Please allow me to cheat a bit and ask a couple of questions. I know I would usually do a huge search and research..
but I'm thinking waaayyy ahead of myself.
I already have 4 trips to research for 2008...
SO for 2009, I really just need to block some time and leave the research til much later.
I have new friends who have told me I MUST add Alaska to my travel plans.
What is the best time to visit? FOr how long? Would 2 weeks be enough to enjoy a good vacation? or would we just be scratching the surface?

Thanks for any advice.

I was told June is the best for cruises, for land travel - don't know.

Do you know what activities you are interested in while in Alaska? Different things are best at different times.

We've gone up in Feb and March and April for winter photography, June and July for certain things (nesting seabirds, etc), and late August thru mid-September for Katmai (bears) and Denali (wildlife and scenery) ... for just a general tourist trip June - August works for the majority of people.

Late May to early June is a wonderful time. We went in late May and the weather was perfect.
Two weeks is enough time. As wonderful as it is, you'll be ready to go home by then. You will love Alaska.

We went over the fourth of July week in 2005 and the temperature was just right for us. It only rained one day and we rented vespas anyway. I had packed a couple of the million ponchos we have with a mickey mouse on them (church youth trips to Disney's Night of Joy Christian concerts and it always rained). I got the feeling some people were looking at us as we rode by and thinking, "wrong vacation!"

I have been told it's still cool in May. We wore light sweaters and jackets in the evening in July. I wouldn't go earlier than May, certainly. Kodi, I dragged my feet about going to Alaska and only went because it was my in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary celebration, but it was a wonderful trip and I absolutely loved Alaska. I think you should go

Oh it all sounds so wonderful already. I don't dare get into the planning yet!! We want to take in all the beautiful scenery, and it would be a real bonus to see wildlife.
Sounds like July or August will be good.
Are the mosquitos bad in May and June?

Thanks so much for the information. I can , at least, start dreaming about it.

Hey Kodi! Keep up with the exercising so you can enjoy some hiking. That's why I joined Curves prior to a visit in 2004. On that visit we took 3 weeks to coincide with a special event on Father's Day weekend and ending just after the 4th of July. There's a great parade in Kenai (next to Soldotna) and I would love to go to the Forest Fair in Girdwood again, great craftspeople and food vendors. 3 weeks was a little long except for the fact that our weekends were too busy. On the middle weekend we did a package overnight at the Boardwalk hotel in Seldovia - boat over and fly back. Late June expect to see mother moose and their calves. Mosquitos have never bother us but on Father's Day weekend the people we knew who were camping out said they were terrible. During the day I didn't notice them at all but it was in the 70s, maybe not the usual AK weather for late June. Didn't notice many when we hiked but I noticed some salmon fishermen wearing headnets. If you plan on fishing for salmon, they are in different rivers/places at different times. In mid-June they hadn't quite started in the Russian River (between Seward and Soldotna) but it was obvious when the run started because traffic was much heavier on the Seward highway and the area of the Russian River ferry was packed with cars and trucks. Fun to watch for awhile even if you don't fish. When we visited in early August the silvers were running in Bird Creek which goes under the Seward hwy.
Two weeks is a good amount of time. There's been a lot of suggested 10 day itineraries posted on Fodors. I think where and when you go depends on your interests. The scenery is gorgeous in a lot of places but I think there is a greater concentration of great scenery and things to do between Palmer/Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula (Seward/Homer etc.) Keep in mind if you would like to use the ferry system to get between places, you might need to make reservations way in advance if you have a vehicle. The biggest question might be whether to cruise the Inside Passage for one week and do land tour for the second week. Have fun researching!

Hey dfnh, good to 'see' you.
Thanks so much for the detailed response.
Sounds like anytime in summer would be ok. WE'd have the longest daylight in June.
We've talked about a cruise, but have decided we don't want to do that this trip. We want to fly up, rent a car and enjoy all we can.
The area you suggest sounds wonderful.
Seeing moose with young ones would be such a bonus.
When we were in Newfoundland, we were told not to drive at dusk, for fear of hitting a moose. We went out LOOKING for them and never saw one. Maybe in Alaska.

I'll have to get back on track with Curves. I've hit a bit of a slump!!

We traveled on our own this past July. Traveled by car to Anchorage, Seward, Denali, etc. Weather was great, 48-68 degrees. No lines or crowds, no mosquitos, no busy roads, long days of sunlight, beautiful!!! You're going to love it.

Have fun!
Kristine

Perfect for us this past summer- last of June 1st of July. We saw plenty of wildlife. Falls colors would be great in early Sept. But it rains more then. Mosquitos are in spots bad. Just bring bug repellent. Bears are much scarier. Do not hike unless in a group and I would buy bear spray. Alaska ranks very high on our list of favorite trips. We look forward to going in the winter sometime to see the northern lights. The only things we didn't like in alaska was the fact that the sun never goes down. Just make sure you have good shades on windows.

What is it about people wanting to go to Alaska? It is freezing there.

PGH

Yeah it is freezing in the winter. However, June-Sept is normally cool. We wore short sleeve shirts for the most part while there. Alaska is one of the best trips you will ever take.

What is it about people wanting to go to Alaska?

pgh1974- We hiked a trail near the Mendenhall Glacier in August on a perfect summer's day, wearing shorts and tshirts. Clean, vast, unspoiled, sunshine and blue skies, fresh mountain air, bald eagles...

one of my fondest travel memories of all time.

Bloom

Mid-June to early Sept. but if you want to see bears fishing for salmon in Brooks Falls then July or not too late into Sept. You can see bears other places throughout the summer.

Two weeks is good. Longer is better.

You can get some good boat action taking a one-day trip out of Seward in Resurrection Bay. Just a day, not a whole cruise.

I like planning a year or two in advance also.