Advice on an Alaskan Honeymoon (Anchorage, Ketchikan: 2009, rentals, hotels)

[HighlandsGal]

Hey there!

My fiance and I are getting married next July and are researching a honeymoon in Alaska -- not a cruise. We will probably buy a travel book, but I am also open to advice from locals and people that have been there on things we must see and do. We are really excited!

[akck]

There are at least two trips you can do. One would be to take an Alaska Marine Highway ferry and see SE Alaska, spending time in each port. You can add a float plane trip out to a USFS cabin or remote lodge too. The other trip would be to fly into Anchorage, rent a car and drive through central Alaska, seeing the sights. Each trip could last a couple of weeks, so it's unlikely you could do both. If it was me, I'd do the second trip, but that's because I live in SE Alaska.

[Mollym313]

Originally Posted by HighlandsGal

Hey there!

My fiance and I are getting married next July and are researching a honeymoon in Alaska -- not a cruise. We will probably buy a travel book, but I am also open to advice from locals and people that have been there on things we must see and do. We are really excited!

Ok...I'm not from Alaska but I have a few romantic ideas. Get a cabin on a lake (with running water) yea yea it should be a given but not in Alaska. Get a private charter plane to view the Alaskan scenery from the air. I know not many details but I thought the big idea was nice. I have seen lots of cabin rentals for vacationers in the summer time.

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by HighlandsGal

Hey there!

My fiance and I are getting married next July and are researching a honeymoon in Alaska -- not a cruise. We will probably buy a travel book, but I am also open to advice from locals and people that have been there on things we must see and do. We are really excited!

Well, you do sound at least a little bit adventurous... and if that is true, there are some things to consider. One is that it cost a lot of money to come to Alaska, and it is too much money to then look at the stuff in Alaska that isn't any different than where you live! Given you are apparently from Colorado, which is scenic enough all by itself... don't come to Alaska just to look at fabulous scenery!

Instead, come to Alaska to see what is different. See things you can't find anywhere else in the US.

Figure out how to spend a couple weeks in Bethel, Kotzebue or Barrow. See people and a way of life that are totally different than anything in Colorado. Have a *real* adventure!

Of course if I've under estimated your capabilities and capacity for adventure... skip those big tourist traps :-) Find a way to visit a small village. Point Lay, Point Hope, Buckland, Elim, White Mountain, Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, Eek, Aniak, McGrath, Greyling, Ruby, Anaktuvik, Tanana, Rampart... Alaska has many dozens of places where a two week stay would put you into an almost exclusive class of Lower-48 resident!

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by Floyd_Davidson

Well, you do sound at least a little bit adventurous... and if that is true, there are some things to consider. One is that it cost a lot of money to come to Alaska, and it is too much money to then look at the stuff in Alaska that isn't any different than where you live! Given you are apparently from Colorado, which is scenic enough all by itself... don't come to Alaska just to look at fabulous scenery!

Instead, come to Alaska to see what is different. See things you can't find anywhere else in the US.

Figure out how to spend a couple weeks in Bethel, Kotzebue or Barrow. See people and a way of life that are totally different than anything in Colorado. Have a *real* adventure!

Of course if I've under estimated your capabilities and capacity for adventure... skip those big tourist traps :-) Find a way to visit a small village. Point Lay, Point Hope, Buckland, Elim, White Mountain, Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, Eek, Aniak, McGrath, Greyling, Ruby, Anaktuvik, Tanana, Rampart... Alaska has many dozens of places where a two week stay would put you into an almost exclusive class of Lower-48 resident!

rep'd ya Floyd on this advise!! wonderful as most just "look" and that is mostly in their backyards!!!

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by HighlandsGal

Hey there!

My fiance and I are getting married next July and are researching a honeymoon in Alaska -- not a cruise. We will probably buy a travel book, but I am also open to advice from locals and people that have been there on things we must see and do. We are really excited!

Sadie Cove, outside of Anchorage is beautiful. You would need to book ahead. Pricey but well worth it. Cabins, beach, delicious food.

Alaska's Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge, Kachemak Bay Eco-lodge, Homer, Alaska, lodging, accommodations, sea kayaking, hiking, Seldovia, B & B, bed and breakfast, hotels, halibut charters, salmon fishing, Halibut Cove, wildlife photography, bear viewing

[GrammasCabin]

I have a perfect honeymoon floathouse cabin 13 miles out the road from Wrangell! It's complete with a fully stocked kitchen, woodstove, cuter than heck and the whole world is yours with no-one around. You can catch a king salmon or halibut , walk down at low tide and pick your crab out of the pot or set a shrimp pot - all right in front of you. Build bonfires on the beach, catch trout in the nearby creek or just kick back in the porch swing and watch the sunset. Whales cruise by feeding & jumping from early May through July.
Take a ride up the Stikine River wilderness and soak in the hot springs, cruise by the glacier and get some ice for the cooler, head on out to Anan Creek to watch black and brown (grizzly) bears feed on salmon.
Wrangell is in the southeast islands at the mouth of the Stikine River, halfway between Ketchikan and Juneau. About 1,000 people live on the island all of whom will become lifelong friends as soon as you meet. It's so beautiful here and so much to do! In winter I teach at the elementary school but in summer I get to work with the tour guides in Wrangell and can point you in the right direction for all the hot spots! And, by the way, Wrangell has the best home-town 4th of July in the country!!!
It would be a trip you'd never forget and you'll want to come back every year!

[Metlakatla]

If you're wanting a romantic honeymoon type of place, you really can't beat a floathouse in SE. The twilights are really long that time of year.

[HighlandsGal]

Wow.....gorgeous pictures! Thanks everyone for the advice so far. Keep it coming!!

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Floyd_Davidson

Instead, come to Alaska to see what is different. See things you can't find anywhere else in the US... Alaska has many dozens of places where a two week stay would put you into an almost exclusive class of Lower-48 resident!

I think this is an excellent idea. Problem is Alaska is so large and offers so many of this kind, we could literally discuss this until your actual wedding next July! However, all of the suggestions given so far are good ones. My two cents would be to do some research and book one of those remote "Fly-in" hiking/camping trips to a pristine wilderness area such as Gates of the Arctic or ANWR. Those happen to be on my list as well.