What to do, where to go in Alaska... (Anchorage, Juneau and: 2014, hotels)

[GiGi603]

I live in a very small amazing, beautiful state on the Eastcoast. Pretty easy to see everything in a few days.

Alaska...huge!

I want to come for three or four days in February, then again in October. A friend of mine really wants to do the whale watching. (Not understanding the whale thing, since she could probably see whales in one of the New England States.) I want to see the Bears at Brooks Falls.

Not really into Cruises, but I have heard the only way to really experience Alaska is to do a Cruise.

Fairbanks or Anchorage?

Opinions, suggestions welcomed!

[Crossfire600]

Originally Posted by GiGi603

I live in a very small amazing, beautiful state on the Eastcoast. Pretty easy to see everything in a few days.

Alaska...huge!

I want to come for three or four days in February, then again in October. A friend of mine really wants to do the whale watching. (Not understanding the whale thing, since she could probably see whales in one of the New England States.) I want to see the Bears at Brooks Falls.

Not really into Cruises, but I have heard the only way to really experience Alaska is to do a Cruise.

Fairbanks or Anchorage?

Opinions, suggestions welcomed!

Yeah, I'd probably nix Feb and Oct and come in August. It's 50 below in Fairbanks in February and October is all brown, cold and no snow.

Take a tour in the katmi for critters, K2 flight tour and land on Denali, Seward boat tour to see whales, sea otters, dall porpoise's, seals etc

[GiGi603]

Thanks Crossfire. I try to stay away from peak travel times. I will see what I can do to get closer to August!

I would like to see the Northern Lights again. I did see them in Iceland a few years ago. That is why I was considering Winter in Alaska.

[Jan Alaska]

Not many whale watching tours operate in the winter months and that also goes for cruises. Also you won't see bears anywhere in AK in February and probably not in October either, by October the fish have all finished their runs and therefore bears won't be hanging around the falls, once their food supply starts to dwindle they head to their dens for the winter hibernation.

Best whale watching and bear viewing time is July and August when the salmon are running. Alaska tends to close for the winter as far as tourists go, the state doesn't plow roadside stops, even the Denali overlooks can be quite a hike in if you can find somewhere to park. Hotels are just as expensive and a lot of tourist facilities (in Anchorage) close for the winter season. If you arrive at the end of Feb beginning of March you will be in town for the Fur Rondezvous but thats about it.

http://www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvisit/hours.htm

http://www.kenaifjords.com/?gclid=CO...FYxDMgodJzoAJA

[AADAD]

March = Iditarod.

[GiGi603]

Thanks for the information Jan Alaska.

AADAD---thanks for reminding me about the Iditarod. I am going to look into that.

[heathen]

June - August: Summer activities. Weather and wildlife viewing are generally better earlier, but the tourist crowds taper noticeably in August. Generally not dark enough to see northern lights.

September: Fall colors, few bugs (which can be terrible in summer), and a chance to see northern lights with relatively comfortable temperatures. Not many tourists, but visitor services are shutting down, especially later in the month.

March: Winter activities. If comfortable with winter driving, take the loop through Anchorage and Fairbanks for lots dog racing, ice carving, fextivals, and whatnot. Best northern lights viewing is north and east of Fairbanks.


The rest of the year has major drawbacks. It's either brown with no leaves and no snow, or a slushy muddy mess, or excessively dark, or excessively cold.

If you're the type who avoids peak travel times, I doubt you'll enjoy a cruise. Just fly to Juneau and get on the state ferries instead. It's a lot more interesting and "authentic." Southeast is probably best to do in summer, since fall and winter are generally less spectacular there.

[JoDan]

Originally Posted by GiGi603

Thanks Crossfire. I try to stay away from peak travel times. I will see what I can do to get closer to August!

I would like to see the Northern Lights again. I did see them in Iceland a few years ago. That is why I was considering Winter in Alaska.

Possible to see Gray Whales in May and Humpbacks will be in maybe late May (but not many) early June out of Seward.

[riceme]

February = Yukon Quest

About | Yukon Quest

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by riceme

February = Yukon Quest

About | Yukon Quest

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