1st time visitor to Alaska needs travel tips!?
Hi all. I plan on visiting Alaska at the end of December and I’ve done a lot of internet research but seem to come up with a lot of summer activities in Alaska but not many winter activities. I will be in Anchorage for 2 nights and Fairbanks for 5 nights. I know about dog sledding, snowshoeing, northern lights viewing but would like some more ideas. More importantly I’d LOVE to see polar bears but don’t think my chances are good? Any tips/idea/suggestions would be great, thanks 
She is right, no polar bears, no way, sorry.
And do dress warm, layers, preferable not cotton. Chena Hot Springs is great ( a bit touristy):
http://www.chenahotsprings.com/
And I think a ride to the Chatanika Lodge is worth it any time of year:
http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=chatanika+lodge&near=Fairbanks,+AK&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&view=text&latlng=11238889898330369256
(don;t know what happened with reviewer number 2, must have been a real jerk, becuase I have been going there for years, nicest people on earth)
And the calendar section of our local paper can help you dig up some interesting things to do. Fairbanks has a really good local music scene, art galleries, and fun places. And the Blue Loon has concerts and movies that don;t make our one mega movieplex:
http://www.theblueloon.com/
Along with dogs sled rides:
(if you have time in this is one of The BEst:
http://www.ididaride.com/tours/winter/winterTours.htm)
or one closer in Fairbanks:
http://muzzysplace.net/ToursInfo.html
you might want to come see a local sprint race:
http://www.sleddog.org/races/2009-2010-race-schedule/
or brave a distance race (northern lights view opportunity here)
http://www.trdma.org/solstice100.htm
Also I think a trip for dinner and brews at the local Silver Gulch Brewery is in order, even without the brews trhe meal is great,a nd you pass by the pipeline on the drive out.
http://www.silvergulch.com/
The UAF museum is really worth a visit:
http://www.uaf.edu/museum/
And for very nice beadwork and native crafts in town check out the smaller shops on second ave.
And here is info on the Aurora, with an Aurora forecast:
http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/
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