bargem

Here is another question. We will be in Anchorage for 4-days prior to going to Denali. We would like to go down to the Kenai National Park and perhaps take a boat tour. We will have a car. How long a drive is it and is it a good idea to drive? Is there a bus or train that goes down to the park? How long a trip is it from Anchorage - can it be done in a day with a boat trip as well? Thanks.

hpeabody

There is a train, the Alaska Railroad. If you have a car do the drive, it is really nice. I took the train as I did NOT have a car. They basically go the same path. Probably 3+ hours if I remember. Trips to the Kenai Fjords start at Seward. The boats leave from Resurection Bay. The trip I took was a catamaran with Major Marin, 6 hours. It was fantastic and we were lucky to have a glorious blue sky day.

MichelleY

The drive is so beautiful. I loved Resurrection Bay. Go and spend the night if you can as it would give you more time to enjoy the area. Try to take the longer fjords tour, 8 or 9 hours. The longer the better.

dfrostnh

South of Anchorage is some of the most beautiful scenery you are going to see on your trip. The road is a highway, no problems driving at all and you will want to stop at various places, like Alyeska to take the tram to the top. We took the longest boat trip out of Seward on a day when the ocean was very calm (nobody got sea sick!). It's less than 3 hour drive but with all the stops you will want to make, I vote for one overnight so you can take a leisurely drive down, boat trip the next day and drive back to Anchorage that evening. The boat trip was one of my favorite Alaska activities since you get so close to orcas and humpbacks.

Cheshirecatt

Stay the night in gorgeous harbor town of Seward. Walking along the cute harbor you are likely to see otters too. The next day you could go to Exit Glacier (a short drive away), then drive the Seward Highway stopping off at Portage Glacier and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre.

Spend the night at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, dine at the Seven Glaciers Restaurant (fantastic, pricey, but worth it) and enjoy the spa and heated pool to wind down.

Other options: stopping for a night at Cooper Landing immediately after Seward (the Sterling Highway is scenic too) and doing a rafting trip on the emerald Kenai River (I recommend Alaska Wildland Adventures)- http://www.alaskawildland.com/day-fi...ting-trips.htm

There are so many options. But you absolutely should spend a night in beautiful Seward and do the longest Kenai Fjords day tour you can to see the best sights and wildlife! 8 or 9 hour day tour.

For my pics of these areas you are going and my own travels through Seward and Denali which might give you some ideas: http://www.dreamhorsemedia.com/travel/

Cheshirecatt

Here is a link to a page which has a pdf you can download. It lists all the scenery and pullouts along the Seward Highway and mile points etc. It is excellent:
http://byways.org/explore/byways/10390/print_n_go.html

dowscoggins

Take the full day Kenai Fjords cruise run by the national parks. Great chance on seeing whales and worth the money