Alaska: 2 Weeks This Summer--Ideas??
 

My wife and I will be spending 2 weeks in Alaska in June or July. Looking for the perfect trip. Any ideas on must-sees?? Denali is a definite (into hiking) but wide open beyond that.

Since you're into hiking, that opens a lot of doors! There are tons of places to hike in Wrangell and Kenai Parks. Also on the Kenai peninsula is the Exit Glacier where there is a nice hike around the glacier. General "must see" places are Valdez (take a cruise to see the Columbia Glacier), Homer, Seward, and the whole Kenai area. The museum at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks is really nice as well.

Theresa,
Thanks for the ideas!! Sounds great--think we need two months rather than two weeks!
Randy

We vacationed in Alaska early June of '97. Great adventure. Rented a motorhome in Anchorage from Great Alaskan Holidays - best $ before 6/15 - good service. Our 1st time in a motorhome - we will do it again - north of Anchorage you could drive in daylight till midnight - plenty of great camping sites. Anchorage to Hatchers Pass (beautiful mining camp - 3' snow) to Valdez to Paxson. West on Denali Highway (100+miles gravel road - perfect condition - very little traffic in early June) - best camping spots are on western half of road - moose, eagle, owl, etc etc etc -Denali highway was the best of trip - we could have stayed several more days here.
On to Denali - RV camping in park was booked - found a great place north of park off the road for camping. Enjoyed bus trip into Denali. On to Seward and back to Anchorage. We completed this route (1300 miles) in 10 days - 14 would have be better -
would have given us more time for out of RV adventure. Stock up on food in Anchorage (Denali bread was about $4 and frozen). email if you have questions - have fun

Ditto above remarks. Rent a car. Drive. Remember: long daylight hours; remove shoes before entering private homes; all road repairs are done in summer; most everything is imported; mosquitos thirve; obey road warnings; Alaska Amber beer is good; bring an eyeshade for sleeping in "daylight" at nite; bring your telephone calling card; keep your gas tank full; don't feed wildlife; don't expect exciting nightlife (except mosquitos); bears are everywhere; expect the unexpected. Big alcohol problem with the "Native" population. The place to visit of all the world is Alaska. Unbelieveable!! No state personal income tax (Alaska pays you!!).

From Seward take a day cruise out to Kenai Fjords National Park. You will see wildlife: sea otters, puffins, killer whales, humpback whales, porpoises, sea lions and puffins. Also, you will see scenery unbelievably beautiful. Plus there is a stop in front of a calving glacier. Wonderful!!

Try Bettles. Just north of the Arctic Circle, it has an excellent lodge with a gravel airstrip. The "phone book" is only one page. A favorite of hunters.

You are going to LOVE Alaska! I spent three weeks there in '90 and again in '92, so some of my info.
on motels, restaurants may be a bit dated. A couple of ideas: Rent a car in Anchorage (we rented from
Alaska Beauty Vans,a thoroughly reputable outfit run
buy a guy named "Flea" Benham). Drive South, spend
a night or two in Seward as suggested by other responses. I think HOMER is a must as well. We rented a small boat (with captain) and went to a bird preserve across the bay -- a beautiful half-day
trip. If you are near Cooper Landing (between Anchorage and Homer) and want to spend a night,the Princess Lodge is very nice. In my opinion, you'll find little in Anchorage to get excited about. The drive to Valdez from Anchorage is beautiful; and you can ride the Alaska ferry system from Valdez over to Palmer(reservations might be wise), take a short hop - car and all - on a train,and when you return to the main road you'll be a short drive from Seward.

Unless they've changed the rules at Denali, you probably can't drive into the park except on a very
few days at the end of the season. I'd call the Park service long before you go and get details. If you go into the Park by Park Service bus, reserve seats one of the Park buses well ahead of time. Go all the way to Wonder Lake if the weather is decent. It's worth the long ride.(You can get off the bus at any pointyou wish in the Park, hike till you drop and then catch another bus as it comes by.) Take mosquito repellent!
The museum at Fairbanks was the best one we saw
on either trip. We did not get above Fairbanks, but
if you only have two weeks, you'll do well to cover
the Kenai peninsula, Denali and a few more stops.
One last thought; if you can get another couple to
go in with you, it's not outrageous to rent a small
plane for several hours. On a pretty day -- and there are a few -- it a memory you'll never forget.

Get in touch with Alaska Rainforest Tours in Juneau. They specialize in short, out-of-the-way "eco-tours" as well as more traditional sightseeing. They put out a guidebook annually.

Going to be 2 days in Juneau and 2 days in Ketchikan in August 98 (before and after a cruise) Looking to do some charter fishing in either location (salmon or flounder) Any suggestions will be appreciated. Two couples, but the gals probably won't fish. Thanks.

Here are some web addresses you may find helpful: http://www.north-to-alaska.com
http://www.alcanseek.com/travel/travel.htm
http://www.state.ak.us/tourism
http://www.travelalaska.com/
http://www.alaskanet.com/visitalaska/
http://www.alaska.net/~acvb/
http://www.alaska.net/~awrta/
http://www.alaskan.com/bells/
http://www.AlaskaOutdoors.com/
http://www.alaskafishing.com
http://www.Alaska-Online.com/travel/index.htm
http://www.gorp.com

Best advice if on a limited time - be flexible. If you find a great place and weather is on your side, stay awhile longer rather than spend more time stuck in a car.
I have to agree about Denali Highway though -- even if it means letting the cat out of the bag. I've lived in Alaska for 6 years and for the first time travelled the Denali Highway last summer. I highly recommend it. I've heard most rental car agencies restrict their vehicles from this "highway," but do not know if it is true. It is gravel most of the way (easy to damage windows by passing vehicles etc.) and the speed limit is about 30mph. But it is so beautiful and unlikley you'll be plagued by crowds. Toilets are few and far in between as are water sources - so be prepared. A great place for camping, hiking or biking. If you bring enough water for camp-showers you can stay longer otherwise, if you are anything like me, three days is the limit. (It was windy and dusty when I went.)

Good Luck and hope you don't have an "Alaska Wilderness Experience:" translation: cold rainy weather and you on a bike with ten miles to go and a wet tent to set up on uneven ground.

I've lived in AK since 1954 growing up in Anchorage. I now live in the peaceful area called Matanuska Valley. Its great place to experience on your way to Denali. However, I think the best place to experience Alaska is Seldovia-across the bay from Homer on the Kenai. Hop on the Alaska ferry and within 45 minutes or so, you're in the most beautiful place on earth!! The Screaming Eaagle B&B is really great place to stay right on the harbor. Really good halibut fishin' too!