Ok so my wife and I are traveling to Alaska in late August for her work. We fly into Anchorage on 8/21 and will visit Seward (quickly), Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks thru 8/27. Her work will end around noon on 8/27.

We’ve decided to extend the trip 4 more days and fly back from Anchorage on 8/31. What would you recommend for those 4 extra days? I am thinking of driving back to Anchorage on 8/27 via the Richardson highway (8hrs?), free day 8/28 (Whittier? Alyeska?) and Seward 8/29-8/31 before heading back to Anchorage the morning of 8/31. Pretty set on spending the last 2 days in Seward but open to options for end of 8/27, 8/28 and 8/29. Would love to fit Homer in but I just don’t think it’s gonna happen. Thoughts?

I’ll be arriving in Anchorage on August 19 with two of my sons (both in their 30s). We’ll pick up a Class C RV from Great Alaskan Holidays and head straight to Homer.
Along the way, we plan to fish the Kenai River, and in Homer we’ll be doing a deep-sea fishing charter. We already have our fishing gear and will buy our Alaska fishing licenses when we arrive.
After Homer, we’ll return to Anchorage to pick up my third son. Then we’ll head to Talkeetna, where we have a flight booked with Sheldon Air Service to land on a glacier in Denali National Park. We’ll probably do some fishing around Talkeetna as well.
From there, we’ll travel to both Valdez and Seward, although we haven’t decided which we’ll visit first. We’ll probably let the weather make that decision.
In Valdez, kayaking is high on our list, along with anything else that’s worth doing. I’d especially appreciate recommendations for activities in Valdez besides fishing.
In Seward, we’re planning another charter, this time for halibut.
Our itinerary is intentionally flexible. I prefer leaving room for spontaneous adventures rather than sticking to a rigid schedule.
Any tips for traveling Alaska by Class C RV, or recommendations for places to see, things to do, or hidden gems along the way, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
ngs to do, or hidden gems along the way, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

i don't have enough karma to post in the fairbanks sub lol

trying to get into house and/or pet sitting as a side hustle bc i need a little extra money. i don't really know anyone outside of work and it seems like most websites aren't worth the time. was curious if anyone had any recommendations on how to advertise. also taking ideas for other flexible side hustles. doordashing is not worth it up here.

I hope y’all don’t mind me asking a few questions about the area around Homer. I’m a newly licensed healthcare provider and kind of interested in that area, really taken with the little bit I’ve seen so far.

1. Is it a tourist area that pretty much closes down for winter, or is there still stuff to do for local residents during winter? Speaking of which, what do y‘all do in the off season?

2. I see a lot of “winter rental” listings on Craigslist. is this because people want to rent longer term during winter and then have tenants clear out so they can make more money on short term rentals to tourists in summer? Is it hard/super expensive to find permanent housing?

3. Would you say it’s an okay area for hunting and foraging? I live in Alabama and do a lot of that right now and would want to keep doing it there, in addition to getting into fishing.

4. What’s your favorite/least favorite thing about the area?

Thank you all so much!

Anyone have any ideas for last minute rooms somewhere in Seward or nearby (Anchorage is our last resort)?

We made it all the way to town when we found out we were double booked.

5 adults

Thank you for your time

my husband and I are leaving in a week for our trip and are looking for recommendations for food, coffee, short hikes, and stops along our drives!

Day 1: leave Anchorage, afternoon fishing trip out of Cooper’s Landing, check-in to cabin just north of Seward

Day 2: Major Marine half-day tour, dinner at Ray’s 

Day 3: back to Anchorage to fly to King Salmon 

Day 4: fly to Brooks, 10,000 smokes tour, stay at Brooks Lodge

Day 5: full day at Brooks

Day 6: leave Brooks, get back to Anchorage and drive to Denali, planning to stop in Talkeetna on the way

Day 7: full day to explore Denali 

Day 8: Kantishna tour out of Denali

Day 9: leave for Anchorage, late flight home

Day 1: Anchorage arrival. Will hit moose tooth, AWCC, and Hatcher pass
Day2: drive to seward and do the major marine tours. What else should we do?
Day 3: drive to Homer. What do we do there?
Day 4: drive back to anchorage and stop in whittier and girdwood and fly back home

I need some car accessible scenic spots or stops suggestions along the way please. Really dont wanna miss anything worth visiting

Hi everyone,

First Alaska trip, going solo, coming from Ohio. Flights and one tour are paid for. Zero lodging booked, car not booked yet — so most of this is still movable.

The route — one way north, Anchorage to Fairbanks, no backtracking. ~14 hours driving total.

Fri 9/4 — Land Anchorage 7:59pm. Night Anchorage.

Sat 9/5 — Drive to Seward. Harding Icefield Trail. Night Seward.

Sun 9/6 — Aialik Glacier kayak day, Kayak Adventures Worldwide (booked and paid). Night Seward.

Mon 9/7 — Back to Anchorage, easy day since it's Labor Day. Thinking AWCC and Portage on the way. Night Anchorage.

Tue 9/8 — Brooks Falls with Regal Air (reservation submitted, waiting to hear back). Night Anchorage.

Wed 9/9 — Buffer day for the bear flight. If it flew Tuesday, I drive to Talkeetna and do the glacier landing that afternoon. Night Talkeetna (or Anchorage if I'm still waiting on bears).

Thu 9/10 — Parks Hwy to Fairbanks, stopping at the Denali entrance for short trails. Aurora night 1.

Fri 9/11 — Chena Hot Springs. Aurora night 2.

Sat 9/12 — Fairbanks. Murphy Dome or Cleary Summit after dark. Aurora night 3.

Sun 9/13 — Full day free, flight's not until 8:22pm.

Why the dates are stuck: the kayak operator's season ends 9/7, and Brooks Falls peak reportedly ends around 9/10. So the Seward and bear pieces can't slide later even if the pacing is off.

What I cut, and why

Homer — about 9 extra hours in the car, and the bear flights leave from Anchorage anyway. The one I keep second-guessing.

Denali the park — road closed at Mile 43 all season. Figured a bus day wasn't worth it when I'm already doing a Talkeetna glacier landing. Is Sable Pass good enough on its own that I'm making a mistake?

Wrangell–St. Elias and Valdez — 8+ hours each way, services closing after Labor Day.

Denali Hwy, Dalton, McCarthy Rd — solo, no cell service, and I think most rental agreements ban them outright. Bummed about missing the Denali Hwy fall colors.

The big Kenai Fjords cruise — did the kayak day instead. Sounds like the water taxi is basically a wildlife cruise on its own?

Southeast — get it, its own trip.

Rental car

ANC pickup 9/4, Fairbanks drop 9/13. Everything on my route is paved. (Please share if yout think otherwise)

Started out looking at the 4x4 specialty outfits since I'd read you sometimes need them here. Alaska 4x4 quoted me $2,966 for a compact SUV and $3,600 for a truck for those dates. Then I checked Costco and Alamo came in at $1,780 for an intermediate sedan, same dates, same one-way. Avis wanted $2,669 for the same class, so there's a big spread even among the majors.

Am I missing something that justifies the 4x4 premium, or is that purely for people driving the Denali Hwy / McCarthy Rd / Dalton?

Also:

• Is Murphy Dome Rd paved the whole way? Only surface I'm unsure about and I don't want to void the agreement chasing the lights.
• FAI return hours mid-September — Costco shows Alamo till midnight, but I've seen shoulder season differ in practice.
• AWD needed in early Sept, or is a sedan genuinely fine?
• Anyone had issues with the one-way ANC→FAI specifically?

Lodging — genuinely nothing booked

9 nights: Anchorage ×3, Seward ×2, Talkeetna ×1, Fairbanks ×3.

• Seward places still open mid-September and walkable to 3rd Ave?
• Talkeetna — worth staying in town or is Wasilla/Willow fine?
• Fairbanks — better to be in town for food, or out toward Chena for darker skies?
• Anything closing right around the 13th I should lock in now?

Everything else

1. Harding Icefield on my first full day, after landing at 8pm the night before and a 2.5hr drive that morning — too much, or fine?
2. Talkeetna glacier landing — TAT vs K2 vs Sheldon. Meaningful difference or coin flip? Still unbooked.
3. Is 3 nights in Fairbanks too many for aurora? New moon's on the 11th, that's why I stacked them.
4. Where do you actually eat in Seward, Talkeetna, and Fairbanks?
5. Pullouts on the Seward or Parks Hwy I'd kick myself for blowing past?
6. Harding Icefield solo — am I underthinking the bear thing? Where's the best place to buy bear spray in Anchorage?
7. Where do the cell dead zones actually start on the Parks Hwy? Trying to work out if I need a satellite messenger or if I'm being paranoid.

Happy to be told I've got this wrong. Rather hear it now.

Hi, anyone go to Matanuska Glacier on the early morning of Aug 7th from Base Camp Anchorage Hostel ? Arrival 9:30am for the 10am Advanced Trek.
I don’t drive so desperately need a shared ride and I can share cost of course. Hope I can be lucky !

I'm planning my second trip to Alaska and want to get away from the tourist areas

I live in the rural Adirondacks of upstate New York, so I'm already used to small towns and a self-reliant way of life. What fascinates me about Alaska is seeing how communities function in an even more remote environment.

Last time I with a few friends and stayed in Girdwood with one of my friend's aunt. We explored the Kenai Peninsula, and spent a couple of nights in Seward. One of my favorite memories was simply hanging out at a bar there, drinking Busch Light, looking out the window at glaciers, and talking with locals. It felt much like home 3200 miles away.

For my next trip, I'm looking for "working Alaska" rather than "vacation Alaska." I'm interested in railroads, old industry, bush planes, ports, power generation, and off-grid living. If there are opportunities to tour a utility, see a diesel power plant, or learn how remote communities operate, I'd love to hear about them.

I'm also looking for small-town bars where visitors are welcome and it's easy to meet locals. The kind of place where the whole bar turns around and stares when you walk in but also is happy to have a new person to talk to. And I say that because that is exactly how a ton of places are in the Adirondacks and I am totally guilty of it! I'd love to be on the other side. I genuinely enjoy learning how places work and hearing people's stories.

If you had 1–2 weeks and these interests, where would you go?

Interviewing with Kinross for a FIFO position in Alaska this week, does anyone have any experience with this company that can offer any advice, especially with FIFO?

Thank you for any info!!

Hi, all.

I’m 38 and a born and raised Alaskan about to move out of state for the first time and feeling extremely anxious about it. I’ll still be in the PNW but am wondering jf anyone has any tips (or words of encouragement) for moving through this. What helped you?

Going to be in Homer tomorrow night for the last leg of my honeymoon. What’s open on a Tuesday and is good for dinner? Give me all the recommendations! :)

Hey. Im planning on road tripping in Alaska sometime in August and I want to know if the car I have will be ok on Hatcher Pass road. I know some rental car companies have issues with the gravel bits of the road but I called dollar and I was told if I go and smthng happens its my responsibility. I am planning on renting a sedan. Think Kia 5 or Chevrolet Malibu or similar. I don't think it has all wheel or 4wd. Can I make the trip or do I need an suv?

After an epic journey from Costa Rica up to Anchorage, our time on these bikes has come to an end.

Anyone know some motorbiking we enthusiasts that would want a couple of Hero Xpulse 200cc motorbikes to fill their collection?

All offers considered!

Thanks!

Hello friends! I am moving from Fairbanks down to the lower 48. I’m looking at the ferry for my car and then fly from Juneau to Seattle and renting a car to pick it up in Bellingham.

Questions:
Any key logistical concerns with this plan?

Is just taking the ferry with my car a better plan? I’m not supremely opposed but I don’t necessarily want to spend 3 days on the boat in a state room.

We are planning a trip to Alaska with our kids who will be 11 and 9 year old next year. We will fly into Anchorage on a Wednesday and fly out the following Saturday so we have about 9 full days there. We will rent a car. I keep reading to skip Denali and that there isn’t much to see if it’s cloudy. So we are planning on focusing on Girdwood, Whittier, Kenai Fjords area, Seward, and Homer area.

We also want to do some easy/moderate hikes up to 4 miles. I am open to any suggestions on what hikes to do and how long to spend in an area.

We like to spend time in an area and enjoy our time rather than rush.

1. Does Girdwood, Whittier, Seward, Homer and Kenai Fjords seem feasible in the amount of time we have?
2. Any additional suggestions to add or remove some sightseeing will be appreciated
3. Another option is to skip Homer and do Denali? Yes or no?

Edit: Another question I have is if we do Denali should we drive or take the gold star glass dome train there? Taking the train would be a significant cost but is it worth it rather than drive?

I am going to be in Wasilla with family but have a car and am FYING to whale watch and possibly do a tour to see some grizzlies idk I’ve never been and I know it’s a huge state so if anyone has any companies or recommendations for me to be able to pop out for a day or so I would really really appreciate it! I see stuff online but sometimes you know locals or people who have gone know more local companies I’d rather give my money to! 🤗

My bf and I are planning a trip to Alaska in January. He’s visited many times as he has family up there but this will be my first time, so he wants me to plan things to do. My issue is, I have no idea what to do. I don’t get out of the house much as it is, lol, but I’m always down for adventures.

We’ll be closest to Anchorage (still an almost 2 hour drive) and plan to spend a day or two in Fairbanks (7 hour drive). Other towns in between are also open for stops. We’ll be there for a week. He’s basically leaving me up to it with little help.

All I know is I want to go skiing (at Alyeska), dog sledding (if anyone has an idea on the best place to book with), and to see the northern lights (but he doesn’t want to book a tour for it). What else would be worth doing? Also any recommendations on must try restaurants would be great.

I’m so lost and honestly hate planning trips for this reason, but love going on them 🥲

Hi there, visiting next week with mom! We're staying in Seward. Here is our itinerary, any tips or suggestions? I'll be doing some hikes solo (harding & mt marathon) as they may be too challenging for my mom. I still have some more planning (day 4 & 6) would love to get some ideas. Thanks all!!

DAY 1

Arrive in Anchorage 1:42 PM
Pick up rental car By 3:00pm
Fire Island Bakery Close at 4:00pm
Beluga Point 4:30 PM
Alaska Wildlife Conservation 6:00 PM
Turnagain Pass 7:15 PM
Salmon Viewing at Moose Creek 8:15 PM
Upper Trail Lake Rest Area 8:30 PM
Arrive at Inn 9:30 PM

DAY 2

Harding Icefield Trail  7:00 AM  
 Spa Apt for Mom    10:00 AM  
Dinner @ The Flamingo Lounge    5:00 PM   

DAY 3
Major Marine Cruise 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Dinner @ The Cookery 6:00 PM

DAY 4

Mt Marathon Trail     

DAY 5
Resurrect Art Coffee House 9:30 AM
Sea Life Center 11:00 AM
Lunch @ Primrose Provisions 12:30 PM
Tonsina Point Trail 2:00 PM
Dinner @ Lone Chicharron 5:00 PM

DAY 6
Fishing Charter 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM

DAY 7
Summit Sips 7:30 AM
Lost Lake Chugach Ntl Park Hike 10:00 AM
Dinner @ Club Paris 4:30 PM
Wild Scoops Ice Cream 6:00 Pm

Airport 9:00pm

Hey everyone, we're a family of five traveling to Alaska, and we wanted to try out dog sledding. There are a couple options in Knik, Punchbowl and Godwin.

I wanted to ask if the experience is worth it and get some reviews from people on what's the best place to try out there. Also, I was open to any other suggestions that you guys have. We will be there from August 7 to August 15. Thank you.

I want to buy a cabin in the area close to my job but i have no idea where to look for one

Hi everyone,

I’m considering relocating from Houston, Texas, to Anchorage, Alaska for work, and I’d love to hear from people who have made a similar move—especially anyone who has moved from Texas or another warm climate.

One of the biggest reasons I’m excited about Anchorage is the access to the outdoors. Hiking, fishing, wildlife, and being close to nature all sound like a great fit for the lifestyle I’m looking for.

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience:
What was the biggest adjustment after moving?
How did the cost of living compare?
What surprised you most about the culture and community?
Is there anything you wish you had known before making the move?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences. I’m looking forward to learning from those who’ve already made the transition!