I will be flying to ANC at mid August and would like to stay at least 2 nights (longer if budget OK) and would like to experice the real AK. I checked advices for the day crusiet out from Seward and the train as well. But the accomdation in seward is VERY expensive for me. I checked and there are no IHA or YMCA Hostels as well.

Please advice!! (Thanks!)

Questions:
1. Are there any other starting point I can see the wildlife and glacier that can be much cheaper?

I arrive at 9pm and plan to stay at a "priceline" hotel at ANC DT, then take the rail to seward or any place suggested that I can do some day crusie or trip.

2. For the Denali National Park, any advice on what to do (apart from the bus ride to see animal) and where to stay (budget not luxury)? I think there is a hostel but don't know how I can go there (or travel even inside the park).

3. Given Seward is so expensive (because of the port for crusie from Vancouver? or it is really nice by itself?), any place i can stay yet can have option to join day cruise?

4. What else is good to visit in AK?

Thanks!

I don't think you can do both Seward and Denali on your schedule. You should probably either choose Denali or the Kenai Peninsula (Seward, Homer). Seward can be pretty fun if you take a day cruise and check out Exit Glacier.

You also might think about renting a cheap car, which will actually save you some time (and maybe money) compared to the train.

The cheapest accomodations at Denali are campgrounds inside and outside the park. The weather is perfect for sleeping outside at that time of year. You can also rent tents and sleeping bags up there. Camping can be very easy and non-intimidating if you choose the right campground.

I'll call this my "preview" visit to Alaska... Flying up to ANC at the end of August for a three-day stay in the state. We're not interested in the city and want to spend most of our time in nature, enjoy its beauty!

At 300 miles, Denali is probably out of the question. What are some fantastically-beautiful camping options around ANC? We're planning to rent a car and bring our camping gear.

There's a nice state park campground just south of ANC on the Turnagain Arm. It's connected to a walking path along the Arm with beautiful views of the water and mountains. The campground is sandwiched between the highway and the train tracks but I didn't hear any train noise--just highway noise. This park is close to the Portage Glacier which has a nice boat trip for viewing.

This might be off-topic, but I found the dining expensive. I'd try to find as many Wendy's as you can.

Not only because of the prices, but because of their choice in reindeer meat. Reindeer burgers, reindeer bacon, reindeer hotdogs... I was nauseated by the concept, and ate very little. I remember eating a bag of Cheetos for my dinner.

Jen

We just got back from a fantastic time in Alaska! What a great state -- just teeming with life. You can read all about our adventures on our travelblog at: www.nakedsky.org (http://www.nakedsky.org). I also posted a trip report about the actual flights themselves.