<p>Hi CC people. We are thinking of summer vacationing (early August) in Alaska this year. However, we do not want to take the usual “inland passage” cruise ship approach. I am willing to do a short stint on a ship to see the glaciers, but we prefer the more close-up, small town, avoid the tourist trap types of vacations. Last summer we rented a car and drove around Tuscany and other parts of Italy, avoiding the big cities. We have taken and enjoyed cruises, but not the typical ones…Last time we went to the Black Sea, visiting Odessa, Romania and Istanbul. Get the picture? </p>
<p>So, we are looking for great suggestions on how to really see and enjoy Alaska. We are investigating Anchorage, Cook Inlet, Kenai Penn., Denali, Alyeska Resort and of course, we want to see glaciers! How much time do we need and what is the best way to get around. Is there a central spot we can use as a hub? We are a family of 4…D is 19 and will be home from college; S is 16 and in high school.</p>
<p>We live in So Cal…</p>
<p>Suggestions, please!</p>
<p>About 15 years ago, we took a trip to Alaska with my kids and my in-laws in their motor home. They drove it from New Jersey and took the Alaska Public Ferry up the inside passage, departing from Bellingham, Washington. (We flew and met them in Juneau.) <a href=“http://www.akferry.com/[/url]”>http://www.akferry.com/</a> If you want to see this beautiful part of Alaska, you will need to do it by boat, as no roads go there. All personal travel and commercial transports (except for flying) uses this ferry system. We saw the same towns that the cruise ships stop at, but we were not on a cruise ship. If you do not want to rent a motorhome, you could look into the availability of hotels in the towns where the public ferry stops. Another option to a huge cruise ship (which, to us, marred the scenery and looked totally out of place docked in those small towns) is the small ships. They are very small boats that one sleeps and eats on, but which are much more informal and can get very close to the glaciers and the wildlife. </p>
<p>We took the day trip cruise to Tracy Arm near Juneau and it was beautiful. In Skagway, we took the White Pass and Yukon Railroad which is interesting and historic as well as scenic. We drove to Fairbanks and took the bus tour in Denali. The museum at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks is very worthwhile. We also went to Seward and took the Kenai Fjords tour which was wonderful. We ended up seeing every type of wildlilfe imaginable during our trip. Our trip was at the end of August, so the days were not long, but we did see the Northern Lights. </p>
<p>The part of the trip that my family was on (flying to Juneau and leaving from Anchorage) ws two weeks long. My kids were almost 6 and almost 9 at the time, but they still talk about Alaska being one of the best vacations ever and they want to go back some day. Good luck in planning your trip - I hope this information is helpful!</p>
<p>blucroo…we went to Alaska when my kids were six and eight for two weeks in June. My brother and his family live in Anchorage and so that was our base. We did most of the travel with them as well and they obviously knew where to go. But we went to most of the places you are naming. The travel was by car. I think you should rent a car too and map out plans. We did some camping too at some of these locations. We got to see glaciers too. This was a while ago and I’d have to look up the names of everything as my memory is going. I recall walking on a glacier on a drive that included the trip to Alyeska too (also went on lifts at Alyeska…I recall the kids in the snow in summer…also ate dinner at the top of the mountain). I also recall a day cruise…maybe that was Seward. Did Kenai Peninsula, Denali. We did one day of rafting. I’d have to go look everything back up. However, right now, I am looking at a framed photo of D1 at age 8 with the big King Salmon fish she caught on a one day fishing trip. It is almost as big as she is and a fun memory.</p>
<p>My daughter also drove from Philadelphia to Anchorage when she was 18 1/2, summer after freshman year in college (likely same age as your D) with two friends. They stayed at my brother’s in Anchorage and toured around for ten days. They skipped Denali (she had been there when 8). I think two weeks would be better if you want to include Denali as that is a bit of a trip up and also the day at least in the park. We never went to Fairbanks or Juneau. But we saw a LOT of Alaska and as I said, it was primarily the areas you are thinking of going to as well.</p>
<p>blucroo - I live in Anchorage 
PM me - I have LOTS of ideas What time are you coming in August? Do you want to fish? I’ll set you up with phone nimbers and web sites. We have a revolving door in our house beginning mid-May - till Labor Day.</p>
<p>I was hoping crabbylady would see this thread as she surely will be able to guide you!</p>
<p>Of all of the traveling we’ve done, our Alaska trips rank near the highest in enjoyment. Three things that were most memorable:</p>
<p>TOP: Alaska Marine Highway Ferry trip from Haines to Bellingham (3 days). Tickets were cheap, even with a cabin, compared with a cruise. Of course, you eat from a cafeteria, but it was quite adequate. Warning: the cost goes way up if you are also transporting a vehicle, especially a motor home or trailer, since they charge by the foot (length).</p>
<p>TOP: The travel up the Alaska Highway. For a family that can put up with each other 24 hours a day including about 14 hours of driving per day, it was sublime - especially the scenery and the extensive wildlife. But don’t rely on finding hotels and restaurants too often along the way. We had a pop-up camper. Make sure your tires are in perfect condition.</p>
<p>TOP: Flightseeing tours, especially smaller planes with just your family. In Ketchikan, the absolute floatplane capital of the WORLD, we hired Island Wings to take us on a tour of Misty Fjords National Monument. It was very pricey (about $100 each, and that was a while ago), but worth every penny. As a matter of fact, we hired them again just this past summer to take us in to a remote lake where we were dropped off to stay in a fishing cabin for a few days. That was a larger plane and cost $900 for the flight in and the flight out, but it was an adventure of a lifetime (for my wife’s 50th).</p>
<p>We are very much like you in our travel preferences (two weeks ago got back from Slovenia and Croatia and have traveled extensively throughout Romania). We would much rather be traveling around Tuscany or Provence on our own than in amongst a zillion tourists. My wife and son just got back (December) from an expedition to Madagascar.</p>
<p>If you need any other info, PM me.</p>
<p>One of my favorite trips that I’ve taken was in Alaska. The summer after high school my best friend and I went on a 14 day backpacking trip in Alaska’s backcountry. </p>
<p>I don’t know if hiking (it can be easy) appeals to you at all, but to me there is no better way of seeing the true Alaskan wilderness.</p>
<p>My brother in law and his wife lived in Kodiak for several years while in the Coast Guard. They loved it there. I wish we had been able to afford to go visit but couldn’t at the time. H’s parents did go visit 3 times and thought it was wonderful.</p>
<p>It’s probably too late to schedule a trip to Brook’s Lodge (in Katmai Park), but if you?re ever in Alaska again - DO IT! We were there once during the salmon run, and it’s something straight out of “National Geographic”: huge bears and bear cubs as far as the eye could see and salmon leaping out of the water. Yes, it’s expensive, and yes, it’s difficult to get to (float plane from Anchorage), but it was an out-of-body experience.</p>
<p>I was so happy to see this thread. I want to plan a trip to Alaska for July. My friend and I only see each in the summer, so we try to do a “girl trip”. I have always wanted to go to Alaska. Does anyone know about the best city to fly into? We would rent a car. I don’t want to do a cruise and I want to avoid too many touristy towns. I am debating between Juneau and Ancourage. I don’t want to drive alot. I also really want to rent bikes. What is the best place to ride that would be less than expert level. I live and ride in Florida, so no steep hill experience! I hope that it won’t be too late to book all this. All the past info has been very helpful.</p>
<p>Also, where would be the best city to be for the fourth of July? Any good celebrations, that would be fun and different?</p>
<p>About 20 years ago, we had a great trip to Alaska. Our best find was a book called ‘The Milepost’. They update it frequently (yearly?), and I see that Amazon carries it. As you may guess by the name, it is organized by the mileposts on the highways, so you can find all the attractions, restaurants, etc. wherever you are. Granted, I haven’t looked at the latest copy, but I expect it to still be a great travel guide, and very well organized.</p>
<p>I live in Anchorage - Anchorage is a great city to fly into.
For bikers we have MANY trails -
Start with- Tony Knowles Coastal Trail -11 miles along the Anchorage coastline from downtown to Kincaid Park. The trail is paved and varries in terrain. Bike rentals are avaliable at Downtown Bike Rentals on Fourth Street - you can pick up the coastal trail from there. Also check <a href=“http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/asp/access.htm#trailout[/url]”>http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/asp/access.htm#trailout</a>
The Milepost is a great resource.</p>
<p>Thanks crabbylady, some great info. We are going for 8-10 days, so I know we can’t see everything. I was checking into Seward for the fourth. I want it to be a little crazy. I can’t wait to be bike riding in Alaska! It is 90 degrees today. I don’t even like hot weather. Should all hotel reservations be made in advance? Will it be hard to come without set places? Thanks</p>
<p>Make reservations for Seward for the fourth TODAY. Consider some of the beautiful B&B’s in the area. Don’t miss Exit glacier. Hike to the Harding Icefields. Also fishing charters, Kenai Fijords Sighteeing Cruises, sea kayaking - It’s really up to your time and budget.
Since you are coming in July - Consider Talkeetna for the Moose Drop Festival ://<a href=“http://www.talkeetnachamber.org/event-moosedropping.html”>www.talkeetnachamber.org/event-moosedropping.html</a>
We love Homer - . It’s a beautiful ride. Also bike rentals. Take the Danny J (water taxi) from Homer to explore Seldovia and Halibut Cove -
DEFINITELY make hotel reservations in advance.</p>
<p>thanks!! some great info crabbylady.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center <a href=“http://www.alaskanative.net/[/url]”>http://www.alaskanative.net/</a> The most beautiful part of Alaska is the people who live here.</p>