Wild, unpretentious, spirited, open-hearted – these are common qualities among people who are drawn to Alaska. From the earliest settlers who crossed the Bering Land Bridge thousands of years ago, to prospectors who risked everything seeking gold in the 1890s and homesteaders who helped a territory become a state – Alaska pioneers were trailblazers.
Until the Klondike gold rush of 1897-98, Alaska was relatively unknown. In the era that followed, tens of thousands of dreamers and schemers risked everything as they traveled through Alaska’s rugged wilderness to make their fortune under hazardous conditions. Over time, the newcomers organized into communities, raised families and began to consider Alaska home. Today you can relive Alaska's gold rush era and try your luck in panning for gold at Crow Creek and Indian Valley mines.
Experiencing Alaska Native culture first-hand is a daunting task in a state that covers one-fifth the size of the entire U.S. and is spread over five distinct geographic regions. The good news is that all 11 main Native groups are well represented at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. The center is designed and operated by indigenous peoples expressly for the purpose of preserving and sharing their traditional way of life. Enjoy dance and storytelling performances in the Gathering Place, walk through traditional Native village sites and explore the Hall of Cultures, which exemplifies Native life, past and present.
Aviation has long been a lifeline to rural Alaska ("the bush"), and an unforgettable way to realize the magnificence of the Last Frontier. See vintage aircraft and learn about the state’s unique aviation history from special exhibits at the Alaska Aviation Museum.
Oscar Anderson owned a butcher shop from the earliest days of Anchorage’s founding in 1915. His house, the first wood-frame home in Anchorage, is packed with things that show how early Anchorage residents lived. Restored to its 1915 appearance, the Oscar Anderson House in Elderberry Park is on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours are given of the home; check with the Visit Anchorage Information Centers for the schedule.
Much of what lures travelers to America’s largest state can be enjoyed while using Anchorage as base camp. With quick access to Alaska’s remote areas, nearby state and national parks, glaciers and mountains, it’s no wonder visitors are quickly awed by this unique and memorable destination. Those interested in Alaska’s rugged and remote wilderness areas can learn more through wildlife and cultural exhibits, interactive videos and trip-planning information found at the Alaska Public Lands Information Center.
Another fascinating natural phenomenon in Alaska is the Turnagain Arm bore tide – a true tidal surge known as a bore tide that occurs when a rising tide enters a narrow and shallow basin. The Turnagain Arm bore tide can attain heights up to six feet and speeds of 10- to 15 miles per hour. You can follow the bore tide from the Seward Highway by traveling south and stopping at the turnouts along the way. Recently, extreme sports enthusiasts have taken to surfing the bore tides.
