Originally Posted by
thelostshark
Ah, how lucky to find this thread. I just reserved a week-long cruise for next July, from Vancouver up through the inside passage with about 7 port stops, ending in Seward, Alaska. From there I intend to take a train (not sure which route) to Anchorage. I'll fly into Vancouver, and home from Anchorage.
I'm thinking of devoting 2.5 weeks to the trip, possibly 3. I've never been to Alaska, and have only spent about 4 hours in Vancouver. So, I could spend a few days in/around each of Vancouver, Seward, Anchorage. Or perhaps less in one or 2 of these places, and more in the others. There are some great recommendations in this thread about what to do/see from Anchorage. Any other suggestions for Seward? One of the things I'll need to figure out is how much time to spend in/around each of these 3 cities. Thx tls
What sorts of things are you hoping to do/see in Alaska? Would you prefer to spend time outdoors: fishing, hiking, seeing wildlife, etc.? Are you more interested in Alaskan culture and arts? Or do you want to experience a little of everything?
Fishing is a culture in itself here, and July is a great time for halibut, salmon and more. You might consider taking a
deep sea fishing charter or river day trip, available out of both Seward and Anchorage.
Hiking trails abound for inexperienced and veteran hikers alike. If you choose to get in touch with nature, it is important to understand wildlife safety in Alaska. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game provides information on
living with wildlife such as bears, moose, etc.
If you want to guarantee that you'll see certain types of wildlife, consider visiting the
Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward and the
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (between Seward and Anchorage).
A 20-minute drive from the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center will take you to Alyeska Resort, where you can take the
aerial tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska for incredible views of Turnagain Arm, plus glaciers, mountains, and the town of Girdwood below.
For arts and culture in Anchorage, check out the
Alaska Native Heritage Center and the
Anchorage Museum.
No matter what you choose to do in Alaska, plan to wear layers, sturdy shoes, and bug spray. I hope you enjoy your trip!