Hi!

My family of 4, to include teenage boys, are going to AK 7/12-7/25. We will be going to the following towns:

Anchorage
Seward
Talkeetna
Denali
Fairbanks

We would like to include the following excursions:
salmon fishing
whale watching
hiking


Of the places we are going, where would you suggest is the best place to do some of these?

We know we will do a helicopter in Talkeeetna, but the rest is pretty open. Open to any other suggestions as well.

Thanks!

Let me ask a couple of questions. First, are you renting a car or RV for this trip? Second, can I assume the dates are fixed and that you've already made air arrangements? (From where, by the way?) Third, have you made hotel/lodging arrangements, and for how many nights in the various places? And fourth, presumably you're aware of the park road closure in Denali NP, so what are your plans for the Denali area?

Now, as to specifics. To be honest, mid-July is not the best time for salmon fishing. Ordinarily it would be an okay time for king salmon fishing in the Cook Inlet drainage, including Cook Inlet saltwater, but this year the Cook Inlet king salmon fishery has been closed due to diminishing stocks. It's probably too early for any freshwater fishing for silver salmon, but I think a long-ish stay in Seward could possibly satisfy both your whale watching and fishing needs, as there might be some early silvers in Resurrection Bay, and of course a cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park will likely give you plenty of whales or other marine mammals to see.

Personal preference, but given the limitations of access into the interior of Denali, I might be tempted to drop Denali and Fairbanks (Talkeetna too) and reassign those days to the Kenai Peninsula. (You could still do a flying tour of Denali, including a glacier landing, from operators in Anchorage.) You could go freshwater fishing (rainbow trout, Dolly Varden char, maybe some late red salmon) on the Kenai River, or halibut fishing out of Homer. There are hiking options galore around Seward and Homer, or you could cross Kachemak Bay to Seldovia and/or Halibut Cove for stunning scenery and more fishing/hiking options.

The reason I asked about your flying plans is that you might give some consideration to stopping in SE Alaska on the way to or from Anchorage. The options for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, whales... are numerous from bases like Juneau, Sitka or Haines. This might require modifications to your plans, but it might be worth some research; the additional airfare might be balanced by a reduction in car rental expense in (very expensive) Anchorage. Just a thought.

Anchorage to Talkeetna with a detour to Independence Mine is about 3 hours not including hiking and visiting the mine buildings. I think the distance from mine to “civilization” is a good perspective on the remoteness even today nevermind back then. https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/...istorical-park

The longest boat trip with Major Marine out of Seward was great. Close enough to a whale to smell whale breath.

There is so much to see and do between Anchorage and Seward, I think the Kenai Penninsula is a good choice. It's a long a somewhat boring drive from Anchorage to Talkeetna even if it's clear enough to see Mt. McKinley. Balance number of activities you can do during your visit. Homer is a unique town. Don't miss it.

Discover Riverboat tour in Fairbanks.
U of Alaska Museum in Fairbanks

If you don't like the options at Seward, check out Homer and other ports on the Kenai Penninsula. Reserve your bus tour from the entrance to Denali to the turn around spot. They are still working on repairing the road where the landslide was. It will be late next year before you can get to the Eilson Visitor Center.
In Fairbanks, also visit the Pioneer Park. Next to the park is a great salmon bake place. North of town you can visit a small park where you can stand under the Alaska Pipeline.