DEBBIE

I am going to Alaska in early Aug. for 12 days. Will be flying in and out of Anchorage. I'd love any suggestions you have, ie "must sees" good restaurants (not fancy) nightlife??? Thanks!

Donald Johnson

In 1996 we drove 9,000 miles to and from and in Alaska.. Scan down these pages to where I posted A GREAT ALASKA INSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE ALTERNATIVE dated 4/27/97 for a complete outline of our 30 day adventure. Here is the portion of it which applies to your situation.

Anchorage is a lovely city to walk and an excellent base for touring Alaska by vehicle, rail and flight-seeing excursions. For example, rent a car to leisurely tour the beautiful Kanai Peninsula down to Homer, perhaps Seward and convenient Portage Glacier only 40 miles from Anchorage.. Consider making reservations with the Alaska Marine Highway System (800-642-0066) to drive your vehicle onto a railroad flatcar at Portage and then sit outdoors in it for a scenic 35 minute trip to the port of Whittier with direct connections to the 7-hour ferryliner voyage through Prince William Sound to Valdez which includes a close-up encounter with the huge Columbia Glacier. Enjoy Valdez and then travel scenic highways which circle back to Anchorage. This could be done in as little as two days by overnighting at Valdez. Consider driving or taking an Alaska Railroad (800-544-0552) tour to Denali and perhaps on to Fairbanks, too - - or enjoy a flight-seeing experience over Denali Park’s glacial and wilderness wonders. Alaskans offer lots of convenient ways to see glaciers up close by air, water or land as there are more glaciers in Alaska than in the remainder of the world combined. Also, don’t assume that a cruise ship’s abbreviated four-day add-on land package to Fairbanks, Denali Park and Anchorage cannot be improved upon immensely via your rented car or the Alaska Railroad - - and more economically. In Alaska your options are many. All are explained clearly in the bible for northland travelers called THE MILEPOST. It is an invaluable tool no matter how you decide to travel to, from and in this region. I ordered our copy by calling 800-726-4707. If you are on the Internet, the Alaska home page (http://www.state.ak.us/tourism) has hyperlinks leading you to all kinds of information about Alaska. Be prepared to spend many enjoyable hours surfing these hyperlinks, ordering free vacation literature, calling 800 numbers and printing copies of these useful pages. Bon voyage!

Donald Johnson

An addendum to my above remarks. Downtown Anchorage is neat and well-manicured including lush green grasses and an abundance of colorful flowers - - an unusually pleasant environment for strolling their well-defined historic walking tours. There are lots of restaurants with great food in this area. Alaska Salmon Chowder House is a casual one we enjoyed. Certainly, one of the "must see" highlights of our entire Alaska adventure was experiencing the Anchorage Museum of History and Art (located downtown). Aided by superb guides who expertly call attention to and clearly explain what one is viewing and then answer any of your questions, it translates into a totally absorbing passage through time not to be bypassed! While you are there, enjoy a luncheon respite in its lovely atrium. these many "on foot" pleasures hint that it makes sense to stay in a nearby downtown hotel - - but make reservations well in advance because in high season it can be tough finding accomodations in Anchorage. A superb day trip is to leisurely head southward about 48 miles along historic Turnagain Arm to the Begich Boggs Visitor Center on the shores of Portage Lake - - and do be sure to see its fine award-winning movie about glaciers titled "Voices From The Ice" in the 200 seat theater - - with an awesome finale. After enjoying this Visitor Center, board the nearby M/V Ptarmigan sightseeing boat for a never to be forgotten short cruise to the face of Portage Glacier. Afterwards (near where you access the highway), stop to see and photograph animals up close at the drive-through wildlife viewing park named Big Game Alaska - - moose, caribou, elk, musk ox, deer and other native species. On the drive down and back you will see the place near Portage where you board the train for the other trip I mentioned to Whittier, etc. This day trip route to Portage Lake is so rich in scenery, wildlife (including whale spotting) and history that it has been designated a National Scenic Byway - - and you won't mind at all returning to Anchorage via the same route. Along the way we treated ourselves to dinner at the elegantly rustic Turnagain House near Indian. Buen Viaje!

Pat Tuzzolo

Eat seafood! Try the Land's End at the end of the Homer Spit. There are many, many things to see on the Kenai Peninsula.

Lora Geftic

Thanks for the information on Anchorage. We are learving this Sunday, flying into Anchorage, taking the train to Denali where we will be staying at the North Face Lodge, then back to Anchorage by train. From Anchorage, we will be taking the train to Seward staying for 2 days including the Kenai Fiords Glacier Boat Tour, then driving the Kenai area to Homer for another 2 day stay. From there we are headed back to Anchorage and then home. Any great resturants on the way? How about "not to miss" sights? Three hour hikes? Hope to hear from you soon/ Thanks a million.

Lora

pamela

Good restaurants in Anchorage include Saks, Southside Bistro, Simon and Seaforts, Glacier BrewPub, Snow Goose. Drive to south Anchorage and go up DeArmoun road to the overlook in Chugach State Park...superb view of Anchorage area. Fly out of Talkeetna for a landing on Ruth Glacier near Mt. McKinley. For kids, try the Zoo in Anchorage...small but nice.