The sunlight's coming back in Alaska -- and it's time to get out and explore

Just to be clear: Winter's not over. Not by a long shot. Even so, the days are getting longer, and that means there are more choices to get out and see the state.

Before the humpback whales make their appearance in Kenai Fjords National Park, the gray whales show up. These marine giants swing by the mouth of Resurrection Bay in Seward on their way to the Bering Sea for the summer.

The Harbor 360 hotel has a package that includes a whale watching cruise on Major Marine, overnight accommodations and admission to the Alaska Sealife Center. It costs $111 per person, with two people sharing a room. It's a little more to stay during the weekend. The cruises start on March 4 and continue to mid-May. Call 907-274-7300 for information or visit their website at harbor360hotel.com.

Kenai Fjords Tours also offers gray whale tours in Seward, from $72 per person starting March 24.

If you want to visit the beach, head down to the Homer Spit. Land's End Resort has a "Getaway" package available through mid-May. The cost is $139 for two people, which includes accommodations and dinner at the restaurant.

Recent changes to Alaska Airlines' mileage plan make it more affordable to fly in-state. For example, you can hop a plane to Juneau for just 5,000 miles. That said, I couldn't find any 5K seats until March. For the rest of February, it's still 7,500 miles each way, which is still a great deal. Heaven knows your legislators need to hear from you on important issues of the day, including taxes, the budget or the Permanent Fund.

If possible, I'll sleep on my friend's couch out in the Mendenhall Valley. But I've stayed several times at the Driftwood Hotel. It's a quick walk to the Capitol if you go through the huge "SOB" (state office building). Rooms start at around $95, but the best part is that it's adjacent to the Sandpiper, which offers the best breakfast in Juneau. Get the breakfast burrito! The hotel offers a free airport shuttle, although there's also free parking if you rent a car.

Depending on how your visit goes with your legislators, you may want to go for a drive afterward! It's a winter wonderland out at Mendenhall Glacier. Just don't walk on the thin ice. If it's been a particularly challenging day, consider a drive further north to the Shrine of St. Therese. There's an outdoor labyrinth that you can walk (basically walking in circles while thinking or praying). It's a beautiful setting on Lynn Canal.

If you want to stay closer to the action at the state Capitol, check out the Silverbow Inn. This 11-room inn used to be connected to the Silverbow Bakery, but the owners leased the space to a new Italian restaurant, In Bocca al Lupo. And there's another delicious restaurant called Salt on the other side.

Now, when you stay at the Silverbow they have an "open kitchen," where you can make your own breakfast. The staff stocks it with eggs, bacon and other goodies. You go ahead and make your own meal — then they do the dishes! Rooms start at about $154 per night.

If you want to sample the restaurants on either side of the inn, call Kelly "Midgi" Moore with Juneau Food Tours. Three days a week, she offers a "Prohibition Dinner." This is a progressive dinner between three restaurants (including the two on either side of the Silverbow Inn). Moore also includes some interesting history about Juneau during the Prohibition era. Each stop on the tour includes one course, with a cocktail or paired wine. Cost is $99. Call 907-723-8478.

Do you want a king-size view of Denali? Head north to Talkeetna and stay at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. This winter, the lodge will be open March 4-20. Rooms start at $159 per night. Aside from the dining room, one of the best features of the lodge is the huge fireplace in the lobby.

Another great Talkeetna package is the pie-making class offered by the Talkeetna Roadhouse and the Alaska Railroad. Take the train north on Saturday morning. You'll arrive in Talkeetna with plenty of time for the class. Plus, you get to take home a pie! Dinner is on your own, but I would start across the street at Denali Brewing.

You'll have plenty of time the next day to explore Talkeetna before boarding the train at 4:50 p.m. for the ride back to Anchorage. The cost is $255 per person. That includes the train ride, overnight accommodations and the pie-making class. Meals are additional.

Consider taking the long way north to Fairbanks, if you're interested in seeing the ice carving championships or the start of the Iditarod. Head up the Glenn Highway northeast of Palmer. Sheep Mountain Lodge is right on the road at Mile 113.5. It's easy to see in the summer — and easy to miss in the winter. But bring your cross-country skis and stay overnight. If you come on the weekend, the kitchen is open. Otherwise, bring your own food. Cabins are available between $99 and $159 per night.

Head northeast to Glennallen, then turn north on the Richardson Highway toward Fairbanks. You'll pass Paxson and the eastern entrance to the Denali Highway, which is closed for highway vehicle traffic during the winter (although the Alpine Creek Lodge and the Maclaren River Lodge are open year round, with access via snowmachine or dogsled).

You'll see the giant trans-Alaska pipeline, which follows the highway from time to time. North of there at Mile 227.4 is the Lodge at Black Rapids. It's set up from the highway and looks over a beautiful river valley. If there ever was a "modern" roadhouse, this is it. The lodge is well-crafted, complete with slate siding and wrought-iron artwork on the deck. The interior features handcrafted hardwood finishings. The food and hospitality are great. Choose from one of several private rooms on the main floor or upstairs, from $235 per night. Or, stay on one of the fold-out couches downstairs for $135 per night (shared bath). Meals are additional.

Fairbanks is in the middle of its high season for winter travel. Everyone is looking for the northern lights. You can stay in town — or head out to Chena Hot Springs. In addition to the bath house, Chena Hot Springs has the ice museum (stop in for a drink at the ice bar) and a yurt at the top of a nearby hill for viewing the northern lights.

North of Fairbanks on the Dalton Highway, Northern Alaska Tour Company offers both day-long and multiday packages to cross the Arctic Circle and to see the northern lights from Coldfoot. It's a long ride in the van — but you also can fly north and stay one or two nights before driving back. The cost from Fairbanks for a three-day/two-night package start at $769 per person, double occupancy.

There's no sense waiting until the snow melts before you head out on your Alaska adventure. The sun is out — and it's time to explore!

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at zoom907@me.com. You can follow him on Twitter (@alaskatravelGRM) and alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.