Be sure to buy a copy of the “Milepost”. This has excellent maps and tells you many sights to see along the roads. You can order a copy from Amazon.com, or buy one when you get there.

Pictures of different areas and wildlife of Alaska can be viewed at www.cmetcalf.com

Be sure to watch for wildlife anywhere you drive in Alaska. This includes even in towns. I have seen Moose walking down the street in Anchorage!

Seward – About three hours south of Anchorage

• Excellent day glacier cruises

  • I recommend Kenai Fjord tours http://www.kenaifjords.com/

    • I especially recommend the small boat Mariah tour. Maximum of 16 people per boat http://www.kenaifjords.com/551.cfm

  • I recommend Major Marine tours

  • I do NOT recommend Renown tours

• Salmon Bake is an excellent restaurant just outside of town off of Exit Glacier Road. Good beer too! http://www.sewardalaskacabins.com/SalmonBake.htm

• Lodging recommendations

  • Seward Windsong Lodge http://www.sewardwindsong.com/

  • Salmon Bake Cabins http://www.sewardalaskacabins.com/

Soldotna - ~4 hours south of Anchorage

• Very good Salmon fishing off of the river. You can also use Soldotna as a base and do day trips to Homer or Seward from here. Not much else I can recommend in Soldotna.

Homer - ~5 hours south of Anchorage

• Excellent Halibut and Salmon fishing.

  • http://seaflightsportfishing.com/

  • http://www.winterking.com/

• Excellent day bear viewing trips. www.hallobay.com

• Day boat trips to small towns on the other side of the bay

• Very good Whale watching tour http://www.rainbowtours.net/Webpages/WhalePage.html

• Excellent Starfish viewing at low tide from the beach on the Homer Spit

• Depending on the time of year, you can see Eagles on the Homer Spit

• The “Fishing Hole” on the spit is an excellent place to stop and spend a few hours. You watch people fish and can see wildlife like eagles and seals, depending on the time of year. You can even rent fishing poles if you want to try fishing.

• Restaurant – The Happy Face on the Homer Spit for Chinese food.

• Lodging

  • http://thedriftwoodinn.com/

  • http://www.akoceanshores.com/

  • http://www.threemoose.com/

Denali - ~5 hours north of Anchorage http://www.nps.gov/dena

• Excellent area to view wildlife and scenery. The drive from Anchorage to Denali is beautiful.

• Take a bus ride into Denali. This is as good a chance as you get to see wildlife. I have seen moose, bears, fox, sheep, caribou, and eagles on these trips http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/bus-travel.htm or http://www.denaliwildlifetour.com/ or http://www.reservedenali.com/tours.php

• Lodging

  • http://www.denalilakeview.com/

  • http://www.denalilakesidelodging.com/

  • http://www.motelnordhaven.com/

  • http://www.thetoteminn.com/

Fairbanks ~ 8 hours north of Anchorage

• Riverboat tours.

• Hot Air ballooning

• Good place to see the Northern Lights, but only September – April

• Lodging

  • Super8

  • Best Western

  • Springhill Suites

Haines, AK

• Excellent Eagle viewing from October – February

• Good Eagle viewing the rest of the year

Anchorage

• Many museums to see in Anchorage. Also some great parks with hiking trails to spend the day out. Many people see moose while walking trails in the parks.

  • Earthquake Park

  • Kincaid Park - http://www.romancingalaska.com/southcentral/SC_kincaid_park.htm

• Anchorage zoo – http://www.alaskazoo.org/

• Animal park - http://www.farthernorth.com/biggamealaska/

• Jade Factory tour in Girdwood

• Native village tour http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/1160136

• Other Anchorage sights http://www.anchorage.net/590.cfm

• You can also take a day glacier tour out of Whittier. http://www.majormarine.com/alaska-day-cruises/prince-william-sound-glacier-cruise/

• Lodging

  • Super 8

  • Hilton, Hampton, Garden Inn, Home Suites

  • Marriot, Courtyard, Springhill Suites, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn

  • Redroof Inn – Cheapest place, but not too bad