Blog #10 - Alaska adventures
My Fairbanks Favorites and Beyond!
There’s truly no place like Alaska. I had the incredible opportunity to live in Fairbanks for a few years, and I can tell you firsthand it’s a state like no other. Whether you’re chasing the midnight sun in summer or watching the northern lights dance across a dark winter sky, Alaska offers unforgettable experiences all year round. Here are a few ideas if you’re planning the ultimate Alaskan vacation!
One spot that will always stand out to me is HooDoo Brewing Company. If you’re in Fairbanks, it’s an absolute MUST visit. It’s the kind of place where the beer is strong, the drinks are cheap, and the atmosphere is always buzzing with fun and excitement. It’s the perfect place to end a day of exploring, meet locals, and enjoy some fantastic craft brews that you won’t find anywhere else.
Another favorite winter activity of mine was visiting North Pole! yes, it’s a real town! In winter, it’s pure magic. The whole town leans into the holiday spirit, complete with Christmas lights, candy cane street lamps, and some seriously impressive ice sculptures. Walking through an ice park while bundled up with a nice hot chocolate, feels like stepping into another world. Even if you’re not typically a cold weather type of person, this experience is a 10/10!
One dream that I still have is to visit Kodiak Island, home to the famous Kodiak bears. It’s been on my list for a while now. Kodiak is rugged, wild, and absolutely beautiful. Perfect for hiking, fishing, and, of course, bear watching. It’s a little more remote than the most tourist stops, but that’s exactly what makes it so intriguing! It’s definitely one of those once in a lifetime places you must visit!
If you can, you need to plan your trip to Alaska for both summer and winter. Trust me, xperiencing both seasons is like visiting two completely different worlds. In the summer, Fairbanks lights up with summer solstice parties that celebrate the endless daylight (literally, it's bright outside for 22 hours of the day!) It’s super fun and exciting, and something you won’t find anywhere else. In winter, you can’t miss Chena Hot Springs, especially when the temperatures drop far below zero. Soaking in natural hot springs while watching the northern lights overhead is one of the most incredible experiences you’ll ever have. Alaska is vast, wild, and full of surprises, and seeing it in both summer and winter gives you the full magic of the Last Frontier.
I loved reading about your Alaskan adventures—your enthusiasm for Fairbanks really comes across! HooDoo Brewing Company seems like such a fun local treasure, and your portrayal of North Pole in winter completely immersed me in the experience. Now, I’m genuinely considering adding Kodiak Island to my travel bucket list as well. Thank you for sharing such vivid and motivating travel tips!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your expiernces in Alaska. I like the images you included and your explantions in detail about the various experiences that Alaska has to offer.
ReplyDeleteHi Paul! I've been interested in visiting Alaska since my dad said you could pay to have a dog sledding experience. The way you describe Alaska shows you truly care about the state and enjoyed the time you spent there. I will definitely add HooDoo brewery to my list of things I want to do if I ever get the chance to visit.
ReplyDeleteHey Paul, I loved reading your post. I'm going to Fairbanks to visit my bother in laws family and I wanted to know of some fun activities to do there. This post found me at the right time since we are just finalizing the plans and I'm definitely adding the HooDoo Brewery and the Kodiak national wildlife refuge to places we have to visit.
ReplyDeleteHi Paul, loved reading about Alaska. It seems like such a great bucket list place to visit! Especially Kodiak Island.
ReplyDeleteThis post really brought the spirit of Alaska to life thank you for sharing your experience! I’ve never been to Fairbanks, but your descriptions of the midnight sun, the northern lights, and especially that cozy winter magic in North Pole make me want to book a trip ASAP.
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