astein12

We have a group of 12 (ranging in age from 10 to 70) that will be in Anchorage in late-June for one full day prior to starting an Alaska land/cruise trip. Looking for suggestions as to how to spend the day.

We're all pretty outdoorsy and won't be getting back to Anchorage at any point during our vacation. We've thought about hiring a guide with a van, but open to any ideas!

mamabearUK

We hired a bike in Anchorage and cycled the Tony Knowles coastal path accessed from around the corner from the bikeshop (who provide maps)....it's around a 10 mile round trip of easy flat cycling and takes you past mud flats with lots of birds and through woods at the end of Anchorage airport where we had two very close encounters with Moose (the only ones we saw on a two week trip) that tend to congregate there!

astein12

Thanks... that might work for at least a large part of the group...

sdpryde

I'd get transportation for at least a portion of the travelers and:

- Head up to the Glen Alps trailhead (see: http://goo.gl/maps/vfOYC) for great views of ANC, the arms,and surrounding mountains. There's some nice hikes up there and the chance of seeing wildlife ($5 parking if stay is over 30 minutes).
- Go to the Alaska Native Medical Center to see the best display of AK Native arts/crafts. Free to the public during normal visiting hours. Take the hospital's main elevator to the 5th floor; walk down the stairs stopping at each landing. (see: http://goo.gl/maps/cthr7).
- Drive south to the Girdwood/Portage/Whittier area for a bunch of great, economical AK activities (see: http://goo.gl/dPvuEJ ).

jetset1

The Anchorage Museum is a good choice also, in the heart of downtown.

The Moose's Tooth restaurant has amazing pizza, wine and beer selections. The Snow Goose restaurant as a great deck and view.

Are you departing out of Whittier or Seward? A hike up to Flattop isn't overly challenging, if you are in good hiking shape.

Summers have been warmer than usual. Your days will be long, with daylight until late evening. I hope it's a fun trip for your group.

astein12

Thanks for the suggestions... we're actually departing out of Skagway (to Vancouver).

My wife and I have actually been in Anchorage previously (we did two weeks on land (Anc to Denali (via Talkeetna) to Fairbanks to Valdez to Seward to Homer and back to Anc)) However, we only spent half a day in town before a late night flight. We did go to Moose's Tooth for pizza and then just wandered the U of A campus and watched a hockey practice.

Thanks again!

sdpryde

Skagway to Vancouver....
- What cruise is this? Do you have a link to the itinerary?

tks

sdpryde

Also...
How are you getting from Anchorage to Skagway?

This could prove to be an interesting itinerary to other travelers.

astein12

I'll have to pull the exact itinerary... but it's Holland America and we are doing a land trip thru Denali, Fairbanks and the Yukon prior to the cruise.