7 Reasons to Visit Barrow (Utqiagvik) Alaska

Although the official name for this area is Utqiagvik (the original Inupiaq name for this area) many people still know this town as Barrow. Known to be one of the most unique tourist destinations in Alaska, and one of the hardest to get to. Flying in is the quickest and easiest option, but any flight will have to take a quick layover in Anchorage before you get there - even if you're already in Fairbanks. As the northernmost city in all of the United States, there are traditions and ways of life here that you won't encounter anywhere else in the world. After a short visit here myself, I'm sharing 7 reasons that you shouldn't skip a visit to Barrow (Utqiagvik) while in Alaska.

My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are my favorite websites and resources to help plan an incredible trip to the 49th State.

For flights, I recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, I always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, I recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.

Getting to Barrow & What to Expect

Once your plane touches down at the airport, you'll quickly realize how remote you've come. The airport is just one room, and contains TSA, baggage claim, and departure gates all within a short 40 feet of each other. From the airport, you can either call a taxi or walk to your hotel - there's no public transportation system and no Uber. My husband and I stayed at the Top of the World Hotel, which was decent, and because we were bundled up so well the walk from the airport really wasn't too bad - plus we met some friendly locals who chatted us up the whole way over and invited us to come try some of the whale the village had just caught. If you're not too keen on walking, then taxis run for about $50 per hour.

My two biggest tips for planning a trip to Barrow (traditionally called Utqiagvik) is to bring warm clothes and food. It may sound a little silly to pack food, but the quality of restaurants in town is quite a bit different than other cities you've likely visited - not to mention the sheer price of grocery store food. Although a visit the local grocery store to see the shocking prices is actually quite entertaining, your best bet will be to bring foods like oatmeal, granola or protein bars, ramen, etc., so that you can cook at the hotel. You'll notice many people will board the flight with McDonald's bags of food for those that they're visiting in Barrow. As for restaurants in town, most were closed when we visited in the Spring, however we were pleasantly surprised by Cruz's Mexican Grill!

7 Reasons to Stop in Barrow

1. The Northernmost Point in the USA
Barrow is the northern-most city in the entire United States and the 9th northern-most city in the entire world! Just this fact alone draws many visitors to this small town of about 4,000 people. While you're there, you can hire a taxi to take you out to the "End of the Road" which is also the northern-most point in the United States!

2. Barrow Beach & Whale Bone Arch
The Barrow Beach and welcoming Whale Bone Arch are each one of the top sights in Barrow. You can see the arch in the photo above, and it's often a photo opportunity for visitors to the area. These jawbones are that of a bow whale - a species that is still hunted and relied on by local indigenous peoples - and is a large part of local life. The Iñupiat peoples are currently allowed to harvest up to 24 whales each year.

3. The Wildlife
Because of it's location in the deep arctic, the wildlife in Barrow are unlike those you've seen before. From polar bears and caribou to arctic foxes and walruses, you have a pretty good chance to see some of these species from right outside town.

4. The Crazy Weather Patterns
Barrow is located on the tippy top of Alaska, meaning it's winters are dark and summers are bright. From May 10th to August 2nd the sun never sets, and from November 18th to January 24th the sun never rises - talk about a lot of sun and a whole lot of dark.

5. Their "Trees"
Barrow is way past the Arctic Circle cutoff, meaning there are no trees in Barrow. Instead, as you explore town you might notice some unique looking "palm trees" scattered about in people's yards. These are actually creations made from bowhead whale baleen and wood!

6. Inupiat Heritage Center
At the Inupiat Heritage Center visitors can learn more about the indigenous Inupiats' heritage and culture - through exhibits, collections, and demonstrations. Occasionally, you can even learn how to create traditional crafts like sewing animal skin booties - these are typically held on the first Saturday of each month and the chosen craft usually pertains to the season. Admission is $10 per adult.

7. Tourism
In addition to all the unique cultures and ways of life in Barrow (Utqiagvik), there are still some additional sites that are popular with visitors to the area. For example, the Birnirk Achaelogical Site is an area where many tools and houses were excavated from about the 500 - 900 A.D. time period. In addition to visiting the End of the Road, you can also arrange tours that will take you around town and provide you with better narration on local culture and history - I would recommend arranging these through the Top of the World Hotel.

Watch my Adventures in Barrow here!

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Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in : 
-> 15 Easiest Alaska Glaciers to Visit
-> How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska
-> 7 Best Tours in Alaska

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