My husband and I arrive in Anchorage at 2:00pm on June 25th, 2005. We have until July 1st, 5 full days, to vacation pre-cruise. We are both young and active. We know Denali is a definite must see for us, any other suggestions? How many days should we spend at Denali?

Thanks!

I would make sure to go to the Kenai Penninsula, especially Homer and Seward. Make sure to also go to Exit Glacier, an easy 1/2 mile walk to get up close and personal with a glacier.
Have a great time on your trip and give us a trip report when you get back.

You may not have enough time but if you decide to extend you vacation, you may want to go to Pruhoe Bay or Point Barrow for a toe dip in the Arctic Ocean.

Anchorage has some wonderful shopping, especially in the downtown area. The Glacier Bay Brewhouse was my favorite restaurant while I was there! A trip to Denali would be a great use of those 5 days, too.

Here's hoping your boat arrives in Seward rather than Whittier

6/25 -- Anchorage. Stroll around downtown, perhaps the coastal trail and dinner at Simon and Seafort's or Glacier BH.
26 -- Up early and on the road to Denali, get an afternoon flightseeing in Talkeetna on the way to the park.
27 -- Shuttle bus in park.
28 -- Drive back to Anchorage, visiting Hatcher Pass en route.
29 -- Drive to Girdwood. Tram up Mt. Alyeska and perhaps mountain bike down. Dinner at Double Musky. Splurge at Alyeska hotel.
30 -- Drive to Seward. Visit Exit Glacier. Dinner at Ray's.

If you like handmade crafts, live music and good food, the Forest Fair in Girdwood probably starts July 1. If you don't have to be to the cruise boat until the afternoon, you might have time to spend the morning there so you could make Girdwood your last full day and night.
Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass area is very interesting but you'll have to approach from Palmer. The road over the pass doesn't usually open until after July 4th. We thought it was worth the detour. Good place to stretch your legs after the long drive back from Denali.
If your cruise is out of Whittier, visit Seward, then backtrack to Girdwood. You won't mind seeing that kind of scenery twice. A last minute arrival in Whittier would be plenty of time.
Of course, if you have to drop a car off in Anchorage, this won't work.

I would allow 2 nights in Denali park and perhaps look at Talkeetna and Anchorage. There is no time for Homer and little for Seward. Best is to have a cruise out of Seward- if not probably not enough time to go in my opinion. Adding days is must if at all possible. 5 days is only enough for one location or the other. Don't underestimate time or vast distances involved. Consider only the shuttle buses into Denali park with Eielson my min. distance in. Look into activities of interest there? If you can add days or forgo the Kenai Pen. then perhaps consider a cheap glacier trekk with MICA guides. Request each area's visitor guide, and get THE MILEPOST after the new editions come out 3-05.

Thanks for the great information. Our cruise does depart out of Seward, and we do not set sail until evening so we have time to spend in the Seward area that day.