We are arriving in Seaward on a cruise ship. Have booked on the Alaskan Leapard for transfer to Anchorage. We then have 3 nights in Anchorage and plan to rent a car and go to Denali for 2 nights. We originally planned to go back to Anchorage for another 2 nights and then fly out. But......should we go to fairbanks, stay 2 nights, and fly out from there. If we do that we would not rent a car as the one way fee is rather high. We are from New Zealand and because of the low exchange rate we are really on a budget and would rather spend the money on things other than upmarket accomodation etc.
Looking at things around anchorage I don%26#39;t think 2 days would be long enough here. Your views please.
Jaybe
Anchorage or Fairbanks
Jaybe, if you search this forum under Anchorage and Fairbanks you can find posts that describe in details things to do in Anchorage and around. We all have personal reasons to suggest to you either destination but it would be the best idea for you to read what both destination offer and then you should decide what appeals to YOU. I highly recommend minimum three nights in Denali National Park and with a rental car you may also stop overnight to or from Denali NP in Talkeetna and take flightsiing to experience Mount McKinley from above. Coalminer who is the local experts for the Denali area often recommends inexpensive Motel Nordhaven in Healy. Maybe he can recommend more inexpensive lodging in that area as well. I%26#39;ll try to bring to the top one posts that lists things to do in Anchorage. What time of the year are you coming? If you know your dates already try to get tickets for the shuttle in Denali NP soon. The shuttle is an ideal and inexpensive way to see this marvelous part of Alaska.
www.nps.gove/dena
www.reservedenali.com
Anchorage or Fairbanks
I%26#39;d suggest not going to Fairbanks - it%26#39;s just a city and not even an attractive one. There are too many great place to see between Seward and Denali. I%26#39;d also suggest that you stay in Seward for a day before taking the shuttle to Anchorage - take a wildlife cruise, visit Exit Glacier and the Sealife Center, etc.
Murray
Thanks for your advice. We have already booked on the ';leapard Comedy tour'; from Seaward to Anchorage for the day the cruise arrived but may try and change it and stay a night at Seaward. Is there accomodation close to the Cruise Pier. We have decided against Fairbanks but will rent a car and go to Denali then back to Anchorage for another 2 nights perhaps staying at different accomodation in another area of Anchorage.
jaybe,
You have decided against going to Fairbanks, so this posting is not for you but for any other who may be considering the same choice - where to visit in a limited time.
Fairbanks has a lot to offer. It has far more of the ';genuine Alaska'; than the southern parts of the state. It simply has a different personality that well fits Alaska. Anchorage is simply ';Little Los Angeles'; - it could be picked up and set down anywhere in the southern 48 and fit right in. Ho Hum. Not Alaska.
In Fairbanks there is the university with its museum and Geophysical institute, the River Boat that echoes the spirit of the gold rush days, and the local gold mines and gold fields that are still there to enjoy and to explore. Some of the gold fields are in Fox, just a few miles north of the city (a nice round trip) along with Gold dredge No. 8 and a chance to pan for gold. The pipeline and a great display on its significance and technology is right on the Steese Highway at Engineer Creek, and across the road (a few hundred feet north) is a great example of permafrost in the form of a spectacular ice lens. It has to be seen to be believed, and you will leave with a much greater respect for permafrost.
The hot springs are a beautiful 60 mile drive up along the Chena River, a great place to relax and visit with locals and other tourists.
Come back again and give Fairbanks, the Interior and even the Bush a try. You will not regret it!
71
jaybe, check out Denali Day Trips with Talkeetna Aero Services. You can fly to Denali in the morning, take a bus tour into the park and fly back in the evening, That includes a flight seeing tour of McKinley. You can rent a car in Anchorage and drive to Talkeetna, there are things to see and do on the way (Iditarod Museum in Wasilla) or take the long way by going over Hatcher Pass, Independent Goldmine and great scenery (depends a bit on your travel date since the road over Hatcher Pass is closed in winter and has to melt out in spring). Other Option is the same trip, originating in Anchorage. Leaves you more time to discover Heritage Museum in Anchorage or the great Museum in town.
Flying to the park saves you a lot of road hours. Anch.-Talkeetna = 2hrs travel, Talkeetna - Park Entrance =3hrs with no delays.
Have fun planing.
I%26#39;d say if you%26#39;re here in the summer, coming up to Fairbanks is something you should do. But not in the winter. Since71 gave some great tips for things to do in/around Fairbanks but when it%26#39;s -5 out, a tourist isn%26#39;t going to enjoy it like they would in May.
Actually we have a pretty large amount of winter tourism Tourists come here to view the northern lights (better chance then Anchorage), the Yukon Quest, and the World Championship Ice Art competition. Chena Hot Springs is a popular winter destination as well as summer. Then there are the other dog sled races throughout the winter though most have been cancelled so far due to lack of snow. You can go out to the Musher%26#39;s Hall any Sunday and watch the sprint racers, going inside to warm up. There is skijoring too. There are several winter carnivals as well as the Parka Parade. Don%26#39;t forget the Outhouse Races out at Chatanika. The newspaper is FULL of things to do this weekend. Winter is when we have a chance to play. Many people work too many hours in the summer to take any time off.
Just found this. Fairbanks Winter Folk Festival in Feb.
http://www.acousticadventures.com/fwff.html
jaybe, The best and most beautiful parts of Alaska are going to be seen outside of Anchorage and Fairbanks, regardless if you go by rental car, or train. Fairbanks is the armpit of Alaska and Anchorage is only better in the summertime. I usually recommend using Anchorage as arrival / departure point and investing only a day here if people are really interested in seeing what it has to offer (or not offer in many cases. Use Anchorage as a starting point for a day trip to Talkeetna or the Kenai.
I really take offense to you calling Fairbanks the armpit of Alaska. You obviously don%26#39;t know much about Fairbanks and your post is inappropriate.
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