Advice on an Alaskan Honeymoon (Anchorage, Bethel: rentals, hotels, wedding)

[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

[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.

[Jonotastic]

You must!

1. Glacier hiking on Matanuska Glacier

2. Hike to Summit Lake in Hatchers Pass

You don't need a tour guide for either. They are easy to reach from Anchorage. At Matanuska Glacier, you can hike without a guide on the actual glacier, the sign warns you against this, but I've done it many times with no gear...take your time, watch for openings in the ice and ALWAYS make sure you can get back before you attempt sliding down a steep part or jumping across a crevasse. There are many hikes around the Hatchers Pass area, but the one to Summit Lake is my favorite. You will be amazed by the scenery and the elevation...you can hike further up along the ridge of the mountain. The glacier costs $15 per person to drive through and Hatchers Pass is free.

I'd actually recommend taking a cruise as well....the cruise itself is beautiful....you will pay $100-$150 for only a day cruise with a light meal...for $350-$400 you can take a full cruise and enjoy the beautiful scenery where there are no roads. Most of the cities they visit are a long drive/ferry ride from Anchorage, so it also shows you those for a cheap price. I'm a local and I recommend it. I wouldn't pay for any of the tours, I'd save that money for when you travel on your own around Alaska. Just walk around the cities...in Juneau you can spend $6 for a bus ride to Mendenhall Glacier, which is beautiful!