Do I want more time in Homer?
 

Please comment on my itinerary for a 3-week Alaska trip. The first week will be a cruise ending in Seward. During the cruise we'll take a variety of excursions. In Seward we'll take an all-day boat trip in Kenai Fjords National Park and stay the night. Here's the tentative itinerary after that:

Monday, drive to Homer. Rest of day and overnight in Homer.

Tuesday, Homer and Halibut Cove. Overnight Homer.

Wednesday, either another full day and night in Homer, or else in the afternoon drive back up Sterling Highway and overnight somewhere (Soldotna, Cooper Landing, and Hope are possibilities).

Thursday, visit Hope, Begich-Boggs Visitor Center, and Girdwood, spending time in Turnagain Arm area before reaching Anchorage in evening. Overnight in Anchorage.

Friday in Anchorage—walk around town, Alaska Native Heritage Center, coastal trail. Overnight in Anchorage.

Saturday, drive to Talkeetna for lunch, back on road at 2 pm, arrive Denali Visitors Center at 4:30 to get oriented. Overnight in Denali area.

Sunday, Denali National Park and overnight.

Monday, Denali National Park or hiking elsewhere. Overnight.

Tuesday, drive to Fairbanks (arrive early afternoon), rest of day in Fairbanks. Riverboat? Overnight Fairbanks.

Wednesday, Fairbanks or Chena Hot Springs? Overnight Fairbanks.

Thursday, fly home.

We are a couple in mid-50s, enjoy walking, photography, have never been to Alaska. Not into fishing. All suggestions welcome!

I was in Homer for 4 days, in June, several years ago.

If you take a Halibut fishing boat, only do it for 1/2 day. Whole day is ridiculous.

If you rent a house, stay there and relax for one day. The rental where we were was right on the water. Bear and other animals were around.

Relax in Homer if you can.

I think your itinerary looks good.

We enjoyed Halibut Cove. Left in the morning--had lunch there--and returned toward the end of the afternoon. A very relaxing day!

Consider going to the Art/Historical Museum in Anchorage--we did that and the Native Heritage Center both on the same day. It is a very nicely done museum. We also biked the coastal trail. A very easy--and scenic bike ride.

You might want to consider adding a day in Seward to go to Exit Glacier--and maybe hike all or part of the trail to Harding Ice Field. It was a highlight of our trip. Wildflowers, black bears, mountain goats. Just beautiful!

Hope is very tiny. Although interesting I would not stay overnight but rather fit in some time at Independence Mine near Wasilla, north of Anchorage. Soldotna/Kenai area is a good stopping place for lunch but not sure if you would enjoy an overnight. It looks more like lower 48 suburbia with a small mall, shopping strips, etc. You have a chance of seeing moose even in backyards but it doesn't have the amazing scenery you will see in other parts of Alaska. The Kenai Visitors center has an interesting display. I enjoyed the saturday Market in downtown Anchorage - combination of fresh vegetables, crafts, food vendors. See their website.

Thanks for your input. Caligirl56, we will consider staying in Seward another day. In Anchorage, I assume it will be easy to find bike rentals?

Roslair, we plan to stay in a cabin or B&B (where did you stay?) in Homer, but you think two nights in Homer is sufficient or should I plan 3? Will spend one day doing the ferry-lunch thing in Halibut Cove. As for location of Homer lodging, do I want to be on the Spit, in town, on a bluff overlooking sea, or elsewhere? As for halibut fishing -- not to worry, I have no intention of going fishing.

dfrostnh, thanks for the opinion on Hope and Soldotna--that helps clarify my plans.

Despite the subject of my message, I'm also interested in input on the Denali and Fairbanks part of the trip.

Lorraine,

While in Anchorage, we were staying at the Captain Cook--and there was a bike rental place just a couple of blocks from us. Right by the trail. I'm sure there's other places as well.

We stayed 2 nights in Homer--at the Alaskan Suites (on a bluff above Homer). Two nights was enough for us. But it was toward the end of our trip. We had already kayaked in Blackstone Bay near Whittier (one of our highlights)--I hear there is some good kayaking in the Homer area as well. You might want to add a night if you plan to do that. Or you could add a day and fly to visit the bears in Katmai.

Alaskan Suites was very enjoyable. Nice hot tub. Each unit had its own barbecue. Very nice. But, I think there are also some good B and B's in town. Others can help you with that!

It takes more like 3 1/2 hours from Talkeetna to Denali Park, 150 miles. The Talkeetna Spur Road is a speed trap, great revenue source. :)

I suggest you do more homework and determine WHAT activities you are looking to occupy your time in Homer?? Same with every other area, then decide your timeframe.

You have enough time for an excellent vacation. :)

As for Anchorage, bike rental venders change frequently, but just park in the garage and walk over by the Coastal Trailhead. A vender is set up near there. OR consider the Alaska Walkabout B&B, I've stayed here many times, just excellent,and free bikes. :)

BudgetQueen, everyone planning an Alaska trip is grateful for the time you spend on this forum.

This is the first 3-week trip we've planned, and I fear getting weary toward the end. We'll have had a lot of experiences our first week on the cruise, so we're not sure what we'll be interested in doing while in Homer or elsewhere, except absorb the vastness.

Thanks for the warning about the distances and speed trap. I'll write again when itinerary is more complete.