Alaska Tourist Attractions

Guide to roadside oddities and other unusual, strange and weird attractions in Alaska.

Northern lights and the midnight sun are just a couple natural Alaska tourist attractions. Alaska abounds with great scenery and that's what a lot of the people go there for.

Well, some people anyway. Once, when I was a kid (I'm from Haines) I overheard one tourist complaining to another that "You can't see anything. The mountains are in the way."

Well, there's other things to go see if the mountains are in the way.

How about a different tour - of a gold dredge? Or a drink at the Red Dog Saloon in Juneau? Or perhaps North Pole appeals with its kitschy Santa and candy cane light poles?

So as far as Alaska tourist attractions go, hey! it's a big state. There's lots to see there. Including the mountains!

Juneau - Whoop it up at the Red Dog Saloon.

Swinging doors, sawdust floors, and a colorful ceiling.

Looking up in the Red Dog Saloon, Juneau Alaska.

Photo courtesy Claire Clair.

The Red Dog Saloon is the oldest man made tourist trap (uh, tourist attraction) in Juneau AK.

The Red Dog Saloon is at 278 S. Franklin Street.

Juneau - Dog of a different hair.

Patsy Ann was the town bull terrier in the 1930s-early 1940s. Though she was deaf from birth, she always knew when the tour ships were coming in. She'd happily dash down to the docks to meet them for treats. When there were no ships in, she’d make the rounds of downtown Juneau for more treats. (She got to be a bit of a pudgy dog.)

Patsy Ann was loved by everyone.

It was a sad day when she died.

But do not despair. For she is still able to meet the tour ships and welcome the tourists to Juneau.

Claire Clair with the statue of Patsy Ann, the official greeter of Juneau Alaska in the 1930s, still greets the tour ships at the downtown wharf.

A statue of the famous old " Greeter of Juneau, Alaska " sits on the wharf, looking out over the channel. Her collar lies at her feet (there was no way she was going to wear a stupid collar!) and mixed in the bronze of the Patsy Ann statue are clippings of dog fur from around the world.

Here's my old boss from Country Fever Properties, Claire Clair. She went on a cruise to Alaska and made sure she gave Patsy Ann a pet for me!

Photo courtesy Claire Clair.

The Patsy Ann Dog Statue can be petted at Marine Way on the wharf.

North Pole - Yes, there really is a North Pole besides THE North Pole.

It's an Alaska tourist attraction.

And yes, this is where Santa really lives! (His house is at 511 Santa Claus Lane.)

If you have any doubts you've reached North Pole, look for the Christmas themed roadside oddities like the huge fiberglass Santa.

Huge Santa resides at North Pole Alaska. In keeping with the Christmas theme, the lightpoles in North Pole Alaska are candy canes.

Photos courtesy alaskaroads.com

And the candy cane streetlights. They're another good sign you're in North Pole.

Directions: North Pole is 13 miles southeast of Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway.

Check out this review of Santa Claus House in North Pole!

Skagway - Tour a gold dredge.

Ever been on a gold dredge?

I have but I was too little to really remember the experience. I do remember going up some stairs to the little room at the top. And that's about all. Oh, yeah. I think it was in Chicken, Alaska.

Tours of the Sixtymile gold dredge are a popular tourist attraction in Skagway Alaska.

Well, this gold dredge is in Skagway, Alaska on the Skagway River. They have tours, and yes, you climb stairs to the little room at the top.

Photo courtesy Klondike Gold Dredge.

After the tour, you can pan for gold. And once you have your treasure, they'll weigh it for you at Gertie's Gold Shack so you can see how rich you now are.

The Klondike Gold Dredge is on the Klondike Highway, 1.7 miles from the waterfront. Phone: (907) 983-3175

More Skagway, Alaska tourist attractions.

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