Visiting Alaska on a budget. (Anchorage, Fairbanks: live, things to do, electricity)

[setapart]

Visiting Alaska has been one of my dreams since I was very young. My daughter and I want to come up and experience the culture. We want to see Mt. McKinley, the Sealife Center, Museums, and just experience Alaska the way the every-day, working-class person does because we are every-day, working-class people. We like the rural lifestyle better than the big city but we do want the conveniences of running water, electricity, and phone. From my research I have learned that some areas are not developed but are still beautiful. I would like to visit a Church of God while I'm there, but what other activities can we get into so that we get to socialize with more than other tourists? We are thinking about coming in the early Fall.

[gobrien]

What would you consider to be early fall, because fall in Alaska comes much sooner than in Arkansas and is pretty short up here in comparison. It usually snows by Halloween. I lived in Fayetteville for 14 years and loved the fall there.

[Jonotastic]

Go hiking in Hatchers Pass. I've actually made a few friends hiking with my dog up there. I also suggest hiking on Mantanuska Glacier. Hatchers Pass is free and Mantanuska Glacier is only $15 to enter.

[bongo]

Originally Posted by setapart

Visiting Alaska has been one of my dreams since I was very young. My daughter and I want to come up and experience the culture. We want to see Mt. McKinley, the Sealife Center, Museums, and just experience Alaska the way the every-day, working-class person does because we are every-day, working-class people. We like the rural lifestyle better than the big city but we do want the conveniences of running water, electricity, and phone. From my research I have learned that some areas are not developed but are still beautiful. I would like to visit a Church of God while I'm there, but what other activities can we get into so that we get to socialize with more than other tourists? We are thinking about coming in the early Fall.

Another option is to read the Alaska travel forum of other people's itineraries- there are tons of ideas & helpful Alaska travel experts:

Alaska Forum, Travel Discussion for Alaska - TripAdvisor

[AKStafford]

Random list of good things to do (pardon some spelling errors):
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center at Portage
Portage Glacier
Exit Glacier
Russian River
Homer Spit
Kenai's North Beach
Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage
Anchorage Museum
Anything on the Alaska Railroad
Katami National Park
Flight seeing out of Anchorage, Talkeetna or Denali National Park
Pioneer Park in Fairbanks
The Trans Alaska Pipeline in either Fox or Glenallen or along the road to Valdez
Keystone Canyon outside of Valdez
Talkeetna, especially the Talkeetna Alaska Lodge. Go into the foyer and then out onto the deck.
Mile 147 Parks Hwy.
Ruth Glacier Overlook on the Parks Highway
Matanuska Glacier
Ship Creek Dam in Anchorage
Alaska Wildberry/Sourdough Mining Company in Anchorage
Pt. Worozoff in Anchorage
Drive over Hatcher's Pass (June through September in a good car)
Fishing Charters out of Seward, Homer, Anchor Point, Ninlchick, etc...

There's a ton more, but this should get you started...

[setapart]

Hey, thanks alot. Sounds like interesting things to do and see.

[setapart]

By "early fall" I mean September-ish.

[setapart]

Thanks. Very informative site.

[gobrien]

Originally Posted by setapart

By "early fall" I mean September-ish.

Thought so, it's so nice in Arkansas that time of year.