Travel Guide
Lonely Planet Reveals Surprising U.S. City As Top Summer Escape
Jun
No matter the price or destination, finding summer sun is the common denominator this time of year.
Whether it’s majestic lakes, world-class resorts, or pristine Florida beaches, it’s safe to say just about everyone is packing swimwear and sunblock.
Well, Lonely Planet says it’s long overdue for a summer shift. Rather than follow the crowds to the sun-kissed shores of Cancun or Los Cabos, don’t let your winter wear gather dust just yet.
Take a ‘coolcation’ to one of America’s most underrated cities with salt-of-the-Earth locals, astounding natural attractions and locally-sourced food scene.
From alpine waters to all but guaranteed wildlife sightings, visit the gateway to America’s final frontier in the wonderful city of Anchorage, Alaska.
The Pacific Northwest’s Surprising Summer Hotspot
Alaska doesn’t just see a spike in tourism to witness dancing green skies come Northern Lights season; locals actually joke that Christmas arrives early in summer.
The economy gets a boost from a surge of visitors, not only arriving by Alaska’s popular cruises. In fact, it’s estimated that just 40% of visitors arrive by cruise, meaning a majority of arrivals are by air or elsewhere.
But why Anchorage? Well, despite being easily labeled as America’s final frontier, there are plenty of places to fly into, such as Sitka, Fairbanks, and the capital city, Juneau.
Anchorage, though, is Alaska’s biggest city, so there are naturally more things to do nearby.
Grab a bike and explore the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, take a deep dive into Alaska’s arts and history at the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center, or truly immerse yourself in The Wild style with remote resorts in lush forestry like Alyeska Resort on the outskirts of the city.
Okay, maybe not quite Into The Wild style. Their rooms far exceed roughing it in an abandoned bus.
Alaska By Rail: The Ultimate Summer Adventure
Are you up for an adventure this summer? There may be no better starting point than Anchorage.
While many visitors are simply happy to see the sights by Anchorage’s fun trolley tours, the more adventurous branch out into Alaska’s raw nature by hopping aboard one of numerous scenic train rides.
The following 3 Alaska Railroad routes from Anchorage this summer:
- Coastal Classic Train – Departs Anchorage for Girdwood and Seward now – Sept. 14
- Denali Star Train – Departs Anchorage for Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks now – Sept. 18
- Glacier Discovery Train – Full route departs Anchorage for Girdwood, Whittier, Portgage, Spencer, and Grandview now – Sept. 18
You may have noticed Denali and Fairbanks were boldened. These are some of Alaska’s most incredible destinations, led by the unmatched beauty of Denali National Park and the Midnight Sun summer phenomenon of Fairbanks (pack a sleep mask!).
Fares start at $77 from Anchorage, depending on which route you select.
Anchorage’s Unique Gastronomy (Sorry, Rudolph!)
Usually, we have to get a passport stamp to taste new cultures and unfamiliar foods, but that’s not the case for Alaska, a state that prides itself on locally sourced cuisine.
Despite a nationwide vegan movement, there’s also the trendy Keto and Carnivore Diets, which require a heavy dose of meat—and just like Arby’s, Alaska has ‘the meats’!
There’s widespread debate on hunting versus factory farming, and rightfully so, but hunting is a way of life throughout much of Alaska, providing a wide range of wild game on Anchorage menus.
The most notable is Reindeer Sausage. Local resident Michael Bialy, one of the managers of Red Umbrella Reindeer, was quoted as saying, “You go to Philly and you get a Philly cheese steak, right? You come to Alaska, you get a reindeer hotdog.”.
You never know what you’ll find at local farmers’ markets and food trucks. Caribou? Crab? Cod?
There are also complex laws regarding Alaskan whales, seals, walruses, sea lions, and sea otters, which natives are allowed to harvest and may be available on menus outside the city limits.
Of course, it doesn’t end there. You’ve seen Deadliest Catch, right? Alaska’s seafood is impeccable, ranging from fresh-as-can-be salmon to Alaskan King Crab.
According to Alaska.org, these are 5 must-try seafoods:
- Alaska-Grown Pacific Oysters
- Great Pacific Scallops
- King Crab
- Rockfish
- Sockeye Salmon
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
