Alaskan trip with grandson
Jan 1st, 2007, 07:17 AM
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Alaskan trip with grandson
My husband and I are planning a trip to Alaska in mid June, taking our 12-year-old grandson and his mother. We only have a week or so and want to experience as much as possible. We are planning on flying to Juneau, taking Cruise West (Spirit of Alaska) for 4-night cruise, and then spending the rest of the week doing excursions from Juneau. Please help with comments and suggestions. Ellen
Jan 1st, 2007, 08:12 AM
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I'm sure this is a nice itinerary, but if it was my itinerary, I would fly to Anchorage, go to the Kenai Penninsula, visiting Homer for a day or two, possibly taking in a 1/2 day fishing excursion. I would then go and spend time in Seward. In Seward, you can take several different day cruises ranging from 2.5 hours to 8+ hours.
These are wonderful. The Sea Life Center is also a great place to go in Seward. I would also go to Exit Glacier and Portage Glacier.
These are wonderful. The Sea Life Center is also a great place to go in Seward. I would also go to Exit Glacier and Portage Glacier.
Jan 1st, 2007, 02:01 PM
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Thanks for the reply, egret! Both my husband and I thought that your itinerary sounded terrific! Perhaps we would get more of an Alaskan "experience" by spending more time on land and taking short cruises with a specific destination. Any suggestions about places to stay in Anchorage, Homer and Seward?
Jan 1st, 2007, 04:09 PM
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What is your price range for accommodations? Do you prefer to stay in B&Bs, hotels, lodges, small cabins?
From Homer take your grandson on bear watching trip with Emerald Air. This adventure is going to change your life and his and form a bond between three of you that could never be broken. I know, it happened to us. I second taking one cruise from Seward but another from Whittier to Price William Sound
From Homer take your grandson on bear watching trip with Emerald Air. This adventure is going to change your life and his and form a bond between three of you that could never be broken. I know, it happened to us. I second taking one cruise from Seward but another from Whittier to Price William Sound
Jan 1st, 2007, 05:19 PM
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Considering the fact that we were willing to pay for a cruise, we feel that we would like to have nice accomodations. B&Bs are more personal, but hotels/lodges would be excellent!
Thanks, z, for your input ....
Thanks, z, for your input ....
Jan 2nd, 2007, 04:59 AM
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hello sopersite, what a nice thing to do for your grandson and his mom. Here are my 2 cents. Instead of staying in very expensive lodging chose more moderate places (about $150 per night per room) and spend more $$ for activities your grandson and all of you are going to enjoy. Look at this way, with everything Alaska has to offer and with your limited time you won't have too much time to appreciate expensive accommodations. Often four people can stay comfortably in a very nice cabin with four people. For Homer check
www.cabinsinhomer.com
For Seward check Box Canyon Cabins
Spend money for:
Flighseeing to Denali from Talkeetna
Bear watching from Homer
Hiking on Matanuska Glacier
Dog sledding on a glacier from Girdwood
Ididaride tour in Seward
Halibut fishing from Homer
Salmon fishing
Cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park
26 glacier cruise from Whittier
Kayaking near Columbia Glacier if you get to Valdez but with only one week in Alaska you won't have time to include Valdez in your itinerary.
www.cabinsinhomer.com
For Seward check Box Canyon Cabins
Spend money for:
Flighseeing to Denali from Talkeetna
Bear watching from Homer
Hiking on Matanuska Glacier
Dog sledding on a glacier from Girdwood
Ididaride tour in Seward
Halibut fishing from Homer
Salmon fishing
Cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park
26 glacier cruise from Whittier
Kayaking near Columbia Glacier if you get to Valdez but with only one week in Alaska you won't have time to include Valdez in your itinerary.
Jan 2nd, 2007, 05:24 AM
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Any suggestions about places to stay in Anchorage, Homer and Seward?
In Homer, try Victorian Heights B&B <http://www.victorianheightsbedandbreakfast.com/>
(907) 235-6357. Their web site mentions that they are the only 3 diamond rated AAA accommodation in Homer.
We stayed there several years ago and found the food to be quite good, the rooms large and the view outstanding. I know you mentioned that you wanted "nice" accommodations and that you preferred hotels/lodges. Please be aware that Homer is a small town and there are limited selections available.
In Anchorage, summer hotel/motel rates are high, but here is a moderately priced alternative:
the Comfort Inn Ship Creek <http://tinyurl.com/y5ur5g> 111 Ship Creek Ave. , Anchorage, AK, 99501
Phone: (907) 277-6887
They also have a variety of discount programs listed on their web site.
In Homer, try Victorian Heights B&B <http://www.victorianheightsbedandbreakfast.com/>
(907) 235-6357. Their web site mentions that they are the only 3 diamond rated AAA accommodation in Homer.
We stayed there several years ago and found the food to be quite good, the rooms large and the view outstanding. I know you mentioned that you wanted "nice" accommodations and that you preferred hotels/lodges. Please be aware that Homer is a small town and there are limited selections available.
In Anchorage, summer hotel/motel rates are high, but here is a moderately priced alternative:
the Comfort Inn Ship Creek <http://tinyurl.com/y5ur5g> 111 Ship Creek Ave. , Anchorage, AK, 99501
Phone: (907) 277-6887
They also have a variety of discount programs listed on their web site.
Jan 3rd, 2007, 05:10 AM
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Consider a purchase of www.toursaver.com if interested in the above activites, can offer significant savings.
Jan 11th, 2007, 03:52 PM
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Thanks Pat2003!!! I am so sorry that I didn't respond sooner ... your suggestions are creative and we will definitely check them out. We are trying to consider just what memories a 12-year-old boy will carry with him throughout his life.
A challenge, for sure! Ellen
A challenge, for sure! Ellen
Jan 11th, 2007, 05:44 PM
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Absolutely do a bear viewing with Emerald Air out of Homer. it will stay with your grandson for the rest of his life.
If you really want to spend money on lodging, you could rent the two Angel's Rest oceanfront cabins: http://www.angelsrest.com/ We stayed in the Gatehouse and it was beyond stunning. Staying right on the black pebbled beach, watching the fog roll in, spying on the otters as they played in the bay ... we have talked about going back ever since.
If you really want to spend money on lodging, you could rent the two Angel's Rest oceanfront cabins: http://www.angelsrest.com/ We stayed in the Gatehouse and it was beyond stunning. Staying right on the black pebbled beach, watching the fog roll in, spying on the otters as they played in the bay ... we have talked about going back ever since.
Jan 11th, 2007, 07:04 PM
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Another place to stay on Lowell's Point is Alaska Salt Water Lodge - they have a website, you can just google it.
I'm just a BIG fan of Lowell's Point because you are right on Resurrection Bay. I think your grandson will love watching the wildlife right there, running around on the beach, etc.
I'm just a BIG fan of Lowell's Point because you are right on Resurrection Bay. I think your grandson will love watching the wildlife right there, running around on the beach, etc.
Jan 11th, 2007, 08:48 PM
#12
Dear sopersite:
We went to Alaska, the Kenai Pennisula in 2000 with our daughter, age 7 at the time. We stayed 2 nights in Seward and did a Kenai Fjords trip, visited Exit Glacier, and the Ididaride dog sleds. We loved it!! We then spent a week at a fishing lodge on the Kenai River. I caught a 58# King salmon and DH caught a 42# king and 40# halibut. Our daughter caught a variety of small fish. Needless to say, this was thrill. We also did a flight seeing trip over the Harding Ice Field; also spectacular.
I am sure any or all of the suggestions here would be great. Try to do as much as you can. If the timing is right, spend a day salmon fishing on the Kenai. The record for this river is over 100# for kings.
Good luck and have fun.
MY
We went to Alaska, the Kenai Pennisula in 2000 with our daughter, age 7 at the time. We stayed 2 nights in Seward and did a Kenai Fjords trip, visited Exit Glacier, and the Ididaride dog sleds. We loved it!! We then spent a week at a fishing lodge on the Kenai River. I caught a 58# King salmon and DH caught a 42# king and 40# halibut. Our daughter caught a variety of small fish. Needless to say, this was thrill. We also did a flight seeing trip over the Harding Ice Field; also spectacular.
I am sure any or all of the suggestions here would be great. Try to do as much as you can. If the timing is right, spend a day salmon fishing on the Kenai. The record for this river is over 100# for kings.
Good luck and have fun.
MY
Jan 12th, 2007, 08:56 AM
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actually, the sport fishing record is 97.25 ... big difference,huh 
the kenai's a nice option but it can be a zoo and king salmon can be hit or miss. A float trip down the upper kenai is more scenic and will put you onto smaller, but usually more plentiful fish, including dolly varden and rainbows (check the opening for rainbows). there's also a better chance of seeing moose and, at times, a bear or two. just a suggestion.
but as others have noted, timing is everything. the runs vary greatly.
halibut trips out of seward aren't as popular as homer but you've got a better chance at a variety of fish and a better chance of bumping into whales.
the kenai's a nice option but it can be a zoo and king salmon can be hit or miss. A float trip down the upper kenai is more scenic and will put you onto smaller, but usually more plentiful fish, including dolly varden and rainbows (check the opening for rainbows). there's also a better chance of seeing moose and, at times, a bear or two. just a suggestion.
but as others have noted, timing is everything. the runs vary greatly.
halibut trips out of seward aren't as popular as homer but you've got a better chance at a variety of fish and a better chance of bumping into whales.
Jan 12th, 2007, 04:29 PM
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I am having a hard time with this one.
6 years ago we did 21 days in a rented motorhome in South Central Alaska (Anchorage, Seward, Denali, Homer, etc.) and last May we did a Cruise West 7 day tour of the Inside Passage, on The Spirit of '98.
They are two completely different experiences.
I am going to say that if only have a week you may be frustrated going to South Central because of the things you will miss. On the other hand, the suggestions you already have are great. The problem is the distances between places you will want to go.
Our experiences with Cruise West and the Inside Passage were fabulous and they have the flexibility to get you into bays and passages where large ships cannot go. We had rangers kayak out to our boat to help us spot wildlife, we spent several hours watching a glacier "calve" and then they put us out in 10-passenger Zodiacs to get closer to wildlife. We saw a lot of breeching whales, and black and brown bears, and bald eagles. They supply binoculars, and there is a library on the ship and VCR tapes you can take to your cabin. The whole experience was wonderful
If you decide on Cruise West try to fly into Juneau a day or so early. (Cruise West uses the Goldbelt Hotel).
Go to the waterfront, near the library, and find the shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier...the $6 one, not the "tour" one. Go to the excellent visitor center there and spend as much time as you wish and take the shuttle back.
Go to www.traveljuneau.com and ask them to send you the "2007 Juneau Alaska Guide and Travel Planner".
My suggestion is to take the week you have and do the Cruise West trip.
Next year take more time and follow the suggestions for South Central.
6 years ago we did 21 days in a rented motorhome in South Central Alaska (Anchorage, Seward, Denali, Homer, etc.) and last May we did a Cruise West 7 day tour of the Inside Passage, on The Spirit of '98.
They are two completely different experiences.
I am going to say that if only have a week you may be frustrated going to South Central because of the things you will miss. On the other hand, the suggestions you already have are great. The problem is the distances between places you will want to go.
Our experiences with Cruise West and the Inside Passage were fabulous and they have the flexibility to get you into bays and passages where large ships cannot go. We had rangers kayak out to our boat to help us spot wildlife, we spent several hours watching a glacier "calve" and then they put us out in 10-passenger Zodiacs to get closer to wildlife. We saw a lot of breeching whales, and black and brown bears, and bald eagles. They supply binoculars, and there is a library on the ship and VCR tapes you can take to your cabin. The whole experience was wonderful
If you decide on Cruise West try to fly into Juneau a day or so early. (Cruise West uses the Goldbelt Hotel).
Go to the waterfront, near the library, and find the shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier...the $6 one, not the "tour" one. Go to the excellent visitor center there and spend as much time as you wish and take the shuttle back.
Go to www.traveljuneau.com and ask them to send you the "2007 Juneau Alaska Guide and Travel Planner".
My suggestion is to take the week you have and do the Cruise West trip.
Next year take more time and follow the suggestions for South Central.
Jan 18th, 2007, 06:19 AM
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Okay, we now have narrowed our week down to ... arriving in Juneau, spend a couple of days exploring, take the 3-day Cruise West, back to Juneau. We are planning to take the fast speed catamaran to Tracy Arm for one excursion. Any other suggestions? Also, what are some good places to stay in Juneau?
Jan 18th, 2007, 03:24 PM
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In Juneau Cruise West uses the Goldbelt Hotel, and they usually have a desk in the hotel, where you can get local information. It is just across the street from where their ships dock.
In addition to taking the $6 shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier, take the tram up Mt. Roberts.
A nice non-touristy place to eat lunch is the Capital Cafe in the Baranof Hotel at 127 N. Franklin Street. It is a block or so away from all the hustle and bustle. There is a blue building at the docks called "Merchants Wharf" which has restaurants and shops. One restaurant, "Costa's Kitchen" is fun for breakfast. No menu. You write on a sticky what you want to eat and she makes it for you and charges what she thinks it's worth. She also plays Patti Page records and sings along with them. (Strangly, the sign on the window says "Chilkat Cove Kitchen" <shrug>. Doc Water's Pub, in the same building is a good choice for dinner. the building used to be the "airport" for Juneau when only float planes could get there.
The State Museum of Alaska is interesting, as is the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. On the 8th floor of the State Office Buildihg there is an enormous stuffed bear in a case, a 100-year old totem pole and a large terrace with good views of Juneau.
Have a great tri[.
In addition to taking the $6 shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier, take the tram up Mt. Roberts.
A nice non-touristy place to eat lunch is the Capital Cafe in the Baranof Hotel at 127 N. Franklin Street. It is a block or so away from all the hustle and bustle. There is a blue building at the docks called "Merchants Wharf" which has restaurants and shops. One restaurant, "Costa's Kitchen" is fun for breakfast. No menu. You write on a sticky what you want to eat and she makes it for you and charges what she thinks it's worth. She also plays Patti Page records and sings along with them. (Strangly, the sign on the window says "Chilkat Cove Kitchen" <shrug>. Doc Water's Pub, in the same building is a good choice for dinner. the building used to be the "airport" for Juneau when only float planes could get there.
The State Museum of Alaska is interesting, as is the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. On the 8th floor of the State Office Buildihg there is an enormous stuffed bear in a case, a 100-year old totem pole and a large terrace with good views of Juneau.
Have a great tri[.
Jan 19th, 2007, 07:53 AM
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Thanks jtrandolph for all the suggestions. It seems that there is enough to do using Juneau as our base since we only have a week (including the 3-day cruise).
I love this forum ... great suggestions!
I love this forum ... great suggestions!
