Freedom Not Fate

I used Couchsurfing in one of the most "dangerous cities in the USA" - Here's how it went.

By Lauren - June 15, 2022

Anchorage, Alaska ranked as the most dangerous city in the USA in 2021 according to several articles and sites and has been listed consistently in the top 10 most dangerous cities in the United States over the years.

Photo by David Tatum on Unsplash

I had heard many, not so great things about Anchorage and was wary when choosing it to travel to in Alaska. I had originally planned this whole great adventure for my birthday this year to overland from Seattle to Deadhorse, Alaska (which is the furthest north you can drive in North America and borders the Artic Ocean) and both friends I was going to travel with sadly had to cancel on me. ( It happens! )

Thankfully, I'm someone who's comfortable solo traveling so I decided to still go to Alaska - HOWEVER, because of rising gas costs this year and still being somewhat on a budget, there was absolutely no way I could afford to overland and pay for the rental car and gas costs on my own. I asked around to see if anyone else wanted to come with me before scrapping my entire road trip and researching alternative ways to get around Alaska as a solo female traveler.

Photo by Benton Sherman on Unsplash

Man, let me tell you - it was ROUGH. Alaska is not really built for solo adventure travelers unless you have a ton of money to take flights around or foot a rental car bill. Because I was going during tourist off-season there were no tours running and I found even the train to get from one area of the state wasn't running due to avalanche risks. (yes, it's a real thing)

So before booking hotels I figured I'd check Couchsurfing to see if anyone would be willing to host for the few days I would be in Anchorage. I sent out a request to a few families and got one back from a lovely couple who said they could host.

Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash

I won't lie I was a bit nervous couch surfing in Anchorage since it really has a bad reputation with the media but I listened to my gut and took the general safety precautions I normally do (researching the side of town the hosts were in, checking references and giving someone I trust the info of where I'd be and having a back up plan for a hotel in case.)

Need a refresher or want to try Couchsurfing yourself? Read my extensive guide here

I'm so glad I went! The couple had several roommates and also family living with them and I felt like I was visiting old friends and family again. They were all so warm and welcoming and offered to give me tours of the area since some were native to Alaska and they also went on several smaller road trips with me as well since they had off of work the days I was in town.

About half way through my stay another lovely couple from France was staying as well and even though the house was full of people it never felt too crowded and I enjoyed hanging out with the other surfers too! The couple were photographers and were there for several months because they were working on a book about bears in the state which was so cool. They had a lot of fun stories!

Hiking selfie with fellow couch surfers and hosts!

As a side note, sometimes it's normal for hosts to host more than one person or group at a time. It's been rare in my case but it happens! I was in the living room and the other surfers were as well so if you're trying couch surfing you have to be open to being social and sharing spaces not just with hosts but their roommates and other surfers too. Sometimes it feels like a hostel for sure and that's fine! Though rare, I've also had experiences where I have a whole section of a house to myself ( looking at you Denver host with a mansion haha!) but it's more common to be on someones couch in their living room or have a spare room they let you use.

Because this WAS Anchorage (you know, the supposedly scary dangerous city the media talks about) I had to bring up the issue of safety with my hosts while there because I was curious and they had lived in that area of the state most of their lives. They told me like any city there's areas you avoid and are more sketchy than others and it was true. I went to downtown and some of the "sketchier" areas and felt safer there than I have back home in Los Angeles or any other major city like Chicago or NYC. I know some people have different experiences but it goes to show that a lot of news is sensationalized just like it is with Mexico and other areas of the world we tend to hear bad things about.

I think my couch surfing stay in Anchorage just may be one of my top favorites now along with my visit to Niagara Falls, and Wales. It's really funny how the places I've expected the least from, and people specifically told me not to visit, have been by far some of my favorite travel experiences.

Want to try Couchsurfing yourself? Read my guide before signing up for the platform.

Want to visit Anchorage without using Couchsurfing? Check out some hotel inspiration below!

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Visiting Barrow, (Utqiaġvik) Alaska - The Northernmost Town in North America: What You Need to Know

By Lauren - May 31, 2022

Utqiaġvik, Alaska (also known as Barrow, Alaska) is the northernmost US city. It’s the ninth northernmost city in the world and sits 320 miles inside the Arctic Circle.

The population of Barrow, Alaska is just over 4,000 people and, if you can believe it, the sale of alcohol is illegal. It’s no wonder you want to visit such an intriguing place. Even the original Iñupiat name is mystifying. (Utqiaġvik pronunciation is oot-kee-arg-vick, by the way).

Yes, Utqiaġvik should be on any intrepid traveler’s bucket list as it requires some determination and know-how to even get to this place. And once you’re there, prepare to immerse yourself in this tiny, remote community to truly understand its charm.

Lucky for you, this travel guide includes all the information you need to plan an unforgettable trip to Utqiaġvik city or Barrow, USA.

How To Get To Barrow/Utqiaġvik Alaska

So, where is Barrow, Alaska or Utqiaġvik, Alaska? As you might already know or have guessed, Utqiaġvik sits a little west of center on the north coast of Alaska.

In Back to the Future, Marty McFly and Doc didn’t need roads where they were going. But you won’t have the option of driving to Utqiaġvik, Alaska by roads because there aren’t any! Well, there are roads in the city but not to the city. The only way you're getting to Utqiagvik is by plane.

Booking.com Direct flights to Utqiaġvik leave Anchorage Airport via Alaska Airlines every day (and vice versa). It’s usually an afternoon flight and takes just under two hours. And there are direct flights to Anchorage, one of Alaska’s biggest cities, from major cities all over the US. Some of the main options include Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago, and Minneapolis.

You can also book Utqiaġvik flights and excursions from Fairbanks, too. Some tour companies offer morning flights to Utqiaġvik where you can spend around seven hours in the city before hopping on an evening flight back. Check out Alaska Wildland, Tundra Tours Inc, and Northern Alaska Tour Company to consider your options.

You might have assumed that, since Utqiaġvik is on the coast, that boat would also be a transport option. Perhaps a stop on an Alaskan cruise? But you’ll have no such luck as there is no regular ship that travels to this city. Booking flights to Barrow will be your best option.

Temperatures and Weather in Barrow/Utqiaġvik Alaska

View from my hotel in April. This was around 11pm at night. Thankfully, the hotel had blackout curtains!

Brutally long and bitterly cold winters and very cold summers characterize the Barrow, Alaska climate. It’s nothing less than you’d expect of a city hundreds of miles inside the Arctic Circle.

Throughout the year, the Barrow Alaska temperature usually ranges from -18.°F (28°C) to 48.2°F (9°C). The lowest temperature that Utqiaġvik drops to is -36.5°F (-38°C) and the highest it reaches is a tropical 59°F (15°C). When I went in April, temperatures were in the single digits.

The coldest Barrow, Alaska weather lasts for around four and a half months between November and April. Around the winter solstice, the sun will not rise on Utqiaġvik for around 65 days. In these months, there is a lot of snow, wind, and fog.

The warmest Utqiaġvik weather lasts for around three and a half months between June and September. This is when the temperatures are finally above freezing.

Like other places in the Arctic Circle, Utqiaġvik will not see a sunset for several weeks around the summer solstice. It will shine 24/7, making up for the dark winter days.

Best Times of Year To Go to Barrow/Utqiaġvik Alaska

The views landing and leaving Barrow were absolutely stunning.

Unless you are the abominable snowman, traveling to Utqiaġvik, Alaska in the middle of winter wouldn’t be the best idea. Not only because the city will be completely dark and well below freezing, but because fewer facilities or amenities will be open. Though you do have fantastic odds of seeing the Northern Lights during these months.

The best time to visit Barrow, Alaska would be during the warm season from around June 5th to September 15th. Flights and activities are more likely to run during this time. Plus, you get to enjoy 24 hours of daylight every day!

Spring and summer are also the best seasons to visit if you want to spot some of the local wildlife. Birds fly back to the area to take advantage of the wealth of daylight. There’s more activity from animals in the ocean in the warmer months too. If you're lucky, you can see polar bears in the spring but be careful they do wander around town and it's not advised to wander alone for too far unless you're with a tour. They are aggressive if you were to run into one!

A bulletin at the library in town warning of polar bears.

Want to visit the most northern city in the US during a cultural festival? You’re in luck! They have one, and it’s the Nalukataq Whaling Festival. It takes place during the last two weeks of June around the summer solstice. It’s celebrated to give thanks for a successful spring whale hunting season.

Locals perform traditional Iñupiat songs and dances where they toss someone into the air using a blanket made from seal skins.

Top Things To Do in Barrow/Utqiaġvik Alaska

The city, like its dual misnomer suggests, is a city of two halves. One half of life in Barrow, Alaska consists of dirt roads, junk yards, and foreign oil companies. The other half consists of local Iñupiat people attempting to hold onto their culture and protect their wildlife and landscape.

Most of the top attractions and things to do in Barrow/Utqiaġvik, unsurprisingly, focus on the latter. Yet, it’s important to paint a complete picture of what this unconventional yet captivating city is like in real life.

Iñupiat Heritage Center

By far the top attraction in Utqiaġvik is the Iñupiat Heritage Center. This museum has tons of exhibitions on the history of the native Iñupiat people including artwork, tools, clothing, and even technology. You’ll be able to learn about their traditions and ceremonies from people that identify as part of this culture too.

They even have residence programs so there are always locals available to teach visitors how to make traditional crafts.

Point Barrow

This place is technically nine miles north of Utqiaġvik. But since it is the northernmost point of all United States territory then it’s worth the trek. There is a Point Barrow Air Base here too that you can check out.

You will need to either hire a local taxi driver or join a tour to get there. The hotel I stayed in, will actually help organize tours for you.

Whale Bone Arch and Shoreline

One of the most iconic shots of Barrow is the Whale Bone Arch on the Arctic Ocean shoreline. It’s a highly Instagrammable arch made from a literal bowhead whale’s jawbone with some other smaller whale bones resting nearby. It helps put into perspective just how huge the local whales are.

You can also enjoy a dip in the Arctic Ocean (if you dare!) and a walk along the Lagoon Boardwalk after checking out the arch. Wildlife Spotting Speaking of whales, many species of wildlife call Utqiaġvik home.

In the waters, you can spot ringed seals, bearded seals, walruses, whales, and so much more. If you bring your binoculars then you might be able to spy Steller’s Eiders and Spectacled Eiders nesting in the trees. Ross’ Gulls, snowy owls, and so many more bird species fly into Barrow during the warmer months too.

On land, you might be able to spot arctic foxes, caribou, and even polar bears too. Taking a wildlife excursion or hiring a local guide is without a doubt the best way to increase your chances of seeing animals. They will know all the secret spots where the animals hang out.

Restaurants and Bars

The foodie scene in Utqiaġvik is small yet eclectic. Sam & Lee’s Asian-inspired restaurant holds the reputation as being the best and most welcoming restaurant in the city. Check out Arctic Pizza and Niggivikput Restaurant for classic American options. Niggivikput restaurant is located in the Top of the World Hotel, where I stayed and has some fun breakfast options. I had the chance to try reindeer (which was actually really good!)

Cold Man Coffee is one of your only options if you like visiting cafes on your travels but luckily it has great reviews.

Shopping While Barrow doesn’t have a mega mall, there are one or two gift shops you can visit to bring back local souvenirs for your loved ones. Visit La Bamba Gift Shop or Barrow Souvenirs & Gifts. The Heritage Center and some of the hotels also have their own gift shops.

Cost of Traveling to Barrow/Utqiaġvik Alaska

The hotel I stayed in is made out of shipping containers which was really cool!

Planning a trip to the edge of the world was never going to be the cheapest vacation you could choose. But it’s also far from the most expensive, especially if you tag it onto a trip that you’re already taking to Anchorage. One way flights to Utqiaġvik from Anchorage start from $163 per person. This means a round trip will cost at least $326. Rates for a standard room at the Top of the World Hotel, one of the most luxurious Utqiaġvik hotels, start from $258.17 per night. Latitude 71 B&B charges at least $200 per night with breakfast included. Other hotels and B&Bs in the city, like the King Eider Inn, also have similar starting rates.

Keep in mind that you are unlikely to spend more than one or two nights in the city. Most entrees at the restaurants like Sam & Lee’s, or Niggivikput restaurant for example, cost around $20. Believe it or not, it's actually cheaper to eat out here than buy groceries! Barrow actually has the most expensive grocery store in the United States. I had to go see it for myself just to believe it!

Yep, that's right. $18 for a loaf of bread 😱 Thankfully, the minimum wages are high here!

The Iñupiat Heritage Center only costs $10 entry fee and many of the other activities are free unless you decide to pay for an extra tour. Taxis will run you $6 one way anywhere in the town and only take cash so be sure to pull some out before you visit. I made the mistake of not doing this and had to hitchhike from the airport. Thankfully my hotel had an ATM!

The airport in Barrow was only one room! When we exited the plane, we had to walk through here.

Ready To Travel to the Most Northern City in the US? Whether you call this city Barrow, Alaska or Utqiaġvik, Alaska, it will provide you with the same unique experience. You’ll be able to say you traveled to the most northern city in the US and saw things that so few get to see. And this travel guide provides you with all the information you need to make this experience happen.

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Things That I Give Up to Afford to Travel the World

By Lauren - May 13, 2022

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Versante Hotel Review: Versante Hotel in Vancouver, BC

By Lauren - April 19, 2022

Versante Hotel is a new, up and coming boutique hotel that's only a few minute drive from Vancouver International airport. It is the only boutique luxury hotel in the area and boasts beautiful natural light, an array of fantastic amenities, vibrant decor and delicious fine dining on site.

*I received a complimentary stay at Versante Hotel and a complimentary meal at Bruno. All opinions in this review are my own.

The Lobby

As soon as you walk in, Versante hotel boasts a stunning lobby. I was a huge fan of the spiral staircase and natural lighting coming through the windows! The staff were very kind and answered all of my questions knowledgeably about the city as I'd never visited Vancouver before.

Eye grabbing, colorful designs

The Rooms

The beautiful view from our room

When browsing their rooms online, the decor really caught my eye and in person, it didn't disappoint! One of the key room features is the big porcelain hot tubs. My other favorite feature was the decor and colors in the room. We ended up in a room with a pink flowered wall mural behind the beds and I know they have rooms with a green color scheme as well.

There was an attention to detail in our room with a fun poodle lamp on the desk. The style was very Parisian and fun! The rooms also had a mini fridge, cotton robes, closet, an espresso machine (with coffee pods) and complimentary snacks.

Coffee Nook

The Bathrooms

Ready for a relaxing night in

My favorite part of the room at Hotel Versante was by far the large bathrooms and all the amenities. There were heated tile floors, a floor to ceiling window (with shades you could close), a ring light, stunning vanity with two sinks and walk in shower. They also had some very nice lotions and body wash as well as a sewing kit and tea leaves in the bathroom.

The Food - Bruno Restaurant

Wow. I could go on and on about the food at Bruno! We were served everything off of their brunch menu to try, including all the drinks and everything was amazing! My favorites were the stuffed french toast and the avocado toast. The avocado toast had caviar and eggs and the french toast was tasty and not too filling or sweet and came with a really delicious blackberry compote.

Bruno focuses on high impact dishes and sustainable practices, which I love. They're inspired by the local farmers and artisans who provide them with their fresh ingredients.

For their drink selection we got to try the mimosas, the smoothie and their coffee and the smoothie was my favorite!

Even if you aren't staying in the hotel - this restaurant is an amazing place to go if you're in town and want a fun brunch spot. They even had a fun floral and neon sign as you walk in where you can take some photos!

Along with Bruno, there's also another restaurant on site that we did not get to try, but that also has raving reviews online.

The Amenities

There were several key amenities on site such as a rooftop pool and gym that we didn't get to use but got to check out.

It was too cold to go swimming when we visited but we went to the roof to see the pool and it was stunning. There's a 360 view of the city from where the pool is!

The gym was also incredible and if I would have had time I would have used it. They had lots more equipment than other luxury hotels I've stayed at and a large television to play your workouts or music.

The last amenity, but my favorite was the hotel shuttle. It was a beautiful private shuttle and the interior reminded me of a small limousine.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed my stay at this fabulous hotel and would love to return to visit in the summer to use more of their outdoor amenities such as the pool. I highly recommend Versante Hotel for those looking for a relaxing city getaway or just a fun staycation!

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