different habitats. In winter, the visitor center is open Friday-Sunday from 10am to 4pm and closed on federal holidays.
2.) Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum located in Fairbanks hours of operation are Wed & Sun 12-4pm Looking for an unexpected adventure? Look no further than our antique car museum at Wedgewood Resort! Even if you're not a car enthusiast, our museum is a must-see attraction in Alaska. You'll be amazed by the stunning collection of over 100 pre-WWII American-made vehicles, from horseless carriages to race cars, beautifully restored and in working condition. But that's not all - the museum is also home to a remarkable collection of historic fashions paired with each era of car, as well as entertaining displays of Alaska's motoring history. From rare and lesser-known marquees like Compound and Argonne, to classic names like Packard and Stutz, visitors of all ages will appreciate the beauty, innovation, and history of these rolling masterpieces. Come and see for yourself why this museum is a true "living museum" and a favorite among Alaskans.
3.) Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center located in Girdwood hours of operation are Fri-Mon 10-3pm Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is located at Mile 79 of the Seward Highway. AWCC is a non-profit sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. The sanctuary maintains over 200 acres of spacious habitats for resident animals to feel at home displaying their natural wild behavior. It is common for visitors to see brown bears swimming, moose strutting, wood bison roaming, muskox playing, wolves posing, porcupines climbing, and more! AWCC has been able to provide care for hundreds of displaced animals because visitors to AWCC have made critical contributions in the form of admission fees, tours, donations, memberships, and gift shop purchases. General Admission tickets to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center do not sell out. Tickets can be purchased upon arrival the day of your visit. Or book a tour or Animal Encounter! Book early and enjoy Moose Encounters, Bear Encounters, and Walk on the Wild Side Tours.
4.) Denali America's tallest peak, this 20,320-foot mountain is the most famous part of this national park. Denali is our third largest National Park in Alaska and is open every day of the year. There is no charge to enter it.But to see it is much more limited. The road through the park is 92 miles long. Without being on a tour you can drive in the first 10 miles. After that you need to be on a guided tour as the road conditions change. It is no longer paved, there are no guard rails and parts are one lane wide. There has been destruction of the road beyond mile 43 so tours are not allowed beyond that point. It is estimated that they may go beyond that sometime in or after 2027. The tours are worth the expense as your guide is a very skilled driver of the bluebird bus but is also very knowledgeable about plants, animals and history of the park. Our bus had a screen so if the driver spotted wildlife he could use a camera that enabled us to see what he saw, which was very helpful! The tours don’t start until the spring and end the second weekend of September.
5.) Husky Homestead hours of operation are Tue-Sat 9-7pm Enjoy a warm welcome and experience a true Alaskan lifestyle at Husky Homestead—home of Iditarod Champion, Jeff King. Husky Homestead is widely heralded as an authentic look into rural lifestyles based on 40+ years of Alaskan adventures: from freight hauling on Denali to crossing the finish line in Nome, Alaska with a champion Iditarod team. See puppies upon arrival and share an intimate view of the Alaskan Husky as the team explodes from the dog yard and witness their beauty in motion as they run on our treadmill before hitting the trail for a training run. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating a championship team and carving a life in Alaska's Interior. Hear compelling stories from the trail and see actual racing sleds, arctic survival gear and equipment used to traverse 1100 miles of Alaska's most rugged terrain. Dress in extra layers, wear comfortable shoes, bring bug repellent - and your camera!
6.) Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve located on Gustavus, AK is a truly beautiful place! This destination can be experienced through an inside passage cruise. There are some trails on the park side but you need to make sure you make enough time for the round trip hike! Plus cruise ships don’t disembark here. Just the panoramic sights alone here are phenomenal! You’ll see an abundance of glaciers, icebergs, waterfalls spewing from the highest mountain vistas, raptors, seals and whales! The most famous of glaciers; The Mendenhall is breathtaking. The secondary glacier is the John Hopkins. There are so many mountains and waterfalls that will leave you awestruck!
7.) University of Alaska Museum of the North hours of operation are 10-7pm The University of Alaska Museum of the North is a thriving visitor attraction, a vital component of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the only research and teaching museum in Alaska. The museum’s research collections – 2.5 million artifacts and specimens – represent millions of years of biological diversity and thousands of years of cultural traditions in the North. Museum store and cafe on site. UAMN summer hours are 7 days a week, from 9 AM - 7 PM. Admission sales/doors close at 6:30 PM. Hours are Subject to Change.
8.) Alaska SeaLife Center located in Seward hours of operation are Mon-Sat 10-5pm and Sun 10-6pm An education and research-focused aquarium offering underwater views of Alaskan marine animals.
9.) Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center Alaska's largest museum focusing on art, history, science and culture of Alaska.
10.) Black Spruce Dog Sledding Open year-round! Interactive dog sledding tours with real long distance mushers. Owned by Iditarod veterans, Jeff and KattiJo Deeter. Meet our friendly racing sled dogs. Beautiful scenery and warmer winter temperatures in the high hills above Fairbanks. Winter tours use a "tag sled" so you can try driving the dog sled! Summer tours use a 5-passenger buggy. Please visit our website for more information.
11.) Sitka National Historic Park/Totem Park Sitka National Historical Park is also a museum with random historic totem poles of the Tlingit people along the forest path. You can take a private tour or explore on your own. The park is a short walk from the Raptor Rehab Center. Start on the park path off Sawmill Creek Road and walk through a peaceful environment filled with thriving trees, the babbling brook that leads out to crescent bay and the museum. Take in the majestic beauty of the greenery, moss, waters and tall trees! See many historic totem poles and end your journey at the museum. Totem poles tell the histories of Tlingit families that are centuries old. The museum is steeped in explaining the rich history of the Tlingit people’s livelihoods in the Sitka area and beyond!
12.) Alaska Raptor Center Growing from a backyard, volunteer-run operation, the Alaska Raptor Center has become Alaska's foremost bald eagle hospital and educational center, as well as one of the state's premier visitor attractions.Each year, the Alaska Raptor Center provides medical treatment to 100-200 injured bald eagles and other birds. Our goal is to release our patients back into the wild; some, however, are injured so severely they could not survive in the wild even after rehabilitation. These birds may join our Raptors-in-Residence, providing excitement and education for more than 36,000 annual visitors and for the 15,000 schoolchildren we reach through the Adopt-A-Raptor program and Classroom Presentations around the country.The Alaska Raptor Center's 17-acre campus borders the Tongass National Forest, a temperate coastal rainforest, and the Indian River in Sitka, Alaska, and features award-winning natural habitats for our 19 Raptors-in-Residence.
13.) Reindeer Farm located in Palmer hours of operation are 10-5pm we are more than a zoo! Plan to hand feed and interact with many of our friendly Reindeer, Moose, Bison, Yak, Elk, Alpaca, and Highland cattle. Learn about our Colony History, take a Pony ride and a tractor wagon ride. Please dress for the weather. This is an outside activity! In October we have our Fall Festival, and in December we offer Santa tours! We are open year round, closed in the month of April for calving season.
14.) Alaska Native Heritage Center located in Anchorage hours of operation are Tue-Sat 9-5pm Alaskan native culture is presented through storytelling, dancing, craft-making and simulated, life-sized villages representing each of the five main indigenous groups.
15.) Glacier Point Wilderness Safari located in Skagway See the Davidson Glacier up close, from the vantage point of our 30-foot Voyager Canoes. The Glacier Point Wilderness Safari brings you into the Alaskan Wilderness and gives you a true taste of Alaska. Your adventure begins at your cruise ship where we’ll board a high-speed vessel made for wildlife viewing en route to an Alaskan paradise. We’ll ply the waters of the deepest Fjord in North America with a naturalist guide, watching for whales, sea lions, porpoise, and many other species of marine wildlife. We land at Glacier Point and board our Safari Buses for a short drive over the terminal moraines. Our award-winning guides share with you the wonders of this Glacial Wilderness. A quarter mile hike will lead us to the iceberg-studded lake where we’ll paddle our canoes to the face of the glacier. This is an ideal family adventure and one you won’t soon forget!
16.) Matanuska Glacier hours of operation are 9-6pm This valley glacier is the largest glacier in the United States that’s accessible by car. Nature lovers flock here for the fantastic views and epic treks. Enjoy the spectacular vistas all around, whether you’re on a helicopter tour or while ice climbing. While guided tours are available throughout the year, summer is a great time to visit if you’re not ready for the icy chill of winter. The weather can be unpredictable though, so always be prepared for both rain and sunshine. Glamping accommodations are available nearby if you’re looking for the complete overnight experience.
17.) Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure View the world renowned Flower Towers AND stunning rainforest of the Tongass. Your fully guided tour offers you a unique experience that combines natural landscapes and non-native manicured gardens . The gardens are the creation of Steve and Cindy Bowhay, a guide who tells you the unforgettable tale of the Flower Towers, named America's Most Interesting Landmark in 2012 Reader's Digest. Bright floral arrangements and elegant landscapes complement the natural beauty of the rainforest and the cascading waterfalls nearby. At the 580 ft level you will find an amazing panoramic viewpoint of Juneau, and the Chilkat Mountains. You return to the lower gardens in the Visitor's Center atrium and hanging flower gardens ! The Visitor's Center features a live video feed aimed at an active bald eagles nest that is found on the property. You can find it online at our website as well. The Garden Gift Shop sells garden specific gifts and the Garden Cafe serves drinks, and light snacks.
18.) Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center located in Skagway hours of operation are 8-5pm Visitors can return to the days of the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-1898 by touring 15 restored buildings within the historic district.
19.) Gold Daughters Alaska located in Fairbanks hours of operation are 12-4pm *Closed for season! See you in May!* Jordan and Laura, the Gold Daughters, grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska where they started prospecting for gold as soon as they could hold a gold pan. They opened their women owned and operated business after graduating college out of state and deciding they wanted to go back home to work together and share the childhood hobby that shaped their lives. First time visitors to Alaska, as well as locals, are invited to the unforgettable experience waiting to be discovered at Gold Daughters. The 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). Unlimited gold panning, guaranteed gold, no reservation required! Shop the Alaskan sourced gift shop, learn a new skill and catch gold fever!
20.) The Solomon Gulch Hatchery located in Valdez VFDA built the Solomon Gulch Hatchery (SGH) in 1981, and released its first pink salmon fry in 1982. It has operated consistently since then. The water for the hatchery is provided by the Solomon Gulch Hydroelectric Plant, owned by the Copper Valley Electric Association through a cooperative agreement. VFDA employs a hatchery crew of twelve full and part-time employees, and is directed by Hatchery Manager Rob Unger. Other staff includes an assistant manager, fish culturists, maintenance support staff, and night watchmen. The hatchery staff lives in the Valdez community. SGH has a permitted green egg capacity to incubate 230 million pink salmon and 2 million coho salmon each year. These egg capacities are strictly controlled by the State of Alaska. With this capacity, VFDA achieves annual releases of approximately 218 million pink salmon fry, and 1.75 million coho salmon smolt. Egg take or spawning happens in late summer. Hatchery staff may spawn as many as 16,000 adult brood stock each day. These fish return to the hatchery spawning building by entering the facility using a fish ladder, which carry the fish from saltwater to raceways on shore. Over the winter, the hatchery staff tends to the eggs as they hatch into alevin and settle into simulated gravel to subsist from their yolk sacs. In early spring, the fry emerge and are ready to go to sea. VFDA pumps the fry to net pens off shore where they are fed using commercial salmon feeds until they reach a target weight of at least 0.5 grams. From there, the smolts are released to complete their life cycle in the open sea. This process is known as ocean ranching. The adults, which average about 3.5 pounds each, return the following summer, and the process starts all over again. Average adult returns to the hatchery are approximately 13 million adult pink, and 160,000 coho salmon. After harvesting a small percentage of the return for cost recovery and brood stock, the remainder is harvested primarily by the commercial purse seine fishermen. While the hatchery walking tour is open all summer, the absolute best time to visit is during one of the salmon runs. Pink salmon return to the hatchery in July and coho (silver) salmon return in August. This also allows for the best opportunity to view Alaska wildlife as all manner of animals come to the hatchery to feed on returning salmon. You can see seals, sea lions, black and brown bears, eagles and other birds and much more. There is a large paved parking lot located just west of the hatchery site with plenty of parking for guests as there is no parking allowed on the site. The walking tour is wheelchair accessible and paved. While there is no fishing allowed directly in front of the hatchery, many anglers catch their limit of wild Alaska salmon on the east and west sides. It is a must-see attraction in Valdez.
21.) Totem Heritage Center located in Ketchikan hours of operation are 8-5pm The Totem Heritage Center was established in 1976 to house and preserve endangered 19th century totem poles retrieved from uninhabited Tlingit and Haida village sites near Ketchikan and to preserve and promote Native artistic and cultural traditions through traditional classes. The Center is home to 33 authentic poles, numerous historic images, and Native art works. Educational and interpretive tours are available.
22.) Pratt Museum located in Homer This boutique size, award-winning regional museum is home to exhibits, programs, events - as well as an historic homestead cabin and forest trails - that explore learning and stewardship in science, art and culture of the Kachemak Bay region. In 1982, the Pratt was accredited by the American Association of Museums, becoming Alaska’s first private museum to receive this national honor. Today it continues to be recognized as a leading cultural and educational institution in Alaska.
23.) Alaska Public Lands Information Center located in Anchorage hours of operation are Tue-Fri 10-5pm Learn about the parks, forests, and refuges in Alaska through interactive exhibits, Junior Ranger programs, scavenger hunts, as well as free movies and presentations in the theater. During the summer there are Park Ranger-led walking tours, visits from the zoo, and other special programming.
24.) Crow Creek Mine hours of operation are 9-6pm located in Girdwood Crow Creek Mine is a family owned and operated Historical and Recreational Gold Mine. Nestled in a very beautiful mountain setting, Crow Creek Mine offers the oldest buildings in the Anchorage area, 1898, as well as some of the most popular recreational Gold Mining in all of Alaska. You will find everyone from your first time miner just hoping for a few flecks, up to actual gold miners who have been working these grounds on a very serious level. For those not interested in the panning or sluicing experience, the property is very scenic for pictures and is a very popular wedding destination, it is even fun to just sit and watch some of the more experienced crews of miners as they work. While most visitors coming in for sightseeing or panning don't need reservations, we do offer private guided tours for those of you wanting a bit more out of your experience. Not only do you learn more about the property and gold in general, but the gold mining experience of our staff and knowledge of the property is always a big help in having a successful outing!!! Feel free to contact us for any questions regarding our business or the Girdwood area in general. Girdwood makes for great day trips from Anchorage and is on the way for anyone headed to Portage, Seward, Kenai, or Homer. Our road is a bit bumpy and unmaintained between October and May, but come June 1st every year the state does a great job of fixing it, you can always contact us for road conditions if concerned. Thanks for viewing our business, we look forward to meeting you soon
25.) Southeast Alaska Discovery Center located in Ketchikan hours of operation are 8-4pm The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is the gateway to the Tongass National Forest. Located just one block from the cruise ship docks in downtown Ketchikan, you can explore the amazing ecology of the coastal rainforest, connect with the rich cultures of the region's native peoples, discover how people earn a living from the forest, enjoy Junior Ranger activities with your kids and experience Alaska's rainforest from the comfort of our theatre through a variety of award-winning films. Wi-fi access is included with admission, and kids can play the Agents of Discovery augmented-reality game in the museum to sleuth out the truth about the Tongass
26.) Juneau Lighthouse Tours Alaska's Only Lighthouse and Whale Watching Adventure. This tour includes: -Round trip transportation from cruise ship or Hotel -Search for Humpback whales and other marine wildlife approx 2.5 hours. -Arrive at Sentinel Island take a short scenic boardwalk -Tour the lighthouse tower -Take a look across beautiful Lynn Canal -Stop at Brotherhood Bridge for view of Mendenhall Glacier -Tour is 4hours and 15 minutes total. Sentinel Lighthouse Is Part of Alaska History: -Built in 1901 for $21, 267 -One of first lighthouses activated in Southeast Alaska -Located in the middle of the best whale watching spots. You do not want to miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity!
27.) Major Marine Tours - Kenai Fjords Cruise hours of operation are 8-5pm Major Marine offers world-class wildlife and glacier cruises in Kenai Fjords National Park, departing from the beautiful harbor town of Seward, Alaska. We are a locally-owned, family company celebrating 30 years of sharing the beauty of Alaska with our guests. See tidewater glaciers, stunning scenery, whales, and abundant wildlife from one of our full-day or half-day cruise options. Our cruises explore the glacier-carved fjords and abundant wildlife of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park, offering some of the best whale watching opportunities in Alaska. Most cruises include a complimentary deli-style lunch served on board, allowing you to enjoy your meal without missing out on any of the sights.
28.) The Aurora Chasers hours of operation are 3-8pm Book Directly through our website for the best rates. Witnessing Alaska's Northern Lights is an incredible and often once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make the most of it. Come along on an unforgettable journey with Alaska's Northern Lights Specialists, The Aurora Chasers™ as we teach you all you need to know about Alaska's Northern Lights and capture their majestic beauty in your own captivating images. Do more than take a tour, take a life changing journey with the folks that live, breathe and sleep the Northern Lights and come home with the amazing keepsake images that you'll treasure for a lifetime. The Aurora Chasers are Fairbanks original and best Northern Lights Photography Workshop Tour. Don't be fooled by the generic imitation tours that have tried to duplicate our services. Make sure you book with the authentic originals to get the quality tour experience you deserve. Be sure to visit our website for all the details and we'll see you under the magical night skies of Alaska!
29.) Scenic Bear Viewing located in Homer Alaskan Coastal Brown Bear Viewing to the remote wilderness on the west side of Cook Inlet. Includes a bonus flight-seeing trip in a five passenger bush plane over Lake Clark or Katmai National Park with a beach landing. The beaches have no road access or facilities. We spend three hours or more with the bears then fly back to Homer. This is an active wilderness adventure. You must be able to walk up to 2-4 miles at average pace. Any health issues that might impact this must be discussed with Martin by phone or email prior to booking a trip. Please call Martin to inquire about our trips that accommodate people who experience special needs. This trip involves air travel in small airplanes. Anyone afraid of flying or who is claustrophobic must discuss their concerns with Martin before you book a trip. Weight limit of 250 lbs. per passenger for safety reasons.
30.) Alaska Birch Syrup & Wild Harvest Products : Kahiltna Birchworks Shop located in Talkeetna hours of operation are 10-6pm Birch syrup taste, tour, and shop. We offer a free tour of our birch syrup production facility with a short video showing the spring sap harvest, a tasting room with samples of all of our wild harvested birch and berry products, and an all-Alaska gift shop featuring the best in Alaska produced foods and functional art - local pottery, bowls, baskets, and tiles. We have a sweet selection of Alaska cookbooks, foraging and outdoor guides, and children’s books along with cards and art prints. We serve locally made ice-cream including, of course, birch - good coffee, chaga tea, and baked goods using birch and wild berries. Taste the springtime goodness of birch sap in our Alaska Wild Birch Water beverages. Come taste our “goods from the woods” and experience a true Alaskan cottage industry.
With over 1000 things to do and see here in this state you really can find a hidden gem around every corner. I hope that you take the time to really deep dive into this state.
I hope that you have enjoyed this week's tour and come back next week for another amazing adventure. Remember to always be kind as it costs nothing and if you see someone without a smile stop and give them yours a smile is contagious.
Written by: BeautifulChaos318
