Last day and night in Anchorage- We will be without a car for last day and want to stay in a hotel within walking distance of good shopping. What is the best area in Anchorage for this?

I'm coming to Anchorage in June-July 2015 on a pharmacy student internship and am determining a budget for extended-stay lodging, food and transportation. Can anyone offer suggestions on affordable/low-cost car rental in Anchorage? I can't afford $100+/wk that major car rental companies will charge.

Hi, we are thinking of coming to Alaska in June 2015 and wondered what the likelihood of seeing the northern lights would be? Or if there was any chance at all?

Is there a perfect time to see a little daylite, a little snow and the northern lights?

Where is a good place to meet fun, smart non drinking and non drinking people looking for a fun night?

what is the best transportation option from the comfort inn on ship creek dr to the heritage center if you do not have a car?

What type of footwear is required to walk around the streets of Anchorage in March for a guy

It was located on a street, past Northern Lights, headed towards the airport, I think. But definitely in Spenard! The street it's on curved abruptly to the right, immediately past the ba if you were driving to it from North Lights. On that right side, was a two-story almost faceless building, once painted off-white, style reminded me of the late 70s: boxy, faceless. It had several names over the years, but in the 90's was always a dance club with a really good sound system, huge dance floor (one upstairs, too I think) and was always packed! Even had a bar out back, too. Was very "rave-like" in the beginning, kinda punk-ish with lots of people sporting wild, colored hair of many hues. Gay, lesbian, bi, straight - it didn't matter! Anyone remember ANY of its names?! HELP? It's driving me bonkers to "see" it in my mind's eye, to remember dancing there and STILL not remember the NAME of the place! Accck!

What are the typical driving conditions from Fairbanks to Anchorage the last few days of October? We have taken the trip via Parks Highway once in the Spring.

can we bring fresh fruit into Alaska from Portland Oregon flight?

Why do most flights out of Anchorage fly out around midnight?

We thinking of taking the train to Fairbank in February and are wondering if it would be too boring to o 12 hrs. Has anyone ever done it?

Hi. We are planning on coming to Anchorage on June 12th and departing on June 20th. We are just after some suggestions for a nice quiet comfortable hotel that is not too pricey. We would really appreciate some ideas. Thanks.

We are planning a trip to the Anchorage area in March and since this is our first time in the area I am looking for some advice on the best place to take my family sledding and hiking. My son is 7 years old and we are very much the outdoor family so we are looking for the hiking/sledding adventure and not just a gentle bunny slope. We are staying on base at Elemendorf and we will set aside two days for a drive, and lots of stops along the way, down to Seward. We were planning a trip around the Flat Top Mountain vicinity/area. We do not mind driving because we love road trips and would mind traveling north but again I am not sure on the best places to go. I was told on another web site that the two books below are great places for information but I am a firm believer in asking locals for advice. Any, assistance would greatly be appreciated.

amazon.com/Hikes-Alaskas-Chu...

amazon.com/55-Ways-Wildernes...

I will be moving to anchorage on the first of feburary. I will be taking the ferry from belligham to whittier. I really like the idea of camping on board but I dont know what to expect. I know you can put a tent up on the deck, but I was wondering if the weather will be to crazy to do this. So if anyone has trveled during this period any ensight would be great.

Hi all. This is a very specific question. We will be arriving in Anchorage on a Sunday afternoon after 4:00pm. Our flight out isn't until 7:00am the following morning.

Is there anything to do in downtown Anchorage on a Sunday evening? Will anything be open? Is there any complimentary shuttles that may run in the evening from the Airport to downtown? I hate to just wander around the airport for 10 hours.

If nothing is open, is downtown photogenic enough to wander and photograph? Any areas to consider besides downtown, understanding that we're limited in transportation and time?

Thanks in advance!!! I hope to report a great trip upon my return!

Planning a trip with wife and 26 year old son to Alaska July 19-28. Would like to sightsee and do some fishing. In general, plan to land in Anchorage on 19th and travel to Denali on 20th. Spend 21st in Denali and then head to Valdez and Kenai Peninsula. Lots to see and do and need input on any or all of the following:
1. Opinions regarding the Denali bus tours.
2. Travel time (automobile) from Denali to Valdez and are roads paved per rental car requirements?
3. Is the ferry still operating from Valdez to Whittier and if so is there charge per vehicle or per individual or both. How much are charges?
4. If one does the ferry from Valdez to Whittier, would it be repetitious to take the Kenai Fjords tour out of Seward? (to see wildlife, whales, glaciers, etc.)
5. Is there more to do or see in Homer vs. Seward vs. Soldotna?
6. Any thoughts on the best location for a halibut/salmon charter?
7. Can we do this all in the time allotted?

Many thanks for your opinions!!

Hello Travelers!

I am planning do a solo trip to Anchorage for 3/4 days basically to enjoy the nature and scenery. I have heard about Glacier and coastal classic train trips to Whittier/Grandview stations. Is it the way to experience and enjoy the glacier views or should I consider taking a local cruise or a boat? I see that cruise rates are expensive compared to trains. Or is it worth doing a road trip and cruise? Any suggestions are appreciated. Also, if anyone has any recommendations for the budget hotels and locations to stay, please let me know.

Thank you!

I'm moving to anchorage for work the end of october. I was told that I should take the ferry from Bellingham to Haines and then drive to anchorage. I was going to take the cross gulf ferry to whittier and drive to Anchorage. What is the road like at that time of year? What can I expect the cross gulf ferry to be like then? Is the road from whittier to Anchorage ever closed due to snow? Should I be worried about driving either one? It has been over twenty years since I've driven in snow so a little nervous. Any info you can give me would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hello all,
My husband and I will be in Anchorage Aug 5 to 11. We're joining a hiking/geography tour on Aug 11 to Seward and Denali, and more. However, we thought we'd go a few days early -- however, local folks (Massachusetts) are saying that's too many days for Anchorage.

Should we rent a car and plan on finding places to stay for that first several days? Or is being without a car possible and is there enough to do in Anchorage?

Any and all hints welcome! Thank you!

Where is there a reasonable priced hotel with breakfast or B & B in Anchorage

We are planning to go come to Alaska for our honeymoon in mid October of 2010. I know most 'tourist attractions' have closed by then, which is fine with us. We are going to rent a 4 wheel drive vehicle and drive around anchorage, portage, whittier, and seward and would also like to drive up to Fairbanks/chena hot springs/north pole, alaska. Any tips on driving conditions? Is it safe to drive from anchorage to fairbanks in the middle of October?

I will have a little Cinco de Mayo adventure in Anchorage, Alaska (first week of May). Was able to get off work on that week! Anyone with suggestions on what to do, little day trips or just a few hour expeditions? I really just intend to stay in Anchorage only - staying in a friend's condominium. This trip just came up unexpectedly today ----when I was offered to stay at the condominium, I booked the flight, hehehe... Anybody done the 26 glacier tour? Thanks for the suggestions....Greetings from sunny Arizona, jumpingnorman :)

(This is also posted on the Alaska forum.) My wife and I will be in Anchorage Mar 19-23, 30-31 and are looking for recommended sites and activities to the south. It has been difficult to find anything specific, as most posted events, trips, etc. operate only from May to September. The CofC in Seward for example just sent us some brochures of what is available in the active season. We will have a car and want to focus on the Kenai, but that is as far as we have progressed. Also, if anyone has recommendations on hotels, lodges in the south (Seward? Homer?) we would appreciate your input. (As info, we have plans to be in Fairbanks and north later in the month to see the Aurora.) Thanks for your help.

I will be in Anchorage in late February, early March '09. We will be taking a train from Anchorage to Fairbanks. I'm not certain of the details yet, but I know it's a 12 hour ride. I am curious if there will be wildlife spottings along the way, any stops to sight see? Or just a boring 12hr ride on a train?

Hi there,

We will be spending a few days in downtown Anchorage before heading off on a camping trip and we need to buy a few things when we arrive (good quality sleeping bags, MSR tent footprint, backpack, waterproof trousers, camping food etc) I had heard that Anchorage is full of camping supplies shops but I can't find much evidence of this on the internet. Can you confirm whether this is true and do you have any advise on good places we could head for. (or specific streets?)

Many thanks again!

Karen

We're going to be flying into Anchorage spending a few days then onto Seward this July and are a little torn as to what to do & where. Both places look fantastic as bases to see things. We will arrive late on 24th and stay thru the 31st then on to Florida. We live in China and this 1/2 family vacation (Alaska) and half annual family visit (FL).
Planning so far for Anchorage: Float plane trip to view Bears, Jetboat trip, Stay at B & B (Mangy Moose)

Planning so far for Seward: Kenai Fjords cruise, some easy kayaking, stay at Princess lodge or Fox?? Fox's prices are up there, is it worth it? Princess seemed nice.

Wondering, if we're going to to the Jetboats in ANC is it worth doing the 26 Glacier cruise there too? Keeping in mind that as we live in China we are going to be under some heavy duty jetlag and it might be rough doing too long a day and our 9 year old might not be able to keep up (or we with him more likely) Last year at Yellowstone we were awake at 04:00AM and dead to the world at three in the afternoon.
Anyone compare the Helicopter to glacier dog sled adventures? Which are better the ones out of Seward or Anc?

Thanks,
BC
PS I'll post same in Seward forum

Hi everyone.

I will be in Anchorage for 5 weeks, starting March 18th. I was there for a month last summer, but it seems like almost everything is closed for the season. I would love to do some day-hikes while I am there, something like Flattop. Any suggestions? Also, any fantastic things to do in the city? I went to the museum and a couple of the touristy places, but Im looking for more of a local feel while Im there. If anyone could help, I would greatly appreciate it. Oh and anywhere to grab a good beer, please come and join me!

Thanks Kel!

we are 3 couples that booked a cruise from vancouver on princess ship and arrive to wittier on august 4 in the morning. we fly back to israel on august 6 in the afternoon, so we have couple of days to tour around. i would appreciate any suggestions regarding where to go and what to see and where to rent a car that will be big enough for the 6 of us with all the luggage.
i am especially interested in Denali national park. do i have enough time to get there and see it and return? where should i plan on sleeping the 2 nights?
thanks for your help
giora

If I have one day in Anchorage, what are my top things to see and do? Any restaurant suggestions? I can't wait to go....thank you!