“Oh, we’ll just save up and visit Alaska when we retire.” This is the story of so many people waiting to fulfill their Alaska vacation dream. If you’re reading this, it’s likely you’re maybe one of those people. But, I’m here to convince you that you should visit Alaska before you retire.
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Why should I visit Alaska before I retire?
Alaska is a vast and beautiful state. Visiting here is a unique adventure all it’s own, and one you don’t want to miss out on. And it’s definitely an vacation you’ll enjoy more when you can truly experience all of it.
I came up with the idea of writing this post from something my father in law once said. We were heading up north and stopped at the Alaska Veteran’s Memorial. While we were there, a large tour bus full of people pulled up. As the people filed out, my father in law (then in his mid seventies), commented “here comes the geriatric stampede!” It was so funny, especially considering his own age, but the more I thought about it the more I thought it was a bit sad, too.
Many of these people, who probably waited their whole lives to visit Alaska, were now at a point in their lives where they couldn’t really enjoy Alaska to the fullest. They were just being herded from one point to another in the “geriatric stampede.”
Now, I’m not saying that if you visit Alaska when you’re retirement age you won’t enjoy it, because Alaska is worth the trip no matter your age, and I’m definitely not saying you can’t do these things past a certain age, but coming to Alaska while you’re younger has many advantages, and I’ll list some of them below.
Getting Here
Just getting to Alaska is often an adventure in itself. Depending on where you’re leaving from, you could be traveling thousands of miles via plane or car to your dream Alaska vacation. That in itself can be tiring, no matter how old you are. And, if you have certain medical problems or mobility issues, this makes for a difficult trip.
Mobility
Speaking of mobility, to truly enjoy all Alaska has to offer, it’s so helpful to be able to get around easily. From hiking to snowboarding, and day cruises to salmon fishing, being mobile really helps you to be able to do more activities and take part in all the adventures we get to enjoy as locals.
Accessibility
Since we just covered mobility, we might as well chat about accessibility. I’d love to tell you that Alaska is very accessible, and if you use a walker or wheelchair you’ll still be able to get around just fine, but unfortunately you won’t. Restaurants are very crowded during summer, accessible vehicle rentals may be hard to find, hotels get full fast likely leaving handicap rooms unavailable; you get the point. But, that does not mean traveling while needing some additional accessibility assistance is impossible!
If you’re planning your Alaska vacation and do use a walker, wheelchair, or any assistive devices don’t give up your dream! Please check out my contact information at the end of this post, and I’ll help you the best I can to figure out places and activities that will be suited to your needs, and to help you best enjoy your time in the Last Frontier!
Energy
If you visit Alaska during the summer, you’ll get familiar with the “midnight sun”, AKA the long daylight hours of the 49th State. And during the summer, there’s not much rest. As residents, we all take advantage of the long days and get as much out of them as possible to thaw out after long, cold winters. This means we’re up early and out late, so you likely will be too since many things are open later and there’s lots to see! Will you have the energy to keep up with an Alaskan summer? That’s up to you!
Rest Stops
Alrighty, let’s talk rest stops. If you need to use the restroom frequently due to medication or any other reason, rest stops are very few and far between. If you do end up traveling to Alaska at a time when you need to stop more frequently, I’d suggest planning shorter day trips or possible traveling in a small motorhome so you have facilities with you.
Moving
Not surprisingly, there are quite a few people who come to Alaska and end up so enamored with it that they move here! Could that be you? Maybe so! But, if you wait too long it might be harder for you to make the move to a place that you could have called home many years ago if only you would have just visited Alaska when you were younger.
Time
Not to be negative or morbid, but you never know when you’ll run out of time. That’s just the reality of life, so plan the trip now and visit Alaska before you retire. You can always come back later, do a cruise or something a little less rigorous, but you can never go back and take the trip you wish you took when you were younger.
How can I afford to visit Alaska while I’m young?
One of the major things that holds people back from traveling to Alaska while they’re young is the cost. But, where there’s a will there’s a way. Stay fewer days, do some DIY fishing from the bank instead of a charter, visit during a less busy season; there are ways to make it a less expensive trip. What really makes Alaska a must-visit destination are the miraculous sights and wonderful people, and those experiences are free.
I know some of this may seem a little harsh, like I’m saying if you’re retirement age you can’t get around or enjoy Alaska, but that’s not it at all. I wrote this post to encourage you not to wait. Enjoy life now. Travel when you can enjoy Alaska to it’s fullest, even if it means a shorter trip, a tighter budget, and less excursions, it’s better to have gone while you can than for it to just be a dream.
If you have questions about visiting Alaska, feel free to leave a comment below, sign up for the Everyday Alaska newsletter, or send me an email. You can also join the Everyday Alaska Travel Tips, Information, and Advice group, and/or our New to Alaska Tips, Information, and Advice group to ask any questions you may have. I’m happy to help you get the most out of your time in our beautiful Last Frontier, and I hope you enjoy Alaska as much as we do!
