Spring break will be here before you know it, and with the aftershocks our community has been experiencing, it’s a good reason to get out of town and let off some steam. While we generally conjure up images of tropical beaches, umbrella drinks and swaying palm trees when we think about a spring break vacation, this might be the year to consider an exciting alternative—Alaska! Perhaps you have never been to Alaska—if so, you will almost certainly be surprised to discover the wide array of fun, exhilarating activities and breathtaking scenery waiting for you. Or, maybe you live in Alaska and want nothing more than to find one of those warm, sunny beaches for your spring fling. Perhaps you live in Alaska, but a trip outside the state is beyond your financial means this year, so you are considering a “staycation.” Whatever your situation, we have the information you need to plan your best spring break ever—as well as planning tips and safety information to ensure your 2019 spring break will truly be one to remember.
Trips Outside Anchorage
Spring is quite an electrifying time in Anchorage, Alaska, and one of the best times to visit. The whales are returning to the coast, and by the end of February, Anchorage will be getting 42 minutes of extra daylight per week. After March 20th, Anchorage will have more hours of daylight than any other place in the U.S., making northern lights viewing feasible all the way through April. The temperatures are on the rise, but there remains plenty of snow on the mountaintops. Sounds great, right? But what if you already live in Anchorage and are looking for a new adventure within the state? Consider the following:
- The whale watching cruises depart Seward from Mid-March to Mid-May; Consider Major Marine Tours and Kenai Fjords Tours, or Blackstone Bay glacier cruises from Whittier.
- Take a drive to other Alaska towns, like Talkeetna, Fairbanks, Valdez, Seward, or Homer. Or consider visiting a state park to rent a yurt or a cabin.
- Ever wished you could see the North Pole where Santa Claus resides? North Pole is a small town outside of Fairbanks, and though it is small, you won’t want to miss the experience of an entirely Santa Claus-themed town. Every building in the town is painted in red and white stripes, and you won’t want to miss the 900-pound, 40-ft tall Santa Claus towering over the Santa Claus House. Have your photo taken in Santa’s sleigh, and browse the gift shop filled to the brim with Christmas treasures.
- The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center hosts a daily Walk on the Wild Side tour which allows you to get a closer look at native Alaskan wildlife. You can either drive a 1.5 mile loop, or walk through a 200 acre park where you will see moose, elk, muskox, caribou, lynx, black and brown bears and much more.
There are many more Alaska wonders to consider for your upcoming spring break, but what you cannot neglect in this frozen land is making sure your car is ready to face the road conditions. Even though it is springtime in Alaska, the average high temperature for February is 25.8 degrees, and the average high temperature for March is 33.6 degrees. If you’re planning to ski, hike, or camp, be sure to tell someone when and where you’re going and when you plan to come back. Be on the lookout for avalanches, and be sure to purify any backcountry water you consume—you don’t want to get sick! At night, the temperatures can dip down as low as 10 or 11 degrees. Make sure your car has been thoroughly checked out, and always carry an emergency kit in your trunk which contains blankets, extra clothing, high-energy snacks, a strong flashlight with extra batteries, and a first-aid kit (at a minimum). Before leaving your home, ensure your tank is full of gas, you have proper snow tires and/or chains, and your cell phone is fully charged.
If you are planning a visit to an Alaskan ski resort, keep in mind that having an accident while at a resort—even if negligence caused your accident—can put you in a difficult situation. Most states with thriving ski industries have passed laws which prevent skiers and snowboarders from suing the resort when an accident occurs, due to the inherent risks of skiing. Even though your legal rights may be limited, if you are injured at a ski resort due to negligence, it can be beneficial to discuss the situation with an experienced personal injury attorney from Kelley & Canterbury.
Spring Break on a Sunny Beach
If you have had your fill of snow and cold weather, maybe your dream spring break truly is on a sunny beach. The top tropical spring break destinations include:
- Puerto Vallarta is a reasonably-priced spring break destination sporting beautiful beaches, adventure activities and warm weather. Round trip flights are fairly inexpensive, and there is a wide array of affordable lodging choices.
- Cabo San Lucas is a great spring break getaway, with beautiful beaches, lively city streets and cheap but full of flavor hole-in-the-wall eateries.
- If you’ve always wanted to experience the Big Easy, maybe now is the time to hop a plane to New Orleans. If you want to immerse yourself in New Orleans culture, book a hotel in the French Quarter. If you need to watch your pennies, you can stay a little further away while still enjoying everything the city has to offer.
- South Padre Island is only about 30 miles from the Mexican border, allowing you to soak up the sun while remaining in the country. You will find DJs and celebrities “holding court” at the many nightclubs in the area, as South Padre is a hot spring break destination.
If your dream for your spring break vacation centers around warm and sunny, start looking at flights now to get the best deal possible. Flight prices vary widely, and if you can travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you may be able to get the best prices possible. After you have spent so much time and effort planning the perfect spring break vacation, don’t forget to include travel insurance, particularly if you are traveling internationally. Further, while you never want to think about an accident during your spring break, if the unthinkable happens contact the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Kelley & Canterbury, LLC.
Staycation Spring Break
If your budget or your work schedule just won’t stretch to include trips outside Anchorage, or outside the state, don’t despair! There are plenty of activities in Anchorage which you may not yet have experienced, including:
- The Anchorage Museum is Alaska’s largest museum which brings together the full diversity of Alaska, weaving together historic, artistic, cultural, political, scientific and social threads as well as marine life tanks, a planetarium, and much, much more.
- Greatland Adventures offers a fabulous Northern Lights Tour which leaves from Anchorage at night. You are taken to a prime location with a warm shelter for viewing and taking photos of the aurora borealis as it appears in the Alaska sky.
- Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings offers a three and a half hour guided tasting tour of Anchorage’s best breweries.
- If you are a relative newcomer to Anchorage, you might consider a scenic city tour of the greater Anchorage area. The tour begins in downtown Anchorage, viewing historic landmarks as it ascends into the Chugach Mountain Range, then into the Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm.
No matter which Anchorage adventure you choose, make sure you consider the potentially rough terrain you could encounter in the area. Always keep your car in good shape, and ensure you have proper tires for the weather. If you should find yourself injured from an accident caused by the negligence of another, remember Kelley & Canterbury, LLC. We are “On Your Side, At Your Side, Every Step of the Way,” and we truly take our slogan to heart. We want you to focus on healing from your injuries while allowing us to take care of the legal side of your accident. We will work hard to ensure you receive compensation for your injuries, while providing consistently dedicated, hardworking, honest service.
Call Kelley & Canterbury, LLC at (907) 276-8185 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Alaska car accident attorney.
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