Fifty years ago this week, President Dwight D. Eisenhower made Alaska and Hawaii the 49th and 50th states. And they barely look a day over 25! Alaska has already taken the bull by the horns and started planning for its milestone year.
The state nicknamed the Last Frontier, scrutinized in 2008 for its colorful governor, already partied in Anchorage and Valdez on Jan. 3 to celebrate the official date on the state proclamation. But the Anchorage Museum's expansion opens in June, the same month Seward's Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge opens its doors to offer visitors the chance to stay within a protected wildlife sanctuary. Fairbanks got its own visitor center last year, but its airport is getting a makeover, and Juneau will reenact its first raising of the state flag on July 4 along with a parade and community picnic.
Sadly, we can't find any information on Hawaii's official tourism website about a birthday celebration, aside from an acknowledgment that the state came into being in 1959. However, our sis site, HotelChatter, has discovered a "Nifty to be Fifty" deal for Aqua Hotels. Room rates for the first night of stay are $50 and guests over 50 receive a free amenity. Not sure what that free amenity is but we're guessing it's something to do with the AARP.
Related Stories:
· Alaska celebrates 50 years of statehood [Travels with Terry]
· Alaska Travel [Jaunted]
· Hawaii Travel [Jaunted]
· History of Hawaii [GoHawaii.com]
[Photo: Fish Taxi]]]>