Originally Posted by
dhammer53
Rather than start a new thread, I'll post here.
We're Alaska bound in the spring. We prefer to travel off-peak ie May/June. Is that a good time, or should we wait till it warms up?
We'll be using Alaska miles. This will allow us to make a stopover, and also use miles between cities at their intra-Alaska rates.
At a recent NY Times Travel show in New York, the folks at the booth suggested doing Alaska 101. Fly into Anchorage, then do a week on the Kenai Peninsula.
Here's the question from my wife to you:
For the sake of argument, let's say this will be our only trip to Alaska. What are the must-do things, without worrying about price? If this means a day here, and 2 days there, so be it. Trip length 12 days.
Thoughts?
Thanks.
Mid-May is the beginning of peak season in Alaska. I would suggest early May for your trip. A leisurely drive around the Kenai peninsula could take up 4-5 days with a day in Homer (arts community), a couple of days in Seward to visit the Sea Life Center, Exit Glacier and a day cruise on Resurrection Bay.
Take the ferry from Seward over to Valdez and drive the Glenn Highway up to Fairbanks. I'm not sure about hotels for this portion but you can drive the route in one day. A couple of days around Fairbanks is plenty. Then drive the Parks Highway to Denali Park. A couple of days there gives you a flavor of the place.
Fly to Kodiak and spend a couple of days exploring the island and do a bear viewing flight. bear viewing can also be done out of Homer.
For food, here are some suggestions:
Anchorage:
Club Paris (steaks)
Simon & Seaforts (Crab stuffed halibut)
Glacier Brewhouse (awesome pub food)
Moose's Tooth (top 10 pizzas in the country)
Bob's Bistro & BBQ ("Wall O’ Wine™") and Yes, that is an invitation
Girdwood:
Seven Glaciers
Fairbanks:
Lavelle's (everything plus good wine list)
most of the usual suspects will be out of town May 19-22, so plan around that.
There is so much to see and do that I am only hitting some highlights. Barrow, Nome, Bethel, Adak, Dutch Harbor are all rustic and remote, giving a "Wild" flare to any visit.
Of course, you are required to post in the "When are you coming to Alaska" thread so we can give you the proper welcome^^