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.
Juneau, Alaska (JEW-noh)
Recommend Activities and Tours • Lodging • Recommend Reading
Current Population: 30,650 (2006) Borough Located In:City & Borough of Juneau Taxes: 5% Sales; 7% Bed; $5 Marine Passenger
Location and Climate Located on the mainland of Southeast Alaska, opposite Douglas Island, Juneau was built at the heart of the Inside Passage along the Gastineau Channel. It lies 900 air miles northwest of Seattle and 577 air miles southeast of Anchorage. The community lies at approximately 58.301940° North Latitude and -134.419720° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 23, T041S, R067E, Copper River Meridian.) Juneau is located in the Juneau Recording District. The area encompasses 2,716.7 sq. miles of land and 538.3 sq. miles of water. Juneau has a mild, maritime climate. Average summer temperatures range from 44 to 65; winter temperatures range from 25 to 35. It is in the mildest climate zone in Alaska. Annual precipitation is 92 inches in downtown Juneau, and 54 inches ten miles north at the airport. Snowfall averages 101 inches.
History, Culture and Demographics The area was a fish camp for the indigenous Tlingit Indians. In 1880, nearly 20 years before the gold rushes to the Klondike and Nome, Joe Juneau and Richard Harris were lead to Gold Creek by Chief Kowee of the Auk Tribe. They found mother lode deposits upstream, staked their mining claims, and developed a 160 acre incorporated city they called Harrisburg, which brought many prospectors to the area. The City of Juneau was formed in 1900. The state capital was transferred from Sitka to Juneau in 1906 while Alaska was a U.S. Territory. The Treadwell and Ready Bullion mines across the channel on Douglas Island became world-scale mines, operating from 1882 to 1917. In 1916, the Alaska-Juneau gold mine was built on the mainland, and became the largest operation of its kind in the world. In 1917, a cave-in and flood closed the Treadwell mine on Douglas. It produced $66 million in gold in its 35 years of operation. Fishing, canneries, transportation and trading services, and a sawmill contributed to Juneau's growth through the early 1900s. The A-J Mine closed in 1944, after producing over $80 million in gold. In 1970, the City of Juneau and City of Douglas were unified into the City & Borough of Juneau.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska; Douglas Indian Association; Aukquan Traditional Council (not recognized). The population of the community consists of 16.6% Alaska Native or part Native. As the state capital, Juneau is supported largely by State and Federal employment, and by tourists cruising the Inside Passage. It is the third largest community in Alaska. About one-third of residents live downtown or on Douglas Island; the remaining two-thirds live elsewhere along the roaded area. Juneau has a Tlingit history with a strong historical influence from the early prospectors and boom town that grew around full-scale gold mining operations. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 12,282, and vacant housing units numbered 739. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 185. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 16,688 residents as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 5.35 percent, although 28.51 percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $62,034, per capita income was $26,719, and 5.97 percent of residents were living below the poverty level.
Economy and Transportation The State, City & Borough of Juneau, and federal agencies provide nearly 45% of the employment in the community. Juneau is home to State Legislators and their staff during the legislative session between January and May. Tourism is a significant contributor to the private sector economy during the summer months, providing a $130 million income and nearly 2,000 jobs. Over 690,000 visitors arrive by cruise ship, and another 100,000 independent travelers visit Juneau each year. The Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Icefield air tours, Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier, State Museum, and Mount Roberts Tramway are local attractions. Support services for logging and fish processing contribute to the Juneau economy, and 519 residents hold commercial fishing permits. DIPAC, a private non-profit organization, operates a fish hatchery which increases the local salmon population. The Kennecott Green's Creek Mine produces gold, silver, lead and zinc, and is the largest silver mine in North America.
Juneau is accessible only by air and sea. Scheduled jet flights and air taxis are available at the Municipally-owned Juneau International Airport. The airport includes a paved 8,457' long by 150' wide runway and a seaplane landing area. Marine facilities include a seaplane landing area at Juneau Harbor, two deep draft docks, five small boat harbors and a State ferry terminal. The Alaska Marine Highway System and cargo barges provide year-round services.
Juneau Visitor Information and Recommend Activities and Tours
Juneau 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.
Located on the mainland of Southeast Alaska, opposite Douglas Island, Juneau was built at the heart of the Inside Passage along the Gastineau Channel. It lies 900 air miles northwest of Seattle and 577 air miles southeast of Anchorage. The community lies at approximately 58.301940° North Latitude and -134.419720° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 23, T041S, R067E, Copper River Meridian.) Juneau is located in the Juneau Recording District. The area encompasses 2,716.7 sq. miles of land and 538.3 sq. miles of water. Juneau has a mild, maritime climate. Average summer temperatures range from 44 to 65; winter temperatures range from 25 to 35. It is in the mildest climate zone in Alaska. Annual precipitation is 92 inches in downtown Juneau, and 54 inches ten miles north at the airport. Snowfall averages 101 inches.
