tcapp

We're going to Alaska May 17-24. We're spending the the first night in Anchorage, then one night in Homer, two nights in Seward, and then we have two days that are free before we need to be back to Anchorage on Friday. Could anyone please give us some recommendations what to do with the last two days? we thought about Denali, but have heard mediocre comments. Thank you so much for any advise. Has anyone traveled the Glenn Highway? How was it. Thanks.

Connie

I like your itenerary.

We really loved the Kenai Fjord Cruise out of Seward and the visit at Exit Glacier was fun too. You can't walk on it or touch it anymore but you are very close.

The Glenn Highway is beautiful and I understand the drive down to Valdez is too. The Matanuska (sp?) Glacier on the Glenn Hwy is a nice stop.

IMO, Alaska is all about the scenery and ocassionaly the wildlife-- not the towns or hotels.

Denali takes about three days. Several hours up, 8 hours on a bus, several hours back down. I'm glad I did it once but won't ever go back.

dwooddon

If you are not locked into that specific schedule, I'd extend my time in Homer. There is so much to see and do in that area and a week is not nearly enough to do the Kenai Peninsula justice. If the schedule is locked, after leaving Seward, I'd come back toward Homer and stay somewhere along the Highway toward Homer and along the Kenai River or go on to Soldotna/Kenai or go all the way back to Homer and use one of those areas a base for exploring.

rubigayle

I have been doing nothing but researching my own trip non stop for the past several months. After speaking with a number of people and posting here I did some soul searching and decided to cut out the Denali thing myself. Now here's an idea for you.If the Alaska marine highway ferry schedule will work for you, why not Take the ferry to Valdez, stay one night in Valdez and then drive the Glenn highway back toward anchorage.By taking the ferry, you will get to travel across the Prince William Sound with car, a 6 hour and 45 minute trip.The ride up the Richardson Highway to the Glenn Highway is also supposed to be gorgeous. The Glenn highway has just been designated a National Scenic Byway or something like that. At any rate it is supposed to be gorgeous, There are several nice Lodges about an hour to two outside of anchorage near the Palmer area where you could stay for the last night. This way you could stop at the Manatuska glacier on the way back and Nova outfitters offer hiking on the glacier as well as white water rafting for anyone of any level if that is something that might interest you. We have 14 nights and we are doing an extended version of this trip. Check out Sheep Mountain lodge , majestic valley lodge.on the Glenn. I just booked the Castle Mountain lodge. I booked the entire house for two nights, It looks Gorgeous!Of course this is all assuming that you are renting a car. You could also do this same trip by going through anchorage, a much shorter version, but then you would not get to see Valdez.I hope my suggestions help.

Gardyloo

Mid-May is almost certainly too early for Denali (although this is a weird winter, so who knows?) - most years the interior of the park isn't terribly accessible before June.

Long road trips (e.g. the Valdez-Anchorage loop) might also suffer in May from poor road conditions. "Breakup" can leave major potholes and frost heaves, and the Statewide road construction festival will still be a month off in most parts.

I would probably be inclined to stick to the Cook Inlet area - down to Homer if you want, but be advised distances are deceptive - Anchorage to Homer is a long day. If you want to get some salt water under your seat, try a day trip across Kachemak Bay from Homer to Seldovia. Play your itinerary by ear based on weather and road conditions - you'll be early enough that accommodation shouldn't be a problem.