Planning a trip to Barrow
Getting There -- Alaska Airlines (tel. 800/252-7522; www.alaskaair.com) flies a couple of times daily to Barrow from Anchorage, by way of Fairbanks. The fare from Anchorage is $600 or $700. You can save by booking their 1-day and overnight tour packages, described in "Exploring the Town & Getting Outside," below. Book them through Alaska Airlines Vacations (tel. 866/500-5511; www.alaskaairalaska.com).
Visitor Information -- The City of Barrow has a small visitor center, at Momegana and Ahkovak streets, near the airport and Wiley Post & Will Rogers Monument, with a guide to talk to, maps (including a numbered walking tour map), and other publications. Hours are changeable but have been daily, summer only, from 10am to 4:30pm. To obtain advance information, contact the City of Barrow, Office of the Mayor, P.O. Box 629, Barrow, AK 99723 (tel. 907/852-5211, ext. 231; www.cityofbarrow.org).
Special Events -- The return of the sun after 2 months below the horizon is met by traditional celebrations on January 21. The Piuraagiaqta, a spring festival, takes place in mid-April and includes many fun events. In the tea-making contest, couples race to set up a camp stove and melt ice to make tea. If the traditional bowhead whaling season is a success, the Nalukataq takes place in late June, usually on a Saturday, but the actual date depends on the preference of the successful captain. It is his responsibility to feed the entire community. The Eskimo blanket toss is also a traditional element of the event (injuries are common, so don't take it lightly). In the fall, generally from early to mid-October, the whale hunt launches from the beaches of town (rather than the ice, as in spring). If you're lucky, you can be on hand as a whale is pulled ashore and butchered by the community. This usually occurs at the NARL runway, north of town; ask around, as everyone will know if a whale has been landed.
Getting Around
Facing the Chukchi Sea, Barrow has two sections, lying on each side of Isatkoak Lagoon. Browerville, to the east, has the Iñupiat Heritage Center and the Stuaqpak, or big store, which contains a small food court and many services. The old part of Barrow, with the hotels and airport, is to the west. The northern tip of Alaska, Point Barrow, is north of the town on a spit. The road leads 6 miles in that direction, but the absolute end is farther out, beyond the road. Other gravel roads lead about 10 miles out of town on the tundra.
The airport is right in town. Depending on where you stay and how much luggage you have, you may be able to walk to your hotel. Taxis are handy and come quickly, charging $6 or $7 in town, $10 beyond town ($5 for seniors), plus $1 for each additional passenger. Arcticab (tel. 907/852-2227) and Alaska Taxi (tel. 907/852-3000) are two of the four cab companies.
Fast Facts
Alcohol Legality -- The sale of alcohol is illegal in Barrow and importation for personal use in your luggage is limited and controlled by a permit system. Without going through the permit process, you can bring in 1 gallon of beer, 1 liter of distilled spirits, or 2 liters of wine. Violating these laws is bootlegging, a serious crime. For more information, call ahead to Barrow Alcohol Distribution (tel. 907/852-3788) or the Office of the Mayor (tel. 907/852-5211, ext. 231).
Bank -- Wells Fargo is at 1078 Kiogak St. (tel. 907/852-6200), with an ATM.
Hospital -- Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital is at 1296 Agvik St. (tel. 907/852-4611).
Internet Access -- Free at the Tuzzy Library, at the Iñupiat Heritage Center in Browerville.
Police -- Contact the North Slope Borough Police Department, 1068 Kiogak St. (tel. 907/852-6111).
Taxes -- Barrow imposes no sales tax. Room tax is 5%.
