Barrow, Alaska

Whalebone Arch, Barrow

A visit to Barrow is truly a unique experience at “the top of the world” which few can claim to have shared.

Barrow is the farthest north community in the United States. Barrow is one of the largest Alaska Native settlements, home to about 2,500 Inupiat. To the Alaska Natives, Barrow is known as Ukpeagvik, the “place where owls are hunted.”

Barrow is a modern community. Barrow is the economic, transportation and administrative center, seat of government, and largest city in the North Slope Borough. Barrow has over 4,400 residents, of which approximately 61 percent are Inupiat Alaska Natives. Although Barrow is a modern community, subsistence hunting, fishing and whaling are still very important to the local economy. Many residents continue to hunt and fish for much of their food.

Visitors to Barrow can witness and learn about Inupiat Alaska Native culture and their heritage–a truly unique culture that lives in harmony with the land and the sea.

Whale Hunt

Inupiat Heritage Center

 The Inupiat Heritage Center was designed to serve as an inspirational facility to promote and protect Inupiat culture, history, and language through exhibits, classes, performances, and educational activities. The facility includes a gallery, a traditional room for working on arts and crafts, a classroom, a large conference and performance room, the Tuzzy Consortium Library, and the offices of the Inupiat History, Language and Culture Commission. It opened to the public in early 1999 after ten years of planning, and is currently managed by the North Slope Borough Planning Department. Visitors may purchase arts and crafts such as baleen boats, etched baleen, carved ivory, masks, parkas and fur mittens.

Visitors may view authentic Inupiat performances that include drums, music, and dancing to songs such as “The Polar Bear Shake” and “A Beautiful Swan,” and view a traditional famous blanket toss.

The Center also recognizes the contributions of Alaskan Natives to the commercial whaling industry. Visitors may view a fascinating photo exhibition at the Center–”The People of Whaling”–and learn more about traditional whaling.

Whale Hunting, April and May

Visitors may see the Alaska Natives heading for whale camps in April and May. Despite the fact that the village is very much in step with modern times, hunting of whales, seals, walrus, caribou and ducks is still important for both traditional and economic reasons. It provides a great portion of the food for the residents. If the whalers are successful, there is a festival called “Nalukataq” in May.

Polar Bear, Alaska

Polar Bears

Visitors can take safe professional tours to view Alaska polar bears in their natural environment. Visitors must understand that polar bears are meat eating animals that can be dangerous. Tour operators take special precautions to ensure the safety of visitors. The very best time to view polar bears is in September, October, and November.

Polar Bear Club

Barrow Polar Bear Club

The Polar Bear Club is truly elite! You do not join by viewing a polar bear. To join you must swim in the Arctic waters. After visitors pay the $10 membership dues they earn the coveted Polar Bear patch and a certificate.

Land of the Midnight Sun

Barrow has 24-hours of daylight from about May 10 and to August 2. On the flip side, night lasts from about November 18 to January 24.

Access: Scheduled jet service from Anchorage and Fairbanks, air taxi service.

Location: On the Chukchi Sea coast, the community is located 10 miles southwest of Point Barrow which is the northernmost point of the United States; 725 air miles from Anchorage, 3 hours by jet via Fairbanks.

Population: 4,351.

Accommodations: Four hotels (100+ rooms); six restaurants (seating for 370). Food and most supplies, Native arts and crafts.

External Link:City of Barrowofficial website.