writerhenn

Going to a wedding celebration in late August and will be staying in Girdwood. Have a couple of days on either side to explore the area before taking cruise from Whittier to Vancouver. Because of the schedule (Wed arrival/Sat reception) Denali doesn't appear to be an option, so we're looking for other "day trips" since we'll be housed in Girdwood.

On a previous visit (Granny's been there before), Talkeetna and Homer were keepers, along with Portage Glacier. Since we'll be doing the Inside Passage we'll probably stay away from extended glacier tours, saving them for later. Two couples (parents/granny) and one 13-year old. Any ideas appreciated...also heads-ups on what to expect on cruise would be helpful for first timers! We'll be stopping at the usual places -- Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau.

We've got plenty of time, so we'll try to weigh all options! Thanks for the help. Fodorites give the best advice!

P.S. Also have one day in Vancouver.

Gardyloo

It's not especially "extended" but the 26 Glacier tour out of Whittier is pretty worthwhile (half a day.) However it's possible your cruise might start with a trip up College Fjord, which covers some of the same territory.

Starting in Whittier, though, you'll miss Resurrection Bay and the area around Seward, so a one-day or half-day tour of Kenai Fjords NP out of Seward would be a good suggestion - around an hour and a half drive from Girdwood to Seward. Stop in Hope (Kenai peninsula north shore) en route to/from.

Don't know if fishing interests anyone in your party, but late August can be great for Silvers in many rivers in southcentral - Kenai, Skilak Lake, some inlets around Portage Flats...

Might be a little pricey, but do consider a flightseeing trip out of Lake Hood in Anchorage - late August can be a fine time to get up.

As for the cruise, you might head to the Alaska forum at Cruise Critic - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55 for lots of company.

writerhenn

Gardyloo...Thanks for the input, especially on Kenai Fjords...that's one that is on the possible agenda...also flightseeing if we can work it in budget....don't think we'll get into fishing.

CarolM

I'll be doing two tours with Alpine Air Alaska (they're right there in Girdwood)... i'll be there in a few days and will report back after I'm home. they offer various helicopter flightseeing trips (we're doing a 60 min. trip with a glacier landing) as well as glacier dog sledding.

writerhenn

CarolM...

Will look forward to your reports on tours out of Girdwood. The wedding party lives there, so we should have good "local" input, but sometimes reports from "outsiders" are more pertinent to other travelers. Thanks in advance.

Patriot_Express

I know of two companies in Anchorage that service Girdwood with day hikes, and travel to Seward (since you are departing from Whittier, try Seward for a day)or anywhere of interest.

AK Salmonberry Tours http://www.salmonberrytours.com/
Alaskan Expedition http://www.myalaskahike.com/

bdawk

Side trip to Seward would be nice. You can stop along the way and see Exit Glacier, short walk, ok for grandparents. While in Seward, visit the Alaska SeaLife Center and have lunch at Ray's Waterfront restaurant. Also right outside of Girdwood on the Seward highway is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. AWCC provides visitors with the opportunity to view Alaskan wildlife up close. Plus they have the cheapest Alaskan souvenirs and the proceeds go back to the animal's rehabilitation.

writerhenn

Thanks again for the info...remember the AWCC from previous trip.

CarolM

writerhenn, just back from Girdwood -- what a fantastic place! The highlight of our trip to Alaska was the two tours we did out of Girdwood, with Alpine Air Alaska. We did the one-hour helicopter flightseeing tour (spectacular!) and then we also did the glacier dog sledding. I'll be honest and say these were both pretty expensive tours, but DEFINITELY worth it! I'll never forget that day! And the folks at Alpine Air were wonderful, friendly, organized.

Also, great casual food at the Bake Shop... and friendly locals. Wish we had more time in Girdwood... I envy you!

writerhenn

CarolM...thanks so much, been looking forward to your review. We've been considering a tour out of Talkeetna, but our Girdwood locals say its available there too, so that might be the game plan. Just curious, how long were the tours, what was the cost -- and were you able to do a landing on the flightseeing tour? or only with the dogsledding?

CarolM

Sorry for the delay writerhenn... we took the 1-hour helicopter flightseeing tour... there are other options. you can check out their website:

www.alpineairalaska.com

yes, the one-hour tour also includes a landing. when you go to that website, click on "flightseeing" and you can see all the options and prices. yes, it's expensive... but SO worth it if you can afford to do it!

westtexas

take a drive to independence mine/hatcher pass. its beautiful, with several places to stop and get out. the mine offers guided tours on some days. but the self tour is good too

writerhenn

Thanks for the added info....Hatcher Pass is a new entry...wil look into it, thanks westtexax...CarolM...Am also checking Talkeetna Air...they have a coupon in the Toursaver, which would help....it's a long drive,but we've been to Talkeetna before and found it kind of interesting....anyhow, we're just going to keep on plotting! (Til we start driving ourself crazy and just finalize an itineray)...