we have returned from alaska. since the posts here were rather helpful in our planning, here are some of our notes and experience (family of 4, 2 adults, 2 children, ages 5, 8). We have spent 16 days in Alaska - half in the Kenai Peninsula and half in Wasilla as a base for exploring the area. In the Kenai Peninsula, we would defenitely recommend April's Cosy Cabins on West Mackey Lake in Soldotna. Lovely cabin, not expensive, on the lakeshore and lovely hosts. In Matanuska Glacier, a glacier hike with MICA guides is highly recommended and of great value. Other places that we cherish and recommend are Winner creek trail in Girdwood, Russian River, the wood carver on the Sterling Hwy (a little east of Soldotna), the views of the volcanos from Ninilchik, Halibut Cove, Exit Glacier. On the northern part - Byers Lake in the Denali State Park is a great and easy day hike with amazing views of Mckinley and the Matanuska Glacier.

Thanks for the info. I'd love to go to Alaska. My husband wants to do it on a cruise. Is it better to do it your way or his? I don't care, I just love to travel to interesting and scenic places.

Cruises really limit what you can see on land. If you take a cruise, make sure you leave or start from Whittier or Seward -- and then add a land portion on the end. You won't get a true taste of Alaska unless you can poke around away from the tourist ports.

I agree with repete, add a land tour.

Thanks for the trip report. We missed the woodcarver yet we spent a lot of time in that area last June. We talked with a net fisherman on Kasilhof beach and he gave us a salmon which we cooked up for dinner.
I loved Skagway but it is a cruise boat stop. We arrived by ferry which was dwarfed by 2 huge cruise boats. Main street was mobbed with shoppers but we didn't have any trouble finding a quiet restaurant for dinner because everyone returned to their ships around 5pm. I think watching the homesteading video at the Pratt Museum in Homer was thought provoking. My parents were starting married life in a Boston suburb while this family was homesteading in Homer. What a difference! I overheard another visitor say he almost moved to Alaska in the 60s but settled someplace else instead. It was fun to speak with people about why they moved to Alaska. I'm not sure how many Alaskans you would meet if you did a cruise only trip.

I disagree- a cruise is an EXCELLENT way to see wonderful varied Inside Passage ports. Cruise ship schedules max out the scenic sailing and port visits. Very econimical for 7 days with transportation , food and lodging all in one. If you have at least 2 weeks then the one way cruises offer even more, and I give a big edge to Seward over Whittier. I am no fan of cruisetours- extremely costly for what little you get. Also look at going on your own, extremely simple to plan.

Just curious how the kids did...would you recommend it for younger kids?

Lisa

sure, no disagreement, a cruise is an excellent way to see ports. but there is a lot more to AK than ports.

and there's alot more to AK than the inside passage.

lisabees, the kids did great. However, we've had 2 weeks of sinshine and no rain at all, and only 2 rainy days at the end. There are plenty of easy yet beautiful day-hikes that can easily fill a week. The hand tram over the Winner Creek Gorge was great. Seeing a mother moose with 2 calves on the Sterling Hwy, Otters on Kachemak Bay, and the jumping salmons over the Russian River Falls are great expeiences for the kids and for us as well.And there is canoeing, sled dog ride (there is a short 5$ demo in Wasilla, if it's enough for you) and much more. We have prepared them so they knew basically what to expect, in terms of wildlife, scenery. We have always found that traveling with kids (and we've been doing it since babies) is much easier for the whole group if you settle down in one place for a week rather then moving from place to place every day or two. In this line of thinking, Soldotna seems to be a good base for a week. On the other hand,we always try to avoid long/full day organized tours. Thus, we did not even try to see Denali National Park, since it was obvious for us that a whole day bus ride might be too big a challange. So we did the State Park instead - didn't see wildlife, but had great views of McKinley, and Byers Lake is amazingly beautiful (it was warm enough for a short swim...) and were almost alone in the whole area. We also decided not to do a whole day boat trip from Seward, but instead took a private boat tour from homer an a small boat (only the 4 of us and the captain) in Kachemak Bay. We saw atters, seals, lots of birds and Halibut Cove. Probably less wildlife than the other tours, but it was 2.5 hours, great scenery and the feeling of a private boat rather than a big one. Ofcourse we could apprach the animals much closer. As for younger kids - it depends, and I guess every parent knows his children best. We were in New Zealand when they were 5.5 and 3 and they did well and at least our older daughter has clear memories.Bottom line, if you are a nature loving family, Alaska is a great destination.

My opinion only but I would consider kids need to be about 8 and up to fully enjoy Alaska. As mentioned above- there were limitations and the avoidance of some touring. Hopefully you will have many return trips- but frankly this isn't always the case. Also - again my experience only based on 18 trips- Alaska is a place best seen on the move. I would never consider a week in Soldotna for the lack of enough to do there compared to the many other areas ( I have been there many times)- and always make a stop at the Harley shop for updated t shirts. Determine what is best for your group and go with and be REALISTIC about the limitations. I have to give the above poster a BIG heads up for being so. Excellent planning.