How’s your breakup going? On the surface, this may seem like an inappropriately nosy, and even startling question. Surprisingly enough, it’s actually a commonplace conversation starter during the months of March, April and even May in the North. In the 49th state, we refer to springtime as breakup season. The ice is melting, and afternoons…
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Handmade jewelry is one of our favorite ways to bring home local art after visiting a new location. It’s a great way to commemorate an unforgettable trip, and fits in a carry-on bag without too much trouble (or even on your person, if you’re a stylish traveler). When you’re looking for a gift to take…
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Fur Rendezvous has been one of Anchorage’s favorite traditions for 82 years. This 10-day festival is jam-packed with events for all ages, and most of the action is conveniently located just blocks away from our Westmark Anchorage Hotel. This means you can head back and forth to your home base to warm up, grab a…
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If you grew up outside of Alaska, you may have some memories as a child in art class when your teacher taught you how to make a totem pole out of an oatmeal canister, brown craft paper, paint and glue. It was fun, sure, but how much do you really remember about the totem pole…
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There’s no better way to learn the history and the culture of a destination than exploring on foot. Visitors to Alaska and the Yukon can look forward to doing just that on the many walking tours throughout the region. Grab your camera, your walking shoes and stretch your legs (instead of your wallet) while enjoying…
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With its lack of sales tax and unique products, shopping in the Last Frontier can be a dream come true—if you know where to go. At Westmark, we love to shop small and support our neighbors, so next time you’re in town, take a stroll around and check out some of our favorite northern boutiques.…
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Regional slang is everywhere, and losing things in translation can result in situations that are everything from confusing to humorous. Alaska, being thousands of miles away from the closest neighboring state, has more than just a few words unique to the area. We’ve rounded up a selection of our favorites for your studying pleasure before…
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Famous for being the home of the Klondike Gold Rush, the Yukon Territory is full of picturesque trails perfect for hiking in summer months. Guests staying at Westmark Hotels in Skagway, Alaska, or Dawson City and Whitehorse in the Yukon have many options when it comes to finding the right path to explore nature. The…
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In honor of the recent hit animated feature “Zootopia,” we’re introducing you to some of the animals from Anchorage’s “mammal metropolis” better known as the Alaska Zoo. If you get the chance to visit the zoo, you’ll meet and learn about the residents that make it a popular destination in Alaska’s largest city. And during…
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Whatever reason you have for traveling to Sitka this summer, we hope, for your sake, it’s not just work-related. You may have heard people tout Sitka as one of the most beautiful cities in Southeast Alaska, or that the fishing is great and the people are nice. Our two cents? Total understatement. Sitka, which is…
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