Alaska vacation ideas ?

[7stw]

I'm getting married in August and the fiancé and I have decided on Alaska for our honeymoon. Neither Of us has any interest in a cruise or been to Alaska before. We have narrowed it down to the northern 1/2 of the state. Ideally fly into Fairbanks but anchorage is an option as well. We really want to see Denali as well as take a flight to a glacier. We want to camp a couple of nights and stay in either a motel or cabin the balance. I realize how big it is and we're really trying to focus on one region rather than try to see too much and spend more time driving than sightseeing. Have 8 days to spend in Alaska and two days on both ends for travel.

So my question is have any OSA'ers been to that region ? Places that are must see ? Places or sights to avoid ? The train through Denali seems interesting but I'm not sure if that's the best way to go. Thanks in advance for the Intel.


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[yukonjack]

I lived there for many, many years. From Barrow to Nome to Ketchikan and many points in between. Fly into to Anchorage. Are you wanting a power trip where you can see as much as possible or something more chill and relaxing? 8 days is a lot of time to see the areas that are accessible from the road system. Are you wanting to do any fishing while you are there?

I'm getting married in August and the fiancé and I have decided on Alaska for our honeymoon. Neither Of us has any interest in a cruise or been to Alaska before. We have narrowed it down to the northern 1/2 of the state. Ideally fly into Fairbanks but anchorage is an option as well. We really want to see Denali as well as take a flight to a glacier. We want to camp a couple of nights and stay in either a motel or cabin the balance. I realize how big it is and we're really trying to focus on one region rather than try to see too much and spend more time driving than sightseeing. Have 8 days to spend in Alaska and two days on both ends for travel.

So my question is have any OSA'ers been to that region ? Places that are must see ? Places or sights to avoid ? The train through Denali seems interesting but I'm not sure if that's the best way to go. Thanks in advance for the Intel.


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[7stw]

Kinda relaxing. Really want to see a brown bear and maybe glass some sheep as well. I wouldn't mind fishing one day. (Blacktail season opens on prince of whales when we will be there but she'd kill me if I went hunting then ) we want to do an overnight hike/camping trip as well. If time allows would like to take a bush flight for a day as well.


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[Commander Keen]

You could knock out everything you're looking to do in the Kenai Peninsula, though it's south of Anchorage.

Are you going to take the honeymoon right after the wedding, or are you waiting a while? Time of year can really alter what's available to do.

 

[7stw]

We will be leaving around the 8th of August. So right after the wedding.


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[AKJ20]

We will be leaving around the 8th of August. So right after the wedding.

MOSQUITO SEASON !


Check out Alaska railroad and Denali National Park.

 

[TerryMiller]

I concur with AKJ20's comment on mosquitoes.

Do some checking on rooms and car rental costs. Then also check on renting an RV when you get there. I know that a number of people have gone that route, but RV rentals can be pricey, thus the advice to do a comparison of rooms and car rental vs RV rental.

I can't help much otherwise, because our trip up in 2005 was a combination cruise and land tour for 13 days. On the cruise, we had stops and short day trips in Ketchican, Skagway, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier prior to arriving in Seward. Train from Seward to Anchorage for a day or two there before going on to see Denali National Park and then Fairbanks and fly home.

 

[DavidMcmillan]

Two years ago, we did the trip TerryMiller just described, but we went from Fairbanks south. If we were to go back to one location, it would be in the Talkeetna area. Close to Denali, and many other things you mentioned, plus Talkeetna is just a neat little town, with many unique citizens!

 

[TerryMiller]

When we took our cruise with Royal Caribbean, they lodged us at a place just outside the park. While there, we noticed some pictures on the wall referring to Fannie and Joe Quigley. Quigley is the maiden name of my wife, and her sister mentioned that she had a letter at home written from a Joe Quigley that said he was a gold miner in the area of Kantishna, which is a "community" at the end of the Denali Park road. If I remember right, somewhere towards the end of that road there may be a lodge or two where folks can stay, but one has to go their via a shuttle bus rather than be able to drive it in their own vehicle.

In 2005, they were VERY particular as to who got permits to drive into the park in personal vehicle or even camp out up there in the wilderness. One of their camping rules was that one had to set their camp up to where it was NOT visible from the road. Even photographers that want to go in and spend a considerable amount of time taking photographs had to show a high percentage of their income was derived strictly from professional photography.

 

[dennishoddy]

You said your not interested in a cruise, but you might want to consider a land/sea deal with a one way trip on a cruise ship.
Fly into Anchorage explore Denali, and the areas mentioned above.

Always pick a one way cruise from Alaska to Victoria, or a one way from Victoria to Seward. Reason is that the ship docks in the early morning and leaves late at night, so your in port to explore all day long vs a trip from Seattle that returns to Seattle. You get 4-6 hours on shore.

Book your land tour at least a year in advance for best savings. We tried to book 4 months ahead to the best parts of the Denali and other places and they were full. This was about three weeks ago so be prepared to pay premium prices for hotels. $200 a night minimum is all we could find recently.