Rented car in Whittier...itinerary ideas?

[Daisy21015]

Our ship disembarks early AM in Whittier and we've decided to rent a car with an 8PM drop off at the Anchorage airport.

 

Looking for ideas and suggestions on how to fill the day and what not to miss as we make our way to Anchorage. It will myself, my husband and our 21 year old daughter.

 

So far in Juneau my husband is doing the photo safari/whale watching while my daughter does the helicopter to the glacier for dog sledding. In Ketchikan we are all doing the sea plane to Misty Fjord and in Skagway we are doing the White Pass train ride.

 

This is our first cruise to Alaska. My husband is always looking for great photo ops, I'd like to get some history/culture and we are all interested in the nature and wildlife. Thank you all for your help :)

[Budget Queen]

Are there areas of interest in Anchorage you have planned? Are you stopping at Alyeska? Interested in the Arm? Gold panning? Glaciers?? Portage Glacier visitor center, Gold mining? Independence Mine and Hatcher Pass. Glacier trekking- Matanuska? Plus plenty to see and do in Anchorage. Up to you

[mapleleaves]

Suggested stopping points within 1 hr south of Anchorage; the most popular are Wildlife conservation Center, gold panning, Portage Glacier/Lake Visitor Center, Alyeska Resort, Potters MArsh...

 

http://www.alaska.org/guide/turnagain-arm-drive

 

http://www.alaska.org/guide/turnagain-arm-drive

 

http://www.alaska.org/guide/portage-valley

 

If you have time, the Eklutna Spirit Houses and Orthodox church are only 1/2 hr north of Anchorage; a very interesting cultural stop: http://eklutnahistoricalpark.org/

[Daisy21015]

Thank you so much! I will start to look at these suggestions and work up a plan. Any must do favorites?

[Cruzaholic41]

Just outside of Whittier, stop by the Portage Glacier visitor center. Just past it is the trail head for Byron Glacier. It's an easy 30 minute hike to the hanging glacier and the trail ends at the River bed. It really pretty at the end of the trail.

 

Once you get out to the Seward Hwy, turn right and almost immediately you'll see the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. You can walk or drive through it and see moose, bears, bison and other animals.

 

I recommend visiting Alyeska on the way north.