My daughter and her recently minted husband will be heading to Alaska in August. This is their first time there and are looking for recommendations on activities and places to stay.

• Plan to base out of Anchorage and do day activities in and around the area.
• They would like to keep things fairly reasonable.
• Will be there for a week.

Alaska is a big state (I know, duh) but I mention this because it might be advantageous to move Basecamp each few nights to get a true benefit of the area.

We typically have a few nights in Anchorage, then move base to Soldotna for fishing. Soldotna is "close" to Homer and Seward yet those drives are hours away, even further from Anchorage.

For that amount of time, I would suggest a few nights near Denali first (furthest north popular area), a few nights in Anchorage, then pick a spot in Seward, Soldotna, or Homer for a few nights. That allows them to drive back into Anchorage for their flight back, which is typically a super late or early departure time, and maximize their time.

Lot of activites and sunlight to do whatever they want. I have done hikes starting at 9PM and finishing by 11PM with sunlight the whole time.

Oh yeah, make reservations early! Things fill up fast, including rental cars, and they will be equally expensive.

Alaska is not cheap, unfortunately.

I would try to fit Alaska Railroad in there. I've had clients spend 2-3 nights in Anchorage. They did the Glacier Discovery train which included a Glacier Cruise (day trip).

Then they took the train to Seward and stayed a few nights. Seward is pretty walkable. And then they took the train back to Anchorage and went straight to the airport as timing worked out well.

They did some additional excursions.

If they need any help, my email is in my profile.

I'll put in a plug for my former hometown - Valdez, AK.

The most enjoyable way to get there from Anchorage is to take the Ferry from Whittier.
It's part of the Alaska Marine Highway system.
https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/schedules.shtml

The ferry doesn't run every day and doesn't run each way every day so you might sail into Valdez and drive Alaska Highway 4 the 300 miles back to Anchorage.

I also recommend a stop in Girdwood at Alyeska Resort.

Gotta say, I felt a little homesick watching this Valdez promo video. And they didn't even show the end of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

Adding to the list. Independence Mine & Matanuska Glacier Kincade Park for Moose herds in town.

BIG thanks to all of you for taking the time to share your input. I will pass it along. Very much appreciated.

Visited friends in Anchorage in early Sept 2023. I would second Independence Mine. Also enjoyed visiting Talkeetna. There can be good views of Denali errr McKinley from there if it's a clear day, which is kind of rare for the mountain to not be in the clouds.

The highlight of our trip was a visit to McCarthy and the Kennecott Mine (which is either in or at border of the Wrangle-St Elias National Park & Preserve) and a hike up to (and on to) the Root Glacier. But that is a ways from Anchorage and we spent 2 nights out that way. The last 50 miles to McCarthy is gravel road and everything is off the grid. Only electricity is from generators or solar/batteries. We stayed at a place that had cabins with a solar setup with batteries (and an indoor bathroom) so was not too primitive.

We also visited Seward one day. If they get down that way I would recommend visiting the Exit Glacier and take the hike up Ext Glacier trail.

I just got served this video that some YouTuber travel folks made during their 2021 trip to Valdez.
So another plug for my former hometown.

And surprisingly (to me), not a single mention about the pipeline (other than the Exxon Valdez).

A. G. Pennypacker said:

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The highlight of our trip was a visit to McCarthy and the Kennecott Mine (which is either in or at border of the Wrangle-St Elias National Park & Preserve) and a hike up to (and on to) the Root Glacier. But that is a ways from Anchorage and we spent 2 nights out that way. The last 50 miles to McCarthy is gravel road and everything is off the grid. Only electricity is from generators or solar/batteries. We stayed at a place that had cabins with a solar setup with batteries (and an indoor bathroom) so was not too primitive.

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I agree Wrangell St Elias is amazing, and you're right…it is nowhere close to Anchorage. McCarthy is probably 6-7 hours away. We took a plane from Chitina to skip the gravel road and it saved some time. Walking around in the ice caves under the glacier is one of the coolest things I've ever seen (and kayaking in an iceberg tunnel the next day was cool too). We also did some ice climbing on top of the glacier. It's a great spot…just not close to Anchorage!

My public service announcement for the day.

When you walk out on the Root Glacier wearing crampons, watch where you step. You can't see the damn holes in the ice. And when you step in one and do bad things to yourself you still have to walk back to the lodge.

It's like 2 miles back and uphill. And the only option is walking.

Here is a video from the same couple that did the Valdez video on a trip to McCarthy / Kennicott / Root glacier. If you have the time and you don't mind getting away from civilization, I would highly recommend making the trip to McCarthy.

Hike ON TOP of a Glacier in Alaska! McCarthy & Kennicott | Newstates Go North: EP10

Good recommendations. A few more or some additional approaches to the ones that have come up:

- i second the Whittier ferry to Valdez. It doesn't get much better than a sunny day (although that can be rare) in August in Valdez fishing for silver salmon. We like to take the ferry there and then drive back to anchorage. On the ferry ride there you'll see a lot of the marine wildlife and glacier you would on the tourist boats. In Valdez I would try to fish, there are some good hikes on all trails depending on their fitness level and i like some the history of the pipeline. On the drive home there is some great scenery waterfalls and usually wildlife and you could stop at the matanuska glacier and do a cheap guided hike on the glacier that is fun.
- independence mine at Hatcher pass is a good call. There are several hikes. We have had fun with guests doing an ATV tour with several creek crossings and up to elevation. This is a good anchorage day trip
- folks enjoy sled dog tours. You can go spendy and land on a glacier so you can mush in the snow. We have done AK husky several times, they are really friendly, I root for him in Iditarod every year. Their kennels are in Willow, easy day trip and they have carts for you to mush with the dogs around the property.
- the train is a fun suggestion. I recommend doing Spencer glacier rafting tour. The only way to access it is by train. We drive an hour to portage and then do the train ride out and back to the float. Get the train experience and quite a bit cheaper than riding round trip to Seward or Denali. On the way there/back stop in girdwood. A few shops and restaurants. We like to do a short hike there called virgin river falls that is northernmost rainforest in the world with a good waterfall payoff. Also between girdwood and town there are several good hikes for spectacular view of the water on a sunny day. Bird ridge, rainbow ridge or windy ridge. I like bird the best.
- other in town or day trips - Eklutna lake and rent a kayak or mtb. Hike flat top, little O'Malley or rabbit lake. Picnic lunch and watch the float planes land at lake hood. Bike coastal trail from end to end.

Feel free to message for any specifics - we have enjoyed building itineraries for lots of visitors. This is an abbreviated version . Happy to suggest more adventurous, more expensive or more trouble to get to depending on their wants.

Fantastic information - really appreciate the summary! I will pass along the information and your offer to them.


And again, thanks to the rest of you. Texags always comes through!

We rented a car and drove to Homer for a few days, then to Seward for a few days, then back to Anchorage to fly home.

Incredible trip

If you make it to Homer check out https://www.normanlowellgallery.org/ fantastic artwork and I normally don't like art.

Also eat at http://www.aksupperclub.com/ Paul has many friends in Ninilchik and on the peninsula and can put you on to great excursions as well.

Great recommendations! We love Homer, it is a great alternative to Valdez, both are beautiful, Homer has more restaurant and entertainment options. A halibut/rockfish charter or the water taxi to seldovia are both a really fun day.

That artwork is amazing.

All of these recs are nudging the wife and I to consider making plans!