We received 286 photos from visitors who came to Alaska this summer as well as a few from Alaska residents for Alaska’s 50th Anniversary of Statehood. All of the photos can now be seen on our website. We’ve enjoyed many emails from visitors who have sent us photos and told us about their Alaska experience – each photograph and narrative telling its own story about what a fantastic experience traveling in Alaska is. It made our day each time we received an email from a visitor who returned home and then sent us photographs with superlative messages describing their Alaska experience as “spectacular”, “breathtaking”, and “a trip of a lifetime.” We agree! (more…)

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Matanuska Glacier, located on the East side of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, is the largest road-accessible glacier in Alaska.  The glacier is easily seen from several locations along the Glen Highway which runs for 189 miles between Anchorage and Glenallen, Alaska.    The Glen Highway, a National Scenic Byway, is one of Alaska’s most beautiful highways and is well worth the time to experience for those who are touring Alaska by car on a self-drive itinerary and want to include such destinations as Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Valdez, Alaska.  The Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site is located at mile 101 and provides some interpretive signage along with a short nature walk on a ridge above the Matanuska River.  The recreation site is well worth the stop to stretch your legs as it’s near the half way mark between Anchorage and Glenallen.  (more…)

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Alaska Tour & Travel is ready to help you plan next summer’s travel to Alaska. We’ve updated alaskatravel.com with all of Alaska’s best tours, hotel availability, and transportation options, including many Alaska Travel Deals. Among our new Alaska deals is the Park Connection Pass. The Park Connection Pass allows visitors to travel anywhere the Park Connection goes for 7 consecutive days. The Park Connection is a scheduled motorcoach service which travels daily between Seward, Girdwood, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali State Park, Denali National Park and Fairbanks. Also included in the Pass is 50% off travel on the Alaska Railroad between Denali and Fairbanks. (more…)

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Recently one Saturday afternoon we decided to visit one of our favorite hot spots the Alaska Live Steamers and the Transportation Museum of Alaska.  Both are located in Wasilla, about a 40 minute short drive from Anchorage.  Their location on the Parks highway at mile marker 47 makes it a convenient stop enroute to Talkeetna or Denali. 

If you’re a railroad fan then the Alaska Live Steamers is a must stop while visiting Wasilla.  The sound of train whistles and diesels engines will bring back memories for you and kids love them too.  Alaska Love Steamers is supported by a local group of railroad enthusiasts who build miniature scale replicas to scales.  When you first arrive you check in at the Alaska Central Railroad depot.  The ride is a modest $4.00 per person (2009 price).  Once you get your tokens you then board the train parked out front.  They can accommodate people with disabilities if called in advance.  (more…)

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To get some of the most scenic views of Anchorage many locals hike Anchorage’s most popular hiking trail each year, Flattop Mountain Trail. The Flattop Mountain Trail is located in Chugach State Park, a popular outdoor recreation area located in the Chugach Mountain Range. Chugach State Park is the third largest state park in America, and has multiple easily accessible trailheads located in Anchorage and Eagle River, Alaska. Flattop is known for its panoramic views of Anchorage and the surrounding area, including Cook Inlet, and on clear days views of Mt. McKinley, Mt. Foraker, Mt. Spurr, and Mt. Redoubt are very possible. (more…)

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When you think about an Alaska vacation it is natural to also think about visiting one of Alaska’s outstanding National Parks. Not only is Alaska home to Wrangell St. Elias National Park, the largest National Park in the country, we also have some of the country’s most spectacular Parks such as Denali National Park, Glacier Bay National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park.

So of course we are excited about the upcoming release of the latest Ken Burns documentary, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea”. This six-part, 12-hour documentary series was filmed over a period of six years, and includes some of the Nation’s most stunning Parks, including a number of Alaska National Parks.

The series is coming to PBS September 27, 2009 or you can pre-order a DVD for release in early October. In fact, we are giving a way a DVD box set of the film each month starting in October through the end of the year. Just email us at parks@alaskatravel.com or follow us on Twitter and you will be automatically entered to win.

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