http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/alaska/ Sat, 19 May 2012 19:06:48 +0000 43200 Guide to Alaska. Includes travel reviews by US Residents. http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/alaska/bar-hopping-in-fairbanks-alaska-r152
Fairbanks, smack dab in the part of the state known simply as “The Interior,” is a great city that is Alaska. The people are tough and boisterous, in the summer the sun never sets, and people enjoy having a good time. This city is literally in the middle of nowhere, and as someone who lived there for several years I can attest to the fact that even in that city you can get cabin fever in the middle of winter. It is wilderness.

If you’re the young bar-hopping type, then there are several great bars in and around Fairbanks that are must visits. Some will invariably get left off, but here are a list of five bars you simply should not miss if you are looking to have some fun and adventure in this Alaskan town.

First, visit The Marlin. This bar is a “dive bar” that’s the basement of a building, but it has some great music on the weekends and generally a pretty rowdy (in the fun college sense of the word) crowd. They often have some of the better beers from local breweries. If you have a chance, see if they have “Up Kilt” beer or Alaskan Oatmeal Stout. Can’t go wrong with either. There’s a wide back room and a narrow front, and if you’re looking for the youth hostel, it’s the upstairs of the building. This bar is located near a good Thai place, right by the University of Fairbanks campus.

After a good day of partying, you’ll want some food. The Oasis has some of the best bar food in all of Fairbanks, and their famous combo platter proves that you can deep fat fry anything. In addition, there’s enough fat to fill up three full sized college students. They make an excellent Philly cheese steak with jalapeños in for kick. There’s often great specialty beer here, as well, and they make very strong whiskey and cokes (referred to by many locals as “coke colored whiskey).

If you like the idea of frying your own burgers on a do it yourself grill, head to Ester, about 5-10 miles out, and go to the Golden Eagle. As far as bars in cool looking buildings go, you’ll be hard pressed to ever top this one! Cheap Wisconsin beer, and a grill. You order a hamburger, you get a big raw handful to cook as you see fit. If the mood here doesn’t make you excited to be in Alaska, nothing will.

Ivory Jack’s is a favorite among many locals, being located about five miles out of town. The “Drinking Wall of Fame” will catch your attention, and this bar also has a great grill that’s nothing to sneeze at. A lot of writers like to meet here, and the ambiance is fantastic. Pictures of this place will definitely scream Alaska to anyone who looks at them, and if you try to get your picture on the Drinking Wall of Fame, good luck. You’re going to need it.

If there’s a large buzz around a band coming to town, or a special weekend show, you can be sure the gig’s at the Blue Loon. About ten miles outside of town, this is a higher class bar, which in Alaska means you can still show up however you want, but the girls will be pretty and wear tight clothes and the whiskey will cost a lot more, but there are some amazing shows, from independent films to Seattle rock bands, and it’s a great place to look for a hook up, if that’s your thing.

Those are five of the best bars in the Fairbanks, Alaska, area. If you’re looking for adventure, this bar hopping guide will have you grinning ear to ear after an amazing week…and probably nursing one heck of a hangover as well!]]> Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:09:09 +0000 45f31d16b1058d586fc3be7207b58053 http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/alaska/fairbanks-alaska-a-brief-travel-guide-r15 To get a look at what Fairbanks once looked like travel downtown then west along First avenue. Here you will find close to a dozen log cabins. There are also several buildings of historical interest.

Another excellent reason to make Fairbanks Alaska a USA travel destination is the phenomenon called The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. The University of Alaska is one of many still researching the "Northern Lights". Looking into their cause and how they effect the rest of the world. I only know that traveling this area of Alaska in the winter you will get the most spectacular views of these bright dancing lights. I sometimes try to picture what the early pioneers must have thought when viewing them for the first time.

All this travel makes me hungry, and Fairbanks has its share of great restaurants. Something for every wallet. My personal favorite is Sam's Sourdough Cafe. Located on University avenue, you will here the locals call it Sourdough Sam's. While the place may not look all that great, the food is! My personal favorite is reindeer sausage. The food here is plain but good and always an ample serving.

AS much as I love all the travel I do throughout the USA, I have to say that Fairbanks is one of my first choices.]]> Sun, 26 Dec 2010 21:01:56 +0000 2b44928ae11fb9384c4cf38708677c48 http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/alaska/scenic-juneau-alaska-r16
The history of Juneau, like many other places in Alaska is tied to gold. What traveler can resist the lure and the legend that is the Alaskan Gold Rush?

Juneau sits opposite Douglas Island at the heart of the Gastineau Channel. Juneau has been referred to as Americas most scenic capital. Those of us who travel here frequently absolutely agree.

To prove this, I recommend a drive to the Mendenhall Glacier. The glacier travels for 12 miles between two mountains before showing its ice face at Mendenhall Lake. This is not a Glacier that should be hiked alone, without local guides.

I also recommend fishing. Sport fishing in Alaska is a delight and an adventure. Saltwater fishing always best May through September, yields salmon such as King, Coho and Pinks. Dungeness crab, this travelers personal favorite is also plentiful.

If your plans do not include a fishing trip, then why not try the Historic Juneau Gold Mine Tour? Travel to the Alaska Gastineau Mill constructed in 1913 this mill was once known as the worlds largest gold producing mill. Be sure to dress in warm clothing for the tour that lasts about 3 and a half hours.

You can not travel the USA, or Alaska without going on a whale watching tour. Orca Enterprises is the most recommended whale watching tour in southeast Alaska. You will be able to see grizzly bears, otters and eagles where mother nature intended them to be.

All the fresh air and raw beauty of Juneau is sure to cause any traveler to develop an appetite. Head for Breakwater Inn Restaurant,1711 Glacier Avenue. Here you will find Alaskan seafood along with certified Angus beef. If you can tear yourself away from the wonderful food, be sure to let your eyes travel to the great views of the harbor.

Make your next USA traveling destination scenic Juneau, Alaska.]]> Sun, 26 Dec 2010 21:01:34 +0000 c45147dee729311ef5b5c3003946c48f http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/alaska/alaska-easy-cruising-guide-r17
WHAT TO SEE:
Shore excursions are optional, as well as guided tours in a cruise ship's port of call. They are offered in all Alaska ports and cities and are a great way to enrich your cruise experience with visiting coastal attractions, historical places, challenging yourself in kayaking, helicopter tours, mountain biking,...

CRUISE LENGTH:
7 days on average.There are some 11 and 14 day cruises which include more ports of call and more glacier touring. There are 2 different kinds of cruises available: Inside Passage Cruise: roundtrip departure from Vancouver/ Seattle, usually 7 days long. You cruise the inside passage through the islands offshore from British Columbia and Alaska. Stops usually include Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway and Juneau. Gulf of Alaska Cruise (or Glacier Route Cruise): You cruise one-way northbound from Vancouver/ Seattle or one-way south from Seward, Alaska. You will see more glaciers on this route and an additional port or two.

WHEN TO GO:
The usual Alaska cruise season lasts from early May to late September. Alaskan summers are cool, daytime highs in these months range from 10 to 27 degrees Celsius (50 to 80 Fahrenheit). May and June tend to be the drier months, July is the warmest one. June and July are the best months to watch Humpback and Orca whales, White-Sided dolphins. An additional bonus to an Alaskan cruise vacation is that in summer the days are much longer than they are further south. This is the land of the midnight sun. Your longest days will be in June and July (up to 20-21 hours of daylight) and will offer you many opportunities to enjoy active glaciers. Early and late season cruises (May and September) tend to be slightly cheaper and the ports of call are less crowded. You can check next week weather forecast for Anchorage here.

ALASKA CRUISE TIPS:
Northern weather can be unpredictable. Consider taking with you and wearing multiple layers of clothes in response to a wide variety of temperatures and weather conditions. What to pack : waterproof and warm jacket, a sweater, light gloves, rain gear, sun glasses and a warm hat for deck strolling or touring on the shore. You also may find useful binoculars, camera, camcorder, film, batteries and walking shoes. If you need a hair dryer, pack one; not all cruise ships have hair dryers in the cabins. Bargain hunters should look for last minute deals as the last rooms are often sold at very low prices. Pick the right cruise ship for your style,- some ships are more traditional, other more stylish, elegant, some offer more choices for children, other are more seniors-oriented. The cruise comparison chart below should help you in making the correct choice. Check your cruise itinerary, almost every ship usually includes several formal dress code nights. Dark business suit or a tuxedo would do the thing. Alaska cruises tend to be more casual than other destinatons but items such as cutoff t-shirts, halter tops and torn jeans are still not permitted in the dining area.Tipping is usually $10 per passenger per day. We recommend you to book a stateroom with a balcony. Theview on an Alaska cruise is always changing- mountains, shores, wildlife, marine animals, glaciers, or quaint waterfront communities. You can enjoy it from the privacy of your own balcony, escaping crowded decks.]]> Sun, 26 Dec 2010 21:01:11 +0000 eb160de1de89d9058fcb0b968dbbbd68