Short vacation advise for SE Alaska. Please help - (AK) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

Midas AG · 01-09-2010, 12:52 PM

Yeah, I didn't wan't to go up there, and have nothing to do. I just didn't know how 'shut down' the towns are. I'm not too worried about where I go. Just want to relax, and not worry about being somewhere at some time, other than getting home. Might go to Juneau, and just enjoy, or upto Fairbanks, and see the northern lights.

Vancouver was another decent idea. Hell, I could even drive there. But I was looking to just get on a plane and going somewhere.

stiffnecked · 01-09-2010, 01:56 PM

I worked the ramp for AS for six years in KTN. Unless you just plan on relaxing in a hotel room there really isn't much to do during your time frame. Hike in the rain? Watch the drunks stumble out of the bars in the evening? Go down to Safeway and listen to everyone complain about the high prices?

I'd probably make a trip to PHX or LAS for a couple of days. At least you'd have a chance of some sunshine or a cheap buffet in Vegas.

Midas AG · 01-09-2010, 11:29 PM

Yeah, I thought about south, but I just enjoy Alaska.

Ok, so when DO the towns start to liven up? When would be a good time to fly in, when they are living up, but also not over run with cruise ships, or tourists our the yin yang?

stiffnecked · 01-09-2010, 11:42 PM

Last few weeks in April and the first week in May. Things are starting to wake up but the masses of tourists haven't started arriving.

Metlakatla · 01-09-2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midas AG

Yeah, I thought about south, but I just enjoy Alaska.

Ok, so when DO the towns start to liven up? When would be a good time to fly in, when they are living up, but also not over run with cruise ships, or tourists our the yin yang?

I really think that you could have an enjoyable visit to Craig any time of the year--just have a back up plan if weather conditions don't allow you to fly. We have had some beautiful weather here in Jan/Feb, but there really is no predicting it.

It sounds like you only have 3 days; that time of year, I'd spend the 3 days in the same place rather than attempting side trips. But if I were going to do one, I'd take the ferry from Ketchikan to Prince of Wales, spend the night, and go back the next morning. The ferry ride is an experience in it's own right.

One of the best things about these small Alaskan towns is that during the off season, the locals come out of hiding.

You might consider going farther North though...fly into Fairbanks and spend some time at Chena Hot Springs.

teamcoltra · 01-10-2010, 01:28 PM

There is a hotel up in barrow:
The hotel is called the airport inn, apparently its a very nice clean hotel, the price is like 110 a night (very low for barrow) ... and if you want to see an aurora Barrow is the place to be.

I don't know your budget... but right now there seems to be a bit of hussle and bustle over there, and even if you don't get to do much... there are nice things to see around barrow. I can give you the name of some people up there who you can talk to about relaxing things to do.

Sorry that your initial plans are kinda crumbling. :P Thats what we are good at doing here at CD, ruining dreams of Alaska

Midas AG · 01-11-2010, 01:35 PM

Nah, its alright. I'm thinking of rather than doing a 3 day trip, of doing shorter 2 day, overnight trips to the different little spots Alaska Air flies to. Would be more economical to just fly in in the morning, and fly out the next night. That way, if the town is a total bust, I'm not spending 3 days there.

Thanks for all the info and advice so far. I really do appreciate it.