Hi all, still trying to get this trip mapped out We are going the first week of September/ or the last week of August and absolutely cannot spend more than 7 days. We are renting a car, and really want to visit Homer and Seward areas. We had been planning on Denali also, but now I don't think we can squeeze it in and still have a relaxing trip. Any opinions- are we really missing out if we skip Denali?

We skipped Denali in favor of a week on the Kenai Peninsula (Seward and Homer) and don't feel like we missed anything..

Saw lots of wildlife, glaciers, awesome views, found excellent shopping and food, plus did fun hikes, picnics, swimming, went clamming, and generally had a great time!

You only have a limited time, you do have to pick and choose, and I think you will be perfectly happy with the Kenai Peninsula.

The first time we visited Alaska, we skipped Denali (and we had over 2 weeks here). But, I'm kind of stubborn & everyone does Denali, so I didn't want to be 'everyone.'

I live up here now & of course have visited Denali & enjoyed it very much It is a wonderful destination - but so are lots of places in Alaska that you just don't have time for in a short trip. You could sqeeze in Denali if you really feel you have to, but of course that will be more driving & rushing around in the short time period you have (& some people would be happier squeezing all that in, I wouldn't discourage someone who wanted to do all that in 7 days; other people need a more relaxing pace.) If you don't want to squeeze Denali in, don't worry, Homer & Seward are lovely, you will have a wonderful, enjoyable trip.

I sometimes think too much is made of the 'must sees' in Alaska - and people sometimes get caught up in what they 'have' to do, or what other people think they should do, without ever considering what they themselves are really interested in. For example, a lot of people are absolutely ga-ga over the fly-in bear tours, but for me I can't think of a bigger waste of MY money....but if that is the sort of thing someone else wants to do, have at it. So, figure out what you want to see and how you want to do the vacation, then don't second guess yourself, have a blast!

Here is the most silly statement of the week <the fly-in bear tours, but for me I can't think of a bigger waste of MY money>
Did you ever do it?
I can say the same about your visiting Las Vegas. What a waste of YOUR money. Dinner at the coffee shop at Paris and the Brew Pub at the Monte Carlo? What a waste of money!!!!LOL!!!!!!!!!

I also would suggest you just spend the time on the Kenai Peninsula. See it all!! Add a night in Girdwood perhaps, visit Hope, linger on the Cook Inlet, take plenty of boat tours. I am a big advocate of TIME being necessary in Alaska, plenty disagree and end up with marathon driving trips.

Is Denali Park a must do??? Most certainly, but only with enough time. Do some great activites during your week and plan on a return trip.

No, you will be seeing some of the most beautiful areas of Alaska. Sure, the same can be said for areas of DNP, but maybe you can save that for another trip. I completely agree with BudgetQueen about time spent in a smaller area being the best way to go. Alaska is huge, and you would spend a lot of time driving. We were there for 2 weeks and still only had time for glimpses of some areas we'd like to go back and visit one day. The time we spent in Seward, Cooper Center, Anchor Point, and Homer were some of the highlights of our trip. Definitely do all that you can while in those areas (kayak, boat tours, bear viwing, etc.). You are going to have the trip of a lifetime!

Hi Northmole--we were actually in Denali the last week of August and it snowed so you can definitely save it for another time. Seward and Homer are beautiful and once you see those places you will definitely figure out a way to get back to Alaska.

Mary

Thanks all!!! I feel so much better about my decision making process now!

I "only had" 14 days on my first (and only, so far) trip to Alaska and opted to do Kenai/Prince William Sound and save Denali for another time. We had an amazing trip and loved everything we saw and did. Having Denali to look forward to for the future is a good thing.

We were in Alaska this past August. We did Kenai Pen., Valdez and Denali. Our least favorite? Denali. Was it gorgeous? FOR SURE! Did we see a lot of animals? YOU BET! However, what I envision Alaska to be is Seward, Homer, Valdez...not Denali. I was just a little disappointed. Although our flightseeing trip out of Talkeetna was great! Everything in Alaska is wonderful...you can't go wrong!! You need to choose what you want?? But when we go back...it won't be to Denali.

Oh, Incognito, I think you misinterpret me, dear! I was merely trying to make a point about deciding for one's self which activities to partake of in Alaska, as opposed to 'following the herd'. Not trying to make a value judgment about how other's spend their money - just remind them it is THEIR money & to spend it on activities THEY will appreciate and enjoy, and not worry about 'the herd.' Sorry to get you in such a huff. You must have really enjoyed your bear tour, huh??!?! Glad it was worth YOUR money!