Three nights in Anchorage after cruise
Jan 14th, 2015, 06:33 AM
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Three nights in Anchorage after cruise
We will be doing our first Alaska cruise in mid-May and will be arriving in Whittier. The plan is to spend a couple of nights in Anchorage and one in Seward before flying home. My thoughts are to take the shuttle to Anchorage airport, pick up rental car (we have gotten an excellent price on one already) and do the drive to Seward and spend the night the first day on our first day. Is that too long of a day for the first? My thoughts are that we will not be trip exhausted as if we had just flown in. Second day maybe go from Seward to Homer before back to Anchorage ( worth it, too long ?) to spend 2 other nights, exploring from there. Since we only have three nights we are passing on Denali and staying around this area . Thoughts, suggestions?
Jan 14th, 2015, 10:18 AM
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I'd stay NO nights in Anchorage, unless required for an early flight. Get your rental car in Whittier, drive straight to Seward for a couple of nights. We spent our last night in Girdwood, then drove the very scenic Turnagain Arm back to Anchorage, spent an afternoon in Anchorage, before our night flight.
It's true that the one-way car rental (Whittier-Anchorage) will cost you something. it may not be much more than paying for the Anchorage transfer, plus its a huge timesaver. Your time is worth SOMETHING
There's lots to do in the Seward area: fishing, hike Exit glacier, Kenai Fjord cruise, kayaking, helicopter trip (with dogsledding available, I believe) other hikes. I think you can easily spend a couple days there, and don't need to make the long drive to Homer.
It's true that the one-way car rental (Whittier-Anchorage) will cost you something. it may not be much more than paying for the Anchorage transfer, plus its a huge timesaver. Your time is worth SOMETHING
There's lots to do in the Seward area: fishing, hike Exit glacier, Kenai Fjord cruise, kayaking, helicopter trip (with dogsledding available, I believe) other hikes. I think you can easily spend a couple days there, and don't need to make the long drive to Homer.
Jan 15th, 2015, 06:17 AM
#4
It can also be an iffy time of year weather-wise. The "long" Kenai Fjords tour out of Seward can be very bumpy and seasickness is a frequent problem, but you know yourselves better than we do.
Spending one night in Girdwood (check out prices at Alyeska) is a good idea, if for nothing else than to ride the gondola up to the top of the run. You're only 45 (incredibly scenic) minutes from Anchorage.
I'd also strongly urge you to take any clear day you have to schedule a flightseeing trip. Operators like Rust's in Anchorage - http://www.flyrusts.com/ - have numerous routes they can fly (Denali being the obvious first choice if the mountain's out) and you simply can't imagine the beauty of southcentral Alaska from the air until you get up in a plane.
Spending one night in Girdwood (check out prices at Alyeska) is a good idea, if for nothing else than to ride the gondola up to the top of the run. You're only 45 (incredibly scenic) minutes from Anchorage.
I'd also strongly urge you to take any clear day you have to schedule a flightseeing trip. Operators like Rust's in Anchorage - http://www.flyrusts.com/ - have numerous routes they can fly (Denali being the obvious first choice if the mountain's out) and you simply can't imagine the beauty of southcentral Alaska from the air until you get up in a plane.
Jan 20th, 2015, 05:33 AM
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We have done a similar thing. It will be an easy day to take the shuttle to Anchorage Airport and to drive to Seward. The drive from Anchorage to Seward is very scenic, there are many stops on the way.
You may check when the tidal wave arrives at Bird Point, Turnagain Arm. If it fits into your time schedule, see it. Anyway, from Bird Point you usually see mountain goats. Along Turnagain Arm there are three or four good restaurants and BBQ spots (you will be there around noon).
Also stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. It is an easy opportunity to see bears and moose and caribou and other critters.
I support the idea to skip Homer (the drive is VERY long).
Instead, a full day in Seward is worth it, especially since the Kenai Fjords Tour takes a full day.
In Anchorage, the Native Heritage Center is outstanding. Do the dogsled cart ride and kennel tour there - it is much cheaper than anywhere else. Also, see the Alaska Museum in downtown.
From Anchorage, drive to Matanuska Glacier - the best glacier experience in Alaska! (you can climb onto the glacier - there are guided tours). We also liked the cemetary of Eklutna with the native spirit houses.
You may check when the tidal wave arrives at Bird Point, Turnagain Arm. If it fits into your time schedule, see it. Anyway, from Bird Point you usually see mountain goats. Along Turnagain Arm there are three or four good restaurants and BBQ spots (you will be there around noon).
Also stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. It is an easy opportunity to see bears and moose and caribou and other critters.
I support the idea to skip Homer (the drive is VERY long).
Instead, a full day in Seward is worth it, especially since the Kenai Fjords Tour takes a full day.
In Anchorage, the Native Heritage Center is outstanding. Do the dogsled cart ride and kennel tour there - it is much cheaper than anywhere else. Also, see the Alaska Museum in downtown.
From Anchorage, drive to Matanuska Glacier - the best glacier experience in Alaska! (you can climb onto the glacier - there are guided tours). We also liked the cemetary of Eklutna with the native spirit houses.
Jan 20th, 2015, 07:40 AM
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IMO, you do not have enough time to fit in Homer.
You can certainly take the shuttle to ANC, pick up a car and drive south to Seward. It might be a long day (with stops for sight-seeing), but I think it's a nice/full day (stop in Girdwood for lunch). Do any sight-seeing stops along Turnagain Arm on the south-bound drive (it's safer/easier to do it then as you are not crossing traffic to stop on the arm then).
I love Anchorage, but I wouldn't spend any of the nights in ANC, I'd spend 2 nights in Seward and the last night in Girdwood (this gets you close to ANC, so you're not rushed on your last day in AK). For a good read on lots of great activities in the Girdwood/Portage/Whittier area check out this link: http://goo.gl/dPvuEJGood luck.
You can certainly take the shuttle to ANC, pick up a car and drive south to Seward. It might be a long day (with stops for sight-seeing), but I think it's a nice/full day (stop in Girdwood for lunch). Do any sight-seeing stops along Turnagain Arm on the south-bound drive (it's safer/easier to do it then as you are not crossing traffic to stop on the arm then).
I love Anchorage, but I wouldn't spend any of the nights in ANC, I'd spend 2 nights in Seward and the last night in Girdwood (this gets you close to ANC, so you're not rushed on your last day in AK). For a good read on lots of great activities in the Girdwood/Portage/Whittier area check out this link: http://goo.gl/dPvuEJGood luck.
Mar 10th, 2015, 01:44 PM
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Anchorage is like a big city down south. It has the views but south central Alaska is so beautiful. There is so much to see and do I would say skip staying in Anchorage, the drive from Seward to Homer is 3 hours and then from Homer to Anchorage is four hours so if you think you can swing that you will see a variety of scenery from each point. Plus road tripping is fun!
The Kenai Fjords National park tours from Seward are also well worth it if you have the time. There are also some remote lodges you can stay for one or two nights and totally immerse yourself in nature and scenery! We have stayed with Orca Island Cabins, in the past and it was the highlight of our vacation.
The Kenai Fjords National park tours from Seward are also well worth it if you have the time. There are also some remote lodges you can stay for one or two nights and totally immerse yourself in nature and scenery! We have stayed with Orca Island Cabins, in the past and it was the highlight of our vacation.
