MJP –
Ah, Alaska! The last frontier where the wildlife outnumbers the wifi signals, and the local traffic reports include moose crossings. If you think Alaska is just snow and ice with a side of frostbite, well, you’re only about 90% correct.
Bundle up, buttercup, because we’re about to embark on a frosty adventure through 13 things you’ll only find in Alaska and nowhere else!
The Midnight Sun
In the land of the midnight sun, darkness takes a summer vacation. Imagine the sun staying up past its bedtime for 24 hours—perfect for midnight hiking, fishing, or mowing the lawn when insomnia hits. Sleep is so overrated when the sun is partying all night!
The Northern Lights Hotel Wake-Up Call
In Alaska, hotels offer an aurora borealis wake-up service. Forget the standard alarm clock; here, you can request a call when the sky starts dancing with neon lights. It’s the only place where getting woken up at 2 a.m. is a bucket-list experience.
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
The “Last Great Race on Earth” features mushers and their canine athletes racing over 1,000 miles through blizzards and frozen tundra. It’s like NASCAR but with more fur and fewer pit stops. Dog sledding isn’t just a sport here; it’s a way of life.
Mount Denali
Standing tall at 20,310 feet, Denali is North America’s highest peak. It’s so majestic even the clouds look up in awe. Climbing it? Well, that’s just for those who consider Everest too crowded.
Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend
Where else do residents get paid just for existing? Every year, Alaskans receive a check from the state’s oil revenues. It’s like Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Thanks for putting up with my wild mood swings.”
Utqiagvik (Formerly Barrow)
Welcome to the northernmost city in the United States, where the sun sets in November and doesn’t rise again until late January. It’s the perfect place for those who think daylight is totally overrated.
Giant Vegetables at the Alaska State Fair
Thanks to nearly 24-hour summer sunlight, veggies here grow to Jurassic proportions. Ever seen a 138-pound cabbage or a 2,051-pound pumpkin? In Alaska, your salad could feed an entire village.
The Mosquito—Alaska’s Unofficial State Bird
Two California Cities Make the List of America’s ‘Dirtiest’ Urban Areas
These super-sized mosquitoes could give small birds a run for their money. They’re so big they could carry off your picnic basket—and perhaps your toddler. Bug spray isn’t optional; it’s a survival tool.
The Fur Rendezvous Festival
Anchorage hosts this winter carnival featuring outhouse races, snow sculptures, and the Running of the Reindeer. Yes, you read that right—people sprint down the street with real reindeer chasing them. Who needs bulls when you have antlers?
The Hammer Museum
Located in Haines, it’s the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to hammers. With over 2,000 hammers on display, it’s a nail-biting experience you won’t find anywhere else. MC Hammer would be proud.
Glacier-Calved Icebergs in Your Drink
At some Alaskan bars, you can enjoy a cocktail chilled with thousands-of-years-old glacier ice. It’s the coolest drink you’ll ever have—literally. Talk about on the rocks!
Musk Ox Farm
Visit Palmer to meet these shaggy, prehistoric-looking creatures. Their qiviut wool is softer than cashmere and warmer than a hug from a grizzly bear (not recommended). Fashion has never been so fuzzy.
Moose as Backyard Neighbors
Forget squirrels and pigeons; in Alaska, moose casually stroll through your backyard and sometimes your front door. They’re the nosy neighbors you can’t shoo away—mostly because they’re 1,000 pounds and don’t take hints.
So there you have it—13 Alaskan treasures that make this icy state undeniably unique. From sunlit nights to dog-powered races across frozen landscapes, Alaska is where adventure doesn’t just happen; it lives. Next time you crave something extraordinary, remember: Alaska isn’t just a state; it’s a state of mind (and occasionally, a state of perpetual daylight).
