We will be in Anchorage Sept. 24th for a few days but find a lot of activities are closed for the year. We want to see scenery and wild life. Any suggestions? Won't have a car but can rent but would prefer organised day trips. Thank you.

My family spent the last two weeks of September 2000 in Anchorage and drove to Seward for the six hour Kenai Fjords cruise, on which we saw killer whales (orcas), Dall porpoises, Dall sheep, mountain goats, one bear, sea lions, bald eagles, otters, and a glacier. It was spectacular. There is also a train to Seward from Anchorage, so you don;t have to drive. We also hiked up to Exit Glacier in Seward.

In Cooper Landing, we fished on the Kenai River with the Kenai Cache fishing guides, which was great. We also made the drive along Turnagain Arm a few times and often saw Dall sheep and beluga whales along there.

You can also visit Portage Glacier, which has a nice visitors center. Also, there is a viewing platform just before the visitors center where you can watch spawning salmon. (Be warned, they die after they spawn and the smell is quite strong)

In the opposite direction, north of Anchorage, we hiked at Eagle River Park. Also rode bikes on the Coastal Trail in Anchorage. We saw several moose while in Anchorage.

Yes, a few things were closed, but we didn't miss them!

Postal,

Which Kenai cruise company did you use?

About how much did you pay for the fishing trip?

Thanks,

Yes, I would like to know which Kenai cruise company you used. Also, I think the trains stop running Sept. 15th Thank you for your reply.

We went on the six hour Kenai Fjords trip (that's the name of the company as well as the park: Kenai Fjords). The boat was crowded but still comfortable and fun.

The train was still running but we had a rental car and drove from Anchorage to Homer, where we spent two nights, to Cooper Landing, for two nights, Seward for two nights and then back to Anchorage for six nights.

I don't remember the cost of the fishing but I'm going to guess at $100 or so for each of us. We caught a lot of rainbow trout (which are catch and release) on the Kenai River and my son caught a silver salmon when we were in Homer.

Thanks Postal.

I haven't seen you on this forum before. Glad you are here. You've been very generous with info.

Connie

thank you for all your advice. Pip