In Anchorage in August on vacation. Suggestions? (Kenai, Homer: live, restaurants)

[rustang222]

Hey! My family and I are planning an Anchorage vacation this summer and have never been to Alaska before. We are planning on spending a few days in Denali and maybe a day down in Homer checking out the spits (spelling?). Anything else we have to see or must do while we are enjoying one of the most beautiful places on earth? Thanks!

[Jonotastic]

Hatchers Pass
Climb the Butte
White Water Raft in Denali
ATV in Denali
River Salmon Fishing
Don't spend more than 1 night in Anchorage

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by rustang222

Hey! My family and I are planning an Anchorage vacation this summer and have never been to Alaska before. We are planning on spending a few days in Denali and maybe a day down in Homer checking out the spits (spelling?). Anything else we have to see or must do while we are enjoying one of the most beautiful places on earth? Thanks!

On your way to Homer, stop at the Seven Glaciers restaurant in Girdwood. It is a 4-star restaurant located on top of Mount Alyeska. The tram ride to the top of the mountain is free with dinner reservations. Not only will you be served a fine meal, but you will see some of the best views of the Chugach Mountain Range.

If you can't stop at Girdwood for dinner, then the Princess Lodge at Cooper Landing is a good alternative. It is nestled in the north bank, overlooking the Kenai River. Lots of moose and bear in the area, so keep those cameras ready.

Portage Glacier is a good place to stop and get up close and personal with a glacier. There is also a good information center available.

Fat Olives in Homer is a great place for pizza or popular Italian cuisine. Land's End and the Spit Fire Grille are worth checking out in Homer as well.

[warptman]

Gwinn's in Cooper Landing is good, too.

[JavaPhil]

And it's a "spit" of land. Just one of them, and it's called the Homer Spit. I guess it goes out about at least 3 miles to Lands End Inn (good restaurant there). It isn't more than 600 feet wide or so and when driving down the spit, most of the time you can see the water on both sides. If you get a fishing license, there's a place that has decent little runs of salmon at the head of the spit called the fishing hole (real original name). I see guys surf casting on the west side of the spit into Kachemak (maybe on that side of the spit it's Cook Inlet). There are a lot of working boats in the boat harbor there, with some family fishing boats there too. I usually try and eat cheap when I'm down there (I'm working, dammit), so I can't recommend a lot of restaurants. There is a quirky bar on the spit called the Salty Dawg. Stop and have a brew.

Otherwise, I'd make the rest of the Kenai the centerpoint of your trip. A day on the Russian River, A day in Seward, 3 hours in Whittier (too ex-military to be real interesting). A few hours at the wildlife center. Girdwood for the views.