Friday, March 23, 2012

Anchorage in April

I would like to visit Anchorage some time during Easter Week (April 7-12,2009). Is this too early to visit for good sightseeing?





I would like to see the glaciers but the glacier tours do not operate until May 1.





I am also a little horrified to see the prices for the Top 20 Hotels, very expensive.





Can anyone also please suggest a good clean and inexpensive hotel that would be right about in the center of all relevant sightseeing/activities and can anyone also please suggest the ';don%26#39;t miss'; sights. Would like to probably spend 3-4 days there.





Thank you.



Anchorage in April


I would not want to discourage you but coming to Anchorage in April can be quite ugly. I would try to go to Seward or the interior. Southcentral is in the middle of break-up by then and it is just one big sloggy/muddy/dirty mess. If this is the only time you can come then:



Kenai Fjords tours (Seward)has a gray whale watch tour in April so you could try that, you would see some glaciers. If you come to Anchorage head south and stop in Girdwood and at Portage Glacier. Also visit the Wildlife Conservation Center(near Portgae) and the SeaLife Center in Seward. The Zoo, Museum and Native Heritage Center are also a possibility in Anchorage. Sorry I can%26#39;t suggest a hotel but you may want to stay a nihght in Seward and a couple nights in Anchorage. If you Ski you can still usually ski that weekend so that could also be an option.



Anchorage in April


Spacefry has made some good suggestions. I was in southcentral Alaska (Anchorage, Seward, Matsu Valley) in early May last year and it was fun to be there a different time of year (still much snow, few tourists) and even then things were just starting to come to life.





Denali won%26#39;t have much to offer that early, so I would stick with Anchorage and Seward. I have heard the gray whale watch tours are good but I have never taken one.





I too recommend a night in Seward.





You might consider hotwire for a hotel in Anchorage. 2-1/2 star hotel (probably Extended Stay) goes for 49 plus taxes/fees. 3 to 3-1/2* hotels are $68-$73 plus taxes/fees.





John




So many thanks to all you kinds folks who replied. I am grateful and very appreciative.





I am now having 2nd thoughts about going in April. No, it is not the only time I can go, but my son is visiting from Boston for Easter Week then so I thought it would be a good time.





I could go by myself in June, however.





The whale watching is very intriguing and I would certainly want to see them if ever I went.





Thanks to all your suggestions, I will research them and try to follow through.




One last question please if I may impose.





I looked up the gray whale tours and they operate in April and once again, I feel somewhat excited.





I am lost as to the layout of the land as I%26#39;ve never been to Alaska before.





I guess my plane would land in Anchorage and someone had suggested that I spend a night in Seward, which I am very willing to do.





In a space of only 4 days, how do I get from Anchorage to Seward and what is your best recommendation by means of travel?





If I skip the overnight at Seward, there is transportation available that will pick up passengers from Anchorage for the whale tour. I am willing to do that as well.





Thank you.




You can get from Anchorage to Seward either on the train or you can rent a car and drive. About a 3 hour drive and about a 4-5 hour train ride (each way).





I would not recommend the transportation available from the whale watch company. There are other things to do in Seward. The Sealife Center is definitely worth a visit for example. And if you drive, you can get some great views along the way. That time of year you can expect snow on the mountain passes. One of my favorite mountain/water photos was taken in very early May just off the Seward Highway:





鈥oogle.com/johnn.photos/鈥?201395930945945858





John




Those pictures are SIMPLY AWESOME. I love them, they are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.





I did not know Seward is a little ways from Anchorage. However, I don%26#39;t think I will drive there, so my only option is the train, or the transport provided by the whale watching company.





Can I get a glimpse of the glaciers during the whale watching tour, do you think? I keep on reading about Resurrection Bay, I am getting more and more intrigued.





I will look up the train schedule. So many thanks for sharing.




';I would not recommend the transportation available from the whale watch company.';





I%26#39;m wondering why, John, have you heard something bad about their transport?





The train doesn%26#39;t run in April. But there is always Seward Bus: http://www.sewardbuslines.net/





I thought Renown is offering a very good deal: shuttle from Anchorage for only $35 per person (each way), then a 4 hr. gray whale cruise for only $55.20 if you book online.




THANK YOU for that great information as well. Sorry train doesn%26#39;t run in April so I will look up the other schedule. SO MANY THANKS.





Also, when I looked at the Kenaifjords.com whale tour for April, it is not yet available online (their schedule, that is). Only Feb and March schedules are available, but I am hopeful they will post their April schedule soon.





I am so excited about finally being able to go. If not April, I know for sure, June. I%26#39;ve been wanting to visit Alaska for many years now.





Thank you all for sharing your knowledge.




You%26#39;re all simply heaven-sent. I checked Renown Tours and yes, they have TOURS IN APRIL. YAY. I feel resurrected again.





I will call them upon Monday to make sure.





PS -- If I decided to head on to Seward at the start of my trip, there will be buses at the airport that will take me straight to Seward? After 1-2 days there, then go to Anchorage for the remainder of my trip and then head on back to the mainland.





Does this sound like a better itinerary perhaps?





Thanks again.

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