Seward, AK
Ididaride Dog Mushing Tour Chosen as one of Alaska's top 20 attractions, a must do for all Alaska visitors.
Your Seward Dog Mushing adventure begins with a two-mile dog sled ride. Feel the power, excitement, and energy of sled dogs as they are harnessed to the comfortable wheeled dog sled. Upon returning to the kennel you'll tour the Seavey's family kennel facilities, laugh as a guest is dressed up as an Iditarod musher, and cuddle adorable husky puppies. Your guides are all Iditarod racers, and offer a delightfully humorous, behind-the-scenes look at the Seavey family's training for the most demanding dog mushing race on earth, the Iditarod.
The Real Alaska Tour
Seward, Alaska This Seward tour package features all the attractions that truly make Alaska the Greatland. First, your guide shows you the sights of Seward. Learn why Seward was known as "the Gateway to Alaska" and "Mile 0" of the Iditarod Trail. See first-hand the effects of the 1964 Earthquake. Then, head out to Exit Glacier and enjoy a short walk along the nature trail that takes you to the face of the glacial ice. Watch for mountain goats, moose and bears. A hearty lunch will be served before you travel to the Seavey homestead and experience IdidaRide's Sled Dog tour. At the end your driver will return you to your hotel, cruise ship or the Alaska Railroad depot. All local transportation and lunch are included in this package.
Fairbanks, Alaska (FAIR-banks)
Recommend Activities and Tours • Lodging • Recommend Reading
Current Population: 30,552 (2006) Borough Located In:Municipality of Anchorage Taxes: 8% Bed
Location and Climate Fairbanks is located in the heart of Alaska's Interior, on the banks of the Chena River in the Tanana Valley. By air, Fairbanks is 45 minutes from Anchorage and 3 hours from Seattle. It lies 358 road miles north of Anchorage. The community lies at approximately 64.837780° North Latitude and -147.716390° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 10, T001S, R001W, Fairbanks Meridian.) Fairbanks is located in the Fairbanks Recording District. The area encompasses 31.9 sq. miles of land and 0.8 sq. miles of water. Interior Alaska experiences seasonal temperature extremes. Average January temperatures range from -19 to -2; average July temperatures range from 53 to 72. Annual precipitation is 11.5 inches, with 67.8 inches of snowfall. Temperatures have been recorded as low as -62 in mid-winter, and as high as 96 in summer. During the winter months, if the temperature drops below -20 degrees Fahrenheit, ice fog can occur. Fairbanks is known for its lingering summer days. When the solstice arrives, there is more than 22 hours of daylight.
History, Culture and Demographics Koyukon Athabascans have lived in this area for thousands of years. In 1901, Capt. E.T. Barnette established a trading post on the Chena River - "Barnette's Cache." A year later, gold was discovered 16 miles north of the post. The town grew as the Chena steamboat landing brought many prospectors during the Pedro Dome gold rush. Fairbanks was named in 1902 after Indiana Senator Charles Fairbanks, who became Vice President of the U.S. from 1905-1909. In 1903, Judge Wikersham moved the seat of the Third Judicial District from Eagle to Fairbanks. The population of the area continued to increase as Fairbanks became the hub of the Interior, with the addition of the court, government offices, a jail, a post office, and the Northern Commercial Company. Barnette was elected as the first Mayor of the City of Fairbanks in 1903, and established telephone service, fire protection, sanitation ordinances, electricity and steam heat. He also founded the Washington-Alaska Bank. By 1910, the official population had grown to 3,541, although more than 6,000 miners lived and worked their claims on creeks north of town. Ladd Field (now Fort Wainwright) was constructed in 1938. Construction of the Alcan Highway in the 1940s and the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline in the 1970s fueled growth and development.
The population of the community consists of 13.3% Alaska Native or part Native. The Fairbanks area is the second-largest population settlement in Alaska. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 12,357, and vacant housing units numbered 1,282. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 121. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 14,463 residents as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 10.88 percent, although 34.92 percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $40,577, per capita income was $19,814, and 10.5 percent of residents were living below the poverty level.
Economy and Transportation As the regional service and supply center for Interior Alaska, Fairbanks offers a diverse economy, including city, borough, state and federal government services, transportation, communication, manufacturing, financial, and regional medical services. Tourism and mining also comprise a significant part of the economy. Including Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright personnel, over one-third of the employment is in government services. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is also a major employer. Approximately 325,000 tourists visit Fairbanks each summer. The Fort Knox hardrock gold mine produces 1,200 ounces daily with 360 permanent year-round employees. 126 City residents hold commercial fishing permits.
Fairbanks is at the confluence of the Richardson Hwy., George Parks Hwy., Steese Hwy., and Elliott Hwy., connecting the Interior to Anchorage, Canada and the lower 48 states. The Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay begins about 75 miles north of town. Goods are transported to Fairbanks by truck, air, and the Alaska Railroad. Regularly-scheduled jet flights are available at the State-owned Fairbanks International Airport. An 11,800' asphalt runway, heliport and seaplane landing strip are available. A public seaplane base is also located on the Chena River. In addition, there are several privately-owned airstrips and heliports in the vicinity.
Fairbanks Visitor Information and Recommend Activities and Tours
Fairbanks Lodging, Hotels and Bed & Breakfast
Recommend Reading
Backcountry Safaris P.O. Box 231121 • Anchorage, Alaska USA 99523 1-907-222-1632 or toll-free 1-877-812-2159
Backcountry Safaris is a member of the following trade and travel organizations:
Three national parks, Denali, Katmai and Kenai Fjords. Brown bears, whales, wildlife, calving tidewater glaciers, Mt. McKinley, fall colors, hot springs and much more. (more…)
Alaska- just the name conjures up visions of the wild, wonderful creatures of the North Country, brown bears… wolves… Dall sheep… caribou… moose… (more…)
Winter Adventure It's all about fun!
Drive your own snowmobile
Alaska Snowmobiling Snowmobile in the best possible place. The Chugach Mountains will surround you as you navigate your own snowmachine through trails, open fields of powder, beaver ponds, frozen waterfalls.
Alaska
Rafting
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Kongakut River – 10-day Arctic National Wildlife Refuge rafting safari.
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Denali Park Nenana RIver – 2-4 hour rafting trips.
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Chulitna River – 4-day denali raft adventure.
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Lake Creek – 7-day whitewater rafting and fishing adventure.
Fairbanks is located in the heart of Alaska's Interior, on the banks of the Chena River in the Tanana Valley. By air, Fairbanks is 45 minutes from Anchorage and 3 hours from Seattle. It lies 358 road miles north of Anchorage. The community lies at approximately 64.837780° North Latitude and -147.716390° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 10, T001S, R001W, Fairbanks Meridian.) Fairbanks is located in the Fairbanks Recording District. The area encompasses 31.9 sq. miles of land and 0.8 sq. miles of water. Interior Alaska experiences seasonal temperature extremes. Average January temperatures range from -19 to -2; average July temperatures range from 53 to 72. Annual precipitation is 11.5 inches, with 67.8 inches of snowfall. Temperatures have been recorded as low as -62 in mid-winter, and as high as 96 in summer. During the winter months, if the temperature drops below -20 degrees Fahrenheit, ice fog can occur. Fairbanks is known for its lingering summer days. When the solstice arrives, there is more than 22 hours of daylight.
