What to do in Anchorage prior to cruise?

[dcl1710]

Hi we are doing 2 days pre-cruise in Anchorage. Any suggestions? We like glaciers, nice road trips and most nature. Did land cruise with Princess ( Denali, Mt. McKinley ) 10 years ago. Want to do stuff on our own. Plus fishing tips in Juneau , Ketchican, or Skagway. All suggestions are appreciated!

[mapleleaves]

If you like road trips does that mean you're open to renting a car?

If so, you could drive to Matanuska Glacier about 2 hrs north east of Anchorage, It's a nice drive and you can ice trek or go white water rafting. And/or detour to Independence Mine for a look around or hike. (look at JozieRhodes trip report for photos of both activities)

 

http://www.alaska.org/guide/matanuska-glacier-scenic-drive

 

Or head south for things to do along the Turnagain Arm .... pan for gold, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, visit Begich Boggs Visitor Center at Portage Lake/Glacier, alyeska resort, Potters Marsh for bird watching on the boardwalk .

 

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

 

Lots of other good info in the Alaska.org link.

Borrow an Alaska guide book from your library for other ideaas. Look thru trip report.

[dcl1710]

Yes we are renting a car at ANC and returning it at Whittier. It is such a beautiful state we want to see as much as possible. Thanks for the links.

[Greysandy]

We are visiting Anchorage for a second time, so we are renting bikes for about $20/day from one of several downtown bike rental shops. If you are open to some activity, there is a fabulous, paved, no cars coastal trail that goes 11 miles. See the info on http://www.alaska-bike-rentals.com about the option of taking a bus to the natural park at the end of the 11 miles, which is slightly up hill of downtown, then cruising the easier part of the ride back to town.

[Budget Queen]

Yes we are renting a car at ANC and returning it at Whittier. It is such a beautiful state we want to see as much as possible. Thanks for the links.

 

With the glacier priority, then consider, doing a Prince William Sound boat tour, prior to boarding your cruise.

 

With your one way car, depending on your interests, "nature" is all over, but a varied wildlife tour is available out of Seward. It would be simple to spend the day in Seward the day before your cruise, easy drive direct Seward/Whittier and with an early start, you may have some time, before having to get through the 11:30am tunnel for a PWS boat tour.

[h2dcruise]

We are arriving the night before our Southbound Celebrity cruise leaves from Seward. We'll be staying at a hotel close to the airport and were wondering what we can possibly do on a Friday morning in Anchorage...?

 

Our cruise departs at 8pm and there are shuttles that can get us to Seward as early as 1pm or as late at 5:30pm (leaving Anchorage at 1pm)...

[Budget Queen]

We are arriving the night before our Southbound Celebrity cruise leaves from Seward. We'll be staying at a hotel close to the airport and were wondering what we can possibly do on a Friday morning in Anchorage...?

 

Our cruise departs at 8pm and there are shuttles that can get us to Seward as early as 1pm or as late at 5:30pm (leaving Anchorage at 1pm)...

 

You have decided you don't have the interest to tour Seward?

 

I suggest you, first determine what activities may be of interest, then figure out what time frame and location works best.

 

http://www.anchorage.net http://www.seward.com

[dcl1710]

What is up with the tunnel to Whittier? I have read good reviews and then horror stories. What is the best time to go through the tunnel? I do not want to be in backed up traffic for arriving at a stupid time.

[donaldsc]

What is up with the tunnel to Whittier? I have read good reviews and then horror stories. What is the best time to go through the tunnel? I do not want to be in backed up traffic for arriving at a stupid time.

 

Who would write a review of a tunnel and it is no big deal using it. Try typing "Whittier Tunnel" into Google and all will be revealed. The only thing that you need to know is that is a one way tunnel and you need to be aware of the schedule.

 

DON

[5waldos]

In Anchorage itself we quite liked the Alaska Native Heritage Center- http://www.alaskanative.net/en/para-nav/home/. Well worth the trip out there.

 

We also spent a bit of time in downtown Anchorage- the small museum there was interesting. A lot of information about the horrendous earthquake that hit not long ago.

[Budget Queen]

What is up with the tunnel to Whittier? I have read good reviews and then horror stories. What is the best time to go through the tunnel? I do not want to be in backed up traffic for arriving at a stupid time.

 

The tunnel TO Whittier, is open for 15 minutes starting on the half hour. There is a $12 fee

 

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/creg/whittiertunnel/schedule.shtml

[Glaciers]

If I had two days in Anchorage I’d head to Matanuska Glacier for a trek. The drive to the glacier and beyond on the Glenn Highway is beautiful. There are several options along the way to explore as well.

[dcl1710]

Thanks Glaciers! Sounds like a plan.

[Glaciers]

Thanks Glaciers! Sounds like a plan.

 

You're welcome. We've been up once already this year and will make another trip or two during the summer. We've used Mica for guided treks and have heard Nova is good too.

[DentoAlaska]

In Anchorage itself we quite liked the Alaska Native Heritage Center- http://www.alaskanative.net/en/para-nav/home/. Well worth the trip out there.

 

We also spent a bit of time in downtown Anchorage- the small museum there was interesting. A lot of information about the horrendous earthquake that hit not long ago.

 

We have the Native Heritage Center on our to do list. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. We will not have a car. Do you have any transportation suggestions from the Captain Cook to the Heritage Center?

[Glaciers]

We have the Native Heritage Center on our to do list. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. We will not have a car. Do you have any transportation suggestions from the Captain Cook to the Heritage Center?

 

In the past they have had a shuttle from downtown to the Heritage Center. It picks up at the Cook. This is last year’s schedule. You may want to contact them directly about the schedule for 2015.

http://www.alaskanative.net/data/alaska2012/files/file/shuttle%20schedule%2014.pdf

[lah3185]

The Alaska Zoo is in Anchorage and there is a shuttle for that. There are also baseball games as anchorage has two teams with college players from around the us playing there-the Bucs and Glacier Pilots.

[DentoAlaska]

In the past they have had a shuttle from downtown to the Heritage Center. It picks up at the Cook. This is last year’s schedule. You may want to contact them directly about the schedule for 2015.

http://www.alaskanative.net/data/alaska2012/files/file/shuttle%20schedule%2014.pdf

 

Thank you so much for the information we will check into this.

[Glaciers]

Thank you so much for the information we will check into this.

 

It’s really a nice venue. Hopefully there will be an event going on if you decide to go. Check the daily schedule. With the emphasis being on wildlife, glaciers and general scenery, it’s another important aspect of Alaska that sometimes gets overlooked.