Help/advice on family trip to Alaska
 

Hello,

We are planning our first trip to Alaska end of May/early June 2011. We will be travelling with our two young kids (4 and 9) and this is what we have so far as a rough itenary. Please advice/offer any suggestions.

We like to drive around scenic highways.
We like quieter picturesque towns compared to big cities
We are looking at about 7 nights to spend there.
We would love to take in the scenic Alaska, glaciers, maybe dog sled etc

May 29th - stay the night in Anchorage (our flight gets in at 1:30pm)
May 30th - take the train to Denali (or drive ?)
May 30th, 31st nights stay in Denali
May 31st - take the short bus tour within Denali park (4.5hrs)
June 1st leave for Homer (or Seward) - what is the best way ?
June 1st stay night in Homer
June 2nd take the Danny J cruise to Halibut cove
June 3rd drive to Seward
June 3rd, 4th stay in Seward
June 4th take the Kenai fjord cruise
June 5th drive to Anchorage (via Girdwood?)
June 5th stay the night in Anchorage close to airport
June 6th 7am flying out.

Is the above too much to do with kids in tow ? Please feel free to offer suggestions to change the internary. Also, recommendations on nice cabins/B&Bs/hotels to stay would be much appreciated too. Thank you in advance ....

With only 7 days (excluding arrival & departure days), I recommend skipping Denali entirely and focusing on the Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage. To go to Denali only for the short 4.5 hour tour seems a bit of a waste, and the longer tours are not offered when you are traveling (and not necessarily recommended with a 4 year old). Homer, Seward, and Anchorage offer plenty to do to fill up 7 days.

On June 1st, if you plan to drive from Denali to Homer, keep in mind that the distance is approximately 470 miles over narrow, country roads- not interstate highways. You'll never make it in one day (unless you drive like a demon, and, how much fun would that be?). In fact, your whole itinerary looks far too ambitious for seven days & nights. Something needs to be cut or more time added to your trip. Specifically, I'd cut the side trip to Denali or the Kenai Peninsula. Alternatively, you could add another 4-6 days.


_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Thanks for the quick responses. We are seriously considering dropping Denali .. :-( . Would you have any recommendations on places to stay in Seward and Homer ?

Homer: Victorian Heights bed and Breakfast http://www.victorianheightsbedandbreakfast.com

Seward: Seward Military Resort http://www.sewardresort.com
Must be active/reserve/retired military to qualify.
If not, I'd check Tripadvisor.com for reviews.

_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

We did a similar trip to yours but limited ourselves to Kenai area and really enjoyed it. We enjoyed Alyeska on our day/night down. It is about halfway between Anchorage and Seward. We took the train back on our return to Anchorage. We did drive over to Soldotna and do a fly-out fishing trip. We stayed at Van Gilder in Seward. I WOULD NOT stay there again. Old musty yucky. I like old historic lodges, but I didn't care for this place. One bed was a pull down from the wall. It was homemade and made out of wood. My daughter slept on it. I think she would have been about the same had she slept on the floor.

Seward:
- Holiday Inn Express (relatively new, clean, and well located to the Kenai Fjords Cruise)
- Best Western Hotel Edgewater (close to SeaLife Center)

Homer:
- Alaskan Suites (magnificent modern cabins overlooking Kachemak Bay; relatively expensive, but worth it in my view)

We visit Seward at least every year; in 2010 we were there in late May/early June and then again over Labor Day. I highly recommend staying in Seward versus Homer. The Seward area has a lot of cabins available for rent - they range from rustic to luxurious. We have stayed at and recommend staying at the following: Downtown Seward Cottage (VRBO#157896 www.vrbo.com/157896), Box Canyon Cabins (www.boxcanyoncabin.com), Camelot Cabins, Teddy's Inn the Woods, and the Spruce Moose (in Moose Pass).

In 2010, we stayed at Box Canyon Cabins in a two bedroom/one bathroom cabin; the cabin had a full kitchen, living area with television, and a quiet location. WiFi and laundry facilities are available.

Earlier this month we stayed at the Downtown Seward Cottage. It has two bedrooms and a sleeping nook, two bathrooms, free WiFi, three televisions, full kitchen, dining room, and living room with sleeper sofa. It is located within a few blocks of the Seward Library.

Teddy's Inn the Woods is between Seward and Moose Pass. The chalet has one bedroom and one bathroom; beds are available in the living room. It has a full kitchen. The best part of the chalet is the amazing view. Breakfast is included in the rate.

The Spruce Moose is located in Moose Pass. It has two chalets that sleep eight people each.

You may want to check the Seward Visitor's Center webpage; they list all types and prices of accomodations.

Thank you so much for suggestions on places to stay in Seward. The Spruce Moose Chalet (Stellar Jay) sounds very nice and will check out the others as well.