We're in the final stages of planning our July trip and would like to hear any thoughts in case we want to change pieces of it. We are a family with 2 kids, 8 yo girl and 11 yo boy. We like outdoor activities (parents more then the kids though when it comes to hiking!). We've lived in Seattle area the past 3 years and this is our first trip to Alaska. I don't think you can do Alaska on the cheap but we are trying to not go any more expensive then we already have.

(The drive times are what I've read are the straight through driving time, we don't plan on rushing any of these drives and will allow plenty of extra time)

Day 1
Arrive in Anchorage 8:30am, rent car, drive to Denali (5 hrs). Take all day to drive, stopping along the way to do what ever.
Night at Grande Denali Lodge

Day 2
7:30 Eielson Shuttle into park, get off to take short hikes...
Night at Grande Denali Lodge

Day 3
Morning near park entrance?
Drive to Wasilla (4.5) hrs, again stopping along the way to do what ever. (Independence Mine, Iditarod Trail museum....)
Night in Wasilla.

Day 4
Drive to Ninilchik (4 hrs) again stopping along the way. (Bore tide place(?), short hikes, Soldonata...)
Night at Alaskan Anglers in Ninilchik

Day 5
Halibut fishing trip
Night at Alaskan Anglers in Ninilchik

Day 6
Drive to Seward, whatever along the way (Exit Glacier hike)
Night at Bear Paw Inn in Seward

Day 7
In and around Seward
Night at Bear Paw Inn in Seward

Day 8, 9, 10
Sailboat/Kayak trip to Aialik Bay

Night of day 10: Either Seward or Girwood (only nite not booked yet)

Day 11
Drive to Anchorage (2 hrs), stopping along the way (tram ride, hikes, Bore tide....)
Night in Anchorage

Day 12
Day in Anchorage. Rent bikes? Parks, Geocaching, may meet up w/ friends
Flight out at 8:30 pm.

A few of the nights are still changable and I think we've left plenty of time to do side trips along the way so any suggestions there are appreciated. In some ways I feel like we are leaving too many days open with no specific plans but I don't want to overbook us. Our kdis are good travelers but they still are kids and I think we need to leave some time to play it by ear and do things depending on moods and weather.

Thoughts on all this? Thanks!!!

Cathie

Sorry there is no reference to Alaska or Anchorage area in the title! This was my first post and since I specified the Alaska forum I didn't realize it would post on the general US page.
Cathie

cfrizz

Welcome - sorry I can't help you but you have worked out why you are not getting any replies.

You may just want to consider reposting your question and change the heading.

Sandy

Sounds really good to me. You are doing Ailik right. We took big Renoun Tour, which was very good, but it was crowded. If you still have money in your budget check out the helicopter/dogsledding in Girdwood. Very Cool!!!. Winner Creek Trail in Girdwood is a good one. Take Bear Spray on Exit Glacier hike. If your kids are adventurous, try the parasailing at Girdwood. The train from Seward to Anchorage is very good and just the right length at 4 hours. Maybe you could work that in somewhere.

I think a 5 hour car ride after getting off the plane is going to be drudgery. The drive is somewhat boring and with the exception of the places you mentioned for the return trip, there's not much to see and do. You might aim for Talkeetna for lunch. Otherwise you aren't going to find any place to eat except for gas stations once you get north of Wasilla. On a Sat or Sun you could visit the public market in downtown Anchorage, stop at Title Wave bookstore for reading material (great selection of books about Alaska), and definitely stock up on water and snacks. Or get out of Anchorage and visit the Iditarod Museum and do shopping for snacks in Wasilla. If you want breakfast before you leave Anchorage you might consider one of the gas station places that sell breakfast sandwiches. To keep things inexpensive I would also consider a small cooler, maybe getting sandwiches in Wasilla and doing a picnic lunch at Independence Mine.
Ninilchik is very small and you are almost to Homer. Please don't miss Homer. I think the kids would enjoy the Pratt Museum. Check a Homer activities list or tourist guide, I think there are nature walks for kids. Have them read about the Eagle Lady in Homer. Check out what's going on at libraries and visitor centers esp in Soldotna and Kenai (town next door). We missed a free Hobo Jim concert at the Kenai visitors center. Eat reasonably across the street at Ski Mo's (hope it's still good esp the peanut butter milkshakes). Check to see when salmon are running and where. In late July we watched salmon fishing at Bird Creek along the Seward Highway. Just amazing. Check the Kenai Visitors Center website for more info about events. Also check Anchorage Daily News on-line. Some interesting and free/inexpensive things to do are in the local papers.

I too think, getting to Denali Park, after a very early morning flight may not go all that well with the kids. But doable.

"Drive to Ninilchik (4 hrs) again stopping along the way" you need to add an hour. This timeframe is from Anchorage.

You mention the "bore tide"?? Frankly, extremely unlikely to happen and if it did, actually not all that big a deal. You need to look at tide tables now. You need a big plus and a negative tide swing. IF you don't have it, sorry, out of luck and don't waste your time.