Visiting Alaska, not via cruise ?

[flex]

Depends on how late of a summer.

[flex]

You're getting into "preparing for winter" weather during the Labor Day weekend. Fairbanks may be the place for you to go, and it's kinda close-ish to Denali and it can get hot.

But I don't know much about fun things to do in Fairbanks. Try this website: fairbanks-alaska.com/

[zoomzoom]

Check the cruise line schedules b/c they only cruise at certain times of the year. August *might* be the cut off. Different cruise lines have different options. Some leave out of Vancouver and cruise all the way to Anchorage. Others offer shorter cruises.

ETA:  www.rssc.com/destinations/alaska/

[flex]

Jul 8, 2014 12:34:35 GMT -5 googled said:

My H has family up there (in Anchorage and Wasilla) and we flew into Anchorage. We saw Mirror Lake and we drove up a mountain to a conservatory where we fed moose, which was neat. I can't remember the name of that place, maybe flex or justkly knows?

That was in winter time, too, but the scenery is beautiful regardless!

It was probably the Eagle River Nature Center.  Very cool place!

[lightbulbsun]

When I went we flew into Anchorage, then rented a car and drove down the Kenai peninsula, then up to Denali and Fairbanks.

We did a lot of hiking and went white water rafting. We stayed at a place where they bred and trained sled dogs. It was in July.

[zoomzoom]

Good grief, epic reading fail. Never mind me.

[flex]

Jul 8, 2014 12:40:26 GMT -5 lightbulbsun said:

When I went we flew into Anchorage, then rented a car and drove down the Kenai peninsula, then up to Denali and Fairbanks.

We did a lot of hiking and went white water rafting. We stayed at a place where they bred and trained sled dogs. It was in July.

Driving the Seward Highway from Anchorage to Girdwood and the Kenai Peninsula is not something you want to miss!  It's rated as one of the most scenic highways in the US.

[lightbulbsun]

Jul 8, 2014 12:47:46 GMT -5 mp said:

Jul 8, 2014 12:40:26 GMT -5 lightbulbsun said:

When I went we flew into Anchorage, then rented a car and drove down the Kenai peninsula, then up to Denali and Fairbanks.

We did a lot of hiking and went white water rafting. We stayed at a place where they bred and trained sled dogs. It was in July.

You just gave me a great idea. I am going to contact some sled dog places. What was the name of the place you visited, do you remember?

I don't remember, sorry   It was about 10 years ago.

[flex]

Jul 8, 2014 12:47:46 GMT -5 mp said:

Jul 8, 2014 12:40:26 GMT -5 lightbulbsun said:

When I went we flew into Anchorage, then rented a car and drove down the Kenai peninsula, then up to Denali and Fairbanks.

We did a lot of hiking and went white water rafting. We stayed at a place where they bred and trained sled dogs. It was in July.

You just gave me a great idea. I am going to contact some sled dog places. What was the name of the place you visited, do you remember?

www.anchorage.net/dog-sledding

www.aksleddogtours.com/

[justkly]

Yaaaay. You visit ME! I'm sure Flex has the most AK knowledge and knows the best places.  I mainly know about Fairbanks or interior Alaska.  Here, you will want to check out Chena Hot Springs. They have natural hot springs, horse back riding, Angel Rock (which is an awesome hike) and an ice museum and bar (that's totally made of ice). There's also Pioneer Park which is a cute little village that has small museums and a really good all you can eat Salmon Bake.  I haven't been Riverboat Discovery yet, but I want to.  It's a 4 hour riverboat tour.  I live in North Pole which is about 20 minutes away from Fairbanks. The town is cute. Everything is Santa Claus themed. There is great hiking and fishing areas here and at least 3 restaurants that have been on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives.  I haven't been to Denali yet, but I hear that it's amazing.

I just got home from work, so give me a few hours and I'll post some pics that we took this week. I still pinch myself that I get to live here!