from_nyc

Have two weeks in Alaska in mid-June. 4 friends, very active, late 20s. Only definites of trip are that we are starting in Juneau, will have a car, Summer Solstice in Fairbanks, and a couple days in Denali. Since we will have a lot of driving to do from Juneau to Fairbanks, we are thinking about skipping Anchorage. Anything major we'll miss that can't be experienced between the Inside Passage and the Interior?

Rob

You can't drive from Juneau to interior Alaska. - there are no roads. You can drive from Haines or Skagway to the interior. The only way out of Juneau is by ferry.

z

The best and most scenic part of Alaska is South of Denali National Park.
Is this one way trip? How are you getting from Juneau to....?
From Denali where are you going? Back to Juneau or Fairbanks? I suggest you do search here under Kenai Peninsula, Seward, Anchorage, Valdez.

z

You need a map of Alaska to get oriented in regards to your route.

from_nyc

To clarify...I am quite familiar with the map of Alaska. The vastness is what prompted my question. I am aware of the 4 1/2 hour ferry ride we will need to take to get from Juneau to Haines before driving up to Fairbanks.

Will be flying into Juneau to meet "the car," and can fly out of either Anchorage or Fairbanks.

Thanks for any advice.

PaulRabe

Now that you've clarified your plans, let me try to answer the question you asked.

My advice is to skip Anchorage, but NOT the Kenai Peninsula. Homer, Kenai Fjords NP, Seward, etc. are all wonderful places to visit; the area is often called "Alaska in Miniature." Anchorage is simply a middle-sized American town in which you buy your stuff at (relatively) lower prices and arrange to visit other places. I spent four days there; I wouldn't recommend more than one.

ChristieP

I had the pleasure of spending a month in Anchorage on a business trip in 2002, and it is a really neat city. If for no other reason, the shopping and resturants are worth a day's visit! At least fly out of ANC and spend a few hours shopping in downtown!

Yes, Seward and the Kenai are gorgeous, too. Definitely make them part of your trip!

bmillersc

I think the museum in town (Anchorage Museum of History and Art) is worth a couple of hours, if for nothing else, the history of Alaska and some fine native artwork.

Gardyloo

Sounds like you've arranged a one-way car rental - congratulations.

To be somewhat blunt, if you're going to be in Fairbanks on the solstice, enjoy yourselves, go to the midnight sun baseball game, then consider leaving for Denali. Like on the 22nd. Then go to Anchorage for two or three days - visit the Native Heritage Center, buy souvenirs at the Native Hospital shop, do laundry, eat good food.

Then head south to Prince William Sound - maybe take the ferry from Whittier to Valdez, or at least go on a Kenai Fjords tour from Seward or the "26 Glacier" cruise out of Whittier. Prince William sound is a very different marine environment from Southeast - tidewater glaciers, more wildlife, different flora - and shouldn't be missed in any tour of the state. Fly home from Anchorage.

I'm prepared to wager that you'll wish you'd spent more time in Southcentral Alaska than in the Interior.

Connie

I agree. North of Anchorage isn't all that scenic except if you happen to see McKinley out from under the clouds.

If you do a search here, you'll see a general consensus that the Kenai Peninsula is most people's favorite area.

z

Thank you people you gave us some nice ideas but we still want to go to fairbanks and Denali. Why do you all think that everyone should visit seaward. Must be crowded there. Thanks again

dfrostnh

We chose to depart the ferry in Skagway instead of Haines because the reservation agent told me she thought it was a prettier drive leaving town. Without consulting a map, I'm not sure if the Haines route passes Lake Kluane. The old burn area covered with acres of fireweed was also an impressive sight (but fireweed blooms late July). Skagway's gold rush history is fascinating.
In Anchorage the ground shift from the 1960s earthquake is startling. Anchorage has two other airports in addition to the international airport. Bush planes at one and numerous float planes on Lake Hood. Small planes are an integral part of life for many. The drive from Anchorage south along the Turnagain Arm is probably one of the prettiest in the US.
The Summer Solstice in Fairbanks sounds like fun. The distance is great between there and Seward. It sounds like you best stick to your original plans and save the south central for another trip. Seward was not as crowded as Skagway since Skagway is visited by several cruise ships each day. The streets were deserted by late afternoon however.