I tried this once, my first try and I think I put it in the wrong place so I apologize in advance. Anyway, what I want to know is this: Do you remember the movie City Slickers and how the old guy would hold up a finger and say the secret to life was "one thing". I want to know your secret. I leave on the 23rd, landing in Fairbanks then taking the train to Denali Nat'l Park Staying in Princess Wilderness, on to Talkeetna and staying at the McKinley Princess, then Anchorage and Whittier where we get on the Diamond Princess and to go College Fjord, Glacier Bay, Skagway, and Juneau and Ketchikan. If you've been to any of these places what is the "one thing" I need to experience? It can be a view, a drink, a meal, an excursion on land, boat or plane; a walk, a view. Nothing is too big or too small but please be specific as to what made it special, such as the restaurant or tour guide. This is a trip of a lifetime for my husband and I and I can use all the help I can get...thanks!

For me it was the sight of a grizzly sow with three cubs as we rode into Denali Park. Simply froze me and I will never forget it. Don't overplan, you are going to a beautiful, magical, mysterious place which never fails to surprise. Let it do its magic on you! Happy journey.

Do the whitewater rafting in Denali. It's a blast. The guide does all the navigating - but it is exhilirating. There are calm stretches along with some fun moments. Have a great time! My husband grew up, went to college and worked in Alaska before he moved to Seattle and met me.

Bon voyage!

This was a last minute whim. On the train from Anchorage to Denali they came around booking people on tours/excursions. It was a lucky clear day and we had been getting many good glimpses of Mt McKinley from our lovely glass domed train car, So .... I opted for a small plane 6 or 8 seater, flight see over Mt Kinley at 8 PM that night. Yes, it is very expensive. I thought What, am I crazy???? It was awesome, what else can I say. I was traveling with Holland America, Princess's sister company. I imagine Princess offers the same trip, probably even on your train, too.

Denali: Seeing wolves dance and hearing them howl while on the six hour school bus tour

Anchorage: Seeing a mama and baby moose in Earthquake Park. The Native Heritage Center.

Skagway: the White Pass & Yukon RR and the National Park Service film, exhibits, and walking tour.

Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier, the State of Alaska Museum

Ketchikan: Totem Bight State Park and the Totem Heritage Center. We also liked the SE Alaska Discovery Center.

In true City Slicker fashion, take a side trip to Dawson for a Sourtoe Cocktail...

If not that, then I'd vote for the Denali flight out of Talkeetna.

drive up to independence mine

posts like these are stupid

Do you have any time in Fairbanks?

The one coolest thing we did was tour from there up past the Arctic Circle. We flew up in a small plane (there were 7 or 8 of us) and then a van back. It was expensive but exciting and interesting.

We had to give our weights so that they could balance the small plane. My son, who was 5 at the time, was in the co-pilot's seat. I remember thinking to myself, perhaps I should take some survival supplies - just in case.

On the way back, we stopped to see the perma-frost, took a boat ride down a river (name escapes me but it's the only one) to see a camp where they were smoking salmon, saw and went up to the pipeline, had a little ceremony where we walked backwards across the Arctic Circle and lots of other things. The guide was great and they had all kinds of little snacks along the way.

This was 12 years ago and I still smile when I think about it.

Your trip sounds wonderful.

Debbie

One of our 'tops of things to do in Alaska' would be taking a helicopter and landing/walking/dog sledding on a glacier in Juneau. What a experience and what a memory.
http://www.coastalhelicopters.com/

Sourdough pancakes or something from the bakery at Talkeetna Roadhouse.

Summit flight over Denali if weather is clear - incredible! -IMO, better option than flight at lower altitude that lands on glacier.

Denali - if you have the time and have one of the bus passes that let's you on/off at will - use the road as your trail and do some walking - when the bus is out of earshot, you really feel isolated in all that vast beauty.

Fairbanks - the UofAK museum

Fairbanks - also recommend Fly/Drive combo up Dalton highway. I went last year with Northern Alaska Tour Company - great guide; very interesting. Alternative flight option - Warbelow's all-day guided tour to Anaktuvuk Pass if you want to get deep into the Brooks Range and experience a Native village. Not for everyone, but I found it fascinating - just go with an open mind.

Anchorage - check out the "combat fishing" for salmon on Ship Creek behind Comfort Inn.

Anchorage - walk along Tony Knowles trail for great views of Cook Inlet.

Stay up late and revel in the midnight sun - it truly is an amazing thing to experience.

Don't forget to eat your fill of salmon, halibut, king crab! Try the reindeer sausage.

Hard question! You aren't going to the Pratt Museum in Homer but that was where I overheard an older tourist tell a museum guy that he was supposed to move to Alaska and didn't. He sounded sorry. I got a kick out of running into people from my home state who had moved to Alaska and were happy they did.
Seeing orcas swim and dive in unison, quietly beautiful.
I bought a locally made ulu knife at a shop in Skagway. Everytime I use it I think of Alaska.