Barrow in a day (Anchorage, Atqasuk: to rent, place to live, restaurants)
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My husband and my daughters are going to have a 5 hour layover in Barrow while they wait for the plane to take them to Atqasuk. I am trying to help my husband plan some activities for them to keep the girls busy. Does anyone have any suggestions? Are their nature tours or anything? I think I bought the least informative guide book to Alaska. Thanks!
Well Lunabell; you are asking the same question; Every tourist that goes to Barrow asks. What is there to do ? ANS: = 'nothing'!!
There is no 'Great Adventure' !! That is a 'myth'.
You can go to Heritage Center and waste 15 minutes or so.
You can walk along the beach.
You can take a ride to the "Point" for the price of 100 per person & you might see a polar bear !! wow !!
and you can visit one of the many restrauants in the village.
The AC store (Stuaqpaq) is a good place to shop for sovieners. You might also gaze at some of the Arts & Crafts on display in the AC store or at the bank.
You can visit the Library and update your facebook page on one of the six computers available.
Other than that - you can wait for the plane !!
3 different mayors (whom we have worked for) have each asked the same exact question: What can we do to keep tourisits here longer?
"Transform Barrow into the Broadway of the Arctic" ! That was the answer Jesse provided each of them and it knocked them right over!!
Walking tours; with huge photographs displayed in LED electronic back lit frames. With the explanation of what is going on.
4 different walking tours in 4 different directions to provide the tourists a visual display of all activities that are present in the day to day life of the Inupiaq culture & lifestyle.
The Native Corporations that are in the Village; dish out millions every year in dividends - yet they won't spend a penny for a much needed Youth Center with activities for each of the villages.
A mindset that is totally void of understanding & Lack of VISION!!
So sorry to reply in this manner, but I beg anyone that lives there to say otherwise.
I have lived in Barrow for just over 3 years and I can't wait to get back up there.
You could go visit Sam & Lees (for food) and ask the short wide large man in the back to explain the Great Adventure - He will keep you busy for HOURS!!
It's too bad that Floyd doesn't come around here anymore. It used to be that you could get a lot of great information about Barrow from him, but then certain people started dogging him at every turn, and now he doesn't seem to visit anymore. I guess he just got sick of being bombarded with BS from certain people.
I really miss those old Barrow threads. Barrow is one of the things that got me fascinated with Alaska in the first place.
I feel like I just stepped on to a minefield with this one.LOL
I think I will definitely have them check out the Arctic Ocean. I am not sure I want them to spend $100 per person to see polar bears, though the 7 year old would be in heaven. The Heritage Center sounds like it might be interesting for a bit. I am not sure my husband is looking for a great adventure on this trip, as much has he wants to keep the kids from going nuts on what is going to be a very long day.
Good luck with all of the other issues going on...
Hi, I'm surprised you haven't received more responses ... I don't visit this forum regularly but have benefitted from it while planning 2 trips to Barrow.
I can give you our experience, for what it's worth: my family of 4 visited Barrow last June for 2 nights and one full day and had a great time. We took a driving tour of local sights (including Point Barrow), walked around town a lot, visited the Heritage Center, visited NARL, bought some things at the local store, and ate in a couple different restaurants. Oh, and my boys did a Polar Bear Swim through Fran at Pepe's. We also had the good fortune that both nights we were there, were Nalukataq celebrations, so we attended those. We met some very nice people and learned a lot about local customs.
My son wants to be a wildlife biologist and so we're heading back to Barrow this November (courtesy of free tickets on Alaska Air) to see Barrow at a different season, and hopefully to see some wildlife.
For our planning of both trips I've used City Data, Tripadvisor, and some other sources (most of them online). It's not the easiest place to learn about but it's worth the effort IMHO.
Hi, I'm surprised you haven't received more responses ... I don't visit this forum regularly but have benefitted from it while planning 2 trips to Barrow.
I can give you our experience, for what it's worth: my family of 4 visited Barrow last June for 2 nights and one full day and had a great time. We took a driving tour of local sights (including Point Barrow), walked around town a lot, visited the Heritage Center, visited NARL, bought some things at the local store, and ate in a couple different restaurants. Oh, and my boys did a Polar Bear Swim through Fran at Pepe's. We also had the good fortune that both nights we were there, were Nalukataq celebrations, so we attended those. We met some very nice people and learned a lot about local customs.
My son wants to be a wildlife biologist and so we're heading back to Barrow this November (courtesy of free tickets on Alaska Air) to see Barrow at a different season, and hopefully to see some wildlife.
For our planning of both trips I've used City Data, Tripadvisor, and some other sources (most of them online). It's not the easiest place to learn about but it's worth the effort IMHO.
Hope this helps!
That does help! Thank you so much.
How old was your son when his love for animals started? My seven year old has been obsessed since she was a baby. People tell me it is a phase, but it doesn't seem to be ending. I wonder if she is going to want to go into an animal related profession too. I hope you have a wonderful trip in November and see all kinds of great wildlife!
November in Barrow; will be cold; and somewhat dark.
Here is what you can expect; The sun goes down on Nov 18th. It will not come above the horizon until Jan 24th.
Even though we have no direct sunlight. It is bright enough to read a newspaper outside.
It will not become light until about 10 am in the morning and it will be dark again @ about 3:30 in the afternoon.
As far as seeing wildlife; that is a hit or miss chance. If you go out side of the village on hondas or snowmachines; then you will have a much greater chance of viewing wildlife in certain areas.
Your best bet is to speak with some of the 'hunters'.
There is usually a small crowd in the search & rescue building hanging around. There perhaps is your best bet to rent a guide or transportation.
The cab companies can take you anyplace there are roads. There are two roads that lead out of town that can take you for a long ride. I wouldn't advise taking a cab, as that tends to be quite expensive.
Renting a car/truck is easy in Barrow through UIC.
Hunters can take you to sites they know of that have caribou and other wildlife - foxes - snowowls - etc.
Just some quick thoughts about your upcoming trip. I know you will enjoy the cultural experience. But the truth is, there is not much to keep occupied with for a longer period of time. Did I mention? It is a GREAT PLACE TO LIVE !!
I have lived in the Arctic (villages) for 30 years time now and I wouldn't want to live any other place on earth!!
I have lived in the Arctic (villages) for 30 years time now and I wouldn't want to live any other place on earth!!
You just recently said you live in Anchorage.
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