Originally Posted by
Gardyloo
I did have another idea, just for the hell of it.
For less cost per person than a Denali flightseeing trip, you can fly round trip from Anchorage to Kotzebue, an Inupiat Eskimo community located on an arm of the Arctic Ocean in northwestern Alaska. (Usually around $320 round trip on Alaska Airlines, also usually available cheaply with AS miles.) Kotzebue is located above the arctic circle, and in early June you'll have not just midnight, but 24h sun and daylight. There's a comfortable Native-owned hotel (with blackout curtains) across the street from the beach, and this would be a terrific way to introduce you to the remarkable cultures and environments of the far north.
Nullaġvik Hotel - Kotzebue Alaska - Owned by NANA (nullagvikhotel.com)
After having seen all the mountain/water/glacier scenery on the cruise, this might be an interesting alternative to more of the same around Anchorage.
What a fantastic suggestion. I wish more people would put this (or similar) on their radar.
Plus, if you pick a right-side window on the northbound flight and a left side one going south, you may well catch a good glimpse of Denali. It won't be as up-close-and-personal as a proper Denali flightseeing tour, but it's always magical to see it from the air regardless.