Alaska Information
Aug 1, 2002 | 5:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Location: CMH/DAY
Programs: NW Gold/SPG Plat/Hilton Gold
Posts: 557
Alaska Information
I am looking for some information on travel to Alaska. Specifically, wondering what the roads are like from Anchorage-Denali NP and Anchorage-Seward. From maps I can gather that these aren't interstates, but what is the quality of the road. Also, what is road traffic like about the middle of August.
I am also interested in hearing about any tips fellow Flyertalkers would like to share about Anchorage, Denali NP and Seward specific to hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, attractions etc.
I am going to be in Anchorage for two days and I am trying to decide what to do.
Many thanks to all who reply!
I am also interested in hearing about any tips fellow Flyertalkers would like to share about Anchorage, Denali NP and Seward specific to hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, attractions etc.
I am going to be in Anchorage for two days and I am trying to decide what to do.
Many thanks to all who reply!
Aug 1, 2002 | 9:42 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Salt Lake City
Programs: DL PLAT and 2MM;AA EXP;MR GOLD;PC Gold
Posts: 555
The road to Denali is in excellent condition. Mainly 2 lanes once outside of ANC, but wide lanes and shoulders. Down to Seward it gets a little more cramped, and you should count on getting slowed by boat trailers in addition to campers, etc...
As for ANC, went there for my third time July 4th holiday. A must do is dinner at Club Paris. This is a truly unique place if you like funky. No 'creative' cuisine here just excellent local seafood and great steaks. Take your own wine. Dinner for 2 even with wine will be under $100.00. Sorry I am such a cheerleader for them, but I usually have at least two meals there. Typical of AK, you can dress up or down as much as you want.
Finally, if you are in ANC on the weekend, take in the Saturday market with vendors selling crafts, food, and kitsch (sp?) from all over Alaska. Marvel at the friendliness and small town atmosphere. I am in love with it, and will return in September, and already have my July 4th, 2003 tkt on NW (one of the few airlines that will book that far in advance).
As for ANC, went there for my third time July 4th holiday. A must do is dinner at Club Paris. This is a truly unique place if you like funky. No 'creative' cuisine here just excellent local seafood and great steaks. Take your own wine. Dinner for 2 even with wine will be under $100.00. Sorry I am such a cheerleader for them, but I usually have at least two meals there. Typical of AK, you can dress up or down as much as you want.
Finally, if you are in ANC on the weekend, take in the Saturday market with vendors selling crafts, food, and kitsch (sp?) from all over Alaska. Marvel at the friendliness and small town atmosphere. I am in love with it, and will return in September, and already have my July 4th, 2003 tkt on NW (one of the few airlines that will book that far in advance).
Aug 4, 2002 | 11:03 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 370
Just got back from a week in ANC/Seward. Absolutely beautiful weather sunny in the low to mid 70s (which was as I understand the exception since it is usually in the high 60s with a mix of clouds, sun, and light rain in mid-August). I took the Alaska railroad to Seward, which was pretty, but I suggest avoiding because it is very slow (about 4 hours each way whereas a bus or rental car would take maybe 2). It seemed like the highway was very good (1 or 2 lanes each way but not a regular freeway/interstate). Traffic seemed to move along quickly from the vantage of the train. A pretty drive too.
If you are going to Seward the most popular thing to do would be to take a Kenai Fjord boat tour (about $125 for a full day). There are several companies that run the tour, but the largest is the Kenai Fjords Company. The good-sized boats take you to one of many spots (I would recommend Aialik Fjord). There you will see a calving glacier, whales ( I saw 11 the week I was kayaking out there), sea lions, puffins, eagles, and many other sea and wildlife. Other popular things in Seward include or full day fishing charters (mmm Salmon - suggest checking the internet or calling the Fish House in Seward which is one company that arranges charters) or taking a 5 mile hike to Exit Glacier. Other than boat tour, fishing, a visit to the Sea Life center or a few hikes I did not get the impression that there was a lot to do in Seward. There were a few companies that offered scenic plane tours or dogsled rides, but I did not look into those options. Also, there were a few motels but I did not check into rates as I was camping. If you want a cheaper boat tour option, there are a few other companies or you can check with Millers Landing campground. The campground has a small boat that taxis kayakers out to Aialik Fjord and will take a small group of tourists along. This option would be much cheaper (probably less than half) than the big charter companies, but would also be shorter and less frills. All the suggestions here can be found on a Web search. Seward is a cruise ship destination, but also a very small town. I found food to be more expensive than expected, both in restaurants and the local supermarket. But still it was not New York expensive.
The national park service runs remote cabins in Aialik bay plus a few other places. One option would be to take a water taxi to one of the remote cabins and stay there, but unless you are sea kayaking, I dont think there would be much to do in Aialik bay since it is not highly accessible for hikers.
As for Anchorage, I did not spend very much time in the city. Just hoteled there upon arrival and departure. Hotels are very expensive. Holiday Inn Express like hotels can run upwards of $200 a night. I Pricelined the Sheraton downtown for my arrival night at $50 and my departure night at a Red Lion for $100 (plus fees). Taxis to and from the airport are not very expensive- less than $15 to downtown ANC.
I talked to one Alaska resident that had an Entertainment-like book that I believed was called Northern Lights. She said the book was about $100 and supposedly for Alaska residents only. The book had a coupon for the Alaska Railroad which more or less paid for the book. She suggested checking e-bay or the Carrs supermarket chain but thought the books may be out for the year.
edited to correct Priceline bid price
[This message has been edited by goblue (edited 08-05-2002).]
If you are going to Seward the most popular thing to do would be to take a Kenai Fjord boat tour (about $125 for a full day). There are several companies that run the tour, but the largest is the Kenai Fjords Company. The good-sized boats take you to one of many spots (I would recommend Aialik Fjord). There you will see a calving glacier, whales ( I saw 11 the week I was kayaking out there), sea lions, puffins, eagles, and many other sea and wildlife. Other popular things in Seward include or full day fishing charters (mmm Salmon - suggest checking the internet or calling the Fish House in Seward which is one company that arranges charters) or taking a 5 mile hike to Exit Glacier. Other than boat tour, fishing, a visit to the Sea Life center or a few hikes I did not get the impression that there was a lot to do in Seward. There were a few companies that offered scenic plane tours or dogsled rides, but I did not look into those options. Also, there were a few motels but I did not check into rates as I was camping. If you want a cheaper boat tour option, there are a few other companies or you can check with Millers Landing campground. The campground has a small boat that taxis kayakers out to Aialik Fjord and will take a small group of tourists along. This option would be much cheaper (probably less than half) than the big charter companies, but would also be shorter and less frills. All the suggestions here can be found on a Web search. Seward is a cruise ship destination, but also a very small town. I found food to be more expensive than expected, both in restaurants and the local supermarket. But still it was not New York expensive.
The national park service runs remote cabins in Aialik bay plus a few other places. One option would be to take a water taxi to one of the remote cabins and stay there, but unless you are sea kayaking, I dont think there would be much to do in Aialik bay since it is not highly accessible for hikers.
As for Anchorage, I did not spend very much time in the city. Just hoteled there upon arrival and departure. Hotels are very expensive. Holiday Inn Express like hotels can run upwards of $200 a night. I Pricelined the Sheraton downtown for my arrival night at $50 and my departure night at a Red Lion for $100 (plus fees). Taxis to and from the airport are not very expensive- less than $15 to downtown ANC.
I talked to one Alaska resident that had an Entertainment-like book that I believed was called Northern Lights. She said the book was about $100 and supposedly for Alaska residents only. The book had a coupon for the Alaska Railroad which more or less paid for the book. She suggested checking e-bay or the Carrs supermarket chain but thought the books may be out for the year.
edited to correct Priceline bid price
[This message has been edited by goblue (edited 08-05-2002).]
Aug 4, 2002 | 12:05 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,620
Seward is a 126 mile drive south of Anchorage. It's not a 2 hour drive, but rather more on the order of 3 or even 3 1/2 without stops. And the decision to stop might not be yours, since summer in Alaska means roadwork. A couple years ago, it was not unusual to be held up for 40 minutes or more outside of Seward for construction. This year it's looked like there's less going on construction-wise though.
The Seward Chamber of Commerce has a pretty useful website:
http://www.sewardak.org/
The Chamber also puts out a free annual visitor guide -- you can find copies at the ANC airport or request one from the Chamber.
The folks at the Chamber have also been quite helpful when contacted by phone. For a little town of around 4000, the Chamber does a very good job of promoting the place. Of course, the area's wonderful scenery and 100+ cruise ship visits a year certainly help
Depending on when you go, Seward can be a sleepy little town, or a it can seem like all of Alaska's there (say on the 4th of July).
[This message has been edited by Quokka (edited 08-04-2002).]
The Seward Chamber of Commerce has a pretty useful website:
http://www.sewardak.org/
The Chamber also puts out a free annual visitor guide -- you can find copies at the ANC airport or request one from the Chamber.
The folks at the Chamber have also been quite helpful when contacted by phone. For a little town of around 4000, the Chamber does a very good job of promoting the place. Of course, the area's wonderful scenery and 100+ cruise ship visits a year certainly help
Depending on when you go, Seward can be a sleepy little town, or a it can seem like all of Alaska's there (say on the 4th of July).
[This message has been edited by Quokka (edited 08-04-2002).]
Aug 4, 2002 | 9:24 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Location: CMH/DAY
Programs: NW Gold/SPG Plat/Hilton Gold
Posts: 557
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by goblue:
As for Anchorage, I did not spend very much time in the city. Just hoteled there upon arrival and departure. Hotels are very expensive. Holiday Inn Express like hotels can run upwards of $200 a night. I Pricelined the Sheraton downtown for my arrival night at $59 and my departure night at a Red Lion for $100 (plus fees). </font>
As for Anchorage, I did not spend very much time in the city. Just hoteled there upon arrival and departure. Hotels are very expensive. Holiday Inn Express like hotels can run upwards of $200 a night. I Pricelined the Sheraton downtown for my arrival night at $59 and my departure night at a Red Lion for $100 (plus fees). </font>
Thanks.
Aug 5, 2002 | 11:39 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 370
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Andrew14302:
What days of the week were you in ANC? How far in advance did you priceline and what category of hotel did you bid on?
Thanks.</font>
What days of the week were you in ANC? How far in advance did you priceline and what category of hotel did you bid on?
Thanks.</font>
[This message has been edited by goblue (edited 08-05-2002).]
Aug 5, 2002 | 12:33 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: From and of Boston.
Posts: 4,973
Oh, goodness, the Aialak fjord/glacier. What an unbelieveable, beautiful spot. If you can find a way to go there, do it.
As for traffic between Anchorage-Seward: Like someone else here, I took the Alaska RR, which was a wonderful little trip. Probably more enjoyable than a car, though also probably longer. Beware that an enormous amount of the traffic between Anchorage and Seward is bus traffic carrying cruise passengers. Cruise ships hold upwards of 1500-2000 passengers, almost all of the passengers are bussed between Anchorage and Seward, and each bus holds no more than 42-44 people. You do the math.
As for traffic between Anchorage-Seward: Like someone else here, I took the Alaska RR, which was a wonderful little trip. Probably more enjoyable than a car, though also probably longer. Beware that an enormous amount of the traffic between Anchorage and Seward is bus traffic carrying cruise passengers. Cruise ships hold upwards of 1500-2000 passengers, almost all of the passengers are bussed between Anchorage and Seward, and each bus holds no more than 42-44 people. You do the math.
Aug 5, 2002 | 5:04 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 370
I acquiesce- the train to Seward does not sound much longer than the drive. The ticket is $90 rt. In the hotel room there is a tourist magazine called "When" or "Now" or something along those lines. Somewhere in the mag there is a full page ad for ARR with a discount code for 10% off. I walked into the train station 15 mins prior to departure and gave them the discount code and received the discount. No advance purchase necessary. Plus the trains were only 50% or so full so I do not see the need to reserve in advance. Trains were comfortable with lots of room, a dining car, friendly tourist guides. Just darn slow (seemed liked 20 mph on avg). Also the ticket jacket had a $10 off coupon for the Kenai Fjord tour boat (I suggest calling Kenai Fjord Company to see if there is a package discount).