We are 3 couples who are flying into Anchorage in August and have 4 days until our cruise leaves from Seward. We had originally planned to go to Denali but feel we may be too rushed so we are now thinking of spending time in the Seward area. We want to take the Kenai fjords cruise and maybe do Exit Glacier. Need suggestions for other things to see and do around Seward. Also, we would appreciate lodging advice in Anchorage and Seward.

The Kenai Fjords cruise and Exit Glacier are both wonderful and I wouldn't miss them. The SeaLife Center, although small, was also very nice. We stayed at these very lovely off-property duplexes that are owned and operated by Harborview Inn. They are right accross the street and have lovely views of Resurrection Bay and are very beautiful inside.

You can spend a good part of the day traveling the Seward. Explore Girdwood and take a tram ride up Mt Alyeska. We enjoyed the Portage Glacier visitors center. You can hear recordings of peoples' experiences during the earthquake. The silvers were running up Bird Creek in early August when we visited. It goes under the Seward Hwy. If the tide is right, you also have a chance of seeing whales. Don't forget binoculars!

I would not spend 3 days in Seward since you are short on time. Consider heading north to Talkeetna and overnight there, see Anchorage for a day, then 2 days in Seward. I would suggest you consider the longest Kenai Fjords boat trip- the Northwestern- just superior to all others. Exit Glacier is a couple hours at the most and not nearly as impressive since it has receeded by at least 50%. Request their visitor guide www.sewardak.org

A lot of your first day will be taken up with getting your rental car, getting out of the airport, etc. You might consider one day visiting Anchorage. Give yourself 2-3 hours to get to Seward so that will take up part of a day.

Just visiting Exit Glacier does not take long but there is a hike to the top of the Harding Ice Field that leaves from there that posters on Fodor's say is spectacular. It is a fairly streuous hike but something to consider. It will take up a good part of a day.

Another activity to consider is chartering a fishing trip. Lots of people do it from Seward and bring in a lot of fish. When you get in they hang them all up and take your picture. Then they clean, pack and ship them for you. They don't go out of the bay and it's usually pretty calm waters.

Northwest of Seward in Cooper Landing, you can hire a guide to salmon and/or trout fish the Kenai River. That's easily doable while staying in Seward or you can stay in the Princess lodge (don't know the exact name off hand) right on the Kenai River.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Would you recommend that we do a flightseeing tour to Denali from Talkeetna so we at least get to see it from the air?

I fly out of Talkeetna EVERY trip. Very worthwhile, choose what flightseeing is your priority, for me the summit flights (not summit view flights) are my preference.

If you are in the Seward area in August, be sure to hike to the Russian River Falls just past Cooper Landing. The hike is non-strenuous. The falls are gorgeous but even more interesting due to the spawning salmon that must swim up the falls.

We took a float trip near Cooper Landing that was great for the entire family. The rivers were full of salmon.

Other suggestions include: a cruise on Prince William Sound from Whittier, Portage Glacier (great hiking trails in that area), and of course Exit Glacier.

Our favorite place to stay is Teddy's Inn the Woods between Moose and Seward. This B&B will sleep six with its queen bed (separate bedroom) and four twin-size beds built into the walls in the living area. It may be a bit cramped for six adults though.

Teddy delivers breakfast every morning. The muffins, pastries, and fruit/yougurt parfaits are incredibly scrumptious.

The chalet has a full kitchen with a stove, oven, microwave, coffee maker, and all cooking equipment, dishes, and silverware.

The cost is extremely reasonable.

We took a flightseeing trip over Mt McKinley and the bush pilot set us down on a beautiful glacier lake. It was one of the highlights of our trip and the first time we had ever been on a sea plane.

I agree with another poster, do not stay 3 days in Seward. Go to Talkeetna and take a summit flight from there.

Tell me what you want in an Anchorage hotel, and I can give a more specific recommendation.

As for Seward, the alaska.org site has a page that lists all the top activities to do there: Here it is: http://www.alaska.org/alaskachannel/...e_overview.htm

Please let me know if the page is helpful.