donnapg

I know this is broad but I need to get a grip on how to best tackle this trip.

We are 2 adults and 2 teen boys lookin gto visit Alaska in August 2005.

It is our first time and I am confused about the best way to spend our 8-10 days.

What is the "best" way to see Alaska? Cruise? Drive? Combination?

What parts are the "best" to see? Parts that truly represent Alaska - not sites that are similiar to those we can see in other places if you know what I mean.

I just need a good foothold to start planning I guess - I need direction!

Thanks.

dwooddon

If I still had kids that age, I'd opt for flying in and renting an RV. It seems to me that would give you the most planning flexibility.

With 8-10 days, I'd do three of them in the Talkeetna/Denali area including one full day for the shuttle bus into the park for wildlife. The rest of the time, I'd spend on the Kenai Peninsula. The scenery is dramatic and magnificent. I'd be sure to take one day for the all-day Kenai Fjords crusie out of Seward. It offers a unique way to experience Alaska and wildlife.

Depending on your budget, you could also do flight-seeing trips from Talkeetna, Homer, Seward, or Anchorage. They also offer a unique perspective.

What I would do right now is enter a subscription to Alaska Magazine. It will provide background to help you appreciate all things Alaskan and may also offer ideas for things you want to see or do while you are there.

Have a great trip. You'll love it.

Barblab

I know exactly what you are going through because I was in your shoes last January. We had decided on a family vacation in Alaska and it was up to me to put it together. What I soon learned from pouring over this site, Fommers, and every book on Alaska I could check out of the library, was that the state is hugh. I came to realize if we didn't want to spend all our time driving we needed to identify our priorities and concentrate on one area for our 8 days. We decided to rent an RV and spend our time on the Kenai, which for our family (inc. 2 college age kids)turned out to be the perfect relaxing family adventure. We never drove more than about 150 miles a day (somedays none) and always had a couple activities planned. NO matter what area you decide to focus on you can get tons of super help from this board just by doing a search on that area. Just know that wherever you go you really can't go wrong. Alaska is an absolutely beautiful state - you will love it!

Gardyloo

The size of Alaska can be daunting but a reality check is needed. First, the road system is quite limited, and the number of "destinations" accessible from roads is, in reality, quite small. Many roads (e.g., to the Kenai Peninsula) are dead-ends, requiring visitors to retrace their steps at some point.

Second, the fact that there are relatively few road-accessible destinations means that the very large number of visitors all tend to congregate, rather than spreading out like one would find in other areas. Denali Park and Seward are examples of this - well equipped enough, but many people have thoughts of Alaska as an empty wilderness, only to be disappointed when they discover they need to make a reservation to ride on a shuttle bus along with a few dozen others to see the wilderness through the window. Many people cruising the Inside Passage are surprised to find 5 or more cruise ships, each carrying 2000 passengers, arriving simultaneously in Skagway, population 700. Not a fair fight.

Third, the work-arounds to this are quite expensive. RV pricing is close to extortionate IMO; after all details are known it can be a push as to whether it's cheaper to rent an ordinary car and spend nights in a Bed and Breakfast or basic motel-with-kitchenette. Certainly maneouverability is improved, along with the attitudes of fellow drivers. Non-driving tours, such as cruising or flying visits "off the road system" - to native villages, fishing resorts, things like that - are very expensive for families, although cruising can be more cost-effective as it includes transport, lodging, and food.

So what am I saying?

First, look at your budget. Visiting Alaska on the cheap with your family is almost an oxymoron.

Second, ask yourself this: If you were taking the family to another destination where natural wonders were the draw, how would you do it there? Think Yellowstone or the Canadian Rockies or the Red Rocks Southwest. Planning for Alaska should be no different, only the plane ride is longer.

Third, do you have any particular interests as a family that could be used to help focus your stay? For example, fishing - in August the Silver Salmon run in Resurrection Bay, off Seward, is usually spectacular. Seward is also the gateway for great boat-based touring in the Kenai Fjords and through the Prince William Sound islands. So if a somewhat watery focus struck you as sensible, then you could spend a couple of days in Anchorage, then go down to Seward and spend the rest of the time there. No, you won't see Denali, but it hasn't moved in centuries and it will still be there for the next "focused" trip.

Or book a pricey but rewarding couple of days flying to Barrow, Nome and/or Kotzebue, to see the arctic, eskimo life, old gold rush history, and (in Barrow at least) the midnight sun. 90% of non-cruise visitors to Alaska never get more than a few miles off the roads, if that.

Or take the State ferry to Kodiak and see the many sights (some natural, some human, some not quite sure) that the big island has to offer.

There are so many choices. I happen to think that the Anchorage Daily News' www.alaska.com is an excellent place to start - look at the regional descriptions, activity categories, lodging links, all of that, in order to help you focus on what to do with a week or ten days. Happy planning.

lcuy

We went to Alaska about 4 years ago and had a wonderful trip with our 2 teen daughters.
We took a 7 day Holland America Cruise from Vancouver BC to Seward. The stops were really nice. Definitely not all the same. We only took a land tour (helicopter to the glacier) in Juneau. the rest of the time we were happy wandering on foot.

After the cruise, we rented a car and concentrated on the Kenai penninsula. Many locals told us not use up a short trip going to Denali...long drive, lots of people, and no guarantee you'll see even the mountain.

We loved the Kenai area. Drove from Seward to Homer. Saw lots of wildlife, had some wonderful hikes and picnics, went clamming, visited art galleries, musuems, and ate lots of great food. We were there about 5 days, but you could have a lot of fun in 2 or 3 I think.

And don't worry about how big Alaska is and how much you can't see...You'll be back!

Nena

We (family of three) visited Alaska last August and had an awesome time. We rented an RV and spent four full days in Denali National Park. We were fortunate to have seen the mountain. We then spent another four days exploring the Kenai Peninsula. Alaska is a gorgeous state. We plan to go back, rent an RV again, and explore other areas.

TimS

In planning my first trip to Alaska (only ten days away!) I've relied heavily on the latest edition of the Lonely Planet Alaska guidebook. While I won't be able to evaluate the advice given there until after the trip, I can say now that I really like the chapters which give general information about the state and the section giving suggested itineraries. The book favors the independent traveler over the packaged tour traveler and has lots of ideas for "adventure" options. You might see if your public library has a copy.

DaveS

Two things on our 15 days in Alaska last August with our 11 & 13 year old boys really stood out for us:
1.) Staying in Hawks Nest Cabin in Denali Park for four nights. Part of Camp Denali holdings, but a less expensive way to experience the interior of the park. Renting the cabin gets you a car pass to drive on the park road rather than bus. Go at your own pace and allows you to explore Kantishna area.
2.) Three nights at Halo Bay. Incredible experience, but only if you're into bear viewing and roughing it a bit.
Whatever you do I would drive it and experience a variety of locations with the time you have. Distances are long, but scenery varied/beautiful and miles pass quickly. Save the cruise for when the kids are gone.

BudgetQueen

My 2 cents. You have 2 options a cruise or a land trip. You don't have enough time to combine the 2 in my opinion. Have a family meeting and determine interests?? The cruise will be the bargain- meals and lodging included, but strongly only think of round trip Vancouver or NCL out of Seattle, other Seattle sailings have more outside passage sailing in my opinion. Great excursion opportunities. On a round trip Anchorage adventure- as mentioned concentrate on a an area of most interest. The Kenai can take up 4 days between Seward and Homer. Denali Park needs 2 overnights. Request each area's visitor guide, go over them carefully. Budget fully- this isn't a skimp trip, you need to invest funds for touring, decent lodging- nothing under $100, 50% more for food- for a cushion.

donnapg

Thank you all so much for your help, I think you have given me a good place to start.

We are doing this as a combination 20th anniversary - Bar Mitzvah trip so we are willing to spend a bit more. Also airfare will be using freq flier miles so that frees up money as well.

I will be back once I start putting things together I am sure!

dfrostnh

Gardyloo always gives such great advice! We traveled up the Inside Passage from Bellingham WA to Skagway on the Alaska Marine Ferry. The trip was very interesting. If you can fit it a short ferry trip it's an interesting lesson on a vital part of Alaskan transportation. I also agree with reading the Anchorage Daily News. Recently two orphaned brown bear cubs were captured and are temporarily housed at the zoo. Unfortunately, their mother had been shot because she was too close to houses and threatening people. The man who shot the mother spent a couple of weeks trying to capture the second cub. It would have died if left by itself and the man felt a duty to rescue it. It is unfortunate that sometimes wildlife and people can't co-exist. The bear/people situation is explained well by Peter Jenkins in his book "Looking for Alaska". The book is great reading and will give you a better understanding of life in Seward when avalanches close off the highway. The highway is one of the most beautiful drives ... in good weather!
I would recommend following up on any of your family's interests. My trip dates, for example, were chosen to coincide with Quilting on the Kenai. On our first trip I went on a garden tour in an Anchorage neighborhood. I'm anxious for a kayaking lesson on our trip next week. We'll also be spending more time on the Kenai. Another poster's trip report gave some great hiking and biking tips.
If you stop at Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla you might meet one of the Reddington grandchildren with a batch of new puppies. This would be an excellent opportunity to ask what kind of chores he has to do. How far he mushes, etc. It will probably be an eye opener for your two teen boys.
Have a great time.

BudgetQueen

Be sure to keep track of dates and book those FF miles as soon as allowed. Especially with needing 4 seats you will have to do this as soon as they open up. Very very short supply in Alaska.

donnapg

Yep - I will book those flight the day they become available.

We are looking at mid to late August - how is that as a travel time?

dfrostnh

Our first trip was last week of July and first week of August. The weather was wonderful and I don't recall any bugs even though we spent some evenings on an unscreened porch while grilling salmon. The silvers were running so we had a great opportunity to stop at Bird Creek on our way from Anchorage to Seward to watch the fishermen. Fireweed is in bloom. There was still lots of snow on top of Alyeska where you can take a tram ride to the top. There were new husky puppies.
I chose early summer for this year's trip based on some events we wanted to attend. Summer Solstice is a day of celebration. However, the mosquitos are out (they're out here in NH, too). The 50-60 lb king salmon are running. There are newborn moose calves.
We were only able to get one frequent flyer ticket in Jan for a June trip and my first choice B&B was already fully booked. I was referred to someone else which looks even nicer. They are fully booked now which they didn't expect for this time of year and reported that everyone in their area is fully booked. Get those tickets as soon as you can.

BudgetQueen

It will still be difficult to get frequent flyer tickets mid-late August. Plenty of travelers. Book as soon as possible. Be prepared this year- record BUGS and significant problems. Deet is necessary is in the areas.