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Gov. Dunleavy launches $5 million Alaska tourism marketing campaign to brand the state as COVID-19 safe

Gov. Mike Dunleavy stars in a new commercial aimed at boosting tourism to Alaska this summer that’s part of a $5 million marketing campaign funded by federal COVID-19 relief money.

The ad bills the state as an exotic but COVID-safe locale in an effort to boost independent travel amid cruise ship cancellations linked to the pandemic.

But while Alaska’s overall coronavirus case counts have dropped sharply, the 30-second visitor spot released Monday relies on outdated vaccination information.

The ad shows Dunleavy on a deck at Juneau’s Mount Roberts Tramway then cuts to shots of the Alaska Railroad, a kayaker near blue ice, bears catching fish, a moose, people gold panning and fishing, and a dogsled ride on a glacier.

“We’re inviting you to come to our great state this summer. If you want to see glaciers, bears, pan for gold ... you name it, Alaska is the place,” the governor says in a voiceover. “Having one of the highest vaccination rates in the country, our people are safe. And you will be too.”

Alaska led the nation in vaccination rates for a number of weeks starting in late January, a statistic buoyed in part by the success of the tribal health system getting rural residents of all ages immunized quickly.

The state’s COVID-19 case counts and hospitalization rates have dropped compared to last year though flare-ups continue, most recently in Ketchikan, and before that Fairbanks and Mat-Su. Over the weekend, state health officials reported just 140 new confirmed positives from Saturday through Monday including only 50 Monday.

But Alaska is no longer anywhere near the top nationally when it comes to vaccine distribution.

As of Monday, the state ranked 30th out of states and territories for number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered per capita, according to a Centers for Disease Control tracker .

Alaska’s rate of vaccination among total population, at 41.2%, was actually below the U.S. average of 42.5% as of Monday, according to Bloomberg’s tracker .

Statewide, nearly half of all Alaskans over 16 are fully vaccinated. Some tourist-drawing regions are higher, like Juneau at nearly 70%. But some popular destinations remain far below that level, including Dunleavy’s home turf of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough -- where about a third of residents are vaccinated -- or the Kenai Peninsula at about 40%.

Asked about the discrepancy regarding vaccination rates, a spokesman for the governor said the video was shot “weeks ago” and Alaska is open for business, as shown by the end of COVID-19 restrictions.

[ Anchorage’s mask mandate is now advisory after Assembly speeds up city’s timeline ]

“With mask mandates going away including in Anchorage and communities opening up across the state, vaccinations are a huge reason behind that,” spokesman Corey Allen Young wrote in an email.

He did not respond directly to an additional request asking for the governor’s response on the state’s drop in vaccine rankings or the ad’s use of outdated information.

The Dunleavy commercial is part of a broader effort announced last month to encourage Alaska tourism that includes vaccinations for tourists at Alaska’s airports starting June 1.

Tourism-dependent businesses around the state are entering a second summer without the large cruise ships that bring about two thirds of Alaska’s travelers here; losses last year were estimated at $3 billion.

The U.S. Senate last week passed a bill that could allow large cruise ships to visit Alaska this summer despite Canadian restrictions that have closed that country to cruise travel. It still needs to pass the House and be signed by President Joe Biden.

The state, like many others, is also in the midst of a rental car shortage that could make for tricky trip planning this summer.

Money for the new ads comes from Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds appropriated to the Dunleavy administration by the Alaska Legislature, according to the governor’s office. Funding breaks down into $4 million for television spots, $500,000 for radio, and $500,000 for digital advertisements — a total of 1,700 spots over nearly seven weeks.

The contract for the campaign was exempted from state procurement rules according to a request for information the governor’s office posted in April. The state received 11 letters of interest, five from out of state firms, according to Young.

Selected were Brilliant Media Strategies, for television; Porcaro Communications, for radio; and Optima Public Relations, for digital.

The Alaska Travel Industry Association, the nonprofit that manages the Travel Alaska statewide destination marketing program, is providing its website for more information, according to spokesman Jeff Samuels.

The association is managing a separate national paid digital campaign to encourage travelers with the slogan: “Go Big, Go Alaska.”

Tour groups and tour-sales booths fill the waterfront in downtown Juneau on Sunday, June 2, 2019 as the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas disgorges passengers. (James Brooks / ADN)

Word of the state ad campaign was cheered by members of the tourism industry still reeling from pandemic losses.

Revenues at Juneau’s Trove boutique gift shop were down 98% last year, according to co-owner Daren Booton.

“We’re for anything that going to help visitors increase,” Booton said. “It’s such a hit for Juneau and Southeast Alaska, we’re so reliant on the cruise industry, so anything we can do to increase the independent traveler when the cruise industry is not going is a good thing.”

The Alaska Railroad delayed the start of this year’s season until after Memorial Day weekend and is seeing “decent numbers” of bookings, said spokesman Tim Sullivan. The railroad is requiring full masking and maintaining social distancing.

But without cruise ships, the outlook this season is “not the best,” Sullivan said.

“This is something that’s needed for the state,” he said, of the ad campaign. “We are glad to see it happening.”

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at [email protected].

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ALASKA , NORTH AMERICA , UNITED STATES · April 25, 2018 Last Updated on July 23, 2024

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VISITING ALASKA

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Alaska, the 49th state, the Last Frontier. Wild, rugged, stark, mysterious and jaw-droppingly gorgeous. With no shortage of wild mountain landscapes, beautiful glaciers, and abundant wildlife Alaska will pull you in with its beauty and refuse to let you go from its icy grip.

In this complete guide we share absolutely everything that you need to know for your trip to Alaska.

QUICK TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT TO ALASKA

First let’s start with a few quick tips for your trip to Alaska, I will dive into each of these in more detail in the following sections.

• The best time of year to visit for most is in the summer months of June-August, although this is the most popular time. The shoulder season of May and September are great months to visit as well. 
• Rent a car! Distances in Alaska are vast; having your own wheels will make your trip much easier.
• If you want to see the Aurora (I know many of you do!) you need to visit between September and April, however these are the colder months.
• Pack layers! Alaska’s weather is as wild and unpredictable as its wildlife. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT ALASKA

Summer: june-august.

The most popular months to visit Alaska as it’s summertime. The weather tends to be warmer and most of the backcountry is easier to access in these months, but it’s also crowded and more expensive. 

FALL: SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER

Temperatures steadily decrease as fall descends into winter. It’s not uncommon for Alaska to be blanketed in snow by mid-October, and not unheard of to have an occasional snow shower in September. With that said, September is typically a delightful month for a visit. Most of the tourists have headed home, it’s possible to see the Aurora so long as a solar flare heads our way and we have clear nights, the fall colors are making their way down the valleys, and hiking is prime.

WINTER: NOVEMBER-MARCH

If you love winter sports, this is your time to head to the Last Frontier! Most the state is covered with snow. This is a great time for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling (we call it snowmachining), and ice skating. With the long dark nights this is the best season to catch the Aurora if conditions are right. 

SPRING: APRIL-MAY

Days are getting longer and the snow’s melting! If you enjoy spring skiing you can usually catch some in the earlier part of April. May can be a great month to visit Alaska- temperatures are getting near summer temperatures, the tourists haven’t quite showed up in full force, and plants are green and coming to life!

WHAT TO DO IN ALASKA

Alaska is jam-packed with adventure at every twist and turn! There are so many activities to choose from, you will want to make sure to plan your itinerary to include your top picks. Here are just a few activities to enjoy :

• SKIING & SNOWBOARDING:  Winter sport lovers can rejoice! Alaska has no shortage of backcountry options and even a few ski resorts to hit up as well.
• CRUISING:  All you have to decide is between which kind- wildlife or glaciers? There are many day cruises daily in summer that will take you to see glaciers calve right before your eyes, or to watch whales as they make their way up to the cold Alaska waters. For those that enjoy cruising you can take an Inside Passage cruise that makes stops along Alaska’s Southeastern Panhandle between Anchorage and Seattle. 
• GLACIER TREKKING: Alaska has several easy to access and even some roadside glaciers. Ever dream of getting out on one, there are lots of tour options to choose from, including this  Mountain Voyager with Optional Glacier Landing .
• FISHING:  Alaska is world renowned for its top notch fishing. Whether you head out to a luxury fishing lodge, join the anglers on the Kenai casting for salmon, or take a halibut charter out on the open ocean, there’s a perfect adventure here for just about any fisherwoman (or fisherman!).
• WILDLIFE VIEWING:  Alaska’s wildlife is everywhere. Want to see bears, moose, bald eagle, whales, caribou and more? Some of the best places to view wildlife include Denali National Park, Brook’s Falls, and Kenai Fjords National Park. Not quite that adventurous? You can also visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: you can view wild Alaskan animals that have been rescued and brought here, and it’s conveniently located just south of Anchorage. There are lots of tours that you can take from Anchorage, including this Portage Glacier and Wildlife Full-Day Tour.
• KAYAKING & WHITEWATER RAFTING: From lazy trips into quiet coves to rollercoaster like rapids, Alaska has just about every level of water sports enthusiast covered. Book a Whitewater Rafting Experience on the Nenana River here . 
• ROAD TRIPPING:  Even though the road system in Alaska is extremely limited the road trip options are bountiful. Get in the car and just drive- sometimes this will lead you to some of the state’s most beautiful places.
• HIKING & MOUNTAINEERING:  Home to Denali, North America’s highest peak sitting among some of the continent’s more technical climbs in the Alaska Range. But don’t worry if you’re not a serious mountaineer- Alaska has a hike for just about every physical fitness level.
• CYCLING:  Like to spend most of your time on two wheels? Anchorage has a decent network of bike trails around the city that link to the beautiful Coastal Trail that hugs the Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage. For those more serious you can cycle the Haul Road- the Dalton Highway that ends in Prudhoe Bay.
• FLIGHTSEEING: Want a different perspective on Alaska? Get above it! Several companies run small planes and helicopters to some of Alaska’s most scenic of places such as Prince William Sound and Denali National Park. Also note that to visit some of Alaska’s more remote parks you do have to arrange an air taxi (small plane) to take you out there.

Tour Options: 

Seward: Kenai Fjords National Park 6-Hour Cruise From Anchorage: Portage Glacier and Wildlife Full-Day Tour Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: Admission Ticket Talkeetna: Mountain Voyager with Optional Glacier Landing Alaska: Whitewater Rafting Experience on the Nenana River

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ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS IN ALASKA

You have a few options in way of accommodation in Alaska including hotels, hostels, camping, RV, AirBnB, and Couchsurfing. Hostels are starting to spring up more and more, but expect to really only see them in larger cities like Anchorage , Fairbanks , Juneau , Homer , and Seward . Hotels can get quite expensive, especially in the high season, but if you shop around you can sometimes get a good deal. AirBnB can be great value especially if you’re traveling as a family or a group.

Another great option for families and groups is to rent an RV , that way transportation and accommodation is taken care of. For the more adventurous, pack a tent and head out to the great outdoors! There are plenty of amazing places to camp in Alaska. If you’re on a budget, or just looking to mingle with locals, sign up for Couchsurfing! 

ANCHORAGE 

Find the best price on hotels in Anchorage .

• Captain Cook  
• Hotel Alyeska 
• Arctic Adventure Hostel  
• Base Camp Anchorage Hostel

Find the best price on hotels in Fairbanks .

• Borealis Base Camp
• Pike’s Waterfront Lodge
• Sven’s Base Camp Hostel  
• Billie’s Backpacker Hostel  

JUNEAU 

Find the best price on hotels in Juneau

• Baranof Westmark Hotel
• Alaska’s Capital Inn B&B  
• Juneau International Hostel

CITIES TO EXPLORE IN ALASKA

South central alaska.

• ANCHORAGE:  Alaska’s busy and biggest city. Plenty of hotels, nightlife, restaurants, and shopping here.
• WASILLA & PALMER:  These cities sit side-by-side about a one hour drive north from Anchorage. Nearby attractions include Hatcher’s Pass Recreational Area and Matanuska Glacier.
• SEWARD:  Small fishing town on the Kenai Peninsula, south of Anchorage. 
• HOMER:  Small city just south of Kenai & Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula. Great place to catch fishing charters out of and sits in the beautiful Kachemak Bay. Has a hippy-vibe to it and is home to Bear Creek Winery . 
• WHITTIER: A small city that sits in the western Prince William Sound. You have to drive through a tunnel from Anchorage to get here by road.
• VALDEZ: Small city at the the head of a fjord in the eastern Prince William Sound.

INTERIOR ALASKA

• FAIRBANKS & NORTH POLE:  The second largest city in Alaska nicknamed ‘The Golden Heart City’ as word of gold found in the creeks around Fairbanks sent the Goldrush stampeding. One of the best places in Alaska to base yourself for chasing the Northern Lights. A great hotel to check out, if within your budget, is the domes at Borealis Base Camp , where you can watch the aurora from inside your room! North Pole is located just north of Fairbanks and is home to the Santa Claus House. 
• TOK:  Small town that you will pass through if driving into Alaska from Canada or vice-versa. 
• CHICKEN:  Located 250 miles southeast of Fairbanks and located about 80 miles northeast of Tok on the Taylor Highway. A year round population of 7 lives here, but don’t worry there’s at least a saloon. The biggest draw to Chicken every year is the annual Chickenstock Music Festival  held in June. Chicken is a stop along the ‘Top of the World’ road trip that continues to Dawson City, Canada. 

SOUTHEAST ALASKA

• JUNEAU:  The capital city of Alaska and only accessible by boat and plane. Do not miss sights include Mendenhall Glacier, Auke Bay, and The Shrine of St Therese. Of course no trip to Juneau is complete without a stop in the Red Dog Saloon. 
• SITKA:  A beautiful seaside community that sits on the northern edge of Baranof Island. 
• KETCHIKAN:  Seaside city along the Inside Passage. Famous for its Totem Poles.
• SKAGWAY: Set along the Inside Passage with lots of Gold Rush era buildings. Unlike much of the rest of southeastern Alaska, Skagway is accessible by road via the Haines Junction. 

WESTERN ALASKA

• BETHEL:  Largest community in western Alaska. It is the main port on the Kuskokwim River and the major hub for all 56 villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Flying in is the only realistic option for most travelers to reach Bethel.
• NOME :   Located in northwestern Alaska on the Seward Peninsula jutting out into the Bering Sea. Home to the world’s largest goldpan. Nome is most famous for being the finish line of the Iditarod- the sled dog race celebrating the 1925 delivery of the life-saving serum during a blizzard that was needed to combat the Diphtheria epidemic raging through the Alaska Native population.

NORTHERN ALASKA

• UTQIAGVIK (FORMERLY BARROW):  It’s not as difficult to pronounce as it looks- Ooot-kee-yah-vik. Utqiagvik is the northernmost city in the United States. A great time to visit is during Nalukataq- a celebration held the third week of June each year for a successful whale harvest.

NATIONAL PARKS

By area, Alaska is home to over half of the national park lands in the United States. There are no fees to the national parks in Alaska, with the exception of Denali National Park. 

• DENALI NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE:  Home to North America’s highest peak, Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley). Abundant wildlife at every turn. Not open to private vehicles beyond the Savage River (except for during the Denali Road Lottery  in September). If you want to go further in the park, you must take one of the park buses. There is a $10 fee to enter the park for those aged 16 and older. 
• KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK:  Where mountains, ice and ocean all meet. Highlights included taking a fjord or whale watching cruise, hiking along Exit Glacier & Harding Icefield, and kayaking in the fjords. 
• GATES OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL PARK:  This is vast, off the beaten path wilderness. Located in northern Alaska in the Brook’s Range. There is no visitor center, no roads, no trails, and no facilities. Those wanting to explore it will need to completely arrange the trip on their own.
• WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK: Rugged, beautiful, wild, and roughly the size of Yosemite National Park and the entire country of Switzerland combined, making it by land size the largest national park in the United States! Most who visit Wrangell-St. Elias will do so by visiting McCarthy, Kennecott Mine, and Root Glacier (about 8 hours drive from Anchorage).
• GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK:  A highlight for many taking Inside Passage cruises to Alaska. Glacier Bay is located in southeastern Alaska near the community of Gustavus, just northwest of Juneau. You can arrange to take the ferry from Juneau to Gustavus and take a private boat tour of Glacier Bay if you are traveling independently. 
• KATMAI NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE:  Home to the postcard picture of the grizzly catching the salmon out of the waterfall you think of when Alaska comes to mind. Katmai is also famous for all its volcanoes- Brook’s Falls and the Valley of the 10,000 Smokes are two of the biggest highlights here. 
• KOBUK VALLEY NATIONAL PARK:  Not only do half a million caribou migrate through this park every year, but Kobuk Valley is also home to Alaska’s famous sand dunes. 
• LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE:  Similar in attractions to Katmai, many are drawn in by its grizzly bear viewing, fishing opportunities, turquoise lakes, jagged mountains, and a number of volcanoes. 

MOST POPULAR STATE PARKS IN ALASKA

Alaska has more state parks than you can shake a stick at and to many to list! Check out the DNR website to read more about each one. 

• CHUGACH STATE PARK:  A gigantic state park that basically stretches from Anchorage to Valdez. A number of popular hikes are located in the park. 
• HATCHER’S PASS STATE MANAGEMENT AREA:  One of South-central Alaska’s easiest to access parks with countless hiking trails to explore between jagged peaks and turquoise mountain lakes. 
• KACHEMAK BAY STATE PARK:  Located near Homer, Alaska’s first state park and only wilderness park. There is over 80 miles of hiking trails to explore and countless camping possibilities. 
• DENALI STATE PARK:  Sits adjacent to Denali National Park & Preserve. Home to the famous 30 mile K’sugi Ridge hike with sweeping views of North America’s tallest mountain. 

GETTING TO ALASKA

You can get to Alaska by land, by air or by sea. However, most people will arrive via flight at Anchorage International Airport.

• BY AIR:  Commercial flights to Anchorage are the most common way to enter Alaska, followed by flights to Fairbanks. Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Ketchikan all have international airports with connections to other US states as well as seasonal flights to/from Germany, Iceland, Canada, and Russia in the summer. US cities that have direct service to Anchorage are Chicago, Dallas, Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Seattle.
• BY LAND:  If you have the time to spare and are already planning to pass through Western Canada, driving into Alaska is an option via the Alcan (Alaska-Canada Highway). This is also part of the great Pan-American Highway: the road spanning from Ushuaia, Argentina to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
• BY WATER:  Between May and September you can take cruise up the Inside Passage from Seattle to Alaska. Alternatively you can utilize the Alaska Marine Highway System. The Marine Highway starts in Bellingham, Washington, makes an international stop in Prince Rupert, BC, and connects the following communities by ferry: Akutan, Angoon, Chenega Bay, Chignik, Cold Bay, Cordova, False Pass, Haines, Homer, Hoonah, Juneau, Kake, Ketchikan, King Cove, Kodiak, Metlakatla, Ouzinkie, Petersburg, Port Lions, Sand Point, Seldovia, Sitka, Skagway, Tatitlek, Tenakee Springs, Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Valdez, Whittier, Wrangell, and Yakutat.

GETTING AROUND ALASKA

82% of Alaska’s communities are not on the road system, making most of Alaska pretty inaccessible. However you can take in a lot of the wild beauty of Alaska from places that aren’t too difficult to reach. Public transport is non-existent between cities, so self-driving is going to be your best option for seeing the state.

• RENTAL CAR:  Giving you the flexibility to go where you want when you want. This can be a cost-effective option if traveling in a group. 
• BUY A CAR:  This is a great option if you plan to travel Alaska for an extended period of time. Plus in the end you can likely sell off the car for close to what you paid for it. 
• TRAIN:  Alaska has a railroad system that connects Seward, Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks, has cars that cater to tourists and even has whistle stops from the more intrepid.
• HITCHHIKING:  If you’re in a very tight budget, more on the fearless side, and not afraid to spend some time outdoors waiting for a ride, hitchhiking can be a budget-friendly option. Just be mindful, use common sense, and don’t accept a ride if you at all feel uncomfortable about it. A good place to search for rides is on the Anchorage page on Couchsurfing. 
• CYCLING:  Although Alaskan drivers can be a bit careless and crazy at times, if you’re a serious cycler this can be a great way to enjoy Alaska. 
• MARINE HIGHWAY FERRIES:  This is the ferry system that connect Washington state to Alaska’s Southeast Panhandle, South-Central Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands. You can take cars on the ferry.
• FLIGHTS:  Depending on where you want to go in Alaska, flying there may be your only option. Many of Alaska’s communities have daily flights between them. For some of the more remote villages and communities an air taxi can get you there. 

WHAT TO EAT IN ALASKA

Most people don’t think of Alaska as a culinary destination but there’s great food all around in the 49th state. Here are a few great things to try:

• Fresh Alaskan Salmon: You’ll be hard pressed to find better salmon on this planet. Make sure and try Copper River Red Salmon. 
• Reindeer: The only game meat in Alaska you’ll find in restaurants. For those wanting to try moose, you’ll need to buddy up with some local Alaskans who may have some in the freezer.
• Halibut: Lovely, delicious halibut. The best places to try it are in small fish restaurants in the coastal communities. 
• King Crab: Alaska is known the world over for its soft, sweet and delicious King Crab legs.
• Blueberries: If you’re visiting in late August and into September it’s possible to go out berry picking. However, Alaskan blueberries are a bit more tart.
• Beer: Breweries are popping up more and more in Alaska. There are tons of craft beers to sample in Alaska. 

BEST RESTAURANTS IN ALASKA

Anchorage area.

• Moose’s Tooth – Ranked one of the best independent pizza companies in the United States. 
• Double Musky – The French pepper steak is perfection. Most dishes have a Cajun flare. 
• Glacier Brewhouse – Serving up some of Alaska’s best seafood with a unique twist. If seafood isn’t your thing they also have delicious wood grilled meats. 
• Seven Glaciers – Take the tram at the Hotel Alyeska on top the mountain to have dinner with a view.
• Simon & Seafort’s – An Alaskan favorite serving up Alaskan seafood, steak, and more. 
• Crow’s Nest  – A world class menu with a 360º view of Anchorage. 

FAIRBANKS & DENALI

• Turtle Club – Located just outside Fairbanks in Fox. Great prime rib and seafood.
• Mile 229 Parks Highway – With a menu that changes daily as they only serve their daily harvests and seasonal offerings. It doesn’t get much fresher than Mile 229.
• 49th State (there’s one in Anchorage now, too!)- Craft beers and tasty twists on Alaskan favorite dishes. The brewery in Denali has a replica out front of the bus from Into the Wild. 
• Lavelle’s Bistro – A good selection of wines, serving up globally inspired dishes and American favorites. 

SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA

• The Channel Club – Serving up some of the best steak and seafood in all of Alaska, overlooking the water in Sitka. 
• Tracy’s King Crab Shack – A waterfront, walk-up shack serving some of the best fresh-caught king crab in Alaska.

GENERAL COSTS IN ALASKA 

To give you a rough idea of costs for planning a trip in Alaska, here are some examples:

• Gasoline: $2.88/gallon
• Hotel: $120-200/night
• Hostel: $40-80/night
• Campsite: $10 per night on average, $25 for ones with amenities
• Small car rental: $35/day in the winter and shoulder seasons, $100/day in the peak season
• Larger car/SUV rental: $50/day in the winter and shoulder seasons, $140/day in peak season
• Food: Preparing own meals: $1-5 per meal. Budget restaurant/cafe: $10-15 per plate. Midrange restaurant: $20-30 per plate. Higher end restaurants: $30+ per plate
• Entrance to museums and cultural centers: $10-15 per person
• Entrance to parks: Free to $10 per person. Most of Alaska’s state and national parks are free to enter. Denali charges $10 per person to enter. Many state parks with road access and a parking lot will charge a $5 parking fee.

TIPS TO HELP YOU SAVE MONEY

• Visit outside tourist season- June-August are the most expensive months to visit.
• Consider the shoulder season (May & September).
• Shop for airline sales- airlines have more competition between May and September as many more airlines fly to Alaska in the summer months. 
• Use mileage- Are you part of an airline rewards program? If you are check to see if your airline or a partner of theirs flies to Alaska. 
• Get outside- Most of Alaska’s natural attractions are free to visit aside from a parking fee at some sites. All national parks in Alaska have free entrance except for Denali National Park! 
• Go camping- Accommodation can get expensive in the high season. For those adventurous enough, pitching a tent is a great way to save money as many managed campgrounds in Alaska have inexpensive fees. 

We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Alaska. If you have any questions about the destination, please leave these in the comments below.

Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Please visit our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.

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moviezombie says

April 25, 2018 at 8:58 pm

as a frequent traveler to AK this is great info. however….and this is a BIG HOWEVER….if chasing the aurora one needs to be ready for minus 30F temperatures! we also found that making trips that include “festivals” is fun and as good an excuse as any to make another trip: the Whale Fest held in Sitka in November and the Bald Eagle festival usually held about a week before that one are both worth the effort. dressing in layers is always recommended but those layers really need to be “cold weather” layers. go and take the chance you will become addicted to Alaska! I always say it is for me my therapy! :

Nicole says

April 27, 2018 at 5:56 am

A post on Alaskan festivals is a post all on its own

April 25, 2018 at 8:59 pm

oops, should have mentioned the Bald Eagle fest is in Haines…..

Rebecca says

May 2, 2018 at 3:49 am

Wow, Alaska looks so beautiful, I’d love to visit!

May 30, 2018 at 10:55 am

I hope you do!

Anusha says

May 21, 2018 at 11:02 am

How many days minimum should we keep for visit to Alaska?

May 30, 2018 at 10:59 am

It’s hard to say as it really depends on where you want to go and what you want to see. Alaska is massive, so I’d say it’d be best to stick to a region and explore things within reach if you don’t have tons of time to dedicate. A popular route many tourists do to cover a lot of different areas in roughly two weeks is to take a cruise through the Southeast up to Anchorage and then afterwards take a weeklong Roadtrip to Fairbanks hitting sites along the way, and then fly home from Fairbanks.

Hinson says

August 5, 2018 at 12:04 pm

I love you blog! I’m currently in Alaska and would love to check out the destination on the pictures that you’ve posted. Would you mind to share the name please and how to get there? Thanks!

August 14, 2018 at 7:01 pm

Simply Amazing!

March 13, 2019 at 9:17 am

Great blog post, guys! And your photos are amazing. A lot of those hikes look amazing, but I don’t think I see captions on the photos about where they are. Would it be possible to let us know where they are located/which hikes they are on? Thanks!

Julie Vasquez says

April 12, 2019 at 11:21 am

If you don’t mind me asking, where is the location of the picture inside of the glacier? That looks awesome.

Emily Ann says

March 30, 2020 at 8:30 am

If you’re interested in visiting Alaska, I highly recommend Sitka! Some cruises stop there and both Alaska Air & Delta fly in directly from Seattle. Extremely scenic & very quaint town. It’s like Switzerland but on the ocean and with lots of wildlife. Plenty of options for lodging and great restaurants. The stunning totem pole park, great hiking, kayaking and Sitka is also perhaps the best place in the World for whale watching and wildlife boat tours.

Kara R Maceross says

April 2, 2020 at 2:09 pm

What a comprehensive post! I had the amazing opportunity to travel with a few ladies to Alaska this past December and it was magical! We saw a lot of wildlife too, even though a lot of businesses were closed. I will definitely come back to your site before I plan a summer trip there (which WILL happen!). Thanks for all the great info!

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Alaska Airlines plane aborts takeoff to avoid collision with Southwest jet

An Alaska Airlines  airplane aborted takeoff on a runway at Tennessee's Nashville International Airport on Thursday to avoid a potential collision with a Southwest Airlines jet, the airline said.

Alaska Airlines 369, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplane with 176 passengers and six crew on board, aborted takeoff around 9:15 a.m. ET due to a potential traffic conflict after it had received clearance for takeoff from air traffic control, the airline said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Southwest Airlines Flight 2029 – a Boeing 737-700 – had been cleared to cross the end of the same runway and the agency is investigating the incident.

The Alaska pilots immediately applied the brakes to prevent the incident from escalating, the carrier added. The plane had been scheduled to fly to Seattle, and passengers were being moved to a new plane.

The FAA and Alaska said the 737 MAX 9's tires were blown during braking.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

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Southwest did not immediately comment. Alaska said maintenance technicians in Nashville were inspecting the aircraft.

Last year, a series of near-miss incidents raised concerns about U.S. aviation safety and the strain on understaffed air traffic control operations.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker told reporters on Wednesday that the number of serious runway incursion incidents had fallen by over 50% but "we continue to work the issue by creating more technology for controllers, more technology in the arrival facilities."

In June, the National Transportation Safety Board found that incorrect assumptions on the part of an air traffic controller led to a February 2023 near-collision between a FedEx plane and a Southwest aircraft in Austin, Texas.

The two planes came within about 170 feet (52 meters) of each other when the FedEx Boeing 767 was forced to fly over the Southwest 737-700 to avoid a crash in poor visibility conditions.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said in June the board wants low-visibility training for controllers and faster deployment of technology at airports and cockpit alerts to prevent future near-collisions.

"This should serve as a wake-up call to so many – these are warning signs and that means take action now," Homendy said.

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Sitka tourism documentary ‘Cruise Boom’ to debut on PBS

Sitka-based filmmaker Ellen Frankenstein’s latest documentary, “Cruise Boom,” premieres nationwide Saturday on PBS. The national debut culminates years of work on the part of Frankenstein and her co-director Atman Mehta, who explored both the potential benefits and downsides of cruise tourism’s explosive growth in Sitka.

Frankenstein and Mehta began filming “Cruise Boom” in 2021, as Sitka transitioned from the 2020 pandemic summer of zero cruise passengers. The Southeast Alaska town began a startling rebound to nearly 600,000 passengers in 2023 – roughly three times more than a typical summer prior to the pandemic.

“Cruise Boom,” however, is not a scathing indictment of the industry. Frankenstein wants the audience to think broadly about what’s unfolding, as communities react to the surging numbers.

“It is a really complex issue we try to cover in a very impressionistic film, because tourism, as we know, is super complex,” Frankenstein said. “Everybody loves to travel. We all love experiencing new places. The economic side is so amazing, because we have new food trucks in town, new businesses and all these good things. But globally, you can’t miss it in the news that over-tourism, or the saturation of tourism, is affecting places. And there’s pushback from Barcelona to Bali, there’s an upcoming vote in Juneau about ship-free Saturdays. So it’s just this interesting conversation that is not just pertinent to Sitka. So when people respond to this film elsewhere, they’re seeing it kind of as a case study.”

RELATED: With cruise traffic booming, Alaska’s travel industry looks to boost independent traveler numbers

Frankenstein and Mehta intend the film to stimulate conversation. In fact, there are several scenes in the movie that are just conversation – Sitkans discussing how to confront, and possibly manage, the rapid growth. 

No one is blind to the obvious benefits, as new businesses emerge downtown, and the municipal budget swells with increased sales tax revenues. But there are hazards, too.

In an excerpt from the film, four anonymous Sitkans discuss the future of their city:

“I’m either a fifth or sixth-generation Sitkan, and in order for myself, my family, friends, to continue to be able to live here, there has to be an economic means for us to work and make money.”

“I don’t want us to be a destination. I value our community, because we’re a community. You know, the pulp mill sustained the community for years, but had excesses in how much it logged and how fast it logged in the environment. Cruise ships is a similar thing.”

“If we’re going to help shape tourism, we really have to be active and engaged stakeholders. That means talking to the cruise ship lines. It means asking the hard questions.”

“The story is unfolding right now. So we can’t tell the ending because it’s happening right now.”

Frankenstein and Mehta shot the film over a couple of years, so Frankenstein describes it now as history, although Sitka is far from settled into the new volume of passengers. They released rough cuts early in the process, and have shown the final film several times, most recently for a group of graduate environmental-policy students from Johns Hopkins University.

Frankenstein says the screening prompted an intense conversation about solutions.

“When there’s something like this that happened to Sitka in another place, who is responsible to help manage it and see how it all works out?” asked Frankenstein. “And we had this discussion: Is it the responsibility of the city and the government? Is it citizens? Is it tourists? Do we expect tourists to be more responsible in the way they travel?”

RELATED: Sitka’s 13,000-visitor day was ‘far too many,’ mayor says

For Alaskans who live in tourism destinations, “Cruise Boom” is a kind of mirror. The film is set in Sitka, but the same questions are being asked in many of the state’s other coastal communities.

“We’ve also had community screenings in places like Skagway and Cordova and Homer in the state, and Juneau, and it’s been great,” Frankenstein said. “People have this discussion about their relationship to tourism and what they value in their communities?”

“Cruise Boom” will be available to stream on the PBS website or app beginning Saturday. The film will air on KTOO television at 7 p.m. Sunday, then be broadcast on the PBS television network nationwide – including Alaska’s PBS stations – starting Tuesday. To learn about other ways to view the film, visit the  Artchange, Inc. website.

KCAW’s Darryl Rehkopf contributed to this story.

Listen to the full interview with Ellen Frankenstein:

Robert Woolsey, KCAW - Sitka

Robert Woolsey is the news director at KCAW in Sitka.

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Arts & Culture  | Southeast  | Tourism

Sitka tourism documentary ‘Cruise Boom’ to debut on PBS

September 12, 2024 by Robert Woolsey, KCAW - Sitka

Sitka-based filmmaker Ellen Frankenstein’s latest documentary, “Cruise Boom,” premieres nationwide Saturday on PBS.

The national debut culminates years of work on the part of Frankenstein and her co-director Atman Mehta, who explored both the potential benefits and downsides of cruise tourism’s explosive growth in Sitka.

Frankenstein and Mehta began filming “Cruise Boom” in 2021, as Sitka transitioned from the 2020 pandemic summer of zero cruise passengers. The Southeast Alaska town began a startling rebound to nearly 600,000 passengers in 2023 – roughly three times more than a typical summer prior to the pandemic.

“Cruise Boom,” however, is not a scathing indictment of the industry. Frankenstein wants the audience to think broadly about what’s unfolding, as communities react to the surging numbers.

“It is a really complex issue we try to cover in a very impressionistic film, because tourism, as we know, is super complex,” Frankenstein said. “Everybody loves to travel. We all love experiencing new places. The economic side is so amazing, because we have new food trucks in town, new businesses and all these good things. But globally, you can’t miss it in the news that over-tourism, or the saturation of tourism, is affecting places. And there’s pushback from Barcelona to Bali, there’s an upcoming vote in Juneau about  ship-free Saturdays.  So it’s just this interesting conversation that is not just pertinent to Sitka. So when people respond to this film elsewhere, they’re seeing it kind of as a case study.”

Frankenstein and Mehta intend the film to stimulate conversation. In fact, there are several scenes in the movie that are just conversation – Sitkans discussing how to confront, and possibly manage, the rapid growth.

No one is blind to the obvious benefits, as new businesses emerge downtown, and the municipal budget swells with increased sales tax revenues. But there are hazards, too.

In an excerpt from the film, four anonymous Sitkans discuss the future of their city:

“I’m either a fifth or sixth-generation Sitkan, and in order for myself, my family, friends, to continue to be able to live here, there has to be an economic means for us to work and make money.”

“I don’t want us to be a destination. I value our community, because we’re a community. You know, the pulp mill sustained the community for years, but had excesses in how much it logged and how fast it logged in the environment. Cruise ships is a similar thing.”

“If we’re going to help shape tourism, we really have to be active and engaged stakeholders. That means talking to the cruise ship lines. It means asking the hard questions.”

“The story is unfolding right now. So we can’t tell the ending because it’s happening right now.”

Frankenstein and Mehta shot the film over a couple of years, so Frankenstein describes it now as history, although Sitka is far from settled into the new volume of passengers. They released rough cuts early in the process, and have shown the final film several times, most recently for a group of graduate environmental-policy students from Johns Hopkins University.

Frankenstein says the screening prompted an intense conversation about solutions.

“When there’s something like this that happened to Sitka in another place, who is responsible to help manage it and see how it all works out?” asked Frankenstein. “And we had this discussion: Is it the responsibility of the city and the government? Is it citizens? Is it tourists? Do we expect tourists to be more responsible in the way they travel?”

For Alaskans who live in tourism destinations, “Cruise Boom” is a kind of mirror. The film is set in Sitka, but the same questions are being asked in many of the state’s other coastal communities.

“We’ve also had community screenings in places like Skagway and Cordova and Homer in the state, and Juneau, and it’s been great,” Frankenstein said. “People have this discussion about their relationship to tourism and what they value in their communities?”

“Cruise Boom” will be available to stream on  the PBS website or app beginning Saturday. The film will air on KTOO 360TV at 7 p.m. Sunday, then be broadcast on the PBS television network nationwide – including Alaska’s PBS stations – starting Tuesday. To learn about other ways to view the film, visit the Artchange, Inc. website.

KCAW’s Darryl Rehkopf contributed to this story.

KCAW - Sitka

KCAW is our partner station in Sitka. KTOO collaborates with partners across the state to cover important news and to share stories with our audiences.

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