Culture and sophistication in the cities of AlaskaWhen one thinks of Alaska, they usually imagine breathtaking mountaintops, miles upon miles of wilderness and ice, and some of the most serious fishing in the world. While all of this is true, it may turn off some of those among us who are partial to civilization. The truth is: Alaska is more than just a vast wilderness. In Alaska there are several cities that offer amenities that equal those found in New York, but with a unique cultural twist. The three most populous cities of Alaska are Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. The economies of these cities rely on the tourist dollar, so they are very accommodating to their guests and offer a wide variety of activities and attractions to captivate every last one of them. Anchorage is the biggest Alaskan city. In fact, over 42 percent of the Alaskan population resides in this city. Here you can find activities such as arts festivals, marathons, music festivals, ski competitions, museums, theaters and sightseeing tours. Nightlife includes live music at Alaskan flavored brew pubs, shows, Alaska league baseball, and fine Alaska dining. Nestled among six different mountain ranges, sunsets from anchorage are truly a sight to behold. There are also over 30 lakes and ponds within 50 miles of the city. Anchorage also features some of the finest and longest walking paths, hiking trails and ski trails in the world. Fairbanks is a city that was founded during the 1905 Alaskan gold rush. Today, this cultural influence can still be seen amid the various attractions and activities that can be found in the city. Visitors often tour authentic gold rush sites and can even pan for gold at the more modern sites. Fairbanks is also home to the annual Golden Day Festival held in July. Juneau has been recognized as one of the top five ports of call in the world and is a very popular port of call for cruise passengers. Here guests are engaged in a variety of activities including whale watching, sport fishing and glacier viewing. Another famous attraction of this city is the Mount Roberts Tram which sweeps guests up the mountainside to rest at an elevation of 2,000 feet. From this vantage point, a breathtaking view of the city and harbor can be seen below. As you can see, there is more to be found in Alaska than wilderness adventures. Maybe you should see what unique city adventures Alaska could hold for your next vacation. And with nearly 24 hours of functional daylight during the summer months, you will have plenty of time to do everything your heart desires. |